Michael Gauthier

(Go•tee•aye)

call me Mikey G.

MOODY AND CINEMATIC or BRIGHT AND POLISHED.

Every project asks for something different. That’s the part I love.

I’m not a jack of all trades. I’m a cinematographer who has built a career around knowing how to make every project feel intentional, elevated, and visually unforgettable, no matter the scale, budget, or format.

That means polished national commercials and corporate campaigns. Fashion films and branded content. Music videos and narrative films. Documentary interviews and fast-turn social content. From small crews moving fast to large commercial sets, I’m comfortable in every environment and know how to bring the right tools, the right energy, and the right approach to each one.

Adaptability isn’t a backup plan. It’s how I work.

Some projects need precision and polish. Others need speed, instinct, and trust in the moment. Sometimes it’s about building the perfect frame. Sometimes it’s about capturing something real before it disappears. Knowing the difference and knowing how to execute both is what separates good from great.

I started in Indiana making skate videos and got hooked on the process immediately. That path took me to Columbia College Chicago, where I earned my degree in cinematography, then into the agency world as an in-house cinematographer at FCB Chicago, one of the largest ad agencies in the world. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2017, that foundation has shaped everything I do.

I’m hands-on by nature. I love solving problems, adapting on the fly, and figuring out how to make the impossible shot happen. My dad and I restored a 1974 Corvette Stingray together, and honestly, filmmaking feels a lot like that. Patience, problem-solving, and refusing to stop until it feels right.

I COULDN’T IMAGINE DOING ANYTHING ELSE.

ICG Local 600 • Based in Los Angeles