Biography
Jake is a native Californian who grew up all over the country, giving him an appreciation for the perspectives and cultures that shape our world. Drawn to photography and storytelling from an early age, he pursued a degree in journalism, aspiring to become a National Geographic style photojournalist. In school, he got involved in the broadcast department, learning to shoot and edit video and became motivated to pursue documentary work.
His early career is defined by scrappy, rugged single camera docu-style shooting—from extreme sports and adventure filmmaking to hand-held camera work for the NFL, NCAA, NBA and MTV.
As he mastered the art of lighting compelling portrait interviews, his interest grew in designing more complex scenes. He pursued narrative work, but soon realized he would have to choose between that path and being present for his family. He decided to focus on top-tier short-form production in commercials and promos, building his company, BackFocus, into a go-to resource for movie studios and TV networks, and a trusted partner to agencies and production companies across all genres of cinematography.
His sons now grown, he turned his attention to his first love, story telling. In 2024, Jake's debut novel, The Rise of The Legends was published and he has more books and projects in the works. Visit Jake's Site to learn more.
When he's not involved in creative pursuits, he loves to travel, hang with his boys and sail the California coast.
Approach
Jake believes great work begins with relationships. He’s a collaborator with a deep roster of team players who bring their own vision and energy to his sets. He’s just as happy working as a DP for other directors as he is directing himself. Bottom line: he loves working with good people, from clients to the set PA. His brand is a great day on set—surrounded by an excellent crew, creating compelling images, and telling engaging stories.
For Jake, taking care of his crew and clients while having a good time is what it’s all about. And any gig that puts him in Captain Kirk’s chair? That’s just gravy.