Discover Top News Shooters / Video Journalists in Costa Mesa, California, USA

I would like to continue to grow, and move forward with my career as a Director. I have been a paid videographer since I was 15 years old, studied cinema at George Mason University, and New York Film Academy, freelanced on major commercial sets with Jonas Akerlund for two years in Los Angeles, CA, and have been with Buzzfeed for what will be the total of 9 mos. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in Buzzfeed’s VR and 360 department using the Odyssey camera from Google. VR greatly interests me, and I believe it to be the “final frontier” of cinema. I am an avid traveler, and have been globe trotting since before I could walk. I completed a feature-length documentary, "Sailing On A Shoestring", for my senior thesis in college. The film is about my dad, who built his own boat during the height of the Apartheid in South Africa, and then proceeded to cross the Atlantic three times. The documentary allows him to relive his memories of sailing, and follows him in search of his vessel's fate. More recently, I have completed three short documentaries. Two of which from Film Stuff Productions in Italy and Poland, and the third with Buzzfeed.

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Production Company
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• VR / AR

HELLO, I’M SARAH. I'M ORIGINALLY FROM CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BUT FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS I’VE MANAGED TO LOSE MY COOL CALI VIBE AND SOME OF MY SAVINGS TO THE STREETS OF NEW YORK. I'VE HAD A LOVE FOR STORIES FOR A REALLY LONG TIME AND MY PASSION FOR STORYTELLING HAS UNAPOLOGETICALLY FOUND IT’S WAY IN EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE. I MAY HAVE GROWN PROFESSIONALLY IN NETWORK NEWS BUT I'VE RECENTLY DECIDED TO TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH AND FREELANCE SO I CAN PRODUCE AND DIRECT MY OWN DOCUMENTARIES. I STUDIED NEWS AND DOC AT NYU, BROADCAST JOURNALISM AT USC, WORKED AT PLACES LIKE VICE, ABC, CNN AND CBS, BUT NOW IT’S TIME FOR ME TO STRUGGLE AS A DOC FILMMAKER LIKE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE I LOOK UP TO. SOME OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ME – I’M SECRETLY OBSESSED WITH SINGING COMPETITIONS AND I CAN FALL ASLEEP ALMOST IMMEDIATELY IN ANYTHING THAT MOVES BE IT A CAR, PLANE, BOAT, OR TRAIN. I AM ETHIOPIAN AND BAJAN, THE ONLY CHILD OF AN AMAZING WOMAN AND THE FUTURE OWNER OF A CHOCOLATE LAB.

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

GEORGE LEWIS IS -JOURNALIST IN SIERRA LEONE, HAS GAINED INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIMS DUE TO HIS WORK IN JOURNALISM. LEWIS HAS OVER 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE AS CAMERAMAN. OVER 15 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE AS A FREELANCE FILMMAKER BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. HE HAS CAPTURED THE MINDS, AND ATTENTION OF INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE WORLD WITH HIS ABILITY TO TELL THE AFRICAN STORY, FROM THE SIERRA LEONE PERSPECTIVE. BE IT THE CIVIL WAR, TUMULTUOUS ELECTIONS, THE DANGEROUS EBOLA EPIDEMIC- LEWIS ARMED WITH HIS CAMERA HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT IN THE FACE OF SIERRA LEONE’S STRUGGLES AND SUCCESSES.HE HAS SHOT SEVERAL FICTION FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES THAT CAN BE RATED UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDERED. HE HAS WORK AS FIXER FOR CGTN AFRICA, CNN AFRICAN, WORLD BANK AMONGST OTHER SEVERAL PROJECTS. . HAS EXPERIENCE IN LIGHTING, SOUND GRAPPHER. A TRAINER BY WELT FILM, DW ACADEMY AFRICA, SCRITNET, AMONGST OTHER VARIOUS OTHER TRAINING HER HAS UNDERTOOK. HE HAS TRAVEL TO SEVERAL COUNTRIES.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• On-Camera Talent
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• Commercial DP
• Non-Fiction Film Director

