Discover Top Documentary DPs in Chicago, Illinois, USA

Our team is made up of a collection of professional creatives who want to make the world a better place. We’re up for any challenge—whether it’s developing a compelling film strategy for a local electric company, creating ad spots for national and international clients alike, producing a 52-episode travel series, or raising awareness about the very real existence of sex-trafficking in our nation. We know how difficult it can be to get a vision off the ground. It requires a lot of preparation, effective communication and of course, flawless execution. But delivering great visual content is only half the battle. We work tirelessly to go above and beyond the call of duty for our clients and partners. Our ratings reflect that. We thrive amidst logistical challenges, tight deadlines, and always work to deliver a great experience. What is your story? We’d love to make it a reality.

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Sound Mixer
• Gaffer
• Grip
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Line Producer / On-Location

I am a freelance video journalist based in Chicago. I shoot, produce, and edit as a one-woman-band. My experience spans from shooting in-studio with multi-cam set-ups, to in the field as a video reporter. My work has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, and The Weather Channel, among many others. My passion for journalism and filmmaking has also led me to pursue original short documentaries in Brazil, Singapore, and Chicago. Complex, nuanced stories of people keep me alive and creative. I aspire to use multimedia storytelling to engage people, inspire change, and disrupt normalcy.

• Documentary DP
• Sound Mixer
• Fixer
• Video Editor - News
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Reporter / Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

Hiya. I'm Josh, I run a shop under the banner "Stoneburner Video" We craft content that does stuff. Moving people, generating conversation, and capturing conversions. Big or small - we're on budget, on brand, and on time. With over a decade of experience, my team and I have provided support as video journalists, a full production company, video editors, producers, casting directors, animators, and so much more. Questions? Don't hesitate to holler. Expect to talk to Josh, Gillian, or Meagan throughout your project.

• Commercial DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Production Company
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Full-Service Live Production
• Content Strategist
• HD Live Operator
• Sound Mixer
• Creative Director
• Gaffer
• Post-Production Manager
• Colorist
• Production Assistant
• Digital Content Creator
• Drone Operator
• Art Director

Colin is a 2X Emmy winning cinematographer. He was the Director of Photography on When Claude Got Shot, 2022 Winner of Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking and EP'd by Snoop Dogg. He was also a Cinematographer on a Major League Baseball Brewers Commercial, 2017 Winner of Outstanding Commercial Series. Two decades of video experience with a passion for detail and communication. Colin also creates his own documentary content.

• Production Company
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Reporter / Journalist
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Drone Operator
• Corporate Videographer
• Field Producer

Hi there, My name is Cameron Moore. I have worked full time as a videographer and filmmaker for the past 10 years. Along the way, working with brands like the Chicago Bulls, Reebok, and McDonalds. Although some of the things that really drive my love for video are action sports, food, and good ole' mother nature. I am willing to work with just about anyone. I hope to here from you about making your next awesome project. Reach out! Lets chat!

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Production Company
• Production Assistant
• Grip
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Creative Director
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Field Producer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer

I’ve always been obsessed with creating through instruments, computers, and cameras. I’m equally comfortable working a specific role, or pioneering a full production. I have completed projects working as a director, dp, editor, and motion graphics artist. I look forward to bringing my passion to your story.

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Field Producer
• Production Company
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant
• Drone Operator
• Gaffer
• Grip
• Full-Service Live Production
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Sound Mixer
• Corporate Videographer
• Graphic Designer

With experience as both a photographer and videographer and an editor, Jeremy Handrup has been working in the freelance industry in Chicago over the last 7 years. He has recently graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with an MFA and is currently co-directing an upcoming documentary feature "Detention" concerning the US asylum policies.

• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Commercial DP
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Sound Mixer

Documentary | Commercial | Events | Film | Streaming | Broadcast Camera Operator Since 2007 Chicago, IL USA | Have camera, will travel! Sony FS7 II 18-110 f/4, Tripod Sony UWP Wireless Microphones - 2x Lavaliers, 1x Stick Mic 2x LED Panels Additional equipment available!

