Discover Top Documentary DPs in Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Work as a Producer for several top 500 companies, enjoy crafting brand ideas and creative story lines

• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Fixer

After earning degrees in Media Communications and Spanish at North Carolina State University in 2004, I began my career in video production working as an editor and camera operator on a cooking show in Raleigh, NC.In 2005, I moved to Charleston, SC where I began working as an editor and producer for Litton Entertainment (now known as Hearst Media). Over the course of several years, I worked on a variety of nationally televised docu-reality TV series, including Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: Family Edition, Calling Dr. Pol, The Brady Barr Experience, The Great Doctor Scott, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hidden Heroes, Exploration with Richard Weise, Animal Exploration with Jarod Miller, and Hometeam. In 2011, I founded Palmetto Coast Media and began creating videos for businesses and events all over Charleston. In 2012, we co-created, co-produced, directed, filmed and edited a docu-reality TV series called “Give Me Shelter,” featuring the Charleston-based animal shelter Pet Helpers. The series aired on Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, Hulu and Animal Planet in over 100 countries. In 2019, a promo video we created for Pet Helpers was voted by locals as Best Locally Produced Video in Charleston City Paper. It has been an exciting journey to work with so many incredible clients and partners over these past 12 years!

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Drone Operator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Senior Editor
• Field Producer
• Creative Director
• Corporate Videographer
• Post-Production Manager

Bio: Susu Hauser is an award-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker, specializing in telling stories through multimedia. She is known for her ability to capture extraordinary imagery while weaving together impactful narratives that bring awareness to issues and drive viewers to action. After graduating from American University with a B.A. in Visual Media Communications, Susu began her professional career in television with Original Productions on the Emmy Award-winning docu-series, Deadliest Catch. She built a name for herself behind the camera in a highly male-dominated industry, working on other action-oriented television series including Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men, Wicked Tuna, Wild Justice, Chopper Live and Airplane Repo. In 2015, after more than a decade creating content for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and The History Channel, Susu cofounded The Invisible Lens, a full-service video production company with a mission of creating positive and impactful feature length films. Highlights of this work include a full-length documentary about the undiscovered species in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountain National Park, a cinematic memoir for NASA physicist, George Gloeckler, a short documentary entitled Voices of the Inside Passage which was selected to the 2018 Colorado Environmental Film Festival, a medical docu-series for Detroit’s Top Docs, and innumerable volunteer work with nonprofits across the United States. In 2021, Susu founded her own full-service video production and photography company, Susu Hauser Photography. She has continued her impactful work with local communities and has since produced Dress for Success Triangle's "Women Making Change" fundraising video, as well as, created promotional materials for Sonda Yoga, Living Arts Collective, and the Jonah Garson Campaign. In 2022, she partnered with Photographers Without Borders and Multicolores nonprofits to highlight the empowerment of women through Fair Trade and the artisan market, and has begun field production of her full length documentary "Hands of Change." Although Susu’s personal and professional love of travel has taken her around the world, she currently finds herself enjoying life in Cary, North Carolina with her pup, Kona.

• Event Photographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Commercial

The Founder and creative visionary behind the Nova Initia concept is Andrew Smith, who serves under the job title of Creative Director. Mr. Smith’s interest in the visual arts traces all the way back to his early childhood - with his mother constantly pushing him towards his dream of gracing the silver screen. He would initially set out on a path towards being an actor, attending the renowned John Robert Powers acting school as a teenager. Mr. Smith then made the transition to behind the camera - where he would discover his true passion for filmmaking and film theory. This would culminate in him earning a B.A. in Visual & Performing Arts from Johnson C. Smith University in 2015, with a concentration in film. Mr. Smith would eventually round out his skill set by developing proficiency in post-production editing. He now possesses an impressive versatility within the filmmaking field; and, having worked in the industry since 2011, is the ideal person to lead our team. His responsibilities with Nova Initia include steering day-to-day operations, editing, financial management, and creative leadership. He loves writing short stories, poetry, music, and more in his free time, and enjoys giving back to his native Maryland community in any way he can.

• Production Company
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Reporter / Journalist
• Post-Production Manager
• Sound Mixer
• Grip
• Sound Designer
• Colorist
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

I am a storyteller. As a child I was drawn to cartoons and comics. As I matured, so did my interests. Through high school I poured my passion into illustration and writing. Once in college I discovered graphic design, animation, videography and editing. This became my new venue of choice for telling stories. I worked for a video production company for 3+ years before making the jump to Capstrat, a great ad agency. After 8+ wonderful years with Capstrat I decided to challenge myself in a new role with Duke University. After 3 years with Duke I have set out to build my own business. I currently enjoy working in these areas: conceptualization, writing, storyboarding, production, design, editing, animation, sound design, illustration, flash and photography. Specialties: Project management (budgets, schedules, staffing), art direction, conceptualization, writing, storyboarding, illustration, design, animation, videography, editing, sound design and flash.

