Meet Alex Zarek | Director & Cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Zarek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For me, it didn’t start as something specific that I was looking to do. Originally, I didn’t see it as something that could/would become a full-time endeavor but I knew I wanted to keep my work under the umbrella of my name / Alex Zarek Art & Design. You could say it really ‘started’ with the creation of the Facebook page and later the website.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m primarily a director / cinematographer – secondarily a photographer and designer. I work in the music industry most of the time as a music video director, but I also provide photography and design / art direction services when they are needed. I think one of the things that separates me from some other people is versatility. I talk about the importance of that a lot – being able to wear different hats and step into different roles creatively provides so much value to clients and prospective clients. I’m proud to be able to deliver video, photo, and design services to a vast array of clients, and be able to help bring others’ visions to life through visual media. I’ve learned in recent years the importance of embracing the sentiment – realizing that these stories that I’m helping tell and the lives that are being changed are important and meaningful. Whether it’s something simple like a band performance video, or something deeper like a documentary or testimonial piece to shed light on the beautiful things in life, there is an inherent meaning in the services that I’ve had the privilege to provide for people. I look at this work as my life’s offering to the world – the way that I can help and inspire others in their lives as I navigate through mine. Not solely a way to express myself creatively or to pay the bills, but more-so as an all encompassing representation of myself and my heart through visual media.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a homebody and pretty low-key socially – but most of my close friends are similar in that regard as well. There are a lot of restaurants, bars, cool spots around – and Chicagoland is a blessing in the amount that is has to offer for music fans. Endless amounts of great music venues, constant amazing shows coming through, and so many things to pick from. The city and suburbs have so many attractions for people of all interests – I myself am a big fan of the simple things. Good conversations, good eats, good drinks, etc.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a lot of people that have been influential and helpful along the way. My parents, Rick and Sue, have supported me from the beginning and have been with me every step of the way, as well as my brother, Adam Zarek. My lighting designer, key production assistant, co-producer, and best friend Brian Olivo has been an incredibly key player in most of the things I’ve done over the last couple of years. Other people like Eric Richter, Dustin Smith, Brian Raida, and Kyle Cogan have been influential to me, specifically on the video side of things, showing me the ropes and letting me observe them in their work. Additional miscellaneous people would be Kevin Singleton, Stubhy Pandav, and Nate Steinheimer who have opened so many doors for me in my career. I wouldn’t be where I am today without these individuals, along with so many others who have been a part of my story.

Website: http://www.alexzarek.com

Instagram: alexzarek

Image Credits
LA Rogers, Ryan Steinberg, Brian Olivo, Noah Jatczak, Janet Debris, Paul Hill, Kaitlyn Johnston