RG
Director / Photographer

Blog

2019 Work

Here is some of my work for 2019. I didn’t include everything but this covers most of it. I began last year a bit doubtful and worried. Work picked up fast. Life gave me options and I took a full-time role again. But I cut it short. Freelance called. I finally worked with some of my best friends and made some of my best videos yet. I probably spent too much time overthinking. I definitely need to do more test shoots in 2020 because I need to get more reps in and create work that I like and want to get hired for.

Feels a bit wild since I worked across a lot of different categories this year. Planning to specialize and narrow this but for now I enjoy peering in and learning about different industries.

Next year I want my work to be way more polished and produce more high-end commercial work. More music videos too. And finally make a short film.

January

Apex Legends surprise launch. Hellllllaaaaaaa gamers fly in to play a game that no one knows about. I arrive to take photos and b-roll since no other cameras are allowed in. All of the gamers content from this day will come from me. I had to be super creative with shots because I couldn’t show screens, the games name/logo, or any of the characters. A long day but I had some great conversations about the gaming industry, met a lot of people, and learned a lot about fast turnarounds and file delivery. In this case they just wanted a ton of footage so it would’ve made sense to either ask them to bring an HD/SD card or buy fresh SD cards and hand over at the end of the day (after backing up). Lesson learned.

February

Airbnb Experiences - I brought the most powerful group chat to exist on this planet earth and possibly within the milky way galaxy to Mexico City. Together we made a video about Chef Raja who hosts an experience making al pastor tacos. I went all out with this story trying all sorts of text treatments and creating interactions within the IG story. We got tons of great feedback and even heard it was played during the all hands meeting at their HQ.

March

By the end of February I accept a full-time role at Atoms. A new shoe company. At this point the shoes are only available via invite. The team is in the midst of preparing for the public launch. Most of our time is spent preparing and working with an agency in SF. I help with casting and take on the video elements for launch. This is one of the bigger sets I get to work on. It's a 2 day shoot and requires multiple lighting setups because we’re shooting for the product page and an abstract vibey montage for the hero. A small crew but we still go the full 9 yards with a stylist, hair, makeup, producer, and art directors. I hire my friend Pierce to assist me on lighting and camera.

We used a seamless box against a c stand and a v-flat to create a window. The main light source here is the Arri S60 on the right and a fill on the left. Please excuse the ugly cross shadow from the painting. I know better now.

We used a seamless box against a c stand and a v-flat to create a window. The main light source here is the Arri S60 on the right and a fill on the left. Please excuse the ugly cross shadow from the painting. I know better now.

April

I lead organizing a small event within the co-working space Brass Factory for Atoms. Small events like this help prepare for big events. One and a half weeks later we do a bigger event with Alexis Ohanian at 368. During this time I also eat a large amount of gelato due to our proximity to Gelateria Gentile.

We had @alexisohanian by the other night to talk to creators about starting your own business. ICYMI we are planning more discussions like this!

4,078 Likes, 15 Comments - @368 on Instagram: "We had @alexisohanian by the other night to talk to creators about starting your own business...."

May

Flew to London to represent Atoms at the Daisy Launch Party. We sent 300 pairs of white shoes to give to guests at the party. Briefly met Maisie Williams. Took a bunch of photos and made a video for one of my favorite songs I heard that night.

June

Atoms launches to the public. Vogue.

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July

Organized a photowalk through Fort Greene with the bro Carl and Walk With Locals. The route ended up at HQ and we had snacks from Maman. Sold some shoes. Great event.

August

Slow month tbh but we set up things for fall. Pop up is confirmed and we go with Collector for design and fabrication. I know the brothers from Everlane days and worked with them on some things for 368.

September

Made a short video with my friend Jennet Liaw. Commissioned her to go off and paint on an Atoms Box like it was a blank canvas. My friend Kendall initially sparked this idea.

At the end of September the Atoms pop up is set to open and I’m in charge of the launch party. I hire Derrick to help with the whole thing and make custom cameras with Manual NYC. A lot of friends came through to support and that feels pretty damn cool.

October

I leave Atoms. It’s time to go focus on building my own practice again. I want to direct and make more videos and photos like earlier in the year. I pick up a small writing gig with Netflix. Like super small. But it is Netflix so I also feel hella good about it but just for a second or two. Facebook also commissions me for a story, but it’s quite a challenge since the brief wants me to focus on the questions sticker which I rarely use.

I also sign up to host my apartment on Airbnb since I now have unpredictable income.

A week later I'm at Disneyland shooting photos before the new Star Wars Fallen Order comes out. They assign us one of those plaid vest folks that let you cut lines. I get drunk with power. Just kidding. Most of the time I'm at the hotel next to Disneyland taking photos and videos of people playing the new game before anyone else.

I end this busy month and take on my first project with Mr Life Finds A Way aka Dronemaster Flex aka British but Brown aka Cauliflower Gnocchi Jesus aka the one and only Dinesh Dave. We are contracted to shoot two films. One of the harvest and a second of a wine tasting tour.

November

I make an Instagram Story for Everlane that makes my sister cry. This project is hella fun and brings the fam a lil closer.


I also finally get to shoot for Maude. I’ve known Eva since I started at Everlane. She’s been supportive of my career since then and it was so great to finally work together again. Maude needed some new videos for social and their website. The art director gives me strong direction and we blaze through the shoot in one day. I feel hella good after this wraps.

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On Thanksgiving day I help my friend Chris shoot behind the scenes shots for a trophy he made for The Berrics. I spent a few hours at his workshop to get footage of his process. We also recorded a short interview based on questions from The Berrics. Honestly not hella stoked at the end result but that was out of my control. I wish the editor colored the clips together better and leveled the sound and stabilized some of the osmo shots. I got some good frames though so maybe I’ll make my own cut from this.

December

Most of this month I spend in California for family.

While in LA I help my brother Green and Weronika on a few shoots they have with brands. The last project is a music video for Lyrah. All of the things I learned in the past year help make this so much better. There's a lot I want to say but I'll save it for another post once its out.

Also this is when the work with Facebook finally went live.

Red Gaskell