Garrette Baird

 


MY JOURNEY

Growing up in a household where television and movies were off-limits, my imagination became my playground. Without the influence of mainstream media, I learned to create stories in my mind, weaving characters, settings, and adventures from the everyday world around me. This unconventional beginning planted the seeds of creativity that would later flourish in unexpected ways. The restriction wasn’t a limitation—it was an invitation to see the world differently, to find beauty in the ordinary, and to appreciate the art of storytelling in its purest form.

My journey into photography and filmmaking began as an act of rebellion against the constraints of my childhood, but it quickly transformed into a deep passion. In my early twenties, I picked up a camera for the first time and discovered a powerful tool to express what my words could not. Photography and videography became my lens through which I could explore and share my perspective. My work evolved into capturing moments of raw emotion and authenticity, each frame a silent dialogue between myself and the world. This passion led to filmmaking, where I found an even broader canvas to bring stories to life, blending visuals, sound, and narrative to create immersive experiences.

Today, my creative journey continues as I navigate the balance between my personal vision and the stories that need to be told. With every project, I draw upon the unique perspective shaped by my early years, finding joy in crafting narratives that resonate on a human level touching our innermost connections . Whether through the stillness of a photograph or the movement of film, I am driven by a desire to connect, to evoke emotion, and to leave a lasting impact. My career has led me to create for brands such as Disney, Sony, Adobe, Eli Lilly, Best Buy, and more. What began as a childhood devoid of media has blossomed into a lifelong pursuit of storytelling, proving that even the most unconventional beginnings can lead to remarkable creative journeys.

Why Harlowe?

Initially I wasn’t looking for new lights, I had been with another brand for several years, but while attending Sony Kando I was introduced to the Harlowe brand. Before even touching them my first impression of the elegant design alone was outstanding. Typically lights are for the most part just boring black boxes, these however had a style and design elements that were anything but boring. When using them I feel like I’m holding a premium product, and they’re the first lights that I actually want to keep in their case and take care of them properly when not in use. I’m also in love with all the magnetic mounting options for modifiers, gels, grids, and barn doors, making setup and teardown a breeze. Let’s not forget about the stands! These carbon fiber stands are without a doubt the nicest light stands I’ve ever owned. Again, the elegant design and beauty of these stands make me want to take care of them, use the included cases, and treat them like works of art. Harlowe’s attention to detail is superb. For instance on the V-mount batteries I own there’s a little tiny light on the mounting side of the battery to help me get it mounted quickly when working in a dark environment. Speaking of their batteries, one of my must haves is a 3 light interview setup that I can run without having to be plugged into an outlet. I can easily run a 3+ hour interview setup with power to spare.

MY CREATIONS  

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MY LIGHT

Currently I’m using the Pro 300watt, the Mini Max 40watt, Avant Max 80watt, and the Iris 5watt for photo and video needs. The Mini Max and the Avant Max always find their way into my travel kit as they’re very travel friendly and can be charged via my usb-c laptop charger, so no proprietary plug or charger is needed. Both easily fit into a camera bag slot designed for a lens so it’s a no brainer to throw one if not nothing into my bag. The 300 watt Pro is a powerful light and also makes a fantastic key light when combined with the Harlowe softbox modifiers. All their lights can be controlled with their powerful app. You can create multiple lighting scenes with different color temperatures and brightness that can be saved and recalled very quickly. There isn’t a shoot I go out on without a Harlowe in my bag.

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