Aleks Abad
Director of Photography · O'Brien Et Al Advertising
Virginia Beach, VA
In My Own Words
Hello & Thanks for taking the time to read about My Action Sports, Photography & Motion Picture Background / Experience. My passion for Action Sports, Photography & Lighting began at a very young age and has only grown deeper as I have aged only to realize that all I want to do is turn My passion for Action Sports & wide range of Photography, Motion Picture, Grip, Lighting, Editing & Advertisment knowledge into a lifetime career in Action Sports. In short, My background as Athlete is in; Ice Hockey, Surfing, Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Wakeboarding, BMX, Dirt bikes & Downhill MTB racing. In 2014, I Moved from Southern California to Virginia Beach, VA to start a Family with My Wife & now 3 children. Currently, I hold the title of In-House Director of Photography for an Advertisement Agency, Shooting & Lighting both Photography & Video projects that range from; Television Commercials, Social Media content, Product Photography, Automotive Photography, Headshots, Catalog & Print Ads, -Along with Managing Digital Media assets & Editing both Photo & Video. My Photography & Lighting career began back in 1997 when I started working as a Photographers Assistant, for some of LA's top Automotive, Portrait & Product Photographers along with completing multiple internships with Publications such as Surfing Magazine & Decline Mountain Bike Magazine before transitioning into Motion Picture to further Gain Knowledge of Lighting aspects & became a Union Member of I.A.T.S.E Local 80 Grip Union & I.A.T.S.E Local 600 Union for Cinematographers & Still Photographers. By Becomingo an I.A.T.S.E member and working on Union Projects, I once again had the opportunity to gain more Camera & Lighting knowledge, while working along side some of Hollywood's most talented Directors of Photography, Key Grips, Gaffers & work on Network Television Shows, Commercials, Features Films, Award wining Music Videos while purseing a career in Action Sports Photography.
Work Experience
Director of Photography
O'Brien Et Al Advertising2015 – Present
Director of Video and Still Photography,
Head of; Still Photography, Video, Lighting and Grip Departments.
Daily task include; Digital Media Handling and Archiving. Photography & Video Editing, Various Video & Photography projects. Camera, Lighting and Studio equpipment Management.
Projects range from; Commercial Advertisements to Print campaigns for various clients; Car Dealerships, Hospitals, Doctor office’s, Law firm’s, Coffee corporations, Product advertisement, Quarterly Corporate videos, Social media content for both in-state and out of state clients.
Freelance Action Sports Photographer
Abadphoto2001 – Present
Shoot Action Sports Contest at Events, including Lifestyle & Studio images *when requested while at contest site.
Work with clients Photography needs and visions.
Travel to and from contest to contest. Responsibilities include; Principle Still Photography, Digital Media Asset Management, Archiving, Processing, Editing, Providing Clients with a very quick image turn around to; Online proofing Gallery's, on demand image editing request and Social Media Post though out and after Contest.
Freelance Motion Picture Still Photographer
International Alliance of Stage Employees Local 6002005 – 2015
Capture Still Photographs of principle photography while it's being filmed for Motion Picture use.
Projects ranged from; Television Show's Commercial's Feature Film's Music Video's
Responsibilities include; Principle Still Photography, Digital Media Asset Management, Archiving, Processing, Editing, Providing Clients with a very quick image turn around to; Online proofing Gallery's, on demand image editing request and Social Media Post though out and after Contest. Camera and Lighting Equipment management.
Freelance; Best Boy, Grip, Set Grip, Car Rigging Grip
International Alliance of Stage Employees Local 802001 – 2015
Work along side some of the industries top Directors of Photography on projects ranging from Television shows, Feature Film Projects, Commercials, Music Videos and Promo Ads.
Responsibilities included; To insure all Set Lighting Adjustments were made when needed, Assist in any and all shots that Included Camera Moments, Over all Set safety of; Rigging, Lighting and Camera. Crane and Camera Dolly Operator. Equipment and Personnel Managment.