Lauren Schwartzman is a documentary film director, editor, and producer based in Los Angeles, California. She also works as an archival producer for documentary films. Lauren was the Associate Producer and Assistant Editor for the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020, Dir. Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht). The film was executive produced by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama and premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. Crip Camp continues to garner accolades, including a Peabody Award, and reach people around the world. Just prior to her work on Crip Camp, Lauren completed her Masters of Journalism with a concentration in documentary film at the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Her thesis film, Dust Rising, won a Student Academy Award, was shortlisted for the BAFTA Student Film Awards, and screened in festivals across the U.S. Before embracing film as the perfect marriage of all her interests, Lauren has variously been an environmental educator, Peace Corps Volunteer, trail crew leader, poet, and visual artist. These past lives inform her work in film.

• Video Editor - Documentary
• Non-Fiction Film Director

Claire M. Andreae is a documentary director, producer, and editor. She was born in Mainz, Germany, where she attended German schools and after receiving the Abitur moved to Los Angeles to study Film and Television Production at Loyola Marymount University. She grew up bilingually, speaking English and German, and has traveled extensively throughout her life. During her time at LMU, she directed three short documentaries that played successfully in film festivals and won awards for best student film, best editing, and best documentary. She has recently completed her short documentary, "Living With Fire," which focuses on the effects that climate change is having on wildfires in California. Her previous documentary was about an international research project in the Amazon rainforest, titled "ATTO: An Adventure in the Amazon." Believing film to be a powerful force that can contribute towards creating a better world, Claire M. Andreae will continue making documentaries that both educate and entertain, thus helping her audiences to appreciate and understand the world around us.

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

I started out as still photographer freelancing in the Washington D.C. Area. I was published in just about every magazine in town as well as National and International news outlets. I was able to travel thanks my camera. I love melting into the crowd or background and capturing the moment, mood or feeling. After years of freelance I worked as a press photographer for the U.S. Department of State. A few years in, State hired me to produce, shoot, direct, and edit short form documentaries traveling domestically and internationally. For me, documentaries are personal insights to spectacular people and their lives. Sometimes I want to expose a wrong and sometimes I just want to revel in someone's goodness, quirkiness, talent, silliness. What makes humankind act the way we do? What motivates us to make choices, start organizations, ruin lives for our own gain? How does one find their demise? Human life is so pedestrian at times and then so unpredictable. Our duality is fascinating.

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

Koohyar Kalari is an award-winning cinematographer, director of photography, and photographer from Iran, based in Los Angeles, California. He has collaborated with globally acclaimed filmmakers and auteurs such as Abbas Kiarostami, Jaafar Panahi, and Asghar Farhadi, among others. Kalari's impressive body of work includes his contribution to the Oscar-winning film A Separation, which garnered international acclaim for its poignant storytelling and visual style. His portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, including commercial, documentary, feature, and short films. With extensive experience across various equipment and forms of cinematography, Kalari demonstrates a remarkable versatility in his craft. His distinctive ability to capture the nuances of human emotion and the beauty of everyday life brings a unique perspective to the films he works on. Kalari's dedication to the craft and artistic vision continues to influence and inspire audiences worldwide.

• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Product Photographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Gaffer

Hello! My name is James Rivas and I am a Los Angeles native. I have been shooting videos / photos since 2008 and have loved every moment. Currently I have a Netflix ready cinema quality camera that I shoot the majority of my video projects on. I also am well versed in photography both digital and film. I personally love black and white Ilford film but I can definitely meet any aesthetic. Along with my cameras I also own a wireless lav, a field recorder, gimbal, tripods, monopods, monitors and other accessories to get the best shot. I have much experience wearing multiple hats on projects. From graphic designer of materials that are going to print on items 20ft x 30ft to being an assistant to special effects at the American Music Awards for Coldplay. I have worked with big clients such as the Lakers, New York Rangers, Coldplay and many small business that are looking for short videos for their Instagrams or website. Video is the number 1 thing I do but if you are looking for photograp

• Corporate Videographer
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Company
• Event Photographer

