Life & Work with Justin Reich of Mableton, GA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Reich.

Hi Justin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was fortunate to grow up in a family that supported the arts. Everyone in my household expressed creativity in one form or another—photography, ink drawing, painting—so artistic expression was woven into my life from the very beginning. My hometown of Winston-Salem, NC, was home to the first permanent, locally founded arts council in the country (established in 1949), which created countless after-school programs and summer arts opportunities that shaped my childhood.

I learned to shoot and develop black-and-white film at the age of nine—something that feels wild looking back. Growing up in the ’90s and into my teenage years in the early 2000s, music grabbed hold of me, and I bounced between bands playing guitar, bass, and even singing. That passion for music ran parallel with my love for visual art, and eventually the two worlds blended. This path ultimately led me to working with major national labels and management companies, collaborating with artists like Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist) and Ace Frehley (original lead guitarist of KISS). At one point, I even had the opportunity to direct and shoot a documentary featuring Ozzy—a whole separate story in itself about how that came to be.

Working in the music industry naturally opened the door to directing music videos, which essentially became my film school. I absorbed everything I could until I eventually transitioned into the role of director of photography. After moving to the Atlanta area in 2021, I’ve continued to develop my craft, shooting everything from commercials and narrative projects to music videos and more.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Working in a creative field where your art is also your livelihood is never easy. You can’t always sit around waiting for inspiration to show up. Coming into film through a more unconventional path has had its challenges, but it’s a path I genuinely prefer. Working in the indie world taught me how to be resourceful and inventive with very little—a skill that continues to serve me every single day.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m often asked what my “style” is, but honestly, I don’t feel tied to a single one. I love helping someone tell their story. That always guides me in a unique direction, and when I stay tuned in to the script and the director’s intentions, the visual language of a project has a way of unfolding naturally—if you let it.

I have an extensive portfolio of rock and metal music videos from the particular corner of the industry I came up through, and the aggressive, high-energy aesthetic of those genres often led to work on indie horror films and visually ambitious short films. But I’m genuinely open to shooting anything. Every project is part of the journey, and the discovery that happens along the way is what makes the work exciting and meaningful for me.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
With social media making everyone more accessible than ever, sometimes the best thing you can do is simply reach out to someone you admire and start a conversation. You might be surprised by who you’re able to connect with.

One thing I learned early on is not to wait for your turn to speak. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is listen—really listen—and absorb what’s being shared. A lot of meaningful networking and personal growth begins there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.justinreich.com
• Instagram: @justinreich
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6595553/

Image Credits
Nigel Marson
Joey Kirkman
Tony Collins