Cara has been leading Shepherd since its inception in 2019, bringing over two decades of VFX experience at award-winning shops including Method Studios, Digital Domain, Psyop, Asylum, and Brickyard VFX. With her insightful nature and ability to take decisive action, she excels at understanding and meeting the unique needs of each client and project. Throughout her career, Cara has been trusted by leading brands including Apple, Meta, Nike, Chevrolet, the NFL, and many more, to shepherd them through the post-production process. She is also dedicated to nurturing new talent. Outside of the office, Cara can often be found racing sailboats, surfing remote waves, or skateboarding with her two boys.

Aidan is a well-respected industry veteran, trusted for his on-set problem solving skills and ability to guide projects smoothly from pre-production through final delivery. He joined Shepherd as a Creative Director in 2022, having previously spent 12 years at Method Studios where he worked his way up from Senior Flame Artist to Creative Director. He began his career at MPC and The Mill, where he made a name for himself as one of the industry’s premiere finishing artists. Aidan has collaborated with many legendary directors including Michel Gondry, John Hillcoat, Tom Carty, Brian Buckley, and Dante Ariola, and delivered award-winning projects for brands such as MSFT, Google, Dr. Pepper, Levi’s, Coca Cola, Guiness, Ford, Honda, Apple, Nike, and Taco Bell. Based in Los Angeles, he was born and raised in London and remains a diehard Arsenal fan.

Aaron joined Shepherd as a Creative Director in 2021, bringing years of experience as one of the ad world’s top Flame artists. He has worked across commercials, music videos, feature films, documentaries, and short form, with notable ad clients including Google, Meta, Gatorade, and just about every major automotive brand. In his early career he specialized in music videos and surf films, then dabbled in features (with several going to festivals including TIFF and Sundance), before finally landing in commercial finishing, where he frequently collaborates with sought-after directors including Dave Meyers and Daps. Prior to joining Shepherd, Aaron spent over a decade at Riot/Method Studios as a Lead Flame Artist, and 8 years in editorial at King Cut. He came to sunny Los Angeles 20 years ago from the cold of Boston, and has a very personable dog named Scout.

Emily has been creating elegant visuals for nearly two decades, specializing in beauty work across commercials, music videos, short form, TV, and film. Originally from Australia, she began her career in London at boutique post studio Big Buoy and later Prime Focus, before moving to Los Angeles to join Method Studios. After eight years at Method, Emily joined Shepherd in 2021 as a Senior Flame Artist. She has worked with numerous clients throughout her career including Olay, Dove, Lancome, Glossier, Grey Goose, Absolut, Corona, Patron, Taco Bell, DoorDash, Chevrolet, Kia and the California Lottery. She has also worked on many celebrity-driven campaigns with talent such as Keira Knightley, Madonna, George Michael, and Janet Jackson.

Andrew is a savvy and collaborative creative director, on-set VFX supervisor, and Flame artist with over two decades of experience in the ad industry. He deftly combines artistry with technical knowledge to tackle a variety of VFX challenges and put clients at ease. Andrew leads Shepherd’s newly-opened New York office as the Creative Director, leveraging his extensive experience to help establish the company on the East Coast. Over the years he has worked with many leading brands including Citibank, Walmart, Infiniti, Heineken, American Express, Nintendo, Head & Shoulders, Mountain Dew, GMC, Olay, Toyota, Bounty, and more. Prior to joining Shepherd, he spent 8 years at Harbor Picture Company, with previous experience at Click 3X, TANQ, and Nice Shoes. Outside of work, Andrew fuels his creativity by playing piano and drums with a local music group.

Originally from Japan, Hirata has built an impressive career across film, television, and commercials since moving to the U.S. in 2001. She has worked on the hit television show Smallville, films including Charlie Wilson’s War and The Goldfinch, and numerous brand clients including Pamper’s, Swiffer, Wal-Mart, CVS, Tide, Citibank, and Revlon. She joined Shepherd in early 2024, after most recently working at Harbor Picture Company as a Senior Flame Artist. Hirata is also a member of the Visual Effects Society. Based in New York, she enjoys biking around the city, cooking, and playing with her son.

