Coming Home
Working as Director of Photography on STAND (2023)
Building something that matters
Northeast Ohio has always been home. It’s where my story began, and no matter where life took me, I never lost that connection to where I came from. After spending years working in Los Angeles, I felt the pull to return. But coming back wasn’t about slowing down or stepping back from my career — it was about building something meaningful.I’ve taken everything I learned from working in LA — from shooting small business promos to filming Super Bowls, press junkets, and a nationally Emmy-nominated documentary — and brought it home to create something that matters. That’s how Monolith was born.
Starting in LA: Small Business, Big Lessons
When I first got to Los Angeles, I didn’t immediately dive into big productions. I started by working with small businesses all over LA County, helping them tell their stories through video. From coffee shops and fitness studios to clothing brands and restaurants, I shot promotional content for entrepreneurs hustling to make their mark. That work taught me how to connect with people, understand their needs, and bring their visions to life. Those small business projects laid the foundation for everything that came next. I learned how to manage shoots, solve problems on the fly, and deliver high-quality results — even on tight budgets and timelines.
Breaking Into Sports: Capturing the Biggest Moments
After cutting my teeth with small businesses, I made my way into live sports production — my first big break in LA. I had the opportunity to shoot some of the biggest events in sports, including Super Bowls, National Championship games, and Team USA Basketball. There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline of being behind the camera at a major sporting event. It’s fast, high-pressure, and unpredictable. You have to be ready for anything, and you only get one chance to capture the moment. Sports taught me how to work in high-stakes environments, how to think on my feet, and how to tell stories that resonate with audiences.
Hollywood Junkets: The Next Step
From sports, I transitioned into Hollywood press junkets — filming interviews for some of the biggest movies in the world. In LA, no two days were the same. One day I’d be setting up cameras for Tom Hanks or Will Smith, and the next, I’d be capturing conversations with actors like Margot Robbie, Keanu Reeves, or Jenna Ortega. It was fast-moving work that required precision, adaptability, and attention to detail. This work helped me sharpen my storytelling skills. I wasn’t just setting up cameras — I was helping create an environment where people felt comfortable enough to share their stories in meaningful ways.
The Documentary: Telling a Story That Matters
One of the projects I’m most proud of is the documentary Stand, a feature-length film about Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and his journey from NBA stardom to social activism. I served as the Director of Photography for the project, which was raw, emotional, and incredibly meaningful. It told a story that went beyond sports — one about identity, conviction, and standing up for what you believe in. Stand went on to be nominated for a national Sports Emmy, a milestone that remains one of the highlights of my career. By the time I finished that project, I realized I wanted more creative control over the stories I told. I wanted to build something of my own.
Why I Came Back
Coming home wasn’t about leaving LA behind. It was about taking everything I’d learned — from small business shoots to sports production to Hollywood junkets and documentary filmmaking — and applying it to the stories and businesses in Northeast Ohio. There’s a quiet confidence here. People work hard without seeking attention. They value authenticity. That’s exactly what we’re bringing to Monolith — real stories, told with care and creativity. Ohio has a growing demand for high-quality video content, and Monolith is here to meet it with the kind of storytelling that resonates.
Teaming Up with Zenen: A Creative Partnership
Part of this next chapter is teaming up with Zenen, a talented creative I’ve worked with in the past. Zenen brings a sharp eye for visuals and a no-nonsense approach to post-production that perfectly complements my background in cinematography and project management. Together, we’ve built Monolith, a video production agency that prioritizes storytelling, creativity, and integrity. We’re not interested in chasing trends or creating flashy content without substance. We want to tell authentic stories that stand the test of time — whether it’s a branding video, a corporate project, or a creative campaign.
Monolith: Bringing Big-Market Experience to Ohio Stories
What makes Monolith different?
We bring big-market experience to local stories. We’ve worked in high-pressure environments with high-profile clients, but we also understand what it means to connect with everyday people.
Monolith is built around three faces:
The Beacon: Focused on branding and commercial projects.
The Framework: Corporate and educational videos that inform and inspire.
The Horizon: Music, sports, weddings, and other creative work that pushes boundaries.
No matter the project, our goal is the same — to deliver authentic, high-quality content that resonates with audiences and stands the test of time.
Why Video Production in Ohio Matters
Ohio is growing. Businesses are thriving, creators are innovating, and the demand for video content is higher than ever. But too often, companies settle for “good enough” when it comes to video production.
We’re here to change that.
At Monolith, we believe that Ohio businesses deserve the same level of quality and storytelling that you’d find in LA or New York. We’re not here to show off flashy effects or trendy edits — we’re here to tell stories with substance.
Looking Ahead: Building Something That Lasts
Coming home isn’t just about geography. It’s about building something real, something lasting. Monolith is about more than just video production. It’s about creating content that makes people stop, watch, and feel something. It’s about elevating local businesses and connecting with audiences in ways that feel meaningful.
LeBron came home to win a championship. For me, it’s about building a legacy — using everything I’ve learned to help Northeast Ohio tell its stories.
We’re just getting started.
Interested in Working with Us?
If you’re looking for a video production agency in Northeast Ohio that brings big-market experience with a local touch, let’s talk.
At Monolith, we’re passionate about telling stories that matter — for businesses, creators, and communities right here at home.
