Meet Olaa Olabi | Cinematographer

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

Hi Olaa, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY. My parents had emigrated from Syria before then. I grew up taking on responsibilities many other first generation kids are familiar with and that has made me a more independent and understanding person. Being submerged in two different cultures growing up has given me an outlook on life I really appreciate and that has played a big part in my career. The film industry is expansive and every job I do puts me in touch with new people from different backgrounds. Everybody has a different way of working and storytelling so it helps to approach each job with an open mind.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love to shoot narrative and experimental projects. Whether it’s a feature, short film, commercial or music video, it’s amazing to have a variety of ways to tell a story. I like to get funky and play with different lighting and camera tools to achieve a unique look. On the flip side, I also love more naturalistic projects where I get to embrace available light and work with the director to make sure we’re blocking out our best angles. It’s really important for cinematographers to be versed in different shooting styles in order to pick the right visual language for each project. I also think that as artists it’s necessary to take risks. When I first started shooting I was too concerned about doing things “right” and following rules I learned in school and from others. I noticed I was really playing it safe and I didn’t love the images I was making. Now I make weirder choices. Some work and some don’t but each decision teaches me something new and represents me more.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s prime weather in NYC right now so I’d say be ready for mostly outdoor activities and the best food of course. I couldn’t possibly fit all the necessary food spots here but among the greats on my list are Birds of a Feather, Ama Raw Bar, Win Son Bakery, Cafe Mogador, Morgensterns, Baonanas, and DD Soup Dumplings (yes, the one in Times Square…but trust me). Walking to/from places in the city is an activity in itself so I like to hop off the train a few stops early because there’s always something to see along the way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m very fortunate to have made some wonderful relationships during my career in the film industry. David Merino is a wildly talented DP and one of my dearest friends. We met when I first started freelancing. Soon after he hired me for a job I said I was good at but really, was not. Since then he went on to teach me a ton about cameras, commercial work, and how to be a solid professional. He was also supportive of my DP goals and helped me prepare for the projects I started to shoot. We continue to work together today and it’s truly invaluable to have such a support system in your corner.

Website: Olaaolabi.com

Instagram: @olaaolabi

Image Credits
Personal photo: Khayman Brunswick 1st addtl photo: Graeme Dempsey 2nd addtl photo: Ky Polanco