Meet Areon Mobasher | Creative Director, Filmmaker, & Photographer

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

Hi Areon, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
That’s a big one! I think I pursued a creative career because it’s the only thing that truly made sense. Creativity has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been drawing, writing, playing characters, and exploring different forms of expression. But family and cultural pressure had me going the STEM route for a while. When I started undergrad, I was on an engineering track to pursue a degree in computer science, and hopefully get my pre-med requirements along the way. But my artistic interests got the better of me. I eventually broke away from that path and committed fully to creative work, starting with theatre and live performance, and later branching into design, branding, and filmmaking.

Looking back, I think the deeper reason I chose a creative career is that I’m endlessly curious about people—how we think, what drives us, and what gives our lives meaning. I’ve always loved building connections, not just with individuals, but with their stories, ideas, and the things they care about. This curiosity and love for connection is at the heart of the work I do. Whether it’s through filmmaking, music, photography, or branding, creative work is fundamentally collaborative to me, and collaboration opens the door to mutual understanding.

So, if I had to sum it up, I pursued a creative career because it’s a way for me to better understand others and, in the process, better understand myself. And that makes it all so fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I’d say my work is all about connection—connecting people, ideas, and stories. Whether it’s through photography, filmmaking, design, or branding, I aim to create work that resonates emotionally, drives people to action, and leaves a lasting impact. What sets me apart, I think, is the way I combine technical expertise with a deep focus on storytelling. My background is multidisciplinary—acting, writing, photography, design, even STEM—and I bring all of that together to craft work that feels meaningful and personal to audiences. I feel that my experience helps me connect to and work with clients in ways some creators may not be able to harness. Of course, I have my limitations as well. But at the end of the day, I’d like to think I’m not just creating visuals, but building bridges between people and the things they care about.

What I’m most proud of is how my work reflects the people I collaborate with. I see every project as an opportunity to celebrate someone else’s story, passion, or vision. Like I’m building a monument to them somehow. Whether my client is a metal band, a restaurant, or an arts nonprofit—It’s incredibly rewarding to take what someone imagines and translate it into something tangible, something they can share with the world.

Of course, none of it was easy. Fun, sure. Rewarding, definitely. But it’s not easy. I don’t think anything worth gaining or growing is easy. It’s been a winding road full of challenges. Like many creatives, I faced doubts about whether I could make this work sustainably, especially coming from a background where a creative career wasn’t necessarily seen as practical. Moving to Los Angeles was another leap of faith, and adapting to the pace and culture of the city was no small feat. But I overcame those challenges by focusing on what I love about the work itself and by leaning on the support of the people around me.

I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is to be your own biggest advocate. In any industry, but especially creative media/marketing, you have to believe in yourself first before anyone else can. I’ve also learned to embrace failure—it’s inevitable, but it’s also how you grow. And I’ve come to realize the importance of balance: prioritizing your health and well-being is just as important as grinding for your goals.

What I want the world to know about my work and my story is that it’s all rooted in curiosity and care. I’m endlessly curious about people and their stories, and I care deeply about creating work that does those stories justice. My “brand” is about celebrating individuality, building community, and creating art that reflects the hearts of the people I collaborate with. At the end of the day, I just want to make work that feels true, meaningful, and impactful. That’s what drives me, and I hope it shines through in everything I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh this is tough. Partially because my best friend already lives here, and also because my friends who visit from out of town have all kinds of different tastes. These don’t have to be in any particular order, of course, and some of these will be basic, but here we go:

Day 1
Morning: Start with breakfast at All Time or Alcove in Los Feliz
Midday: Stroll down Sunset in Silverlake, maybe get a second coffee at Dayglow. But no matter what, we’re doing lunch at Azizam. If you’re a musician looking for a place to practice or record while you’re in town, I also recommend renting time at Pirate Studios.
Afternoon: Depending on the day, heading over to Little Tokyo for souvenirs at Kinokuniya bookstore, and making a pit stop at Midori Matcha or Rice & Nori.
Evening: Dinner at Izakaya Bizan, maybe stop for a couple beers and some games at XLanes, then finish the night with karaoke at Lounge Ohjah in the Miyako Hotel. Real ones know.

