Discover Top Documentary DPs in Columbia, South Carolina, USA

With over 14 years of experience in the film industry and a portfolio boasting more than 500 successful video projects, I bring a wealth of expertise and a commitment to excellence to every project I undertake. I am constantly seeking out the latest techniques and tools to ensure that my work is at the cutting edge of innovation. My dedication to quality is unwavering, and I pride myself on delivering not just footage, but compelling storytelling that captivates audiences. My track record of reliability, professionalism, and integrity has earned me the trust of my clients and partners. I am passionate about creating high-end content that truly stands out, and I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with your studio to bring your project to life. I am confident that my skills and experience make me a valuable asset to any production, and I am eager to discuss how we can work together to create something truly exceptional. I have a great kit that includes the following: Cameras: (4) Sony FX3 4K Cinema Full-Frame cameras (Netflix Approved) that film 4K 24/30/60/120FPS and a variety of 1080P frame rates. Lenses: Sigma 85mm F1.4 Prime, Sigma 50mm F1.4 Prime, Sony 35mm F1.8 Prime, Sigma 24mm F1.4 Prime, Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Constant Zoom, Tamron 24-105mm F2.8 Constant Zoom, Tamron 24-70mm F2.8 Constant Zoom Lighting: (1) Aputure Light Storm C300d Mark II LED with Softbox, (2) Godox 100 Watt Daylight LEDs with Softboxes. (4) Godox LED Light Tubes with Full RGB Color Spectrum to provide dynamic accent/background/hair lighting. Audio: (4) Sennheiser, AVX Lav Mics with Sanken COS-11D Microphone Capsules, Rode NTG-2 Boom Microphone with Sound Diffusion Blimp. Zoom H8 Field Recorder with 6 XLR Inputs Drone and Motion Control Equipment: DJI RS 3 Gimbal. DJI Air 2s 5K Resolution Drone I am also an FAA Certified Drone Pilot and have been flying for over seven years. I am insured for General Liability and Professional Liability. We also have all the equipment necessary to live stream interviews and bring them into Virtual Events, Meetings, and Broadcast Destinations.

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

Raised partly in Charleston and Columbia, SC, I graduated high school in May, 2005 and joined the U.S. Navy seven months later. After serving five years as a Mass Communication Specialist (I spent most of my time as a Photojournalist), I was honorably discharged and moved to Charlotte, N.C. to attend the Art Institute of Charlotte. Here is where I realized a real passion for Cinematography and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors of Arts in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production. Since then, I’ve been living in the jungle as a Freelancer and loving it. I love the challenge of creating a visual aesthetic that accentuates a narrative and have shot an array of projects including commercials, music videos, documentaries, reality t.v. and short films. I love everything about film, I just happen to be at my best behind the camera.

• Commercial DP
• Gaffer
• Sound Mixer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Sound Designer
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Creative Director
• Drone Operator
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Grip
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Field Producer
• Corporate Videographer

My name is Zheng. I was trained as a broadcast journalist at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and graduated with a degree in radio-television journalism. I have worked at an NBC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri as an on-air reporter, videographer and anchor. Currently, I am currently a freelancer in Charleston, South Carolina, specializing in photography and videography, capturing stories through my camera lens. I am also proficient in video and photo editing. I love people, stories, and giving their stories life.

• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Field Producer
• Corporate Videographer
• Reporter / Journalist
• Drone Operator
• Commercial DP
• Event Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Landscape Photographer

I work as a freelance cinematographer and I’m usually up and down the east coast pointing my camera at people and places. I love the strategy and fine tuned detail of larger productions but the thrill of a single camera, “run and gun” shoot is sometimes unmatched. I pride myself on gorgeous and modern visuals and I just make things work. Contact me for anything, regardless of scale.

• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - News
• Full-Service Live Production
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Drone Operator
• Corporate Videographer
• Sound Mixer
• Gaffer
• Grip

Kate Medley is a documentarian, doing storytelling and digital for good causes, companies, and campaigns. In her ten years with Whole Foods Market, Medley traveled the world documenting the stories of farmers and producers growing our food. As an instructor at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Medley teaches a class on visual approaches to documenting place. In her capacity as a filmmaker with the Southern Foodways Alliance, Medley has created several documentary film projects that explore Southern culture through stories about food. Medley received her bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of Montana and her master’s in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi. She has worked as a photojournalist for newspapers across the South, including the Charlotte Observer, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, and as a lead contributor for The New York Times.

• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Field Producer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist

Sarah Batista is an award – winning journalist, speaker, entrepreneur and filmmaker. Before launching Stories to Inspire, Sarah spent a decade as a reporter and anchor in local television news. In 2013, she left WBTV news in Charlotte after seven years to pursue her dream of documentary filmmaking. As an investigative reporter, Sarah covered a wide range of issues and draws upon that experience in her storytelling. Her four part "Beyond the Border" series filmed in Mexico won her the Large Market Feature Award from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also contributes reports to the weekly news magazine show ‘Carolina Impact’ on WTVI PBS Charlotte. Sarah is a creative, "outside the box" thinker who is passionate about traveling and experiencing new adventures.

• Video Editor - News
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Reporter / Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Field Producer
• TV News Producer
• HD Live Operator

Elements Studio is an award-winning, full-service video & photography company with production facilities located in High Point, North Carolina. We are confident and professional artists making an impact for our clients through the creation of top-tier content. Elements serves a diverse client base - fulfilling their marketing & storytelling needs through the creation of innovative still & motion content. Working directly with clients or their agencies - we cover local, regional, national, & international markets. Elements' Digital Video Production Team is pushing the boundaries for video & television innovation & creativity at a time when the industry is rapidly changing. Boasting a wide range of work in the Lifestyle, Entertainment, Corporate, Gaming, Automotive, Travel, Virtual Reality, & Experimental genres - Elements has collaborated with brands such as Volvo, GE, Lowe's, BB&T, Wrangler, Boys & Girls Clubs, Calcutta/Big Rock Sports, Daimler Trucks North America, and many more... Elements operates out of a 22,000 sq. ft. facility boasting three large production stages, cyclorama, & green screen. We are set up to film on-location all over the World utilizing our extensive network of creative and supporting production staff.

• Production Company
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Senior Editor

Pilar Timpane is a filmmaker and producer based in Durham, NC. Her work has focused on women's stories, immigration narratives, and religious communities with the aim of using storytelling for social change. She holds a BA from Rutgers University and a Masters in Theological Studies from Duke University Divinity School. She co-directed and produced SANTUARIO (2019, PBS/ReelSouth & AlJazeera). SANTUARIO was the winner of the Best Documentary Short Jury Prize at New Orleans Film Festival 2018 as well as the Crested Butte ActNow Award and the IF/Then Shorts American South Pitch. She is an alumna of the New Orleans Film Society Southern Producers Lab, Indie Grits Real Fiction Lab, and Women in Film/Stella Artois Finishing Fund. She was named a 2021 Ella Fountain Pratt Emerging Artist by the Durham Arts Council. Pilar is a 2022 ITVS/NEH Humanities Documentary Development Fellow and a Logan Nonfiction Program Fellow, working on her first feature film as director, about the changing role of women in the Catholic Church.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Reporter / Journalist
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Translator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

Scott McKibben is a photographer, cinematographer, visual artist and musician. Throughout the years, his curiosity for the arts has developed a rather expansive body of work in various mediums. Primarily concentrating in video and photography, Scott has developed a professional career as a freelance film maker and photographer. Scott has filmed for Netflix, Amazon, Food Network, Cooking Channel, TLC, BET, History Channel, Discovery, Nat Geo Wild and many more. Aside from his career in television, Scott has directed, produced, and operated on music videos, commercials, documentaries and short films. Scotts work proves to be malleable within a diverse spectrum of genres. From werewolves to floi gras, McKibben has been able to adapt a unique creative style to any project. Scott migrated from Atlanta to New Orleans and then found himself in the mountains of Asheville, NC in 2017 where he met his wife Shea and in 2022 had their son, Silver. In the process of growing a family, McKibben decided to grow an even bigger vision and founded Ride High. Years of traveling the world working on productions with exceptional professionals, in all fields, gave to a vision to build a collective. Together this network consists of a diverse range of creatives and spans through out the world. In January 2023 Scott opened the doors of Ride High Studios and began another chapter in his creative path.

