Laura Hudock is an Emmy Award-winning Director of Photography whose diverse career spans both documentary and scripted film/tv. Whether illuminating the raw truths of the human condition or crafting vivid fictional worlds, Laura’s work captures the beauty and struggle of the human experience through emotionally resonant and impactful images.
With a background as a camera operator on acclaimed, Emmy-winning series like Westworld (HBO) and City on a Hill (Showtime), Laura developed her keen eye for cinematic storytelling. As a Director of Photography, her notable projects include American Rust (Showtime), a poignant family drama that explores the tattered American dream set against the landscape of southwestern Pennsylvania, Milkshake Girls based on a true story of two teen girls who find themselves enslaved in a world of sex trafficking, and Wasted Days, a visually poetic music video for Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp.
Laura’s documentary work has exposed her to a vast array of human stories—from global political conflicts to women’s rights issues—giving her a profound understanding of both the larger societal narratives and the intimate human moments that can be explored through film. From the jungles of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the peaks of Afghanistan, she has captured stories that speak to the heart of human resilience. Notable works include the Emmy-nominated series Woman, hosted by Gloria Steinem, which explored global women’s rights issues, including episodes Rape as A Weapon of War: DRC and Child Brides: Zambia. In Ascending Afghanistan, Laura documented the first-ever women’s mountain climbing team in Afghanistan and surrounding context of women’s rights. Her documentary work on Emmy winning VICE (HBO) and Girls State (Apple TV)—for which she won the Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography—demonstrates her talent for distilling complex social and political themes into visually compelling narratives. Laura's worked with Academy Award nominated directors like Matthew Heineman on his films American Symphony and The Boy from Medellin. She served as DP on the first three seasons of The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show On Earth (Showtime) chronicling the polarized political landscape of the U.S. presidential elections and subsequent White House. For Invisible Nation, Laura traveled to Taiwan for a gripping documentary about the nation’s first female president and her delicate tightrope walk between the U.S. and China. For King of K-Pop (Amazon) she traveled to South Korea to explore the world of K-Pop through one of its original visionaries. All American Girls (Participant Media), a forthcoming feature documentary delves behind the creation of the iconic American Girl brand and how it shaped the lives of generations of Americans.
In addition to her work in film and television, Laura has also created documentary films for major brands. For Johnson & Johnson she filmed the inspiring story of blind ultramarathon runner Jason Romero, the first blind person to run across America. For Target she lensed Design For All, highlighting inclusive design that promotes accessibility for people with disabilities. For Mastercard Laura traveled to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya to capture the Mastercard Foundations work empowering young people across African communities.
This vast range of experience has equipped Laura with a unique perspective and a refined understanding of the world, making her an invaluable asset in both documentary and scripted storytelling. With decades of experience behind the camera, Laura understands the nuances of framing, light, and composition that elevate a story to its fullest potential. Her ability to guide the visual and emotional tone of a project, combined with her nuanced understanding of character and plot, and leadership skills makes her the ideal creative partner for any film or tv project.
Laura is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the BBC Director's Training Program in London. She grew up just outside of Washington D.C. and now considers herself a nomad based in Brooklyn. Throughout her home you'll find trinkets that she's collected from the 50+ countries she's experienced around the world. Between projects you'll likely find her by the ocean surfing or practicing yoga.