Kico Velarde is a distinguished figure in the entertainment industry, renowned for his multiple talents as a producer, editor, and director. He began his career in Los Angeles after completing college, initially working as an assistant editor before moving on to edit projects for prominent companies such as NBCUniversal, Deluxe Digital Studios, Technicolor, HGTV, Olmos Productions, and IFC. His journey evolved from editing to producing internationally acclaimed films such as "PVC-1" (2007) and "Meteora" (2012), earning him nominations for several film festival awards, including the prestigious Caméra d'Or award at the 2007 Festival De Cannes International Film Festival. Velarde is also celebrated for his role as a supervising producer on Jay Leno's Emmy award-winning web series "Jay Leno's Garage." His exemplary work has garnered him five Primetime Emmy nominations and has established him as an award-winning filmmaker both domestically and internationally. Beyond television and film, Velarde has made notable contributions to the intersection of content creation and technological innovation. He was recruited by Apple to join their exclusive Pro Workflow Team, where he was instrumental in architecting complex workflows for film and TV. At Apple, he helped develop next-generation technology and professional workflows for film and television production, cementing his status as a visionary in both the creative and technical realms of the industry. Velarde's career is a testament to his dynamic range and his commitment to advancing the field of media and entertainment.

• Executive Producer
• Field Producer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - News
• Senior Editor
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Digital Content Creator
• Series Producer / Show Runner

Caroline Aghajanian is a Video Producer, Storyteller, and On-Camera Host based in Los Angeles. She has worked in all stages of video production from the early development of ideas to the final stages of post-production. She’s mastered the art of pitching, hosting, scripting, video editing, casting, directing, and coordinating both domestic and international productions. Throughout her career at Insider, Caroline has produced an extensive portfolio of more than 600 videos spanning various verticals. These videos have amassed a viewership of over 3 billion across multiple social platforms. Caroline’s hosting experience includes three successful seasons of Travel Dares, an award-winning show produced in collaboration with Insider Studios and Chase Marriott. Additionally, she delighted audiences as the host of Swimming Hole Safari, a popular Facebook Watch series. Caroline developed and hosted Beauty Explorers, a show on Beauty Insider that garnered impressive viewership numbers, with episodes reaching over 30 million and 20 million views. She was also a member of Business Insider's news and documentary team, producing stories for the award-winning series Still Standing. Caroline holds a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from New York University. Before working at Insider Inc., she worked with Refinery29, E! News, NBCUniversal, Ryan Seacrest Productions, Conde Nast, and CONAN.

• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Reporter / Journalist
• On-Camera Talent
• Field Producer
• Social Media Producer
• Digital Content Creator
• Executive Producer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Series Producer / Show Runner

A pleasure to meet you. I've been working in media for the past 25 years. I started my career in Production/Advertising and moved to live Sports and events productions. And I found my passion in Storytelling in News. I've worked with all the major news outlets in the US. Univision, Telemundo, CW, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC. The first 10 years of my news career were dedicated mainly to Directing/Technical Directing Newscasts for Univision San Diego and Telemundo33 San Diego. When I moved to the general market, I switched to videography and editing. In my last 7 years working in News in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County. I have developed my craft as a Storyteller and Photojournalist. I have been awarded for my work a NATAS regional Emmy (2), RTDN Edward R. Murrow Award for fire coverage, RTDN Golden Mic (2), and Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles video contest (4). I have co-produced and directed the Spanish Official Show of the San Diego Chargers. I have experience both in front and back of the camera. I love to collaborate as well as work on my own. My many years in Live Television and Production have given me the experience to produce great content. Adding value to every project that I do. I will love to work with you.

• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Field Producer
• Corporate Videographer
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• HD Live Operator
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Creative Director
• Digital Content Creator
• TV News Producer
• Art Director
• Drone Operator

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist • Media Consultant • AI Expert • Professor • Blogger • Author • Lifestyle Specialist ••• Olivia Smith is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, media consultant and AI expert based in L.A. She focuses on innovating storytelling with cutting-edge technology. Olivia is currently on the GenAI Content team at Meta. Before this role, she spent a decade at Disney, working for ABC News, GMA and ABC7. Olivia is also an Adjunct Professor at USC. Beyond journalism and tech, Olivia has several passion projects. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Media Consulting Coaches, where she offers on-camera training and content creation courses. She is also the Founder and CEO of the blog Get Savvy with Social. Olivia is a lifestyle specialist and has a Certified Nutrition credential through NASM. She loves writing and authored a series of children's books about detective dogs, which she created with her father. Follow her for day-to-day updates on her work @LivNews and #LivWell.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Field Producer
• Reporter / Journalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Video Editor - News
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• TV News Producer
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Event Photographer
• Audio Storyteller
• Fixer
• Executive Producer

