Hugh Westhoff knew from a young age what he wanted to do. As a kid, he would wander around his home and yard with a camcorder—not even fully understanding how to use it—simply viewing the world through its lens. When he was 12, his parents introduced him more intentionally to the idea of making films. From that point on, he began creating short films and skits without any concern for who might watch them—he just loved the process.At 14, Hugh entered a statewide video contest, which marked a turning point. After winning, he realized that filmmaking could actually be a career. After high school, he enrolled in film school but only stayed for about five months before deciding to leave and start working as a director of photography (DP).Over the years, Hugh built a network of fellow DPs, many of whom became close friends. It was those friends who eventually told him what he hadn’t yet admitted to himself: he seemed more like a director than a DP. That insight sparked something in him. He couldn’t quite explain it, but he took it as a sign—and made the leap.Now he lives in Tulsa Oklahoma and is directing commercials and music videos while on the constant hunt for creating work that resonates with the soul.