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Production Company
• Production Assistant
• Grip
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• HD Live Operator
• Full-Service Live Production
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Fixer
• Corporate Videographer

www.alexsharon.com I'm an independent DP and camera operator from Chicago who is curious about the world and the people around me. I approach each project with honesty and collaboration in hopes of creating quality work that moves others.

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Commercial DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Commercial

Andrew J. Morgan is a passionate image maker and visual storyteller. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, he has been working professionally as a cameraman for over 15 years on a wide range of projects ranging in style, budget, and scope. From people and places to products and puppets, Andrew makes sure that the right equipment and crew are in place to capture impactful and professional images. Andrew’s credits don’t just stop at client work. He has found himself as a cinematographer for additional material included in Universal’s reboot of Candyman (2021) as well as the 2023 Showtime series “Goliath”. Away from the camera, Andrew is also an accomplished director and editor. His directing credits include the cult documentary Vannin’ (2013), its follow up Sleeze Lake (2021), as well as a host of short documentary films that have played in festivals across the country. He delights in nerding out over the latest and greatest gear to take projects from concept to creation.

• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Fixer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

Stephen L. Garrett is a filmmaker based in Chicago, who collaborates with directors, producers, and production companies to develop, shoot, and edit feature-length documentaries, series, and promotional films for organizations large and small. Stephen began his filmmaking career in Madagascar as a third year Peace Corps volunteer in 2007. This experience led him to produce work for various organizations across the US and in 17 countries for clients such as the World Bank, the Ford Foundation, USAID, and the US Institute of Peace. Over his 12 year career in filmmaking, he has helped develop and produce television series that have aired on major television networks. In 2018 he coordinated coordinated post-production teams for 3 feature-length documentaries simultaneously: Nossa Chape debuted at South by Southwest 2018 and aired on Fox Sports; Momentum Generation won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Long Sports Documentary and debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival 2018 and aired on HBO; and Give Us This Day aired on AT&T Audience Network. In addition, he coordinated production and post production teams working in 13 countries for Phenoms, an internationally broadcast 6-episode documentary series about rising World Cup soccer stars for Fox Digital. In 2019, Stephen was the associate producer for Committee Film’s Investigation Discovery series Serial Killer: Devil Unchained. He is currently editing his first feature-length documentary How To Build A School in Haiti for director Jack C. Newell, which will be released in 2020. His short documentary, Mine 21, was awarded the 2019 Austen Riggs Erikson Prize for Excellence in Mental Health Media. Stephen has a BA in Conservation Studies from the University of the South.

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Creative Director
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Production Company
• Production Assistant
• Reporter / Journalist
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Fixer
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Sound Mixer
• Event Photographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

Over 24 years of video production experience. Creative communications professional with extensive knowledge of current and emerging trends in media technology and distribution. Expert on High Definition acquisition and dissemination over multiple broadcast and social media platforms. Professional experience with crisis management, news story development, storytelling-based video production, social media production, commercial production, live streaming, and live broadcast. Accomplished television news photojournalist with multiple regional and national awards. Work seen globally on various cable and regional networks. Specialties: Video Production; Producing/Directing; HD Videography (RED, ARRI Alexa Mini, DSLR); Video editing: Premiere Pro; Visual storytelling; Marketing/Public Relations; Live webcasting (single and multi-camera); Technical Directing; Photojournalism; Field Producer; Television news, sports, and events; Writing news stories; Pitching news stories; and Television broadcasting

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - News
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Production Company
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Full-Service Live Production
• TV News Producer
• HD Live Operator
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Sound Mixer
• Copywriter
• Executive Producer
• Senior Editor
• Social Media Producer
• Creative Director
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Sound Designer

Director/Producer: Esau Melendez studied film & video at Columbia College in Chicago and soon after began working with the Spanish Broadcast Network, Telemundo and WYCC, a Chicago PBS affiliate. Esaú has directed and produced various commercials and music videos with his production company, Clandestino Films. His passion has always been to tell stories regarding social issues that affect the community. The award-winning documentary Immigrant Nation!: The Battle for the Dream was featured on PBS nationwide and was funded by Latino Public Broadcasting in 2009. He was part of WGHB Producers academy in 2013, fellow of Kartemquin diver voices in 2015 and a classic member of New day films. He recently produced a series of short documentaries for WTTW’s project Pilsen: My Neighborhood which illustrates stories of people who lived in Pilsen and make a positive impact in the community. He is now working for Spirt Juice Media as an Editor/Producer making nation documentary productions about the history of Catholics in the United States.

