I'm joined by cinematographer and DP, Nik Pilecki, whose unconventional path into the film world is as inspiring as it is insightful.Nik began his career as an optometrist—but in his late twenties, he picked up a Canon T2i to shoot music videos and never looked back. What followed was a relentless pursuit of visual storytelling, backed by strong communication, sales savvy, and a deep commitment to relationship building—skills he carried over from his first profession.In this conversation, Nik shares how problem-solving and human connection have set him apart in the industry, and why he believes *who you are* matters just as much as what you shoot.We talk about:* Why building strong relationships is just as critical as mastering your craft* His approach to post-project debriefs and why they elevate future work* The power of collaboration and creating with what you have* His belief that being yourself is the key to attracting the right opportunitiesWhether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this episode is full of hard-won wisdom.You can can see Nik's work belowhttps://www.instagram.com/nikpilecki/Follow Open Shutter for future show announcements!https://www.instagram.com/openshutteryoutube/like and subscribe:)