Creative Video Directors | Visual Storytellers

Who We Are

Photoduo is Debra LaCoppola and Charles Meier. The husband and wife creative video directors are based in Southern California, hailing from New York City, where they both attended the prestigious School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.

Who We Are

Debra has been an irrepressible visual storyteller from the age of seven, when she received her first 126 Instamatic camera from her Aunt Jo-Jo. She photographed everything from her breakfast pancakes to family, friends, and pets. From those first early images emerged the inspired video artistry that is Debra’s creative and professional passion.

I always say I have two loves, says Debra, creating stories using my camera and Charles.

Photoduo is known for both their focused attention to detail in every stage of the production process as well as a visually luscious artistic style. Debra and Charles are also respected for being friendly, down-to-earth, and easy to work with.

Charles grew up alongside his father building early computers in the garage and working at his grandfather’s Esso station on the Jersey shore, where he learned patience, problem solving, and a love of all things electrical and mechanical. As well as being a visual artist, he provides the technical and post-production wizardry for Photoduo.

There is nothing better than telling a story through film, Charles says.

When clients work with Photoduo, they know they will receive visually stunning video that brings their brand alive with light and color. Each project is meticulously crafted by Debra and Charles every step of the way.

This sought after creative team has worked with a vast variety of clients, from documenting Bill Gates on the Microsoft Campus, taking portraits of the young entrepreneur Jeff Bezos selling books online from his basement, to providing gorgeous lifestyle imagery for giant wellness brands such as Aveda and The Chopra Center.

Who is Photoduo?

The company was founded by husband and wife team Debra LaCoppola and Charles Meier. Both are always on set and work seamlessly as creative and technical directors of your project. They contract with additional staff or teams as needed during production and post production.

What is their expertise?

Photoduo creates video content for healthcare practices and wellness brands. “We love telling stories. Long or short, loops or GIF’s. It’s all about the story,” says Debra. Photoduo has been creating inspired imagery for over twenty years.

Where do they work?

The team is based in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California. They are available to work nationally and internationally.

What notable subjects have they photographed?

Bill Gates, Ken Kesey, Nobu Matsuhisa, Julia Child, Jeff Bezos, Salman Rushdie, Alan Arkin, Philip Glass, Beverly Sills, Jean Chatzky, Rocco Dispirito, Eric Ripert, Ron Insana.

Does Photoduo work with my in-house marketing team?

Photoduo enjoys collaborating with in-house teams and are flexible and easy to work with.

How long does it take to create video content?

Project length varies depending on the scope of the project as each is unique and customized. Once a signed contract is in place you will be given an estimated completion date.

What is the process?

The team leads you through every stage of the project, from concept creation to post production. Learn more here>>

What makes you different?

Photoduo offers a gorgeous visual aesthetic, a laser-focused attention to detail, as well as a compassionate and intuitive approach to each project.

“We are not your typical run and gun video production team” says Charles.

Who is behind the camera?

Debra is behind the camera and takes on the creative direction. Charles is the technical master and can solve just about any problem that may arise on set or during post production.

How did you get started?

Debra and Charles both attended the School of Visual Arts in NYC and were based in New York for many years before settling on the west coast.

Are you taking Covid-19 precautions?

Yes, Photoduo is taking every stage of the pandemic very seriously, keeping up with the latest scientific information and protocols. Our team is fully vaccinated and is considerate and concerned with the health of our clients.

Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce had the opportunity to work with Debra and Charlie on a huge project to honor our local nurses. The project is airing on local television stations, social media feeds and more as we spread the message of gratitude. It was a larger than life undertaking because of how meaningful this message is. PhotoDuo nailed it. Captured the stories of three nurses of the year from our local hospitals and perfected the tone of appreciation for a community. If you get the chance to work with Debra, consider yourself lucky. It was a great experience and more than I imagined!

We hired Debra + Charlie for a lifestyle photo shoot at our resort and restaurant. They have a great way of connecting with the talent and encouraging genuine interactions between them. We love our imagery – each is filled with stories, energy and emotion.

My Clients and I have loved the results of every commission we’ve given to Debra, Charlie and their team- Debra brings her boundless energies and creativity to every shoot, immediately relates to her subjects and the duo consistently capture beautifully natural moments that always feel ‘right!’

I have had the pleasure of working with Debra and Charlie. They were professional, diligent, creative, and efficient. The final product could not have been better. In addition, we had fun doing it! I can give Debra and Charlie my unconditional recommendation for anyone in need of high quality videographers.

Working with Debra and Charlie was great. They listened carefully to my creative concept and then took it to the finish line, on- time and on-budget. I can’t wait to hire them for our next project…!

Debra and her team produced medical videos for our private practice and they came out better than we envisioned. Her team were extremely professional and meticulous at their job but also they brought inviting, warm personalities that made you feel at ease. They captured the essence of our private practice beautifully in the final videos. Can’t thank you all enough for a wonderful product.

It was a great joy working with Debra and Charlie, two supreme professionals. Their work was superb and they are extraordinarily easy to work with. They have my highest praise….

I’d have to say, that was the least pretentious shoot I have ever been on!

“They captured your essence perfectly!” Is the most frequent comment on the video from people who know me best. Deb and Charlie were wonderful to work with! Very creative, professional, with a beautiful vision and passion for their work, which translates into a fantastic product. I absolutely love the video they produced and cannot recommend them highly enough.

I have been filmed and video’ed many times over the years giving interviews about HIV, my research and patient care. Debra and her husband Charlie were surely the most friendly and competent individuals that I have worked with. Hope to work with them again.

I would describe making a healthcare video with Debra and Charlie as very professional, relaxed , and fun! I highly recommed!

I loved working with Debra and Charles: they are genuine people who care about the project and the people they work with.

Debra and Charlie were prepared to start our shoot when I walked in the door, had insightful feedback that improved my presentations, and were patient when I struggled with multiple takes. It was all borne out by the finished product, which presented me and the content in the best possible way. Charlie and Debra are consummate professionals who will help you bring your vision alive, on screen.

I always say I have two loves, says Debra, creating stories using my camera and Charles.

There is nothing better than telling a story through film, Charles says.

Who is Photoduo?

What is their expertise?

Where do they work?

The team is based in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California. They are available to work nationally and internationally.

What notable subjects have they photographed?

Bill Gates, Ken Kesey, Nobu Matsuhisa, Julia Child, Jeff Bezos, Salman Rushdie, Alan Arkin, Philip Glass, Beverly Sills, Jean Chatzky, Rocco Dispirito, Eric Ripert, Ron Insana.

Does Photoduo work with my in-house marketing team?

Photoduo enjoys collaborating with in-house teams and are flexible and easy to work with.

How long does it take to create video content?

Project length varies depending on the scope of the project as each is unique and customized. Once a signed contract is in place you will be given an estimated completion date.

What is the process?

The team leads you through every stage of the project, from concept creation to post production. Learn more here>>

What makes you different?

Photoduo offers a gorgeous visual aesthetic, a laser-focused attention to detail, as well as a compassionate and intuitive approach to each project.

“We are not your typical run and gun video production team” says Charles.

Who is behind the camera?

Debra is behind the camera and takes on the creative direction. Charles is the technical master and can solve just about any problem that may arise on set or during post production.

How did you get started?

Debra and Charles both attended the School of Visual Arts in NYC and were based in New York for many years before settling on the west coast.

Are you taking Covid-19 precautions?

Who We Are

Who We Are

We've Worked With

Hello