• Documentary DP

We have been creating great video since 2001. Television programming, ENG, corporate video, reality, internet video, broadcast commercials, aerial video, animation, multi-camera shoots, and more. Great gear including: 6K broadcast cameras, teleprompters, gimbal stabilizers, steadicam, dollies, 12 foot crane and jib, 5 foot motorized parallax slider, 20 foot by 12 foot portable green screens, piles of lights, stands, grip gear, full location audio package and much more. We have shot everything from full television series broadcast in 53 countries to local commercials. We are insured, experienced and love what we do. Our past clients include: NBC, Warner Bros., Discovery, Inside Edition, CNBC, The CBS Early Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Outdoor Channel, Bristol Myers, UNC Healthcare, Wake Med, Ultrasound, Nokia, Turn Here, US Army, Freight Farm, Huffy Bicycles, Great Dane, Aramark, Wal-Mart, Bright Horizons, Random House Publishing, Penguin Publishing, Pottery Barn, American Express, Girl Scouts USA, Cheerios, and many more.

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Fixer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Reporter / Journalist
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Sound Mixer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Corporate Videographer
• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• Full-Service Live Production
• Digital Content Creator
• Creative Director
• Content Strategist
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Drone Operator
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Post-Production Manager
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Hair and Make-up Artist
• Series Producer / Show Runner

I began making films while in college and have since grown a freelancing venture into a company that produces and directs video projects for universities, Fortune 500 companies, and numerous national and regional organizations. I bring a dynamic catalog of experiences into projects as I’ve performed almost all of the roles involved in a commercial grade video production. I love bringing together a production team and approach that fits the story. Though there are crew that I work with often, I’m comfortable working with almost any team and I’d be the first to say that we need to look at the concept and ask, "what is really going to allow us to make this the right way?" When not working on a production, I’m usually playing with my two boys or exploring beauty in the great outdoors of North Carolina.

• Production Company
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Creative Director
• Full-Service Live Production
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

Jeremy Frindel is a documentary filmmaker specializing in intimate portraits of inspiring individuals. He has produced and directed two feature length films, One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das and The Doctor From India, both distributed theatrically by Zeitgeist Films and screened in theaters throughout the US, and in festivals all over the world. His work has screened at festivals including Lincoln Center’s The Art of the Real, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival and and has won Best Documentary awards at Maui Film Festival, Gold Coast International Film Festival, Dharamshala Film Festival and others. After nearly 20 years living and working in New York City, and a short stop in New Mexico, he recently relocated to North Carolina with his wife and young son.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Production Assistant
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Commercial

Andrew Friend has worked in television and video production since 2002, including nine years of Emmy-nominated work at a PBS station. He now works as a freelance cinematographer and video journalist. He has directed over 150 small business commercial shoots. Demos here https://vimeo.com/167952986 , and here: https://vimeo.com/197107261 TV & Web projects: Target "Shipt" pre-pandemic TV spot (2020) Lemonlight small business ads, ~100 shoots (2015-2020) Various local campaign ads (2016) Camera - PBS series Pedal America (2012) DP - Immigrant Nation! The Battle For the Dream (2010, Independent Lens PBS) Camera/Lights - various PBS doc projects, 2002-2011 Documentary projects: Director - Schoolidarity (2015, 6 film festivals) Director - Workers Republic (2010) Camera - Four Days In Chicago (2012) DP - My identity (2014) Commercial Projects: http://www.wittysquid.com/videos

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

I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Minor in Jazz Studies. I was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina by a family full of creatives. My father is a world-renowned jazz pianist and my mother is an exceptional photographer. I have always found ways to express myself creatively, in many different forms and facets. In recent years I have had the opportunity to direct multiple music videos, music direct musicals for the Thalian Association in Wilmington, compose music for numerous short films and videos, write and record original music varying in genres, and live-stream a variety of national acts. Each opportunity has called for a completely different set of skills, but I am grateful to have worn as many hats as I have.

