I am a dynamic and results-driven cinematographer with over 10 years of experience in video production. I lead end-to-end projects—from development through delivery—and I thrive in collaborative environments, shaping creative concepts, managing workflows, and ensuring top quality through editing and color grading. My work spans informational and doc-style storytelling, and commercial productions, where I partner with industry professionals to bring on-brand, impactful content to life.

Paul Cannon

I am a dynamic and results-driven cinematographer with over 10 years of experience in video production. I lead end-to-end projects—from development through delivery—and I thrive in collaborative environments, shaping creative concepts, managing workflows, and ensuring top quality through editing and color grading. My work spans informational and doc-style storytelling, and commercial productions, where I partner with industry professionals to bring on-brand, impactful content to life.

Available to hire

I am a dynamic and results-driven cinematographer with over 10 years of experience in video production. I lead end-to-end projects—from development through delivery—and I thrive in collaborative environments, shaping creative concepts, managing workflows, and ensuring top quality through editing and color grading.

My work spans informational and doc-style storytelling, and commercial productions, where I partner with industry professionals to bring on-brand, impactful content to life.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Post-Production Coordinator at New Line Cinema
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008
Supervised creation and archiving of audio and film elements, provided quality control of elements for multi-million-dollar films, & negotiated pricing with QC house and clients to recreate elements, saving $20K-$100K per project.
Research Producer at Abstract Productions
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009
Performed extensive archival research and media gathering and production for feature documentary Page One: Inside The New York Times.
Cinematographer at Blue Eyes Productions / CANON China
August 1, 2013 - August 1, 2013
We Were Nomads (short documentary, 20 mins) shot for CANON China.
Cinematographer at Rabbit Bandini / CANON
March 1, 2016 - April 1, 2016
Mississippi Requiem (anthology feature, 75 mins).
Cinematographer at Rabbit Bandini
May 1, 2014 - May 1, 2014
Killing Animals (anthology feature, 75 mins).
Cinematographer at Random Media
September 1, 2014 - September 1, 2014
Sensitivity Training (90 mins).
Cinematographer (2nd Unit) at Unbounded Media
August 1, 2015 - August 1, 2015
Cassidy Red (narrative feature, 90 mins); 2nd unit cinematography.
Camera Operator (Add’l Photography) at Netflix
October 1, 2016 - December 1, 2016
Add’l photography/camera operator on Wild Wild Country (six-part documentary miniseries).
2nd Unit Cinematographer at Adult Swim
June 1, 2017 - June 1, 2017
Television pilot Art Prison (24 mins) shot on ARRI.
Cinematographer at CANON (Addt’l Photography)
October 1, 2017 - October 1, 2017
Dominique Ansel Project (90 mins) – feature documentary.
Cinematographer (2nd Unit) at Gravitas / RED
November 1, 2017 - December 1, 2017
The Long Shadow (narrative feature, 90 mins).
Cinematographer at Gunpowder & Sky / SONY
April 1, 2018 - April 1, 2018
Who F*cked Up the Internet? (80 mins); Addt’l Photography.
Cinematographer at Unbounded Media / Sony
April 1, 2021 - June 1, 2021
Playing Through (narrative feature, 90 mins).
Cinematographer at LifeNow Video / Sony
July 1, 2022 - Present
Untitled Austin Jails Documentary; in production.
Cinematographer at Blue Eyes Productions / Sony
May 1, 2022 - Present
The Intimacy of War (feature documentary); in post-production.
Cinematographer at Blue Eyes Productions / CANON China
June 1, 2022 - July 1, 2022
Untitled Music Documentary (Three-part documentary miniseries); in production.
MFA Cinematography Lecturer at University of California, Los Angeles
January 1, 2017 - Present
Redesigned curriculum and provided instruction on camera and lighting to hundreds of students, while effectively leveraging professional relationships with vendors to introduce new equipment and long-term rentals. Mentored over 150 graduate students’ professional development and readiness for careers by facilitating quarterly lecture-based learning and workshops on cinematography and emerging techniques and technology.
Director of Photography at Sony
June 1, 2022 - July 31, 2022
Untitled Music Documentary / Three-Part Documentary Miniseries, in Production - CA; IL; TX.
Camera Operator (Addt’l Photography) at Netflix
October 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Wild Wild Country / Six-Part Documentary Miniseries; CA; OR; Switzerland; Germany.
Director of Photography at LifeNow Video
July 1, 2022 - Present
Untitled Austin Jails Documentary; in Production; Austin, TX.
Cinematographer at Blue Eyes Productions
May 1, 2022 - Present
The Intimacy of War / Feature Documentary; in Post-Production; Poland.
Camera Operator / Addt’l Photography at Gunpowder & Sky / Sony
April 1, 2018 - April 30, 2018
Who F*cked Up the Internet? / Feature Documentary, 80 mins; Los Angeles, CA; Addt’l Photography.
Camera Operator / Addt’l Photography at Canon
October 1, 2017 - October 31, 2017
Dominique Ansel Project / Feature Documentary, 90 mins; Los Angeles, CA.
Cinematographer at CANON China / Blue Eyes Productions
August 1, 2013 - August 31, 2013
We Were Nomads / Short Documentary, 20 mins; CANON China; August 2013.
Cinematographer at Rabbit Bandini
March 1, 2016 - April 30, 2016
Mississippi Requiem / Anthology Feature, 75 mins; Los Angeles, CA; March - April 2016.
Head of Cinematography at LifeNow Studios
January 1, 2008 - Present
Led the production of informational video projects, overseeing all phases of production for ongoing doc-style series. Developed standardized production processes to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency across multiple projects with varying deadlines. Cultivated strong client relationships, driving repeat business and expanding project scope. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to move concepts from ideation to delivery, while overseeing studio operations and post-production workflows.
Cinematographer (Commercial Work) at Nom de Plume
January 1, 2010 - Present
Collaborated with cross-functional teams at Vox and Wired to research subjects, develop scripts, and establish visual language for informational web videos. Managed video productions in studio and on location—from pre-production through post-production—for clients including The New York Times and best-selling author Dan Brown. Contributed to graphics, marketing materials, titles, and sizzle reels; operated camera and managed lighting for multiple training video series.
Lecturer (Cinematography/Emerging Technology) at University of California, Los Angeles
January 1, 2017 - Present
Redesigned curriculum for cinematography and emerging technologies courses, increasing student engagement and enrollment. Mentored over 150 graduate students, guiding them in professional development and career growth through workshops and lectures. Facilitated partnerships with industry professionals to provide real-world insights into current video technologies.

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Film Production at University of California, Los Angeles
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Bachelor of Science in Film & Television at Boston University
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Political Science at Boston University
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Master of Fine Arts in Film Production at University of California, Los Angeles
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Bachelor of Science in Film & Television at Boston University
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Political Science at Boston University
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026
Master of Fine Arts in Film Production at University of California, Los Angeles
January 11, 2030 - February 20, 2026
Bachelor of Science in Film & Television at Boston University
January 11, 2030 - February 20, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Political Science at Boston University
January 11, 2030 - February 20, 2026

Qualifications

American Society of Cinematographers Heritage Award Nominee
January 1, 2015 - February 7, 2026
Kodak Cinematography Award Nominee
January 1, 2015 - February 7, 2026
Lisa Wiegand Cinematography Fellow
January 1, 2014 - February 7, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education