Biography
For Daddy Love, becoming a business owner was inevitable - independence has always been in his DNA. "I move to the beat of my own drum," he says, reflecting on his journey from creative visionary to powerhouse entrepreneur. As the founder of Pure Shots Studio in Asbury Park, NJ, Daddy Love transformed his passion for visual storytelling into a thriving enterprise built on authenticity, hustle, and heart. From an early age, his entrepreneurial spark was evident. "When I was younger, I used to make custom ringtones for cell phones," he recalls. "People around town would pay me to produce them, and before long it turned into a small business. That was my first taste of working for myself." That creative drive evolved when he discovered a love for the camera. What began as a hobby - shooting music videos with a camcorder he received for his birthday - quickly grew into something bigger. He taught himself photography and video production, eventually opening Pure Shots Studio and booking weddings, music videos, and events. His breakout moment came in 2015 at a bridal show that propelled his studio into the spotlight and opened the doors to a wave of new opportunities. Never content to stand still, Daddy Love expanded into filmmaking - writing, directing, and producing his own projects. His acclaimed web series Cold Summer, which explored the real-life struggles and triumphs of Asbury Park, captured attention on the film festival circuit, earning Best Visuals (2018) and Best Director (2019) at the Urban Film Festival. A Red Bank, NJ native, Daddy Love has since become a dynamic force in independent cinema. A true multi-hyphenate, he serves as Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Gaffer, and Sound Engineer - mastering every stage of the creative process. To date, he has directed six feature films - including Cold Summer: The Movie, The Past Three Years, Coke Queen 1 & 2, The Last Bet, Mizery, and End Zone - along with eight episodes of the Cold Summer series. Known for his distinct directorial style, Daddy Love champions improvisation and realism, encouraging his actors to bring raw emotion and authenticity to every scene. His ability to guide even first-time performers into powerful, naturalistic performances has become a defining hallmark of his work. In 2024, Daddy Love debuted his latest feature film, End Zone, at the Brook Arts Center, marking another milestone in his ever-evolving career. With several new projects on deck - including five feature films and the return of his Love Unfiltered Podcast - this unstoppable filmmaker continues to redefine what it means to be a creator in full control of his vision. A graduate of The Los Angeles Film School, where he earned his Bachelor's in Film Science, Daddy Love stands as a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose - a self-made storyteller whose journey is only just beginning.