• Documentary DP
• Senior Editor

I am resident of Carrboro, NC but originally from the Seattle, WA area. I speak English fluently and some broken Mandarin. I've been working in the fields of documentary film and photography for 9 years. I have been on assignment in 30 different countries, including 12 different countries in Africa, 5 different countries in Europe and many more in Latin America and Asia. I've shot for companies such as FOX, CBS, Gatorade and ESPN, among many others. In addition to extensive documentary film cinematography I am a very competent documentary and portrait photographer. I also have experience as an editor and colorist in Final Cut Pro X. I have been a freelance filmmaker and photographer for 9 years now and am looking to continue to grow my clientele.

• Documentary DP
• Production Company
• Field Producer
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Production Assistant
• Corporate Videographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

Erin Hull is a freelance videographer and photographer working in North Carolina. Erin worked as a staff photographer and videographer at The Coloradoan for two years after interning at The Denver Post. She currently is a videographer for Duke Health. Erin attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received a Bachelor's degree in Journalism with a specialization in photojournalism. Erin's work has been featured in international publications and media and has been recognized by The Associated Collegiate Press, College Photographer of the Year and South by Southwest. Clients include: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, The Denver Post, The Houston Chronicle and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist

Hi all! My name is Adrian E. Schwarz and I'm currently based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I work as a director/producer on documentaries and educational videos. I studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design with a focus on narrative filmmaking and then I did news camera training in New York with AP and CBS cameramen. I can handle any phase of the production workflow and I keep myself updated with any new changes in technology. I'm currently producing a Feature Documentary for Casa Grande Interactive, and I keep myself as busy as possible by doing freelance projects on the side. I've done event coverage, NGO spots, narrative films and documentary films. My work has been featured on PBS and has won multiple festival awards.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Fixer
• Video Editor - News
• Sound Mixer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

A non stop idea machine, director, and producer I started NINTH HOUR Productions in 2003. He holds a degree in Cinema and Video Production and has worked on theatrical films, international documentaries, and television shows and commercials. The most notable projects are Sherwood Pictures Courageous and Fireproof. In 2017 Shane started MOG Studios a production company that focuses on storytelling in the commercial and corporate space. Shane's passion for film really took off in high-school. After seeing so many well intentioned people create bad presentations. Shane's desire was to help them tell their story in a exciting, engaging and relevant way. The dream is simple. Create great stories.

• Production Company
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Gaffer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Colorist
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

Ari is an award-winning storyteller. He uses his extensive experience as a video editor, audio designer, director of photography, writer, storyboard artist, motion graphics artist, and composer in producing audio and visual assets for a wide variety projects, including promotional spots for major governmental agencies, two feature films and an animated tv series pitch. Ari’s expertise in audio and video production includes all the associated gear, tools, and software for storyboarding and animatics (examples upon request), 2-D animation, motion graphics, green screen, VFX, compositing, virtual reality/360 production, music production/composition, audio design, voice casting and direction, photography, and lighting.

• Senior Editor
• Commercial DP
• Sound Designer
• Storyboard Artist
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Gaffer
• Grip
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Music Composer
• Creative Director
• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Video Editor - Commercial

After finishing with his BS in Education from Newberry College in 2013, Jake decided to go a separate route and not pursue becoming a teacher as a career. With a deep foundation in creative arts throughout high school, Jake focused on entrepreneurship as soon as he graduated college working as an independent contractor for WWE for about 5 years. Jake decided to pursue video production shortly after moving to Greenville, SC and finding his love for art again. VVP was created in July of 2017 and has been consistently working alongside businesses locally and around the world since it began. Jake has heavily relied on his strong visual background to accompany his sense of storytelling through a lens.

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Production Company
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Post-Production Manager
• Gaffer
• Grip
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary