Meet Devin Doyle | Director of Photography & Camera Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Devin Doyle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Devin, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
This is a super poignant question in the entertainment industry at this moment. As I type this the Writers have negotiated a deal with the AMPTP and the Screen Actors are next up at the table. Everyone’s waiting with bated breath for this strike to be over so we can all resume work. This work stoppage has been a moment of deep reflection (similar to COVID) for myself and many of my friends in the industry. When you’re out of the rat race for a moment you can afford to take the long view on your business, your role in it, and where you’re headed.

I got my start in Los Angeles in 2006 working at a camera rental house (Panavision Hollywood) as a shipping clerk and eventually camera prep technician. From there I went freelance working as a film loader, digital imaging technician, 2nd camera assistant, and eventually camera assistant in the commercial space. The whole while I shot my own projects on the side to diversify my portfolio and deepen my well of experience. In 2015 I committed to being a Director of Photography full-time. I shot a lot of amazing projects and traveled the world, and then in 2018 we had our daughter and priorities shifted. In addition to wanting to focus more on our family, I felt I’d hit a rut in my work and couldn’t seem to get out of it.

COVID really shook things up for us and gave us that aforementioned perspective on our situation. We ultimately decided to leave Los Angeles for Atlanta in search of a more family-friendly environment with a slower pace of life. Upon moving here I was extremely fortunate to find myself employed in an arena I had previously only dreamed of working in – studio features and TV shows. I rode the wave of ‘peak TV’ as a Camera Operator and 2nd Unit Director of Photography working with incredible artisans and technicians who inspired me every day. I had realized that dream I had as a 14 year old kid, now working behind the camera on large-scale movies. The pay and healthcare were great, but the hours were long and it was still a battle to secure that next job. Staring down the barrel on this 6th month without work I’ve asked myself countless times whether I should keep going or give up.

Truthfully, there is no real choice here: the sun sets and rises again the next day and you have to keep going. Too often we use our careers and job titles to define who we are – to give us an identity – and we, especially as Americans, cling to this ‘work-self’ fiercely. When we lose that identity we feel unmoored. But the reality is that your chosen job is merely a vessel for the boundless creativity and skills that each of us innately possess. Your unique skillset can apply to any number of outlets.

The real question is whether to keep going or give up on self-fulfillment, the things that make you feel whole. The Japanese concept of Ikigai perfectly captures this notion, that the meaning of life can be found at the intersection of these zones in our lives:

1. What you love.
2. What you’re good at.
3. What you can be paid for.
4 What the world needs.

This is really a moving goal post, constantly shifting and growing with you when your priorities change. I think it’s critical to recognize growth and change, and not make yourself beholden to a goal or lifestyle that no longer serves you. We had a lot of feelings leaving Los Angeles after 14 years, but recognized that the city no longer served us in our role as parents and creatives. At the outset it was agonizing leaving our friends and memories behind, but the gains we’ve made here in those aforementioned roles have been ten-fold.

I feel as though I’m at a crossroads on many levels, but find time daily to express gratitude for our family, home, and community. I feel like I’ve accomplished so many goals in my life and can’t wait to see what’s around the bend. The sun will set this evening, but it’ll also rise tomorrow.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being a Director of Photography is akin to being a magician – there’s a highly technical, practical series of steps being taken behind the curtain that culminate in a seamless act, with the goal of affecting your audience. If any of the magic is revealed behind the curtain the jig is up and you’ve lost your audience.

I find deep satisfaction being the conduit through which all of the ideas, feelings, and hard work flow through on set. Being able to interpret a Director’s needs and translate that through all manner of lighting, lens selection, camera movement, blocking, etc. is a unique trade that I absolutely love. It never gets old being the last line of defense before an image is recorded and put on screen.

The imagery I produce exists at the intersection of creativity and pragmatism. Working as a Director of Photography is interesting because you don’t have a physical product that you produce, you produce a series of images with your imprint on them, along with an experience for those you collaborate with.

It’d be wonderful if we lived in a world where you could endlessly tinker and perfect the images you turn in, but the reality is that time is money, and you’re constantly under pressure to bring a project in on time and under budget. I enjoy riding the line of executing the Director’s vision for the project at hand, all the while keeping an eye on the clock – and finding creative ways to satisfy both tasks. I find I like to do all the heavy lifting in prep so that when on set I can pivot quickly if necessary.

It’d be a lie to say that it was purely through sheer grit and determination that I got to where I am today. The reality is that I’ve been given countless opportunities to prove myself by my peers and mentors, and I always made sure to make them proud when given the chance. I like to say that career advancement happens when proper preparation meets opportunity, and I’ve found that to be the case nearly every time.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that there are a million highly qualified technicians out there working on film sets (Directors, DPs, Gaffers, Key Grips, Set Designers, you name it). It’s a given that you know how to do your job (this is where all the hard, self-starting work has to be done for that proper preparation part above), but what really sticks out is the energy you bring to set. Can you perform under pressure and offer solutions? Are you respectful to everyone, especially folks lower in the chain of command? Are you generally positive and foster an air of creativity? These are the people that get asked back job after job. Don’t put the blinders on and focus entirely on the technique (although it’s important), make sure you’re taking the time to work on yourself to be a well-rounded person.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One day in Atlanta is tough, but I’d say start downtown at Folk Art in Inman Park – their chilaquiles are some of the best around. Really it’s a tie between those guys and Muchacho, which has great food, coffee, and vibes right next to the Belt Line. We love to search for antiques so the next stop would be Mother Lode in Decatur, with Decatur Estate located right next door. Kudzu is also just around the corner and always fun to explore. You’re sure to find something rad and unexpected at any of those spots. I’d then head up to our little town of Marietta outside the perimeter (OTP) and head to the new Sessions Brasserie for a beautiful French-inspired lunch and more caffeine. There’s an awesome lawn outside to hang out on and a playground for kids. After walking Marietta square and making a wish in the fountain I’d head even further North to Woodstock and our favorite brewery – Reformation. They have an incredible outdoor seating area shaded by a massive Elm tree. Taking in the sunset with some close friends and a couple brews sounds pretty idyllic to me…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wonderful wife (and former subject here on Shout Out ATL, Amanda Lenker-Doyle, CSA) gave me a book for my birthday that fueled my response: “Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. It’s beautifully insightful and worth the read.

I’d also credit Director of Photography Ken Seng (Deadpool, They Cloned Tyrone) for believing in me and giving me my first job here in Atlanta. He’s a terrific artist and mentor – his encouragement and support paved the way for my success here in Georgia.

Website: http://devindoyle.net

Instagram: dev_doyle

Image Credits
Julia Fenner, LeggyBird photography