Discover Top Drone Operators in Oakland, California, USA

I have nearly 15 years of professional experience producing, shooting, editing, and directing video. Raised in Sacramento, California, my love for cinematography started at just the age of 17 as a skateboarder. My friends and I would shoot video of each other on our skateboards using a handy cam then used the footage to create VHS tapes. Little did I know those dear memories would foster in me a strong passion to pursue video production for the rest of my life. As I entered my 20's, my shooting skills really began to develop. My classmates paid me to shoot their videos – everything from music videos to short documentaries. I then began to reach out for professional work. Today, I work as a DP/Editor shooting and directing short documentaries, social content, editing commercials for television, and more. I also produce quality still photography and am FAA certified in Aerial Operations.

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

Mike is a video journalist with over eight years of video production experience and an MFA in Filmmaking from American University in Washington, DC. He is a visual storyteller with extensive experience operating as an all-in-one producer and videographer in the field. Mike's most recent work was produced for The San Francisco Standard—an upstart digital media company in San Francisco—where he worked as a staff video journalist and contributed his filmmaking skills to the team's coverage of the city and wider Bay Area. Mike's video journalism work at The Standard helped establish and solidify the company's online presence as one of the most active, informative and engaging news organizations in the Bay Area. Mike also has extensive experience as a freelance videographer, Director of Photography and video editor. His work has been published in established media outlets such as Business Insider, CNBC, Bloomberg, Voice of America, 60 Second Docs, Cheddar, and Brut. He has also produced, shot, and edited a variety of independent documentary films which have screened on public television and at film festivals such as the DC Environmental Film Festival, the California Independent Film Festival, Water Docs, the Washington, DC International Film Festival and others. He is passionate about documentary storytelling and bringing ordinary peoples' lives to life through video.

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

Over nearly a decade of working in documentary production I've shot and produced documentary work for a range of media outlets including Al Jazeera, CNN, the Guardian, the Intercept, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC News, the New York Times, TIME among many others. I’ve also DP'd and directed commercial work for companies including Red Bull, AT&T, Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Oculus, Fox Studios, and many more. Additionally I've directed, produced and DP'd independent films as well as commissioned documentary projects for non-profits and NGOs.

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Drone Operator
• Field Producer
• Reporter / Journalist
• Senior Producer / Project Manager

I'm a documentary cinematographer working out of Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, and Portland. My work has appeared on The New York Times, The New Yorker, PBS, Frontline, Al Jazeera, Channel 4 (UK), and more, as well as for clients like CNN, AirBnb, and the Oakland Museum of California. I've also produced on series for National Geographic, Netflix, and for feature documentaries like Girl Rising. I own and operate Sony equipment (Fs7, A7siii), with a MavicPro 2 drone, Sigma Art lenses, Aputure lights, and more. See more work at www.derekknowles.com

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Field Producer
• TV News Producer
• Drone Operator
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Sound Mixer
• Corporate Videographer

My name is Tri and I’m the founder of Bay Area-based Tri Nguyen Photography and Video Production. My path to this industry was not a straight line, as after getting my B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University and MBA from Johns Hopkins University, I pursued a career in information technology. It was during my time working in corporations that I developed my professional and detailed approach, and I discovered that I really enjoyed the collaborative spirit that comes from teamwork. As my career progressed I realized my true passion was in the creative field, and that my unique background would help me better serve my clients. I don’t think of my subjects as a job, but as a story waiting to be told. Extensive preparation and collaboration are an important part of my approach, and it’s very important to me that you feel comfortable, confident, and excited about our time working together as well as the end result. I’ll provide the talent and leadership to get us there.

• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Full-Service Live Production

I am a documentary photographer and videographer currently based in Northern California. I possess a solid background in photojournalism and specialize in the long-term narrative. My documentary work focuses on social justice, health, environmental conservation, and identity. I am passionate about utilizing the visual narrative as a tool to inform, engage, and impact social change. As a multimedia journalist and storyteller, I have experience working as a producer, visual creator, editor & curator, and project manager. I am proficient in image editing software, studio lighting, video and audio capture, and various array of photography including reportage, portraiture, editorial, travel, corporate, and commercial. I am conscientious, resourceful, and welcome any challenging assignments. Selected Clients & Publications: ActionAid, Asian Development Bank, Bloomberg Businessweek, BuzzFeed News, Clinton Health Access Initiatives, Courrier International, Der Spiegel, Facebook, Fair Trade, Financial Times, Getty Images, Global Citizen, Greenpeace International, The Guardian, Instagram, International Monetary Fund, The New York Times, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Open Society Foundations, Oxfam, ProPublica, Sactown Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, UN-REDD, USAID, USA Today, TripAdvisor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Field Producer
• Portrait Photographer
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Creative Director
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Translator
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Reporter / Journalist
• Post-Production Manager

