Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaclyn Rey
Hi Jaclyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always wanted to be seen as a creative person. Making a living as an artist was the dream. It started as vague as that. When it came time to choose a college and a major, I brainstormed the things I loved most and discovered that a degree in video production was the perfect fit. I fell in love with it quickly and never looked back.
My journey began with directing short documentaries. Through my college, I had the opportunity to direct a documentary in Florence, Italy, about an organic mosaic artist. The excitement and sense of purpose I felt while piecing this project together still resonates with me. The documentary traveled the festival circuit and picked up a few awards along the way.
From there, I moved to Nashville, TN, and dove headfirst into freelancing. I was a one-woman band back then, handling producing, shooting, audio, lighting, and editing all on my own. Eventually, I began working with larger crews and focused solely on directing, mostly music videos at the time. Since moving to Atlanta in 2018, I’ve shifted my focus to directing and editing commercials and branded content.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s no such thing as a smooth road in my industry. I’ve had to master navigating the financial rollercoaster that comes with this world. Gigs aren’t guaranteed; they’re earned. Then there’s the emotional aspect: learning to handle rejection, avoiding the comparison trap, and not taking work too personally.
I also struggled with the feeling of navigating my journey solo. I didn’t have mentors or many women to look up to as role models. Historically, this industry is dominated by men, and the few women I knew who were directing often felt more like competition. We were all bidding against each other for a small pool of jobs. Fortunately, I’ve seen this change for the better over the years, but it was a significant part of my struggles in the earlier days.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in directing and editing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle commercials and branded content. For me, it’s not just about creating a beautiful ad, but about forging a genuine connection between a brand and its audience. My aim is to build a sense of community and belonging through my work.
I’m proud to have worked with some incredible clients, including Adobe, Zelle, Meta, Lyft, Blue Cross, S.C. Johnson, 1-800 Contacts, and many more.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
This past May marked my 10-year anniversary in the industry, sparking a lot of reflection. I’m committed to turning around and helping lift up the next wave of female directors, editors, and creatives. Recently, I’ve started sharing more of my journey and advice on Instagram, and the feedback has been incredibly affirming.
One piece of advice I’ll drop here: Don’t wait for someone else to make your career happen for you. Go out and create cool spec ads, pitch your work to brands or artists, and connect with others in your field. Things will start to click when you keep your head down and focus on doing what you love!
Follow/DM me on instagram for more advice and BTS! @jaclynrey
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jaclyn-rey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrey/
Image Credits
A few photos credited to Rachel Deeb.
