Hi, I’m Chris Aupiais. With over 15 years of cross-continental experience in visual storytelling, I bring a refined eye and technical mastery to every frame. From the savannahs of Botswana to the studios of London, I’ve collaborated with global brands like Virgin Active, Le Creuset, and Shell, as well as rising startups and conservation projects. Whether guiding students in advanced wildlife cinematography or capturing the high energy of a gym space, I create work that connects deeply and lingers visually. Innovation, authenticity, and storytelling are my core—every project, a new lens into meaning.

Christopher Aupiais

Hi, I’m Chris Aupiais. With over 15 years of cross-continental experience in visual storytelling, I bring a refined eye and technical mastery to every frame. From the savannahs of Botswana to the studios of London, I’ve collaborated with global brands like Virgin Active, Le Creuset, and Shell, as well as rising startups and conservation projects. Whether guiding students in advanced wildlife cinematography or capturing the high energy of a gym space, I create work that connects deeply and lingers visually. Innovation, authenticity, and storytelling are my core—every project, a new lens into meaning.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Chris Aupiais. With over 15 years of cross-continental experience in visual storytelling, I bring a refined eye and technical mastery to every frame. From the savannahs of Botswana to the studios of London, I’ve collaborated with global brands like Virgin Active, Le Creuset, and Shell, as well as rising startups and conservation projects.

Whether guiding students in advanced wildlife cinematography or capturing the high energy of a gym space, I create work that connects deeply and lingers visually. Innovation, authenticity, and storytelling are my core—every project, a new lens into meaning.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance DP and video editor (Highspeed camera systems) at Creation Wines (South Africa)
February 28, 2025 - July 12, 2025
Freelance Director of Photography and video editor working with highspeed camera systems.
Freelance video editor at Saatchi & Saatchi (South Africa)
December 31, 2024 - July 12, 2025
Edited video content for Oreo New Gen Awards.
Head Cinematography lecturer at Botswana Ignite (Botswana)
August 31, 2024 - July 12, 2025
Delivered beginner to advanced lectures on cinematography and managed high-end gear.
Freelance DP and editor at Energy Africa (Malawi)
December 31, 2023 - July 12, 2025
Freelance Director of Photography and editor for the EGA Stove Project.
Freelance videographer/editor at Qwabi, Babohi (South Africa)
December 31, 2023 - July 12, 2025
Videographer and editor capturing luxury game reserve exploration footage.
Full time videographer and editor at Dreaming Fish Productions (UK)
March 1, 2022 - Present
Produced video content for clients including ForgeRock, Zoggs, Roke, and Time Out London.
Freelance videographer, video editor and animator/ motion graphics at Creation Wines (South Africa)
December 31, 2022 - July 12, 2025
Provided videography, editing and animation/motion graphics services.
Full time digital content producer at Virgin Experience Days (UK)
December 31, 2019 - July 12, 2025
Produced digital content across various formats.
Freelance DoP, video editor at FCB (South Africa)
December 31, 2018 - July 12, 2025
Freelance Director of Photography and video editor.
Freelance DoP, video editor at Protagonist (South Africa/Nigeria)
December 31, 2017 - July 12, 2025
Provided DoP and video editing services for clients such as Shell, Miway, FCB, Engen, Facebook.
Freelance DoP at FullHD (South Africa)
December 31, 2016 - July 12, 2025
Director of Photography for clients including Damascus, Pearson, Elizabeth Arden.
Freelance Assistant Camera at Kyknet (South Africa)
December 31, 2017 - July 12, 2025
Assistant camera role on freelance basis.
Freelance videographer, video editor, motion graphics animator at Virgin Active (South Africa)
December 31, 2016 - July 12, 2025
Provided videography, video editing and motion graphics animation services.
Freelance DP and editor (Highspeed camera systems) at Cape Ballet Africa (South Africa)
May 31, 2025 - July 12, 2025
Freelance Director of Photography and editor specializing in highspeed camera systems (Nutcracker Teaser).
Freelance DP and video editor at Creation Wines (South Africa)
February 28, 2025 - July 12, 2025
Worked as a Freelance Director of Photography (DoP) and video editor specializing in high-speed camera systems.
Freelance video editor at Saatchi & Saatchi (South Africa)
December 31, 2024 - July 12, 2025
Freelance video editor for Oreo New Gen Awards.
Head Cinematography lecturer at Botswana Ignite (Botswana)
August 31, 2024 - July 12, 2025
Delivered beginner to advanced lectures and managed high-end gear for cinematography students.