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

You'll often hear me say: improvise, adapt, adjust and overcome. I live by that motto, so when I wanted to work in video, I didn't have time for formal education. My experience is a little different from other Directors. Just like Quentin Tarantino, I never went to film school. Everything that I've learned is self-taught. By studying the masters, such as Tarantino and my favorite-Stanley Kubrick, I developed a unique style, which has been sought by several Hollywood studios for various TV projects. I pride myself on creating solutions for problems. I found lots of problems in the status quo video production workflow, while working with large crews out of Hollywood. I took those issues and, along with my business partner-Beth Sowell, created a production workflow that was completely unique to this industry. You see, I truly love what I do. The easier that I can make it for our clients, the more clients, with which we partner and thereby, the more videos, 3D animations and product photographs that I get to create. It's so much more than money for me. It's about the experience. After all, life is about experiences. Don't expect me to show up for our meeting with a suit and tie-that's not me. A company button-down, a pair of jeans and some comfortable shoes is what you're going to get. With me, what you see is what you get. The same goes for our crew members. I'm determined to break the average video production company persona, of egomaniacs and power hungry crew members. I'm creating a new organizational culture of down-to-earth, friendly people who view the client as the most important person on set, and who view each crew member as equality important.

• Corporate Videographer
• Production Company
• Commercial DP
• Event Photographer
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

I am a seasoned multimedia storyteller specializing in video production, editing and motion graphics. I'm currently a Producer at AJ+, where I produce, film and edit stories for In Real Life, a YouTube show about food and social justice. I was most recently a Snapchat Video Producer for WIRED, where I filmed original social video and used Adobe Creative Suite to combine video, motion graphics and animation into several series of ten-second "snaps." Previously, I was WIRED's Video Fellow, and I was responsible for every step of the production process — ideating, scripting, scheduling, shooting, editing, and packaging finished videos about science and technology. I've completed commercial work for large organizations like Fulbright and Global Vision International, as well as produced several documentary shorts independently. I am currently based in Washington, DC and am accepting freelance video and motion graphics opportunities. Let’s collaborate!

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant

My name is Ali McField. I started my journey as a filmmaker 10 years ago. After a long day of working construction I came home and my wife asked me, "What are you passionate about? What do you dream about?" A few weeks later I was enrolled in college taking evening and lunch break classes. My journey took me across the country. I worked full time and took full time classes and I couldn't have done it without the support of my wife and 5 children. I have created in a variety of films settings and have experience working with a variety equipment from low end to highest end. I have created videos in the new setting and on the go minute by minute with quick turn around editing. I have created short films and documentaries. Experiencing and working in every roll in the filmmaking process gives me understanding and perspective in each step of the filming process. I own a Canon C300 Mark II and collaboration equipment for filmmaking. I own various editing programs.

• Video Editor - Documentary
• Documentary DP
• Sound Mixer
• Sound Designer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

For over a decade I worked as a freelance cinematographer and producer for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC and The History Channel. In that time, I climbed the ladder from production assistant, to coordinator, to associate producer, to assistant camera, and finally to producer and cinematographer. Having fulfilled all these titles, I am a well-rounded filmmaker. With an insatiable thirst for diverse cultures, exotic lands and exploration, I have honed my cinematography through travel and adventure. As co-founder of The Invisible Lens, a husband and wife production company, I filmed with NASA astrophysicist, George Gloeckler in a memoir highlighting the pioneers of space exploration and rise of the Voyager spacecrafts. With a keen interest in environmental conservation, I spent over a year and a half documenting a large carnivore camera trap survey in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountain National Park. I am one of the first and only filmmakers to capture the elusive Abyssinian lion on camera. Most recently, my short documentary about transboundary mining threatening the integrity of the waters between British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, "Voices of the Inside Passage", was selected to the Colorado Environmental Film Festival. I have a passion for filming and producing impactful stories.

• Documentary DP
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Production Company
• Fixer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Event Photographer
• Corporate Videographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist

I've been in video production ever since I realized in college that I really did NOT want to be an actor/waiter. After getting a BA in Theater, Theater Management with a minor in broadcasting, I went to a local community college to get some hands on experience. While I was there I worked at the PBS station on the school's campus. After moving to Raleigh, I worked at a local television station (WTVD) for a few years before I was recruited by an ad agency (Dusenbury and Alban). As the Agency Producer, I produced over 150 commercials a year for a few years... and then opened my own production oompany in 1985... Franklin Video, Inc. www.FranklinVideo.com I've produced projects for national clients such as America's Most Wanted, A Current Affair, American Inventor, Mysteries of the Bible, McNeill Lehrer, American Academy of Family Physicians, Fonville Morrissey, Greenpeace, Habitat for Humanity, and countless others. I've produced regional and national commercials for clients such as Burger King and Factory Stores of America, as well as local car dealers and everything in between. I've worked with home builders to produce marketing videos: written and produced training videos for companies such as The Orvis Company, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Hospira, Talecris Biotherapeutics, The Pantry, Spirit Aerosystems, Amarr Garage Doors, Bosch Siemens. I have travelled extensively for these clients and more. More recently I've been involved in documentaries. After producing a couple of documentaries for the Wake Forest Historical museum, I just spent 2 years as the Director of Photography with the Director of the famous documentary "Forks Over Knives"​ shooting a feature length documentary "PlantPure Nation" (www.PlantpureNation.com) which was just released nationally in theaters across the country. I Love this business. I get to learn something new every day.

• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Production Company
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

I have been working in Film and Television since 1996. I've directed two feature films (one a documentary), ran a TV station in Telluride, Colorado, produced and directed un/scripted televisionto to name to a few of my experiences. I shoot, direct, produce, edit and write. I field produced for Original Productions in Texas and Alaska on American Hoggers (A&E) and Ice Road Truckers (The History Channel), and in Charleston, SC for Haymaker Productions on Southern Charm (Bravo). Most recently I worked for Litton Entertainment in Charleston, SC as a Story Producer and Field Producer for Chicken Soup for the Soul's Hidden Heroes currently on CBS. My recent independent projects include work for Mazda, Earth Echo International, FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships for NBC, ESPN's Winter X Games, CrossFit Games, The Spectator Hotel in Charleston, SC, American Roadside Burgers in Charlotte, NC, Deep Fiber Solutions in Atlanta, GA and The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art.

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

I am an experienced photojournalist and video journalist who recently left a staff position with the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minnesota to move to Durham, North Carolina and begin a freelance business. I excel at storytelling and have shot and edited about 150 two-minute video shorts for an online news website. I work quickly and collaboratively and can produce high quality video for a variety of clients and news organizations. I have a master's degree in photography from Ohio University and a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Virgina. In addition, during my 27 years with the Pioneer Press and TwinCities.com I attended many professional workshops. I shoot video exclusively with Nikon DSLR's and professional audio gathering equipment. For editing, I use Adobe Premiere Pro. If you navigate to my website, then click on "Video" you can see samples of my work.

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

I have over 15 years of experience as a photographer, and over ten years as a full-time paid video journalist. I've traveled the country shooting major sporting and new events. My portfolio (www.ghutchphoto.com) showcases the many areas of digital media in which I excel. I have worked for three different television station across the U.S. shooting and editing video. I currently freelance on my Nikon D800 DSLR. I have been hired by several real estate companies as well as Better Homes and Gardens TV for video projects. My real passion is still photography. I shoot mostly real estate and family portraits, but I love nature and commercial photography as well. I have been hired by several local establishments to shoot their products and environments. I consider myself to be versatile and efficient. I love taking on new projects and traveling the world looking for that next "iconic" image.

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

With over 15 years of experience behind the camera, Dylan Jaymes is a cinematographer and filmmaker who excels at crafting compelling visuals that genuinely connect with audiences. What sets Dylan apart is his innate ability to deeply understand his clients' goals and objectives, then devise creative solutions that drive meaningful impact. He believes video should never just showcase a product or service, but should provide true value to the viewer. With a client-focused mindset, he guides projects to improve viewers' lives and help them succeed - which in turn, helps businesses thrive. Dylan's diverse client base ranges from solopreneurs to major educational institutions, his favorite sector to collaborate with. Whether filming a commercial, corporate video, or creative short, Dylan brings enthusiasm, strategy, and an authentic voice that cuts through the noise. His portfolio showcases an ability to turn "business as usual" videos into engaging stories that leave a lasting impact.

• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Content Strategist

Dave Timko is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over three decades of visual storytelling experience. In his combined roles as director, shooter and editor, Timko co-created over 40 documentaries for CNN, specializing in first-person narratives of the most relevant stories of our time. He has been recognized for his work with 5 National Emmy Awards, a Peabody and speciality awards for environmental and global health reporting. As an independent journalist since 2012, Timko has been lead producer/director for two public television series, “This American Land” and “Global Health Frontiers,” exploring front line battles to overcome climate change and deadly diseases around the globe. Camera in hand, Timko allows his story subjects to drive the narrative with energetic sequencing and memorable take-aways that take the viewer on a journey from challenge to resolution. Solution-based journalism is a Timko specialty.

