My Creative Obsession: Jonah Ballow
With over 18 years of experience in sports and digital media, Jonah Ballow is a storytelling expert. As the co-founder of HEARTLENT Group, he spearheads content strategy and production for the award-winning creative studio, focusing on capturing significant moments.
Jonah's expertise extends to leading production for Fortune 500 brands, luxury and lifestyle companies, professional sports teams, leagues, and top athletes. During his tenure with the NBA, working with the Timberwolves and the Knicks, Jonah developed engaging branded content that drove revenue for these organisations.
Transitioning seamlessly from in front of the camera to behind the lens, Jonah has collaborated with numerous athletes, mastering the art of crafting narratives that resonate, perform well, and create a lasting impression.
Today, Jonah shares his creative obsession.
What is your creative obsession?
While I enjoy every aspect of content creation, from videography to design, if I had to select one creative obsession, it would be photography. Over time, this passion has grown so strong that it follows me outside the demands of our company.
When did it first arise?
In high school, my fascination with photography began, sparked by my father's hobby. He entrusted me with his film camera when I signed up for a photography class, exposing me to the basics of light, composition and darkroom editing. Despite choosing a path in broadcast journalism after high school, those initial moments set the foundation for my photography passion.
How has this creative obsession evolved over time?
Four years ago, my wife and I began our annual travels to different countries, aiming to enhance her blog with captivating photos. Starting with an entry-level Nikon, we later upgraded to a Canon R7 to leverage my father's collection of remarkable EF Canon lenses. The transition reignited my passion for photography, prompting me to immerse myself in tutorials for hours on end, honing my skills in landscape, street and portrait photography. I received encouraging feedback from my work on Instagram, which furthered my enthusiasm.
How does this creative obsession influence the way you approach your work and how do you think it enhances your output?
At Heartlent, my personal photography has unexpectedly become a significant source of inspiration for our client projects. Traveling to diverse countries and witnessing various cultures has profoundly shaped my creative perspective. This exposure enhanced my composition skills, a deeper understanding of working with light, and the development of innovative concepts that I bring to my partners and clients.
One striking example of this influence occurred during my visit to Barcelona, where I was captivated by Antoni Gaudí's extraordinary masterpieces. Witnessing how his artistic vision continues to captivate modern society left a lasting impression on me. Shortly after my return, when tasked with revamping our client's video content across different platforms, including their history page, YouTube and social media, as well as in their new offices, I drew inspiration from my experiences in Barcelona.
This led me to propose the creation of a 3D digital museum to showcase our client's rich history in a visually engaging and impactful way. The idea stemmed from the moments I spent capturing the essence of Gaudí's work, highlighting the power of art and architecture to transcend time.
What’s the most extreme thing you’ve done in pursuit of your creative obsession?
Despite dealing with a bad back, I made sure to bring all my lenses on a recent ski trip to the Alps. Each lens held the potential for capturing a truly remarkable photo, and I couldn't bear to miss out on any legendary shot.
Carrying around 25 pounds of gear on my back throughout four consecutive days of skiing was undoubtedly challenging, resulting in some discomfort. However, the soreness was a small price to pay for the incredible shots I was able to capture. The opportunity to seize those moments made every ache and pain completely worthwhile.
Has your obsession inspired any side hustles, hobbies or other projects outside of your day to day work? If so, what? Or does it impact your personal life in any way?
Since photography is tied closely to our production work at Heartlent, it’s not used as a side hustle. The beauty of my personal photography is that it’s not created for clients. It’s all for me to enjoy, explore and improve. A singular mission without outside influence.
As I mentioned above, photography is a bonding experience with my father, even though we’re not capturing the photos together. Every time I use one of his lenses, I think of him and can’t wait to share my photos of the new people and places I’ve captured. My wife also enjoys photography and is an outstanding photo editor. We love taking photography tours on our trips abroad, and I often bounce ideas off her when bringing the photos back into Lightroom. Photography has certainly become a family hobby.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to learn more about this obsession?
Developing a creative obsession can be incredibly rewarding, expanding your skill sets beyond imagination. Avoid overthinking photography; simply grab your camera and shoot. With each experience in the field, your abilities will grow. Posting on Instagram provides a visual timeline of your progress. Whether you use an iPhone, crop sensor or full-frame camera, capturing moments during travel or in daily life offers valuable insights. This approach will give you an interesting perspective on life, as it certainly has changed mine.
