Meet Kyle Pahlow: Director Of Photography

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

Hi Kyle, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’ve carried a Bob Primes, ASC quote in my wallet for many years, “Unless you’re risking a mistake your just repeating yourself; you’re not adding anything to the universe and you’re not growing. If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” Risks come in so many forms, some are educated and others are taken with nothing more than a hope that the decision you’re making is the right one. Sometimes taking a risk can work in your favor, and other times it blows up in your face. The good thing about the latter is that you learn and don’t ever forget. Everything from hiring a new person on your crew, saying yes to a job, saying no to a job, turning off all the lights except one, the list goes on. All of these things are risks that may or may not pan out. The uncertainty is what excites me and gives me life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart is that I’m me. Whether you choose to light something with hard or soft light or push in for a close up on a specific line is something that I would do differently than the next person. I’d consider myself a sensitive person, and I think that allows me to read a scene on a deeper level. I think it also helps with being able to know when a director needs something or isn’t feeling right in a particular situation. My journey is far from over, and I still feel like I have so much to learn. I’ve gotten this far on my path through pure resilience. It’s important that when someone says no, or you don’t get a job, that you have your moment to be upset and then to collect yourself and keep moving forward. You never know what will be around the next corner and the most important thing is, you must be ready for it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m going to pretend for a moment that everyone has been vaccinated, movie theaters are open, no one has to wear masks, and restaurants are busier than ever. If I had a friend visiting Los Angeles I’d start the day off with a quick run up the coast just before sunrise to surf one of the many surf spots along the PCH. We’d cruise back into town and grab a donut at Sidecar Donuts in Santa Monica and then it’d be over to the Getty to check out the latest exhibit. By the time we finished at the Getty it would likely be lunch time so we’d jump on the 405 and sit in traffic for a bit and head down to La Fonda Of Inglewood. After lunch we’d shoot over to the Arclight in Hollywood to catch a film and then we’d have to head up Agoura Hills to sit at the bar and have a steak at The Old Place. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have helped me along my journey and continue to do so. I think it’s important in life to realize that you don’t get anywhere because you intrinsically deserve it. Success is a culmination of many opportunities that people give you, in which you rise to the challenge.

Website: www.kylepahlow.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylepahlow/?hl=en