Meet Bahy Ghoneim | Cinematographer & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bahy Ghoneim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bahy, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by people—the challenges they’ve endured and the obstacles they’ve overcome to get where they are today. It’s incredible how resilient individuals can be when faced with adversity.

Growing up, I spent summers visiting extended family in Egypt. During those visits, I often saw war refugees being housed there, and I remember meeting people who had been directly affected by the crossfire. As a kid, I would donate whatever cash I had on hand, but with my limited understanding of Arabic—and my naivety—I struggled to communicate effectively or figure out how to help share their stories. Those experiences have always left an imprint on me every time I went back home.

I believe this is why I gravitate toward narratives and documentaries. Telling someone’s story is my way of helping to amplify their voices and ensure their experiences are heard.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Depending on the project I’m shooting, my art, techniques, approach, mindset—everything—has to adapt. Especially on projects where decisions are made on the fly and things are constantly evolving. You have to evolve with them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
You can’t come to Colorado without visiting the mountains—it’s a must! Growing up in Orlando, Florida, most of my friends (myself included, until I moved here) had never seen a hill taller than 30 feet or experienced snow.

If you’re looking for iconic Colorado hikes, you can’t go wrong with spots like Maroon Bells, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, or Ouray. Honestly, anywhere in the mountains is breathtaking.

And to top it off, you’ve got to take them to Bourbon Grill on Colfax. The food is absolutely amazing!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh man, there are so many people I could give a shoutout to, but Kyle Steinbrinck, my cinematography teacher, is someone who truly deserves recognition. His talent, passion, charisma, and the wealth of knowledge he instills in his students are genuinely admirable.

Kyle takes the time to ensure his students are equipped with the proper knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field. Thanks to his dedication and guidance, I’ve gained the confidence to call myself a Cinematographer—something I wouldn’t have felt half as sure about without him.

Another shoutout goes to my friends who have stood by my side. I suffered a tremendous personal loss in 2019, and if it weren’t for their unwavering support and love, I would be lost.

Website: https://www.bahycinema.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bahyghlt/?utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Will Francis, Aaron Archuleta, Jacob Corbo