Evan is an award-winning documentary and commercial producer and cinematographer based in Oakland, CA. He loves crafting original and captivating stories, focusing on authentic human experiences and natural beauty. Evan’s work has taken him across the U.S. and abroad: from Guam to Guantanamo Bay, reservations to wildfires, stash houses to state houses, and well beyond. He thrives in challenging environments and loves connecting with people on the fringes of societies. Evan is a veggie-eating, adventure-seeking nomad originally from Texas. He has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, is HEFAT certified and brews a mean kombucha. Clients include: VICE News Tonight, VICE on HBO, Al Jazeera, AJ+, ESPN, CBS News, NBC News, Dateline, Travel Channel, Square, Samsung, Channel One News, True/False Film Festival, Innocence Project, Hewlett Foundation and more. instagram.com/egrolled twitter.com/egroll917 x

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - News
• Sound Mixer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• TV News Producer
• Field Producer

Hello! I am a documentary film maker based in the Bay area. I shoot on Sony, Canon and Black Magic. My full portfolio can be found at www.ekfproductions.com.  Here is a link to my general video portfolio - https://youtu.be/T09E9hpCebk       Additionally I am a FAA drone certified pilot  My equipment includes pro audio and lighting and is listed on the bottom of this email.       Thanks! Kent Kessinger   ~~ Equipment List ~~ Cameras: 3x Sony A7siii BlackMagic 6k Canon 6D Sony A7iv DJI Mavic Air 2s Drone Lenses: Sony 50mm f1.4 Sony 20mm f1.8 G Sony 35mm f1.8 Sony 85mm 1.4 GM Sony 24-70 2.8 Sony 70-200 2.8 Sony 90mm macro Audio: Tascam x8 32 bit audio 4 cahnnel Zoom H6 - 6 track digital recorder Sennheiser MKE-600 shotgun mic 2x Sennheiser G3 wireless Lav Misc Video: 4x tripods & Dolly 4 point light setup (2 softbox) with three backdrops (key green, white & black) DJI RS2 Pro Gimbal with Raven eye for remote controlling DJI RSC2 Gimbal         

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

J.P. Dobrin is a multiracial Korean American documentary filmmaker based in San Jose, California. He's a two-time Emmy nominated producer/director of photography that frequently works with news outlets, documentary production companies, and corporate clients. J.P.’s projects have revolved around themes of immigration, wealth disparity, and criminal justice, often portrayed through the experiences of ordinary individuals. Notably, he co-directed the Al Jazeera Witness documentary "Irse - Leaving Venezuela" in 2020, delving into the Venezuelan exodus by focusing on the narratives of two expectant women. In 2022, he directed "The Lookout," his latest film presented on World Channel/PBS, offering an Asian American outlook on deportation issues. His directorial work has been supported by SFFILM, the Berkeley Film Foundation, the Center for Asian American Media, the Video Consortium, and the Asian American Journalist Association. He’s been commissioned to make documentaries for Verizon, Capital One, Voice of America, and Vox / Eater. His educational journey led him to study photojournalism at the Academy of Art San Francisco before pursuing documentary filmmaking at U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

• Documentary DP
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Field Producer
• TV News Producer
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Drone Operator
• Event Photographer
• Corporate Videographer

I’ve been working in the visual arts for more than 20 years constantly learning lighting and composition styles that I love. My work has brought me to nearly every continent and the passion I have for creating beautiful visuals continues to grow. I run a small production company that handles many small projects every year focusing on multi cam, interview-based narratives supported by cinematic b-roll. My small grip truck stores all the lighting, audio equipment and filmmaking gear needed for these small shoots allowing me to easily travel throughout California and beyond to work on projects. I am an FAA licensed and insured drone operator and own a drone shooting high quality 4K content. On a team I usually find myself in the role of principal Director and/or DP, and I’m happy to lend my experience to larger projects.

• Commercial DP
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Production Company

Jesse Rosenberg has been working as a freelance director and cinematographer since graduating from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2014. He is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since January 2016 he has been working as a camera operator on a trekking series for television, with shoots completed in 16 countries over six continents. He is producing and directing a series of short documentaries titled 1 Minute 1 Life, showcasing the stories inspiring people, each in one minute. Two episodes have been completed: Susan Helmrich, featuring a three-time cancer survivor who found healing and solace through swimming; and Elizabeth Jameson featuring a lawyer who became an artist after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, transforming her brain scans into pieces of art that challenge how the viewer perceives the brain, disability, and illness.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Creative Director
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Drone Operator

Matt Martin, the owner of MVP Media, has been creating digital media since 2003. He founded MVP Media, based in Fresno, CA, in 2011. Matt loves to create concepts, write scripts, create storyboards, shoot in a cinematic style in 4K raw utilizing camera movement with steadicams, motorized gimbals, sliders, and drones. He also enjoys editing, creating motion graphics, and 3D animation using Cinema 4D. MVP Media has grown into a team of talented people taking projects from concept to finished product. We've created commercials, corporate videos, real estate, and event videos for more than 80 clients including BD Medical Technology, Coherent, Farmers Insurance of Fresno, Giro Pack Inc., Omnicell, Prison Fellowship, and many more.

