Episode 23: Ambition with Samson Binutu

A good number of people are still skeptical when it comes to filmmaking as a career. Because you wonder if it is a promising career, can it put food on your table? Can it give you the life you desire? 

The good news is that our world today has many opportunities, especially in the creative world. Samson Binutu is living proof. Samson dates his journey as a photographer way back to 2010 when he was dating a girl taking a photography class, and when hanging out, she would show up with a camera. 

Samson Binutu is a Maryland-based Nigerian-American cinematographer. He disrupts visual norms by making pieces that make you...well, think. He is known for his dreamy aesthetic and love of abstraction. His studies in photography and music inspired his approach to detail and storytelling even more. His work extends from commercials/music videos to independent projects such as short films. He has worked as a DP and Director for companies such as Netflix, Smithsonian, HOKA, Big Think, Vice, Capital One, Under Armour, and many more.

Since then, Samson has nurtured his passion for photography and recently worked on a project with Ja-Mar Jones as a cinematographer. In this episode, Samson Binutu joins me on the show to share his journey as a photographer and how he transitioned into a cinematographer. 

Listen to the episode and learn. 

Key Talking Points of the Episode: 

[3:43] How did Samson start as a photographer? 

[15:15] Samson’s desire to be NBA 

[19:17] Significance of not having a chip on your shoulder 

[21:54] Challenges of photographers who are not American 

[26:07] Film industry 

[33:57] Dealing with time and prioritization 

[38:03] The difference between a cinematographer and a director 

[41:41] How to choose the right camera lens 

Magical Quotes from the Episode: 

“Consistency is the key.” 

“It is all about mindset.” 

“With passion, you can become the person you want to be in the future.” 

“When you’re consistent in something, you’re passionate about it, and you can create a community around it, it’s bound to be something that thrives.” 

“Create something that inspires people.” 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode: 

Book-Atomic Habits 

Connect with Samson Binutu 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonbinutu/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cruefilms/

Website: https://cruefilms.co/