Check Out Zachary C. Bako’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary C. Bako

Hi Zachary C., so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Niles, Ohio, next to my grandparent’s farm, farm market and garden center. There I learned the physical, functional and toughness of life along with the beauty of nature.

My creative sensitivity was fostered and developed by frequent visitations to artist’s studios, galleries and museums with my mother, a collage artist and art educator. Through those visits, I gained insight and appreciation for many different processes, techniques and styles of art. The ability to have meaningful conversations with practicing artists gave me a sense to think, grow, learn and wonder about generating my own creative story.

Throughout those early years of creating, my artwork displayed a unique stylization loaded with color. I could see and create completed compositions with spatial elements. In elementary school, I had an assignment to create a self-portrait drawing. The drawing showed myself, just finishing a painting on an easel of my grandpa next to a big corn stalk from his farm, a portrait within a portrait. This storytelling artwork was awarded The State of Ohio, Young People’s Art Award. It was selected to be in the permanent collection of children’s artwork at Case Western Reserve University (CASE). The awards ceremony at CASE was life inspiring. That visit would later influence my University choice.

I attended CASE for both Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees with an emphasis on studio photography at The Cleveland Institute of Art, a specialized program between the two Universities. My Master of Photography Exhibition had an element of surprise. Professor Tim Shuckerow, from CASE, had installed the elementary school self-portrait, from their permanent collection, on the main entry wall.

What I have discovered over these last twenty years of pursuing my passion for art professionally, is that my curiosity to engage with different cultures and subcultures only grows stronger. This desire actually began at the age of seventeen. I was introduced to photojournalism, as a possible career choice through the local newspaper. Also, at seventeen, my second airplane flight was solo to Hong Kong, my first international city. This was absolutely life-altering. I discovered a city alive with a multitude of depth and was completely absorbed.

I moved to New York City a week after my Master’s Exhibition, to pursue a photography internship. I worked nights in a photo studio in Chelsea, packing studio equipment and location orders. During the day, I was photo assisting and eventually went from third assistant to first. Hours were long, a twenty-seven hour work day being the longest. Obligations to the internship and the rental studio were top priority but I realized I had to start putting into practice what I was learning on set into my own work. Luckily, I was in my twenties and had an unlimited amount of energy. While obtaining my Masters, I had the aspiration that New York City would be the place I would eventually call home. Leaving Cleveland with a predetermined plan that I would assist for seven years to learn as much as I could before venturing into the unknown realm as a full time photographer. During year five, I was awarded an Artist Residency in Beijing, China, with a NYC gallery show of completed works. It was a wonderful experience. Not only was I producing and creating a body of work, I found myself documenting the Chinese art scene and making lifelong friends. Which led me to live and work in Beijing and Shanghai for several years after leaving New York City. Being abroad taught me resilience and that I did not have to be in New York to pursue an artistic career.

Pursuing art has presented many diverse moments. It generated opportunities to live like a local in global communities. Becoming connected to each habitat or territory has been pivotal in my artistic development. Every moment of my life has been transformative. I am always learning and choosing to create fine art through photography and filmmaking. The journey is humbling and I am grateful for such an exciting career. I would also like to pay respect to abstract expressionist artist AL BRIGHT. His inspiration continues to fuel my creativity.

Everyday is different. I am inspired by natural light, locations and conversations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any obstacle or challenge presents an opportunity for growth and it is only as smooth as you want it to be. Comfortability can lend itself to being a destroyer of creativity. There is so much love in uncharted waters. Living and working in China created space to dive deeper into a culture that has always fascinated me while understanding more of myself. It’s important to set goals and work towards them. The freelance lifestyle provides an opportunity to tune into your inner being.

It is important to note that the Universe has always shown up with some sort of love that provides confidence that everything is always all right and helps facilitate the momentum forward. No stranger to long hours or hard work, I have been learning to slow down, trust the process more and be more present. It is always about the journey and not the destination.

You need to be uncomfortable to grow. The hurdles prepare you for greatness. So work toward your own greatness. Do what you love and follow your heart.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Never consider work, as just work, it is a lifestyle.

I am a multi-disciplinary artist that creates a new dimension for your imagination to roam.

What I am known for is photography, filmmaking and the ability to compose visual imagery with a strong emphasis on light and color.

What I am most proud of is the ability to build new worlds through the recontextualization of sports and music through lens based media.

What sets me apart from others is being in the arts my entire life, the experience of living abroad, staying present and over delivering.

The videos being shared with this interview are from a collaboration with Dwayne Gadd from PrizeFighter Boxing. Dwayne created PrizeFighter to give Youngstown, Ohio, pro boxers an opportunity to fight locally. He spared no expense to deliver an amazing fight night for the area’s first pro matches in seven years.

The still photographs are from collaborating with Joel Younkins Training in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Driven MX in Berlin Center, Ohio. Joel’s motto is “Prepare for Success.” Just like sports, creative work is mental and physical and that is why I also train with Joel. He has helped eliminate fatigue when I need to be on for 10+ hours behind a camera, multiple days in a row.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Authenticity, curiosity, empathy and the drive to deliver something fresh is most important.
Also, patience, balance and the ability to listen and synthesize information through artistic means helps you to become a team player.

Once I found my own artistic voice, the authenticity of the work has been the magnet to opening new doors. The motion work influences the still work and the still work influences the motion work. I am not looking outside of myself anymore. All answers are within, that is something my mother taught me years ago.

Thank you for this opportunity to share some of my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zacharybako.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharybako
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-c-bako-337a00200
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zacharybako
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-524884987

Image Credits
01_Jeremy Hand by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS
02_Caleb Carter at Hamrick’s Pit Bike Race by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS
03_DrivenMX by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS
04_Quinn Wentzel by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS
05_Jeremy Hand by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS
06_Carter Gray by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS
07_Carter Gray by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS
08_Quinn Wentzel by Zachary C. Bako of ALDAYO PRODUCTIONS

https://youtu.be/7pf5VY0ylug?si=pvV9nnLcmWCmk2md

https://youtu.be/UfVGNGGVIEM?si=6ZSOBB-4H9e6bRsf

https://youtu.be/lCDWoZVZrJk?si=Z-XLk0_p9IanJcAT