Today we’d like to introduce you to Heber Stanton.
Hi Heber, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It started when I was a freshman in high school and my dad handed me a GoPro as a birthday present. I don’t think either he or I knew that that gift would be the beginning of a lifelong obsession. I was hooked on making my own little worlds through the lens of a camera. I began modestly by taking pictures of whatever “looked cool” before diving fully into the painful but rewarding video editing space. I became increasingly obsessed as the years passed and my knowledge of what makes an image cinematic increased. I invested in better gear, moved up from that GoPro to real cinema cameras, and even got invested in aerial videography. I had this new perspective on how I viewed locations and people. Fast forward a bit, and my passion led me around the world, telling visual stories of some of the most remote locations and cultures. I’ve heard multiple times that if you choose a career you love, you’ll never work a day in your life, and that’s why I’ve stuck with filmmaking. What started as a GoPro gift has turned into a real occupation—one that lets me portray the world through my eyes. It’s been quite a ride. And hopefully I’m just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been easy, especially in the beginning. I was completely self-taught, and nobody warned me how tough editing would be or how long it would take to gain traction. It took years before I started seeing consistent attention or getting paid. Camera gear is expensive, and learning to shoot cinematically takes time, failure, and constant learning. That’s the first barrier. The second is the delayed reward. In this field, success requires consistency and the willingness to keep going even when views or money don’t come, and sometimes they never do. You have to love it regardless. Early on, I focused less on marketing and more on perfecting my visuals. I wasn’t in it for the money. I just loved creating. I even spent my own time and money traveling to film dream locations with no one asking me to. But later, those same kinds of projects led tourism boards and brands to reach out and hire me to do exactly what I was already doing. That’s when I knew I had made it—doing what I love, on my own terms, and finally getting paid for it. Still, imposter syndrome creeps in, especially seeing others get recognition for work they love. But that’s why I made a personal rule: never take on a project unless I’m fully passionate about it. For example, I don’t shoot weddings anymore—unless the pay is insane. Every project now comes from the heart, and I do everything I can to make it as quality as possible.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a filmmaker and visual storyteller specializing in cinematic travel, nature, and night sky content. I’m best known for my night-sky timelapses and the way I use light, movement, and pacing to bring emotion into my videos. I’ve worked with brands, tourism boards, and gear companies to showcase locations in ways that feel both epic and deeply personal. What sets me apart is the way I approach storytelling. I try to capture how it feels to be there. I often shoot solo or with other filmmakers in remote locations, chasing the perfect light or staying up all night for one shot. That kind of work requires patience, a real obsession, and connection to wherever I am. Most of my favorite videos started as passion projects. They were times when I went out on my own dime, just to capture something I felt drawn to and could clearly see the end result of. I’m proud that those self-initiated shoots later led to paid opportunities with tourism boards and brands. There’s something incredibly validating about being hired to do what you were already doing for the love of it. More than anything, I want people to feel something when they see my work. I think that’s the real power of filmmaking: it connects people to places and emotions they might never otherwise experience.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely more of an introvert, especially during middle and high school. I wasn’t into big social gatherings or parties. While there were moments I’d come out of my shell and be outgoing, I always preferred one-on-one time or small groups with people I knew well. I had friends, but I usually spent time with them individually rather than in big groups. There were also times I’d make excuses not to hang out, just so I could work on side projects. I’ve always had these little obsessions. When I was younger, it was building miniature roller coasters or catching animals in the backyard. There was always something capturing my curiosity. Videography was the one obsession that really stuck. It started in early high school, and from there it never let go. I was especially inspired by the pioneers of solo filmmaking, like Jay Alvarrez and Sam Kolder. Watching their work made me realize that filmmaking could be more than a hobby, it could be a lifestyle. To this day, there’s a permanent slope in my mom’s couch because I used to come home after school and sit in the same spot every day, editing videos from our family vacations or experimenting with whatever new idea I had in my head.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heber_stanton/
