We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Bird a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
Spending time in nature is a key part of my life. Moments for reflection and mental reset are crucial for maintaining balance and preventing burnout.
I also plan weekend hikes throughout the year. I find a lot of inspiration in nature and love observing different lighting conditions, listening to the natural ambiance of a new hiking destination, and simply being present.
Patience and self-compassion are also important. There’s a phrase that’s popular on social media: “Nothing in nature blooms all year.” When we look to different seasons, we see this is true. In Georgia, we have a longer growing season. My husband and I like to plant tulips in the week leading up to New Year’s, knowing they’ll start to bloom in early spring. Tulips benefit from “resting” during the cold winter. Likewise, I try to remind myself good things take time to grow.
I also believe in creating artwork that explores your authentic voice. It’s a form of self-care to create a project that’s just for you. Creating your own work also gives you greater perspective and empathy, enhancing the way you support other artists and collaborators.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi! I’m Jennifer Bird, Director and Owner of Bird Mountain Media, a full-service video & photo production company based in Atlanta, GA.
At our core, we believe in fostering long-term partnerships built on transparency and trust. Each brand or client we partner with has a unique voice and unique needs. We take the time to listen and build a dialogue over time, diligently working toward shared goals.
Past collaborators have included top brands such as Delta, Coca-Cola, Inspire Brands, and National Geographic.
With us, you can expect personalized service, high-quality deliverables, and expertise across commercial, documentary, and social media content. Our happy place is in creative concept development and managing projects from start to finish. Our love language is clear communication and we are committed to seamless execution, delivering projects on time and on budget.
As a Director, in the past year I created two social media campaigns to refine and elevate my creative voice. This was a fun opportunity to showcase poetic storytelling, evoke nostalgia, explore authentic relationships, and experiment with a vibrant, controlled color palette. These campaigns mark my debut in fashion films and have been pivotal in shaping and strengthening my visual identity.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
If I were starting over in the film industry today, these are the top three qualities I would prioritize:
1. A Cohesive Web Presence
This means having a professional website, a thoughtfully curated LinkedIn profile, and an Instagram that strikes a balance between personal and professional. A well-rounded online presence is essential for building credibility and visibility in today’s digital world.
2. Continuous Learning and Education
When you’re just starting out, access to the latest equipment may be limited. But it’s crucial to stay informed. If hands-on experience isn’t immediately available, research gear online—YouTube is an invaluable resource for tutorials and reviews. Additionally, attend trade shows or industry events whenever possible to network and learn from experts.
3. Understanding the Cultural Moment
As we move into 2025, I see the demand for “authenticity” evolving into a deeper desire for unique personalities and distinct brand identities. For years, millennial culture favored minimalism and clean, simple branding. However, as more brands adopt this approach, their identities have started to blend together. The exciting opportunity now is to stand out by embracing individuality, both as a person and as an artist.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that has had a significant impact on my resilience and success as a filmmaker is Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth. In it, Duckworth emphasizes the power of persistence, passion, and long-term dedication in achieving success. While talent certainly plays a role, it’s grit that ultimately determines how far someone can go.
In our careers and businesses, challenges are inevitable—there will always be new mountains to climb and a constantly shifting competitive landscape. The ability to stay flexible, work through obstacles, and embrace failure is essential to long-term success. Challenges push us to grow in unexpected ways, and failure, though uncomfortable, is a valuable tool that teaches us what doesn’t work.
One quote from Mark Cuban that resonates deeply with me is: “As someone who’s failed many, many, many, many times, it terrifies me. You know, I don’t want to fail. No one wants to be labeled a failure. But having failed enough, I’ve learned that no one remembers my failures. I don’t know—name any business person on the planet. Typically, you don’t know their failures. But you know their successes.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.birdmountainmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdmountainmedia/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-marie-bird/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
