Meet Director Coco Love | Queen Of The Trenches

We had the good fortune of connecting with Director Coco Love and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Coco, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Being where I’m from, I wasn’t supposed to make it this far. I’m from Baton Rouge, La and it’s the reason I am who I am today. Coming up, I didn’t have a horrible childhood. I didn’t grow up in the best places but I was raised by the best people. Growing up in Baton Rouge is pretty rough for any child, especially North Baton Rouge where I’m from. I was surrounded by your typical hood activity, gang and gun violence but I was a determined to escape that. I had a pretty close family and supportive family, I come from a family of music and entrepreneurs so it was only right that I did something in the entertainment industry and I did.

From the age of 6 I was in front the camera, walking the runways for companies such as GAP and New York & Company. I even went on to release some music with a local record label. My mom was a hobby photographer so she would keep cameras around, I would vlog my life and shoot the occasional music video for my cousin, who was a talented rap artist. I wasn’t any good but I loved it. I loved it so much. Fast forward through teen years, going through a plethora of events, emotions and stepping completely away from anything entertainment. I tried my hand in other things but almost always lost out.

About six years ago my husband placed a camera in my hand and I started shooting photos, vlogs and music videos. I had never felt a sense of relief and peace like that, maybe ever. I would shoot content for him and other artist in my community and I felt so good doing it. I have since went on to shoot over 400 music videos, weddings, events, documentaries and so much more. I am so blessed to be able to do what I love and to be able to narrate for my community and our communities through my film.

Today, I get to paint a picture for those who never been to the Trenches and to be a “real life” success story for those from my Trenches. When you are from my side of town, you don’t get to see that often and it doesn’t leave you with much to believe in. Being from North Baton Rouge has showed me that where you are from and what you have been through does matter. Every single thing matters because it’s apart of your story. I can understand a child from the ghetto trying to find motivation to even attempt to chase a dream. I want to be that motivation. I am far from where I want to be but I feel the need to keep going because I still have people watching me, my daughters are watching me, people are depending on me to lead by example. Baton Rouge, La has impacted me tremendously but most importantly, it has made me want to be impactful. Today, it has made me a go getter and a leader. I wouldn’t trade my story for the world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Director Coco Love is the film and art to music videos. I love what I do so much and I’d like to think it shows through my efforts to put out a great production. Ever since I picked up that camera, even as a young girl, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to capture life. Film and music are therapeutic for me. It’s how I used to escape as a child. It’s definitely been a fight to get here. It’s not always sugar, sometimes you get salt. I had to find what about this gives me peace and always remember that peace when I face a challenge. I have always been pretty tough and I don’t let much hold me back. I’m an avid prayer and meditator. I make sure my peace is aligned in and before I take on anything. I learned to take the sugar with the salt.

I think I am most proud of the way my daughters see me and the way the community sees me. I am able to play a part in helping artist achieve their dreams or creating a life long lasting memory for a bride. I am most proud of the priceless moments this career has blessed me to see. I get so excited and nervous at the same with the faith that people have in me. They trust me so much to make their visions come to life. I guess that’s what drives me to be an over achiever. I go out my way to make sure the production is a success.

When God said your gift shall make way for you, he never said it’d be easy but I’m here to tell you, it’s so worth it. Every single day I get to live my dream, it’s so worth it. For every door that closed in my face, 2 more opened. You just have to stand firm on your faith. I want everyone to know that Director Coco Love does it for the people, for the children. It’s important to me to be a leader and achieve astronomical things because I want them to know that you can do that. That the things that seem far fetch are actually quite obtainable. You just have to go for it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My family and I just moved to the city, Houston is a beautiful place by way. Although I don’t know much about the city yet, I haven’t been living here long at all, we have a few vegan restaurants we love. My family and I were frequent travelers to Houston and stumbled upon Soul Food Vegan. We’re vegan by the way. We love Korny Vibes, we’re a family that loves to eat if you hadn’t noticed.

My kids love to shop so I know they would say the Galleria. I can’t say that I don’t agree with them. I’d definitely take my friends shopping. There’s a few spots in the Art District that I’d like to visit and I’d bring them there too. Anything with food and art is go for me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout Out to my husband, the amazing and so gifted, Lil One The Champ. He has supported this dream and my career from the start. He is the force and push behind Director Coco Love. He doesn’t get enough credit for the work he puts into this business and the sacrifices he makes. Thank you to him for believing in my dreams and following through on his word to help make them come true.

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