Roham Rahmanian Roham Rahmanian is a cinematographer and director, who is obsessed with storytelling. His passion for adventure and photography has led him to shoot and operate in the air, underwater and everywhere in between. Most recently, Rahmanian shot the cover of TIME Magazine’s June 2018 Drone special that won the prestigious 2019 ASME award for best business and technology cover. The image is the first in the magazine’s history shot with a drone, and features 958 ​Intel Shooting Star drones in a 328-foot-tall version of the iconic red logo and border. Alongside two colleagues, he is a founder of The Astronaut's Guild, a visionary production company that blends high technology and virtual reality. over the past decade, Rahmanian has lensed thousands of commercials for clients including Sony, Mercedes Benz and Coca-Cola. This year he also traveled the world with DP Paul Cameron, ASC shooting Apple’s most recent commercial campaign. Rahmanian has also worked extensively with cinematographer Ben Seresin, with whom he shares a passion for aeronautical formation flying and YAK jet trainers. For the past four years, he has also worked with the Oscar nominated-DP Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS on numerous commercials as his digital technologist. In 2017, Rahmanian received the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG)’s prestigious Emerging Cinematographer Award for his film ​Break the Will,​ which screened at the renowned Camerimage International Film Festival in Poland. Also in film, Rahmanian worked with Matthew Libatique, ASC on ​Straight Outta Compton​ as camera operator and underwater operator; and on director Doug Liman’s ​Chaos Walking​ as on set colorist. His work on music videos includes directing and underwater cinematography on outstanding clips, such as ​My Willing Heart​ for James Blake starring a pregnant Natalie Portman and Guy Pearce’s ​Golden Heart​. After graduating from USC's School of Cinematic Arts, Rahmanian’s experience with cameras allowed him to find work as a Digital Imaging Technician for film, TV, and commercials. He is Canadian and currently resides in the U.S.A. While Rahmanian has always viewed life through the lens of a camera, he also has his sights set on becoming an astronaut. Given that he gained his pilot license by age 26, he may well become the world’s first astronaut cinematographer. He is a Local IATSE Guild member in both Los Angeles, California and Vancouver, British Columbia.

• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Post-Production Manager
• Gaffer
• Translator
• Colorist
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• HD Live Operator
• Full-Service Live Production
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Reporter / Journalist
• Audio Storyteller
• Fixer

Kate Bradbury is an Emmy nominated producer /series producer/camerawoman/writer with credits across National Geographic, Discovery, PBS, MSNBC and Channel 4. Having a background in Marine Biology and a Masters in Wildlife Filmmaking, she specializes in telling stories about science, nature, conservation, adventure and food. As a hands-on shooter/ producer, story is her compass. She strives to unearth the emotions beneath to tell important stories to international audiences. Her broadcast documentaries take a cross-platform approach, tailoring spin off content into digital, social media and curriculum-ready educational films to maximize audience reach. I fly the drone and use gimbals to capture dynamic, high-quality footage that is always motivated by the story. I have access to the following gear. CAMERAS: CANON: C200, C300mII, 1DX / SONY: FS7, A7SmII / PANASONIC GH5s DRONE: Qualified drone pilot with the IAA, flying the Mavic 2 Pro drone. GIMBAL: Experienced gimbal operator, working with the DJI Ronin and Zhiyun Crane. EDITING: Experienced in Premiere Pro and basic colour grade.

• Documentary DP
• Field Producer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

Clients include Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, Phil Town, CrossFit Invictus. Creative ideas and strong writing skills contribute insight to the organization, while simultaneously developing internal growth. Primary objective is to inform, promote, educate and cultivate individuals through the art of writing. Create email campaigns, newsletters, promotional video scripts, social media content, landing page copy, web pages, scripts, and paid ads. Ensure consistency in voice, messaging, and alignment with strategic business direction. Conduct client and/or industry research in order to knowledgeably write about the subject matter and create content. Write compelling content through advertising campaigns for immediate implementation via automated marketing in INFUSIONSOFT. Convert marketing strategies into persuasive, original copy that engages readers and converts to sales, brand development. Stay up-to-date on emerging digital marketing trends, innovation, and advancements.

• Reporter / Journalist
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Translator
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

Ron Adkins, (Stylized as Mister@dkins depending on my mood) born and raised in New York City has been behind the lens, shooting, some of the most memorable and influential figures from music, television, and film. Its highly unlikely that you arent familiar with at least one project that he was behind. With over 10 years of experience within the industry, Ron brings with him a strong storytelling and artistic background, which gives him a unique visual eye as, witnessed in his diverse work. His knowledge of writing scripts, storyboards and treatments gives him the ability to work independently as well as in a team environment. As a film student, Ron was awarded Best Documentary Director at the MoMa Thompson Ave Festival 2004 for his documentary Subway Entertainment, a short film documenting subway street performers. Fresh out of College Ron then was presented with the opportunity to work with 50 Cent where he was responsible for producing content for his label.Ron also speaks and instructs video courses at a variety of education institutions such as The Digital Arts Experience and The Harlem Childrens Zone.

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Field Producer
• Production Assistant

Nate Forer is an accomplished and highly regarded visual storyteller. He possesses a unique eye and creative vision that enables him to capture compelling images that emotionally move and inspire. As a photojournalist he has crossed the country covering news events ranging from political battles in New York to street protests in California. Forer is also an experienced producer, director, editor and cinematographer. His documentaries include a rafting expedition down the Grand Canyon and his corporate videos feature an in-depth look at Syracuse University Recreation. Born in Los Angeles, Forer graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Photography. He is Founder and CEO of MOUNTech, an action sports media company. He aspires to creatively combine science, technology and visual storytelling into an innovative new art form.

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

Andrew Hida is a director, cinematographer and Editor based in Los Angeles, California. Recently, he directed and produced Im/Perfection, a short film about architectural design and hand renderings that premiered at the Hawaii International Film Festival. Previously, Andrew was awarded 2nd Prize in the World Press Photo’s 2015 Multimedia Contest for editing The Fence--a short film that documents residents engulfed in the construction of the US-Mexico border wall, and directed Follow My Steps--a short documentary film that examines the coming of age of two young handicapped boys in Syracuse, NY. Follow My Steps is an award-winning film that has been recognized by the Katherine Schneider Journalism Award for Excellence in Reporting on Disability, the National Press Photographers Association, and The San Francisco International Festival of Short Films.

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Non-Fiction Film Director

Christina Neferis is a multifaceted filmmaker. She is currently directing the documentary Power Lines, which explores the 40 year controversy behind power lines and the intense debate between doctors, scientists, homeowners, environmentalists, journalists and power line companies. Her docu-style webisode, LA Stories has profiled politicians, artists, activists, rock stars and many more. Christina features people who are living their dream therefore inspiring others to live theirs. She is also producing the documentary American Surveillance which documents the ongoing battle to preserve American constitutional rights and values against the expanding activities of the surveillance state. Her recent credits include the DONS '51 for ESPN and FEMME, which has garnered festival awards worldwide. Other projects include award winning campaigns for SAVE THE CHILDREN and AT&T DAYBREAK.

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

I'm a videographer and editor based in Los Angeles, working primarily in the music world but open to all projects. I have worked as a DP on independent shorts and fashion editorials, shot/edited various behind-the-scenes videos, shot/directed/edited a number of music videos, and have worked as an editor and assistant editor on popular YouTube reality shows, among other roles. Prior to this experience, I ran a Greek food company for which I also did food photography and videography. I graduated from Georgetown University in 2015 with a degree in Culture and Politics, emphasis on media and the environment. At Georgetown, I studied documentary film, worked as the university photographer/videographer, interned at a documentary production company in New York, and worked on several student film projects, one of which went on to screen at festivals worldwide.

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