• Commercial DP
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Company
• Field Producer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

Jiayan "Jenny" Shi is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and video journalist who is passionate about stories that find shared humanity and compassion. Her debut documentary "Finding Yingying" (MTV Documentary Films) has won numerous awards including the Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival and a China Academy Award of Documentary Films, and was nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy award. Jenny's work has appeared on Paramount +, MTV, BBC News, PBS NewsHour, Insider, and Bilibili. She has also contributed to work on Netflix, Discovery Channel, Tencent, and Google, among others. Jenny is a Kartemquin's Diverse Voices In Docs fellow, a Women at Sundance Adobe fellow, a Firelight fellow, a Logan Nonfiction Program fellow, and a DOC NYC "40 Under 40" filmmaker. Jenny is the co-founder and programming director of the Chicago chapter of the Video Consortium where she curates films and organizes community events for non-fiction storytellers.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Production Assistant
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Production Company
• Reporter / Journalist
• Video Editor - News
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Creative Director
• Field Producer
• Corporate Videographer
• Non-Fiction Film Director

Sam Mirpoorian is an award-winning filmmaker exploring societal themes at the intersection of time, isolation, health, science, + introspection. During his undergrad + grad studies at Indiana University, he made his first doc-short, Little Warriors, which tells the story about youth activism in the space of climate policy. The film was a Grand Prize Winner at the Academy Award-Qualifying, Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis. In 2018, Sam edited + produced a doc-short, Destination Park, which examines a mobile chapel located in the heart of a desolate truck stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York + made its online premiere via The Atlantic in 2019. In 2020, Sam’s second doc-short, Sonnie, which follows the serene + poignant life of a single father raising his son, played + won awards from over 40 film festivals across the United States + is a recipient of the Kodak Motion Picture Film Bronze Award for Excellence in Filmmaking. Sonnie won three Regional Emmy® Awards and was acquired by NBC, making its broadcast premiere via Peacock in 2021. In addition to his film work, Sam has directed, shot, edited, + produced national + regional commercial/branded content campaigns for philanthropic + environmental foundations including brands such as Pharrell Williams’ IceCream, Robert Redford’s The Redford Center, the YMCA, NASCAR, Goodwill, Louisville Slugger, High & Mighty, + others.

• Video Editor - Documentary
• Documentary DP
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - News
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Production Assistant
• Creative Director
• Reporter / Journalist
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Production Company
• Drone Operator
• Corporate Videographer

Craig Duff is an Emmy award-winning video journalist and documentary filmmaker and a professor of journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School. Prior to joining the faculty at Medill, he was the director of multimedia and chief video journalist for TIME, where he oversaw video and other multimedia projects for the magazine’s digital platforms and TIME.com. In 2009, Craig and his team at TIME won an EMMY award for new approaches in news and documentary programming. Craig was on the original team of video journalists at the New York Times, where he had previously produced a number of documentary television projects. He began his career at CNN, where he rose the ranks to become an executive producer of a newsmagazine team, the Sr. Producer of the environment unit and a director and producer of several documentary and long-form projects. He continues to produce stories for major news organizations including the New York Times and MSNBC.com.