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - News
• TV News Producer
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Corporate Videographer
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Non-Fiction Film Director

Rod Murphy produces documentary-style video content with Collective Projects for organizations and companies such as Outward Bound, HanesBrand, Mission Health, ESPN, New Belgium Brewing, Amazon Prime, American Express, Western Carolina University, Industries for the Blind, The American Chestnut Foundation and The Biltmore. Rod has won 14 awards for his documentary films. His work has been screened Internationally at film festivals, conferences, on cable television and streaming services. Currently the short doc/web series "Crop to Campus" that Rod produced and directed for HanesBrand is on the festival circuit. https://croptocampus.com/ Rod is currently working on a feature doc about a summer camp for blind and visually impaired teenagers. He produced a short called "Blind Adventure Camp" that toured festivals in 2019. https://ifbsolutions.org/programs-services/blind-adventure-camp-film/ Rod's 4th feature El Chivo screened at film festivals internationally in 2016/2017 and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. https://www.amazon.com/El-Chivo-Collective-Projects/dp/B079P4V2DX

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Fixer
• Corporate Videographer

Jake is a Charleston, SC native who attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. He graduated with a B.A. in Film and Video Production in 2004 and received the Departmental as well as the Outstanding Achievement Awards. His resume is thick with projects ranging from producing EMMY Award-winning tv programming to camera operating feature films on the Universal Studios back lot to multi-tracking live recordings of Snoop Dogg. His production and editing work was EMMY nominated in 2011, 2012, & 2015. These 6 nominations and 1 win were added to a list of other received industry awards, including a Silver and Bronze Telly. He has worked with and filmed names such as Denzel Washington, Ben Stiller, Carmen Electra, Kobe Bryant, Brett Gardner, Jack Black, Hugh Hefner, Tyra Banks, Patrick Dempsey, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He has done commercial work for companies including Google, ESPN, ESPY Awards, The Grammys, Belk, JCPenny, Le Creuset, Toyota, and Brahmin.

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

Kimberly Holmes has a wealth of experience. From reporting and anchoring to shooting, editing and producing, she’s done it all, and often, all in the same day! She was a morning anchor at WBOC on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. During her time at WOFL-TV in Orlando, she was responsible for covering health and education stories for the special projects department, as well as general assignment reporting duties. She also helped manage the special projects department. Lastly, she often filled-in on the anchor desk for every newscast--- usually at a moment's notice. Her heartfelt coverage of an officer’s funeral earned her an award from the Associated Press. Right before landing in Central Florida, she was the weekend anchor & special projects reporter at WXIX-TV in Cincinnati & WBOC-TV in Salisbury, Md. Her career began behind the scenes. She worked as an associate producer in Miami and as a field producer at Bloomberg TV in D.C. Kimberly graduated from Duke University and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Reporter / Journalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• TV News Producer
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

Emmy® Nominated Director / Producer/ Screenwriter / Author After spending 15 years in New York directing and technical directing some of the most widely viewed programs on network and cable television; Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Emeril Live, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, I followed my passion for history in 2005 and produced a series historical films including; Silent Wings, Lincoln and Lee, The Wereth Eleven and others. *Wereth has just been nominated for an Emmy® Award. I am the winner of more than 25 writing and directing awards and am one of only a handful of directors whose work has screened in the Congress of the United States. Silent Wings debuted on Capitol Hill on the day of its release in 2007 and became the catalyst for New York Congresswoman, Carolyn McCarthy's, House sponsored, Joint Resolution honoring America's WWII glider pilots. All my work has focused on finding and telling the untold "American story". And my focus now is on national politics, economics and history and I want to produce these stories now in a video journalist format.

• Documentary DP

Thomas Rowell is a photographer and multidisciplinary storyteller, National Geographic Explorer, member of the Explorer’s Club in New York City, Emerging League Member of the International League of Conservation Photographers and a connoisseur of fine chips and salsa. He studied theatre directing at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and soon after had residencies in dance and mask at the Waaw Centre in Sénégal and directing at the Kennedy Center for the performing arts. His first documentary project followed dedicated conservationists working to conserve the critically endangered Álala. He has filmed and photographed conservation efforts with the northern white rhino in Kenya and the US and worked with asian elephants, sloth bears and leopards in India alongside Wildlife SOS India. Most recently he was deploying custom built remote wildlife cameras in Misiones Agentina. Thomas feels most like himself near a stream in the forest somewhere in the mountains.

• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Non-Fiction Film Director