Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarrah Gurrie.
Jarrah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m Australian, I grew up on the south coast near Melbourne. At University, I started making experimental short films with my friends which lead me to grad film school at NYU. I’ve worked as a Production Designer, Photographer, Director, and Editor. I relocated to LA in 2012. Met with challenges producing the film work I wanted to, I returned my interest to Photography as it’s an art form I have more control over.
Has it been a smooth road?
Breaking in and trying to prove your skills or talent to strangers is always a challenge, while still remaining true to yourself and your vision. There can be a lot of compromises when you combine your work with your passion, especially in LA if you are not yet considered a ‘superstar’. But overall, I have been lucky to be able to have done the things I have done so far. I think the thing I struggle with most of the time is the end result of a project, not 100% reflecting the original idea I had in my head or the message I wanted to communicate. It very rarely does, but I guess that is what keeps me moving onto the next thing.
Has there been people or an institution that has played a pivotal role in your career?
I think living in New York – Brooklyn during the early 2000’s was very formative for me. The people that I met there, greatly informed the direction of my career.
Oh -and my high school bullies. They made me want to get out of town and see the world.
What type of clients or projects do you look forward to most?
I’m interested in collaborating with other creative artists. Fine Artists, young fashion designers, and performers. I’m particularly interested in people who are pushing the boundaries outside of the mainstream. I think Los Angeles is on the cusp of having a very strong era of creativity in terms of fresh and unique voices. I think the art being produced here is interesting and hopefully, there is a push towards creating better indie cinema.
I’m also interested in getting more involved in documentary photography giving voice to communities who need representation. I want to be a better a champion for the underdog. There’s a lot of stories in LA that don’t get heard and I think those of us with the means to cover it should cover it better.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
I think I would try to have had more confidence in my own abilities when I was younger and really tried to sell myself more. I think that would have afforded me the opportunity to work on more of the projects I wanted to…but, there is still time!! I can do this for the rest of my life!
Contact Info:
- Website: jarrahgurrie.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jrrhgrr
Image Credit:
Austin Wang
Mazen Zayn
Kenny Martin
Craig Stott
Alma S Grey