Freelance DP and editor at Energy Africa (Malawi)
December 31, 2023 - July 12, 2025
Director of Photography and editor for the EGA Stove Project.
Freelance videographer/editor at Qwabi, Babohi (South Africa)
December 31, 2023 - July 12, 2025
Produced and edited videos showcasing luxury game reserve explorations.
Full time videographer and editor at Dreaming Fish Productions (UK)
March 1, 2022 - Present
Produced video content for clients including ForgeRock, Zoggs, Roke and Time Out London.
Freelance videographer, video editor and animator/motion graphics at Creation Wines (South Africa)
December 31, 2022 - July 12, 2025
Freelance work on videography, video editing, and animation/motion graphics.
Full time digital content producer at Virgin Experience Days (UK)
December 31, 2019 - July 12, 2025
Produced digital content full-time.
Freelance DoP, video editor at FCB (South Africa)
December 31, 2018 - July 12, 2025
Provided Director of Photography and video editing services.
Freelance DoP, video editor at Protagonist (South Africa/Nigeria)
December 31, 2017 - July 12, 2025
Director of Photography and video editor for clients such as Shell, Miway, FCB, Engen, and Facebook.
Freelance DoP at FullHD (South Africa)
December 31, 2016 - July 12, 2025
Director of Photography for clients including Damascus, Pearson, and Elizabeth Arden.
Freelance Assistant Camera at Kyknet (South Africa)
December 31, 2017 - July 12, 2025
Assisted camera work on projects.
Freelance videographer, video editor, motion graphics animator at Virgin Active (South Africa)
December 31, 2016 - July 12, 2025
Worked on videography, video editing, and motion graphics animation from 2013 to 2016.
Freelance DP and editor at Cape Ballet Africa (South Africa)
May 31, 2025 - July 12, 2025
Worked on Nutcracker teaser using high-speed camera systems.
Freelance Director of Photography and Editor at Cape Ballet Africa
May 1, 2025 - Present
Nutcracker Teaser (Highspeed camera systems)
Freelance Director of Photography and Editor at Creation Wines
February 1, 2025 - Present
Agri-CULTURE
Freelance Director of Photography and Editor at Saatchi & Saatchi (South Africa)
September 1, 2024 - September 24, 2025
Oreo New Gen Awards
Head Cinematography Lecturer at Botswana Ignite
September 1, 2024 - September 24, 2025
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Wildlife Cinematography
Freelance DoP, video editor at Energy Africa
January 1, 2023 - September 24, 2025
Freelance DoP, video editor
Full-time Videographer and Editor at Dreaming Fish Productions
January 1, 2022 - September 24, 2025
Projects included ForgeRock, Zoggs, Roke and Time Out London; responsibilities included Storyboarding, shot lists, camera operation, lighting, video editing, sound design and colour grading.
Freelance videographer and video editor and animator/motion graphics at Creation Wines
January 1, 2022 - September 24, 2025
Shot lists, camera operation with gimbal systems, lighting, video editing, colour grading, sound design, motion graphics for titles
Freelance videographer and editor at Le Creuset
January 1, 2021 - September 24, 2025
Mood boards, shots lists, camera operation, lighting, video editing, colour grading
Freelance video editor and animator/motion graphics at Virgin Active South Africa
January 1, 2021 - September 24, 2025
Motion - Editing and repurposing footage from a TVC campaign; exploring different graphics designs as part of a digital campaign
Full-time Digital Content Producer at Virgin Experience Days - UK
January 1, 2019 - September 24, 2025
Conceptualisation of digital video campaigns; liaison with suppliers; shot lists, camera operation and lighting; video editing, colour grading and sound design; explored future digital campaign concepts
DoP, video editor at FCB
January 1, 2018 - September 24, 2025
Agency in operation; conceptualisation of a campaign for Western Cape Government; mood boards, shot lists, location scouting, editing, colour grading and sound design
Director of Photography, Video Editor, Motion Graphics at Protagonist
January 1, 2017 - September 24, 2025
Projects: Teach a Man to Fish (DoP); Barren (DoP); Miway Life TVC; Miway Policy Explainer Videos; FCB, Fancourt – DoP
Director of Photography at FCB
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Fancourt campaign – DoP
Director of Photography at Shell
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
"Potato Plane" TVC – DoP
Camera Operator at Engen Petrol Attendants Dance
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Dance video shoot – Camera operator
Director of Photography at Facebook, Free Basics – Jobberman
