Mirror Gets a Glimpse of Bowen Smith

Mirror Adds Director Brian Bowen Smith to Its Roster

Brian Bowen Smith steps through the looking glass into Mirror Films.

L.A.-based Mirror Films has signed Director/Photographer Brian Bowen Smith. A protege of Herb Ritts, Bowen Smith has shot photographs of the world's celebrities for such publications as "Vanity Fair," "Esquire," "Interview," and "Gotham."

Shooting his first commercial for Jenny Craig featuring spokesperson Valerie Bertinelli, Bowen Smith came to the attention of Mirror Films' Owner/EP Eric Barrett. "I first met Brian when we were shooting the Jenny Craig campaign," explains Barrett. "We started chatting and it became clear to me that Brian's aspirations were to expand into commercials. I then looked at his photography and was blown away by his visuals. Brian truly is an artist, but with a foot grounded firmly in the advertising aesthetic. After spending some personal time with him, it become crystal clear to me that this is someone that I want to work with."

Bowen Smith comments, "I was shooting the print photos of Valerie Bertinelli for Jenny Craig, and then Valerie was kind enough to suggest that I shoot the commercial. When I met Eric on-set, we seemed to be on the same page in terms of my ability to crossover successfully into commercials. As we talked more, I felt confident that I was signing with the right company and people who really understand my talent."

Bowen Smith was born and raised in New York; he became a professional photographer by a less traditional route than most. After catching the eye of photographer Herb Ritts, while performing as a pro athlete, Bowen Smith was then invited to appear in a Gap campaign. Ritts became his mentor and friend while Bowen Smith became Ritts' Assistant for four years, which helped him find his personal photographic style on assignments for "W," "Marie Claire," "Premiere," "Esquire," and "Interview."

Published 16, April 2012