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Motion Graphics Designer

Originally from story-rich Mississippi, I began making films with my parents' home movie camera & friends in the early '90s. Now working mostly in the world of narrative and commercial media, I spent much of my formative years living, learning & working on film/TV sets in New Orleans and abroad. Naturally curious and very inspired by travel, my passions revolve around filmmaking, writing, still photography & design, more or less the case since 6. I've spent a substantial time just roaming about everywhere with a camera as a great admirer of everyday history & the physical world and generally staying ahead of the curve. Which could explain my fascination now with all things Unreal and aerial imagery. Thanks for looking!

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Copywriter
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Commercial

Emmy Award winning Bay Area / Sac based DP, camera operator, FAA certified drone operator and sound recordist with over 20 years experience. Owner of a Sony FX9, FX3, Canon C300 Mark II, Blackmagic Pocket 6K, Phantom 4 drone, 1080 HD Sony PMW-500 XDcam, Sound Devices 664 audio mixer / recorder with Lectrosonics 411a Series lavs. News, corporate, documentaries are his specialties with clients such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Late Show with David Letterman, CNN, MSNBC, ESPN, MLBtv, Bloomberg TV, The History Channel, PBS etc. Based out of Sacramento and serving the Bay Area and Los Angeles, Felix has full audio and video gear available on request: (c-stands, HMI's, LED's, silk scrims, light kits, Dana Dolly, booms)

• Sound Mixer
• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Gaffer
• Corporate Videographer
• Video Editor - News
• Event Photographer
• Reporter / Journalist
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Drone Operator
• Production Company

Owner and founder of Active Alliance creative, Jason Charles Smith got into film by sneaking his parents video camera out of the house and filming his friends and him doing stupid stunts on skateboards, bikes and the like. He started his production career in 2004 working for NBC helping with the Olympic profiles of some of America’s top athletes. From there his career took off working with the likes of NFL Films, ESPN, and The Discovery Channel to name just a few. During his years he made it a point to learn every aspect of production and post-production to make sure his talents were well-rounded. Today he loves working on documentaries telling stories of those that the world would otherwise pass by, as well as working with entities that are making the world a better place for all of us.

• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Senior Editor
• Corporate Videographer

Leaf River is a journalist, filmmaker, drone cinematographer, editor, and as of recent, one man production crew. His work has appeared in AJ+, BBC, Reveal (currently Center for Investigative Reporting), Fusion, and Color Magazine. His work tends to focus on the injustices and plight thrust upon the overlooked and left behind members of modern society. He has begun working on his own feature length documentary about an immigrant woman who finds strength and meaning through working with wild horses in New Mexico. He is always ready for the challenge of taking on new work and has the gear and knowledge to handle it.

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Grip
• Commercial DP
• Reporter / Journalist
• Sound Mixer
• Creative Director

Kevin is an award winning director, producer, shooter and editor based in San Francisco. He has created videos for Bloomberg, CNBC, CNET, Reuters and various independent clients. He has experience as a one-man-band videographer as well as a director of full tv production crews. His passion for video storytelling has allowed him to travel across the US and internationally. He has over two decades of professional experience with cameras, lenses, lighting, sound, editing software and music production. He 2009 He has received numerous accolades and awards including two Emmy Awards in Videography and Producer/Editor for his work at Plum TV in Vail, CO.

• Art Director
• Music Composer
• Sound Designer
• Creative Director
• Senior Editor
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer
• Video Editor - News
• Sound Mixer
• Field Producer
• Gaffer
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Motion Graphics Designer

With top of the line gear and the knowledge to be able to take on any challenge on set, I make an extremely valuable asset to any sized project. While I am highly trained in Reality TV Audio Recording, I also have been trained to Grip, AC, Gaffer, and I am a fast, creative Editor. I have exceptional project management and organizational skills. As a professional editor and audio mixer I personally know the struggles of post production workflow and can take special care to make the transition from script to edit bay as smooth as possible. I have a strong innate ability to take a director’s thoughts and turn them into art on screen.” Jameson Randall

• Sound Mixer
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer

My name is Jason Beal, a cinematographer, photojournalist, licensed drone pilot and story telling from the SF Bay Area, based in Sacramento. I currently work full-time as an enterprise-special projects photographer for ABC10 News in Sacramento. I have 6+ years of professional video production experience, going back to 2012 with the US Army. I use the Sony FS5 and A7SII, with prior experience with Canon and Fujifilm. I have experience with DSLRs and shoulder mount cameras. I edit with Premiere and Final Cut X, with some experience in AVID and After Effects.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Fixer
• Drone Operator
• Colorist
• Corporate Videographer
• Event Photographer
• Field Producer
• Senior Editor
• TV News Producer

Jake Willers is a DP and Producer. He has traveled to 38 countries and filmed in some of the most inhospitable places on earth. Jake has made 30 wildlife shows, which have enjoyed success in 147 countries and been translated into 25 languages, working with channels including National Geographic Channel International, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, and Channel FIVE, UK. In 2007 Jake moved to the US and formed NineCaribou Productions, LLC which caters for a range of clients including BBC, VICE News, Gold Rush, Discovery, Nat Geo, Animal Planet, NBC Sports, A&E, CNN, CBS, ABC and many others.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Company
• Fixer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Field Producer
• Sound Mixer