Greg is a gaffer and a cinematographer, and the owner of Waywest Lighting & Camera. He is also a licensed drone pilot. Greg prides himself on staying current with the latest in lighting and camera technology and bringing energy, creativity and positivity to set. He works on a wide variety of projects both big and small, including commercials, branded and social media content, junkets for Netflix, docs for HBO, and celebrity hosted direct response. If you are looking for exceptional quality, choose the custom lighting truck, and an Arri Alexa camera package paired with top-of-the-line Zeiss Supreme Primes. And if you are looking to be a bit more nimble, Greg’s lighting van with Canon R6 Mark II DSLR’s, RS2 gimbal and Mavic Pro 4 drone might be just what you need.
A little more on the personal side…
Greg grew up on the shores of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. His early years were filled with adventure which infused him with the aloha spirit and pumped salt water into his veins. Launching at 17, he pursued his education at Vanguard University in Southern California, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in communications, a TV production emphasis, and a minor in business.
After college, he paid his dues by starting at the bottom as a PA. He worked his way up to grip, then gaffer, then DP. Greg took the long road, which gave him the opportunity to strengthen his lighting and shooting techniques by learning from a variety of extremely talented cinematographers. He gleaned their tricks of the trade, adapting his favorites to make them his own.
Greg has a passion for art, collaboration, and creating images with impact. He also values organization, which is particularly evident when you open the doors to his lighting truck. Efficiency and well equipped packages enable the crew to focus on the tasks that matter, saving production time and money.
Giving back to the community has also been an important part of Greg’s life. These opportunities have included working with kids at a local shelter, serving as a camp counselor for children in the foster care system with Royal Family Kids Camp, working as a Wish Grantor at Make a Wish, and serving at the Red Cross as a Disaster Action Team Leader. More recently he has been involved with Waves of Impact, where the lives of individuals with special needs are enriched through adaptive surfing experiences.
Greg rejuvenates his soul and stays heart healthy by riding his hydrofoil on the waves along the San Onofre shoreline in San Clemente. He also gets great joy from playing his guitar and spending time with his dogs, Lucy and Nala.
It is sometimes difficult to anticipate the specific equipment needed for any given setup. The Waywest lighting truck has an impressive stock of lighting fixtures and rigging options which uniquely equip the team to calmly pivot and successfully tackle change. Make no mistake, there will be change :-)!
After viewing Greg’s DP reels you will see that he is very competent at the helm, but he also loves supporting others in those roles and helping them to shine. The end goal so to make production sparkle and to see the execs smile. That’s the prize. For Greg, it’s not about maximizing profits, but giving 100% to make every project the very best that it can be.
This work is incredibly fulfilling. Together we jump through through fiery hoops and overcome incredible challenges. But when that part of the journey is over, I hope that we will have forged lifelong friendships that endure.
Greg Kendrick
Let’s talk about your next project!