Meet Jonathan Bain | Director & Director of Photography (DP)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Bain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Manhattan but grew up in Freehold, NJ. Growing up, I was always attracted to the arts. My earliest memory was being bored at home and teaching myself how to draw off Youtube (Youtube University all the way, lol). I started drawing cartoon characters, portraits, and anime; you name it. Later in life, my dad signed me up for piano lessons, and although I could never read music, I played four different instruments as a kid. I just loved disconnecting from the world and focusing on the sounds.

Although my parents worked in the corporate world, they always had a creative passion. My mom always loved restoring old things and making them new. Taking an old toy and making it into a creative flower pot. Sewing old fabrics and making clothes or pillowcases or bags. My Dad always had a love for movies, which subconsciously, I guess, affected the way I found my love for film. I remember watching The Matrix more than I can count with him. The old James Bonds, Lord of the Rings, every Christopher Nolan film I can think of!

Fast forward to HS, I found my mom’s old Canon T3, which I guess is where everything took off. I started taking pictures of friends around town, and I fell in love with it. I was buying more and more equipment making a mini studio in the basement. It wasn’t until college I started making “films”. I was making small run-and-gun music videos, spending more time editing than studying. Not a day went by when I didn’t want to create something new. My background in painting made me love the way lights influence a picture, how music and sounds change the tone, and how the creative process is taking nothing and making something amazing.

What I loved the most about working as a Director /DP was it truly allowed me to connect with people. As a kid and even an adult, I struggled to communicate with people. I always felt awkward; not sure why, but I did. But once I had a camera in my hand, my confidence rocketed! I found myself meeting new unique people and being able to speak creatively with others. My best relationships with people now were thanks to that little T3 I picked up years ago.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think now I like to classify myself as a DP (director of photography). I just love the process of taking a script or an idea and making it your own through lighting set ups, lens choices, camera choices the list goes on! I love the puzzle behind creating.

I’m still trying to find a way to make myself “different” from the vast amazing world of creatives. Currently, I’m looking into creating more visuals around surrealism, which you don’t see as often.

I’m proud to say I found a job I love that allows me always to be better and different. I’m always excited to see what new project I can work on. It’s bad to say, but I’m not too fond of every project I put out because I spend so much time thinking about how I could improve on set. How should I go about lighting next time? How can I do this and that? But that motivates me to grow and excites me for the next project.

I got to where I am today, not from just talent but from surrounding myself with even more talented people. My girlfriend was the one who told me it’s not about how much you know. It’s who you know, and that couldn’t be more true. From producers to the crew, to family to friends, I take it all back to work with me because they all motivate me!

Was it easy? Yes and no. I had to struggle. I lost money, lost time, projects that have failed, and jobs lost to being inexperienced. But I love what I do. I don’t care if it’s a Monday, Saturday, or holiday. I don’t care. I love to create. I love the challenge. I love to push the boundaries of what is possible.

My biggest lesson learned along the way. DON’T DO IT ON YOUR OWN. A life lesson! If I could advise anyone, surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you along the way.

And If there is anything I want to leave behind in the world, it’s to say this. Do what you love, and the money will come. I’m blessed to say I found a burning passion in life. Too many people give up on what they love, but you only get one life. Do it doing what you love: painting, planting, coding, or building. Find that passion that’ll get you up early and keep you up late.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Listen, I live in Jersey, But unless we hit the beach, We’re heading to Brooklyn. Start the day with Sweet Chick, the best chicken, and waffles I know of currently. Let’s find a random pop-up for creatives and thrift at local spots. Stumble around and find some speakeasies. There is one that sells amazing Oxtail tacos and even better Moscow Mules, but you have to meet me in BK to see it, lol. I’m a huge homebody, so I can’t help you with big clubs, but if you want small intimate events with live music, I can always find something going on. One I recently went to was hosted by Sunday Sauce, a great artist, an intimate event with a chill vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Damn, where do I start?!

Well, first, my family. I was raised around creatives, although they might not think of themselves as creatives. My parents always supported my new hobbies and creative endeavors. They might not like me rambling about how they “to the shot” watching movies, lol, but they always encourage me.

My GF, Shuntel, my queen, my biggest fan since we met. Even on my down days, she always shines a positive light and motivates me at the start and end of every day. If you see anything I post, always remember she’s at the start of it all.

My crew! Those creative MFs are always on me (and me to them). We always push each other forward. My gaffers, Lu Lopez (AWOL) and Julius (Big Flix, aka Big ISO), always pushing the idea of what good lighting looks like. My business partner and friend Shakka Bledman (Shakka Ranx) is always showing me some creative projects, and we keep each other’s goals high, pushing creativity to where it even scares us.

The creative people I met along the way growing up both mentally and creatively. Even the people I never met in person that support me and me to them over social media. The list can go on forever. I love surrounding myself with positive-minded individuals, especially those smarter than me.

Website: https://www.bainvisionmedia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bainvision/

Other: Email: Bain@freelordsproductions.com