Crystal joined Shepherd as Executive Producer full time in 2023 after several years of collaboration as a freelancer. She has a strong background in visual effects, design, and animation through her experience as a producer at Method Studios and Company 3, where she worked on projects spanning film, commercials, and music videos. She has also worked as a freelance VFX Production Manager on various film and television projects for Netflix, Amazon Studios, and Disney, including the limited series “All the Light We Cannot See” which premieres on Netflix in November 2023. Originally from Colorado, Crystal is now based in Los Angeles where she loves combining a hike with a tasty meal.

Julia joined Shepherd as Executive Producer in February 2024 to spearhead the company’s new outpost in New York. Bringing 12 years of experience in the VFX and finishing world, she most recently served as Executive Producer at Method Studios, with previous gigs at Company 3, The Mill, and Digital Domain. Throughout her career she has brought a collaborative spirit to the industry’s leading ad agencies, production companies, directors, and brands to ensure elevated and cohesive visual storytelling. She holds a degree in Film Studies from Cornell University, and in her spare time, she’s amusing her son with the world’s best chicken impression.

Arielle’s foray into the world of advertising and post-production started at Margarita Mix in Santa Monica, where she worked in client services and incidentally learned how to make a fabulous margarita. From there Arielle joined MPC Film as a Virtual Production Coordinator, serving the team responsible for films such as The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog. She joined Shepherd in 2020, bringing her experience with post-production and emerging technologies to benefit brand clients including Dr. Pepper, Google, Taco Bell, and many more. Outside the office, and occasionally inside of it, Arielle can likely be found cuddling her dog, Cleo.

Jade joined Shepherd in August 2021 and quickly rose to the Producer role thanks to her natural problem-solving capabilities, effective communication skills, and collaborative nature. Her tireless work ethic has earned her a reputation for reliability with both colleagues and clients, which include leading brands such as Microsoft, Google, Nike, Corona, and Patron. Jade began her career in advertising as a Resource Manager at Los York, which provided her with a strong foundation in project management and organizational skills. Born and raised on the central coast of California, she has a passion for live music and has seen over 500 shows.

Rachel joined the Shepherd team in 2021 and quickly worked her way up from Coordinator to Production Manager to Producer. With a sharp eye for detail, strategic mindset, and infectious energy, she excels in managing all aspects of resourcing, scheduling, and project execution. Her warm attitude and team spirit have earned her the respect of colleagues and clients alike. Originally from the Pacific Northwest and now based in LA, Rachel does not take the Southern California weather for granted, and she enjoys exploring the city’s rich film history.

Melissa joined Shepherd as Production Manager in June 2024, bringing a diverse administrative background in post-production, photo production, advertising, and production catering. Her knack for organizational solutions and her can-do attitude quickly made her an invaluable asset to the team. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Melissa enjoys karaoke nights with friends and relaxing at home with her dog, Beanie. She looks forward to continuing her growth with the Shepherd team.

Pat’s official title is Flame Artist, but he’s more commonly known as the glue that holds Shepherd together. With 15 years of industry experience, he excels at multitasking, often running multiple jobs at once while always being available for a helping hand or empathetic ear. Prior to joining Shepherd in 2021, he spent over a decade as a Flame Artist at Method Studios. Outside of work, Pat is passionate about snowboarding and often travels to far-flung locales to shred the gnar.

Jacob joined Shepherd in December 2023 as a Junior Flame Artist, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time at Trafik, where he was instrumental in refining and establishing the assist finishing workflow during its first year. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cinema Television Arts from California State University Northridge. Jacob began his career at MPC Advertising in May 2021, working in Technical Operations, where he discovered his passion for merging problem-solving and artistry in the world of VFX Finishing. At Shepherd, he embraces innovative ideas and leverages AI tools to transform workflows and boost efficiency. Outside of work, Jacob enjoys spending his time with his three dogs, Kobe, Naru, and Moss, and his cat, Ash.

Austin joined Shepherd in 2019 after a long and fruitful career as a freelance editor and Flame artist, working with shops including Framestore, Brand New School, Cabin Editing Company, Timber, Shipping + Handling, and many others. A graduate of Columbia College of Hollywood with a degree in Cinema and Directing, he has always had a passion for creativity and produced the award-winning short “Paper and Colored Pencils.” Austin was born and raised in Sacramento, and is currently in the midst of teaching his young son how to skateboard.