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

Patricia Nabong is a visual journalist who is dedicated to breaking stereotypes, covering untold stories and serving communities through visual journalism. She is currently a photojournalism fellow at City Bureau, a civic journalism lab in Chicago. In the past, she worked as a fellow at The Medill Justice Project, where she produced an interactive visual investigation of Washington D.C.’s vacant properties, which was a finalist for the 2017 Peter Lisagor Award. She was also a student fellow at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, which funded her short documentary and photo essay about the psychological toll of the drug war in the Philippines. Her photos, articles and videos have appeared in the American Documentary Film Festival, The Weather Channel, Seeker, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Reader, Chicago Defender, WBEZ Chicago, City Bureau, Narratively, The A.V. Club, The Riveter, Climbing Magazine, Balitang America and Medill Reports, to name a few. She is one of the 2018 nominees for the World Press Photo Foundation's Joop Swart Masterclass. She earned her master's degree in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism where she received the Harrington Award for Videography/Broadcast. She also won a Chicago College Emmy for a video she produced there.  Prior to starting her graduate studies at Medill, she worked as a freelance multimedia journalist for online news sites Rappler, Union of Catholic Asian News and ABS-CBN News and as a part-time photography teacher at St. Paul College, Pasig. She graduated summa cum laude as the batch valedictorian of the class of 2015, with a degree in Film from the College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines. She is a member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national journalism honor society; the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines; and the Tokwa Collective.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Reporter / Journalist
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Sound Mixer
• Music Composer
• Fixer
• Sound Designer
• Translator

I have been a story teller and seeker of truth my entire life. I have been working as a broadcast journalist for more than 15 years. I have been focusing on investigative stories and in-depth pieces for the past several years. I seek out stories that will engage viewers and leave them with something to remember, to add knowledge that can enhance their life in the long term in addition to entertaining them in the short term. I like to spotlight injustices to bring about awareness. These kinds of messages can impact people in a way that motivates them to improve the world. I like to spotlight potential dangers, especially ones involving children, because they are the world's future. My perspective on issues is influenced by my personal life. I am a devoted mother and caring wife. I am a second generation Italian-American from the western suburbs of Chicago. I am a sports fan, bicycle rider, and environmentalist who eschews consumerism but is trapped in the pitfalls of parenthood.

• Documentary DP
• Sound Mixer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Reporter / Journalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

Bottle Rocket Media is a Chicago-based video agency populated with Emmy Award winning talent. We specialize in authentic storytelling. Born out of the NYC advertising scene, we came of age in Hollywood and refined our skills while working on The Oprah Winfrey Show. With decades of broadcast TV production experience on our team, we know how to make stunning videos that connect with viewers. Bottle Rocket Media services include; video production, 360º video production, story development, motion design, and creative strategy. Our clients include United Airlines, McDonalds, WeWork, Skywalker Ranch, Walgreens, Aon Hewitt, American Dental Association, Discover Card, Nabisco, Dyson, American Girl, Morton Salt, ADIDAS, TOMY Toys, Vosges Chocolate, Centro, The Second City, National Restaurant Association, S.O.S Pads, Steel Series, Travelzoo, Myriad/RBM, The First Years, Pabst Brewing Co, Vermillion, Ad Council of America, Henry V, Next Now Agency, Epsilon, Motiv8, One North Interactive, All Point Public Relations, Momentum WW, Rise Interactive to name just a few. We also work 'white label' for agencies and other creative shops. Some of the companies we created videos for, but you won't see on our site include: Starbucks, PayPal, Hilton, Lilly, Dollar General, Tim Hortons, Jewel-Osco, TIAA, GSK, ADIDAS, Nabisco, Paul McCartney, and Jimmy Buffett Tradewinds Teas. Many examples of our work can be viewed on our website —> http://bottlerocketmedia.net

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Audio Storyteller

Brian tells the stories about the people behind the businesses with films that connect on a human level. Armed with a keen sense of observation and any kind of video camera, Brian cinematically captures life with moving images and sound. He puts a frame around the world. Brian has worked with dozens of non-profit organizations, colleges, and local businesses alike. He is constantly learning and updating his craft to make the best possible stories for his clients. Over the past 20 years Brian has filmed and told many stories, from a documentary featured on PBS, to a short story about a child with cystic fibrosis for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. He tells stories about real people. He digs deep to grab the raw emotion of people which helps them connect with others. He listens first, then tells the story that will best connect with the subject’s audience.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial