Hi, I’m John Nicholls, a production professional specializing in lighting, camera, and on-set leadership. With over eight years as a Director of Photography, Gaffer, and various camera and G&E roles, I help teams craft visually clear and emotionally compelling stories. I also bring more than five years as a technician in rental houses, keeping pace with the latest camera and lighting gear. My experience spans narrative, commercial, corporate, and documentary projects, and as an owner-operator I prioritize communication and collaboration to deliver high-quality work on time and on brief.

John Nicholls

Hi, I’m John Nicholls, a production professional specializing in lighting, camera, and on-set leadership. With over eight years as a Director of Photography, Gaffer, and various camera and G&E roles, I help teams craft visually clear and emotionally compelling stories. I also bring more than five years as a technician in rental houses, keeping pace with the latest camera and lighting gear. My experience spans narrative, commercial, corporate, and documentary projects, and as an owner-operator I prioritize communication and collaboration to deliver high-quality work on time and on brief.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m John Nicholls, a production professional specializing in lighting, camera, and on-set leadership. With over eight years as a Director of Photography, Gaffer, and various camera and G&E roles, I help teams craft visually clear and emotionally compelling stories.

I also bring more than five years as a technician in rental houses, keeping pace with the latest camera and lighting gear. My experience spans narrative, commercial, corporate, and documentary projects, and as an owner-operator I prioritize communication and collaboration to deliver high-quality work on time and on brief.

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Work Experience

Camera Operator at Mongoose Films
September 1, 2024 - Present
AV Livestream
Director of Photography, A-Camera Operator at Second Lance Productions
September 1, 2024 - Present
Lead Cam Op for 3 camera team; Reality/Field documentary; Sit-down interviews
Director of Photography at Saetia Revival
April 1, 2024 - Present
Live Concert Documentation; Interviews
Director of Photography, A-Camera Operator at Buried (Haymarket Tragedy)
May 1, 2023 - Present
Field Interviews; Historical documentation with Forest Park
Director of Photography, A-Camera Operator at Equity and Transformation (EAT) – 5-year Anniversary
May 1, 2023 - Present
Nonprofit history/anthology edit; Sit-down interviews and engagement
Camera Operator at 501 Studios
December 1, 2025 - Present
Elements (Construction) project; Canon C Series; Gimbal/Handheld operation; Exposure consistency/management.
Director of Photography / A-Cam Operator at Second Glance Productions
November 1, 2025 - Present
It's Not You, It's Me (Reality TV) – Season 1; Lead Cam Op for 3-camera team; Reality/field documentary; Sit-down interviews.
Camera Operator at Rotating Planet Productions
September 1, 2025 - Present
Ancient Baby Beasts (Doc Feature); Sony Burano; Maintained operation, exposure; Field interviews, verite B-roll.
Director of Photography at Latter
August 1, 2025 - Present
Expiration Date (Music Video); Oversaw visual direction; Lighting design/color supervision; media management.
Gaffer at Wildly Productions
August 1, 2025 - Present
Campbell's Reserve (Commercial); Sony Burano/FX3; DP collaboration; power draw management; high-key lighting design; food photography style guide.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production at DePaul University
September 1, 2015 - June 1, 2019
BFA Film Production at DePaul University
September 1, 2015 - June 1, 2019

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment

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