About:

Jay Pennathur is a Los Angeles–based cinematographer and photographer with a primary focus on documentary, narrative and branded nonfiction storytelling. Born and raised in San Jose, California, he has spent the past four years lighting and capturing narrative and documentary projects that prioritize character, atmosphere, and emotional authenticity.

Jay is comfortable working across multiple capture formats including 35mm, Super 16, and digital, as well as a strong technical fluency with lenses, lighting systems, and camera workflows. He collaborates closely with directors, brands, and creative teams to translate ideas into visually cohesive work. In addition to on-set production, Jay has over a year and a half of experience working in the rental industry, most recently at ARRI Rental in Burbank, where he supported high-end camera builds and developed a deep understanding of professional production workflows. He also works as a freelance colorist, using DaVinci Resolve to help directors and cinematographers refine the final look of their projects in post-production.

Jay is currently focusing his work in fiction, documentary, and branded projects, and is open to collaborations that value strong visual language, curiosity, and process. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out via email to discuss potential projects.



jayanth.pennathur@gmail.com — (408)745-9639 — Instagram