Meet Jon Hechtkopf

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jon Hechtkopf. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jon below.

Jon, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Growing up in a competitive environment with two older brothers and athletic friends, I was always the underdog. That feeling still drives me every day, pushing me to prove myself and make my loved ones proud. My resilience comes from learning through failures—you just have to keep going and grow from every experience.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a freelance Director and Cinematographer, and I also own a business that manages high-end homes for commercials, photoshoots and movie bookings. My journey began in film school on the east coast, then moving to California in 2009 to work in the surfing industry, initially with Ripcurl and later with Smith Optics. This experience paved the way for my transition into full-time freelancing. Since then, I’ve collaborated with various industries—from car companies, fashion brands, celebrities, swim, and hospitality brands. Currently, I’m enjoying working with close friends on producing high-end commercials for variety of brands. What excites me the most about my cinematography career is the opportunity to travel to remote locations and explore unique settings. Additionally, I’m actively growing my business in house rentals for commercial bookings, which allows me to connect with diverse individuals and creative crews across LA.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Throughout my career, I’ve found several key qualities that have contributed to my success. Firstly, understanding the client’s needs is paramount for effective collaboration. Secondly, having a grasp of everyone’s roles on the team fosters a smoother workflow. Empathizing with each team member’s perspective, whether on set or in the office, enhances authenticity and facilitates the delivery of exceptional results. Being the best isn’t necessary; instead, dedication and effective communication are the cornerstones of success.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m overwhelmed, I turn to friends and exercise for support. Talking to friends and getting outside help clear my mind. I also meditate and do breathwork at a place called Open in Venice. I aim for a balanced work and personal life, though I don’t have a strict plan for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hechtkopf.co
• Instagram: JHechtkopf
• Other: https://Hechtkopfandco.com