Today we’d like to introduce you to Kahlel Hale
Kahlel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, I was raised in Lorain County and attended Elyria High School from 2013 to 2017. Throughout my life, I’ve always demonstrated a natural talent for creating art in various forms. I played the piano, drums, and xylophone, and I further expanded my skill set by learning how to engineer songs and produce original instrumentals.
After high school, I was uncertain about my future path as I navigated the transition to adulthood and college. My passion for being an artist kept me motivated and constantly filled with new ideas, but financial limitations prevented me from acquiring the tools I needed to succeed. One of my greatest challenges was funding my own music videos. At 18, I was working a regular 9-to-5 job at a nursing home, and I couldn’t afford to hire professionals like Ced Lynch or Jlo Blue to shoot my videos. I knew I had to find an alternative way to bring my vision to life.
With the help of my childhood friend Jamel Curry, I was able to have someone follow me around and capture clips of my performances using his iPhone 7. Once the footage was shot, I would edit everything in iMovie on a college laptop that my aunt had gifted me for school, experimenting with edits and effects to create my own music videos.
I eventually took a job as a cart pusher at a local Sam’s Club for about five months, during which I saved enough money to purchase my first professional camera. With my new gear in hand, I was able to quit my job and fully commit to videography and photography, taking my craft seriously from that point forward.
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?
Being passionate about your craft is never easy and is rarely a smooth journey. Along the way, you may face exploitation, dishonesty, and manipulation. However, it’s all about your mindset and how you maturely navigate through difficult times, using them as stepping stones to elevate yourself to greater heights. In any field, there is also significant competition. In today’s landscape, many people may try to lowball you, undercut your value, or tarnish your reputation with negative talk.
The difficulty of learning your craft is subjective; it depends on whether you genuinely love what you do or if you enter your field with ulterior motives. I always knew that clubs and parties would be there, so I chose to stay focused at home, immersing myself in YouTube tutorials until my eyelids grew heavy and my eyeballs fell out of my head. As Lilwilthagod would attest, the dedication and commitment to refining my skills became my top priority.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Kahlel Hale is a dynamic force in the world of videography, where his lens captures moments that transcend time and space. With an innate passion for visual storytelling, he has carved a distinguished path in cinematography over the past eight years, earning recognition for his technical mastery and artistic vision.
Originally from Elyria, Ohio, Kahlel’s journey to prominence in the videography industry has been fueled by an unrelenting commitment to his craft. In 2023, seeking greater opportunities for growth, he made the bold decision to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, a city rich with creative energy and boundless potential. This move provided him with the ideal environment to expand his horizons and elevate his work.
In Atlanta, Kahlel quickly immersed himself in the local scene, securing valuable positions at Radio One Atlanta—one of the nation’s premier radio stations—and collaborating with the office of the Mayor of Atlanta. These experiences not only sharpened his technical skills but also granted him invaluable insights into the intricacies of the entertainment industry, allowing him to navigate the competitive landscape with precision.
Armed with his trusted RED camera, a symbol of his unwavering commitment to quality, Kahlel began collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. From shooting high-profile music videos to creating compelling visual narratives for various video content, his portfolio showcases an impressive array of projects that reflect his diverse skill set and creative vision.
Throughout his career, Kahlel has had the privilege of working alongside notable celebrities such as Lil Baby, Rylo Rodriguez, Big Latto, Big Boogie, Future, and more. These collaborations with prominent industry figures have further solidified his reputation as a visionary cinematographer, with each project reflecting his unique artistic perspective and dedication to excellence.
Beyond technical proficiency, Kahlel infuses every frame with emotion, depth, and narrative resonance, elevating his work far beyond traditional videography. Through his lens, he doesn’t just capture images—he tells stories that resonate, immortalizing moments in time for eternity.
As he continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, Kahlel Hale’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring cinematographers everywhere, showcasing the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I have a deep appreciation for Atlanta due to its rich culture and abundant opportunities. In just two years, I was able to rapidly establish my reputation and secure a position at one of the largest radio stations in the United States. Atlanta offers a unique environment where success is determined by your own efforts—if you don’t succeed, the responsibility falls squarely on you.
The only challenge I have with the city is its traffic. I would kindly urge drivers to improve their driving habits for a smoother experience on the roads.
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at $1000
- Go to my Instagram or Website to get more insight.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealkahlel/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahlel-hale-782b60319/
- Twitter: https://x.com/therealkahlel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealKahlel
Image Credits
Xavier Mason Sr. (Almigghty Productions)
