“I photograph what I’m afraid of, what I can’t deal with, or understand without the camera.”
-Richard Avedon
Born and bred in downtown Chicago, Kenji is the son of a psychoanalyst father and fashion designer turned Mom. From an early age he developed a fascination over the human condition and used art as his tool for exploration. It wasn’t until he was in college where he discovered the film MULHOLLAND DRIVE by director David Lynch and the CREMASTER CYCLE by artist Matthew Barney that he decided to pursue a career in filmmaking. After gaining experience working in G&E and eventually becoming a steadicam operator, he moved to Los Angeles where he earned his Masters Degree from The AFI Conservatory and has since served as cinematographer on feature films, TV, commercials, music videos, and documentaries.
In 2013, Kenji shot the short film WEIGHTING, which was co-directed by Dustin Bowser and Brie Larson (CAPTAIN MARVEL, ROOM), who also starred alongside Satya Bhabha (SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD). The film was produced by Bullett Magazine and won Best Cinematography at The Soul 4 Reel Film Festival in 2014 and was Official Selection at SXSW 2013.
He also collaborated with co-directors/stars Dawn Luebbe and Jocelyn Deboer of Gulp Splash Productions on the short film THE ARRIVAL, which won awards in the US and abroad, including the Audience Award at The Chicago Critics Film Festival in 2017, Best Narrative Short Film: Wüzburg International film Festival 2018, and Best International Short Film at the Roma International Short Film Festival. Kenji also collaborated with Gulp Splash on the short film BUZZ, directed by Mitch Magee, which won the Audience Award at BRNO16 Film Festival.
In 2019 he shot the short, SUNDAY DINNER, directed by Kevin Mead and starring Don Fanelli (also screenwriter), Jon Gabrus, Mary Holland, Michael Antonucci, and Andrew Law. It won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short at The Ashland Independent Film Festival in 2020.
His most recent feature, BURT, is about a 69-year-old street musician living with Parkinson’s, who has his life turned upside down when a young man shows up claiming to be his son. Directed by Joe Burke, starring Oliver Cooper (Project X, Mindhunter, Red Oaks) and Burt Berger (playing himself), this movie blurs the line between reality and fiction with disarming authenticity. The movie is a powerful love letter to Burt, his music, and the filmmaker’s own father, who also lives with Parkinson’s. The entire film was shot in 7 days for $7,000. In 2025, BURT has won Best Comedy Feature at Cinequest, Best Picture at the Phoenix Film Festival, and Best Screenplay at the Florida Film Festival. It’s also the opening film at the Anchorage International Film Festival!!