Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Bradley.
Carlos, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2009, I started my journey into digital media by quitting my day job and buying an iMac and a Nikon D90 Camera. The only thing I knew at that time was I knew I wanted to be involved in some form of digital media creation for the rest of my life. My journey of discovery took me through learning photography, directing music videos for young artists around the city to wedding videography and ultimately directing my first short film “Stalled” in 2016.
During that timeline, I learned that at of all the hats I wore, the most fulfilling moments were seeing the image from each and every project. That is when I knew that I wanted to concentrate all of my knowledge into becoming a Cinematographer.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been full of potholes, wrong turns, side streets, backtracking and breakdowns on the side of the highway. I can sit back and laugh at many of those subplots now but truthfully. They continue to contribute to the story of “me.” In the early phases of my journey, I was the only one that believed in my dream. Any time that you deviate from the “safe path,” you can be met with resistance from your support system. I think you just have to respectfully see the position and perspective of where your loved ones are coming from because ultimately, they feel the way they do because they want to see you succeed in life. I think, once you show consistency into making your dream fruition, then and only then will people’s confidence in your decision making a start to strengthen, which ultimately strengthens you.
Many times in my journey, I lost confidence in myself and in my dream. Sometimes the road seems as long as the drive you take to visit family in another state for the holidays. The “are we there yet” syndrome seems to set in and blinds you from the “I am, where I am supposed to be at this time.” I’m blessed to realize that as I grow older, God has kept me safe during all the side streets and detours I took thinking I knew better.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As a Cinematographer/Director of Photography, I get to dial into leading a talented team in the camera department in efforts to create images that you see you see and remember when you watch your favorite movie or commercial.
This year, I also decided to attempt to create a more intimate setting for teaching and learning film-making with my peers and other young filmmakers in the city and around the world. I created my YouTube film-making channel: OhkayCarlos, in efforts to increase the knowledge of film-making and production for all creators but specifically for the one’s look like me. I’m very passionate about my community being supplied with all the tools and opportunities to succeed in this industry as much as everyone who ventures to Hollywood in California or Pinewood Studios here in Atlanta.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
These moments, in the beginning, were getting calls to work on big projects for notable brands for myself. After learning a good bit of the industry, my most proudest moments now come from hearing those that I had the opportunity to mentor or just answer a question and now they are booking these same level of projects.
At the end of the day, it takes so many people to create a commercial, a TV series and a film, that I take pride in preparing and curating the opportunities for others in my field.
Contact Info:
- Email: ohkaycarlos@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohkaycarlos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhkayCarlos
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/OhkayCarlos
Image Credit:
Production credits Courtney Arlett, Tee Clinton, Christie Pistol, Walker Whited/Tabiyus Nah
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