Day 2
Morning: Take a hike up to the Griffith Observatory for some classic views of LA and the Hollywood Sign, if you’re into that.
Afternoon: Check out LACMA and take some photos at the Urban Light installation, because you know you want to.
Evening: If you want to do more touristy stuff, see a film at the TCL Chinese Theatre or check out the Walk of Fame. If you want something more lowkey, I recommend catching a screening at the Los Feliz 3 or the Vista.

Day 3
Morning: Head to The Rose in Venice for coffee & breakfast, then people watch around Venice Beach
Day: El Matador or Leo Carrillo for more scenic beach views
Evening: I know some of y’all want me to say Nobu. I’m not gonna say you should go to Nobu. But if that’s something you’re curious about…it’s there.

Day 4
Morning: Brunch at Great White in Larchmont Village – if you’re into celebrity sightings, chances are you’ll see a few faces you recognize. Just don’t be weird.
Midday: Head into downtown and check out The Broad for contemporary art.
Lunch: You can always find something at Grand Central Market
Evening: Drinks at Perch for rooftop views and/or dinner at Bestia. You could also do dinner at Cabra, with drinks downstairs at Lazy Bird. Honestly, I tend to go back to Little Tokyo and repeat Day 1 – maybe grab drinks at Wolf & Crane for a more intimate vibe. For something more divey, we’re going back to Los Feliz to end things at Ye Rustic Inn, or even better (worse?): Drawing Room. Cash only.

Day 5
Morning: Early morning walk/hike at Vasquez Rocks up in Agua Dulce. If that’s too far of a drive, Eaton Canyon near Pasadena is also great. And there’s a waterfall at the end!
Afternoon: Grab coffee at The Boy and the Bear or Lavender & Honey. For something more hearty to eat, check out Old Sassoon, Heidar Baba, or Dos Besos. For sights, check out the Huntington Gardens.
Evening: See what’s on at Pasadena Playhouse, or hop over to Glendale and see what’s up at Antaeus Theatre or the Alex. Grab drinks and shoot pool at Mr. Furley’s after too. Best (and cheapest) cocktails I’ve seen around LA.

Day 6
Morning: We are once again in Los Feliz, getting coffee at Maru.
Midday: Head downtown to The Last Bookstore
Afternoon: Visit MOCA, maybe lunch at Suehiro DTLA
Evening: Drinks at The Edison, or maybe see if there’s a show happening at the Belasco or other venues around there. You can also head over to Koreatown and see who’s performing at the Wiltern, or check out Brass Monkey or The Venue for karaoke. For late night eats, Dan Sung Sa or Sun Nong Dan are perfect. The Prince is also great for a more intimate, loungey vibe for dinner and drinks.

Day 7
Morning: We are once again in Los Feliz (because if you’re visiting me, you’re in Los Feliz). So we’re getting brunch at Figaro or Little Dom’s. For something more casual we can hit up the Yeastie Boys truck outside Blue Bottle.
Midday: Check out the arts annex at Skylight Books, lunch could be at Guac Daddy or Goldburger. We could also check out Barnsdall Art Park which is a pretty easy walk.
Evening: Gotta end the visit with dinner and drinks at Girl & the Goat over in the Arts District. Or if you want to stay in Los Feliz, check out the Dresden to experience a piece of history, or Mírate if you’re craving Mexican. Maybe check out whoever is playing at the Greek if you have time. And if you’re back before midnight, Jeni’s for some ice cream.

I know that may not be super exciting, but it’s what I’m into. As long as I have good friends and good food, I’m up for whatever and wherever!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh, absolutely. There are plenty. But this one goes to my mom. She’s been instrumental in shaping who I am, beyond just raising me (and believe me, I didn’t always make it easy for her). She’s the one who taught me the value of strength, discipline, care, and perseverance—and how to pair all of that with the healing power of a good meal, and a better sense of humor. She’s truly the top of the pyramid when it comes to my support system.

And she’s not alone! I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have amazing family, friends, and mentors who’ve been there for me every step of the way. From my roots in North Carolina to my community here in LA, these people have been my foundation and my home. They’ve nurtured me when I needed encouragement, challenged me when I got too comfortable, and pulled me back when I started to lose my way. I owe so much of where I am today to their unwavering love and support.

Website: https://areonmobasher.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/areonmo

Image Credits
Natasha Agharabi, Isaac Escamilla, Kat Nijmeddin, David Angioletti