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Domestic Arrival – 30’ TVC – DoP
Director of Photography at Facebook, Free Basics – Pass.ng
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Mobile Student – 30’ TVC – DoP
Assistant Camera at Kyknet
January 1, 2017 - September 24, 2025
Skoon, Short Film Herbex – Assistant Camera
Director of Photography at Bureaux Black
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Weight loss journey, documentary – DoP
Director of Photography, Camera Operator at Bureaux Black, Honeykome
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
DoP, camera operator
Director of Photography at MAC Cosmetics
January 1, 2015 - September 24, 2025
Interactive Video – DoP
Camera Operator at SARU Rugby World Cup TVC
January 1, 2015 - September 24, 2025
Camera operator
Camera Operator at SARU Goodluck message to Springboks Rugby team
January 1, 2015 - September 24, 2025
Camera Operator
Camera Operator at MNET, Carte Blanche
January 1, 2010 - September 24, 2025
Carte Blanche, Businessman Boxer Episode – B-Camera Operator
Director of Photography and Editor at UCT SRP Bokser
January 1, 2011 - September 24, 2025
"Bokser" – DoP and editor
Director of Photography and Editor at Silverlining Pictures
January 1, 2012 - September 24, 2025
Previsualization video for fictional short – DoP and editor
Director of Photography at MAX Models
January 1, 2013 - September 24, 2025
Beauty Shoot – DoP
Camera Assistant at Junkie (For Your Love)
January 1, 2012 - September 24, 2025
Membership – Camera Assistant
Director of Photography at Team Dromedary 48hour Film Competition
January 1, 2013 - September 24, 2025
Cape Town – DoP
Director of Photography and Editor at Virgin Active South Africa
January 1, 2014 - September 24, 2025
Moonlight Mass – DoP and editor
Director of Photography at Alice Lane Club Tour
January 1, 2014 - September 24, 2025
Shoot – DoP and editor
Camera Operator at Ride with Sir Richard Branson
January 1, 2013 - September 24, 2025
Camera Operator
Animator at Alice Lane Concept Store Animation
January 1, 2013 - September 24, 2025
Animator
Animator at My Virgin Active animation
January 1, 2013 - September 24, 2025
Animator
Camera Operator at Twentyfour.5
January 1, 2013 - September 24, 2025
Camera Operator
Animator at Club RED Animation
January 1, 2013 - September 24, 2025
Animator
Camera Operator at RED Photoshoot BTS
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Camera operator
Camera Operator at Street Store
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Camera Operator
Director of Photography at RED Boksburg Club Opening
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
DoP
Director of Photography at Highbury Safika Media
January 1, 2014 - September 24, 2025
Glamour Wedding Fashion Shoot BTS – DoP
Director of Photography at Kersefontein Wedding Fashion Shoot
January 1, 2014 - September 24, 2025
BTS – DoP
Director of Photography at FullHD Damascus TVC
January 1, 2014 - September 24, 2025
TVC – DoP
Director of Photography at Pearson One CRM
January 1, 2015 - September 24, 2025
CRM – DoP
Director of Photography at Pearson Pulse
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Pulse – DoP
Director of Photography at Elizabeth Arden
January 1, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Makeup tutorials – DoP
Freelance DP and Editor at Cape Ballet Africa
May 1, 2025 - Present
Nutcracker Teaser - Freelance DoP and editor using high-speed camera systems.
Freelance DP and Editor at Creation Wines
February 1, 2025 - Present
Agri-CULTURE - Freelance DP and editor (Highspeed camera systems).
Freelance DP and Editor at Saatchi & Saatchi (South Africa)
September 1, 2024 - Present
Oreo New Gen Awards.
Head Cinematography Lecturer at Botswana Ignite
September 1, 2024 - September 24, 2025
Lecturer - June to September 2024.
Freelance DoP, video editor at Energy Africa
January 1, 2023 - Present
Full time Videographer and Editor at EGA Stove Project Dreaming Fish Productions
January 1, 2022 - Present
Freelance Videographer, Video Editor and Animator/Motion Graphics at Creation Wines
January 1, 2022 - September 24, 2025
Freelance Videographer and Editor at Le Creuset
January 1, 2021 - Present
Freelance Video Editor and Animator/Motion Graphics at Virgin Active South Africa
January 1, 2021 - September 24, 2025
Full time Digital Content Producer at Virgin Experience Days
January 1, 2019 - Present
DoP, Video Editor at FCB
January 1, 2018 - Present
Campaign for Western Cape Government; mood boards, shot lists, locations scouting, camera editing, colour grading and sound design.
DoP, Video Editor, Motion Graphics at Protagonist
January 1, 2017 - Present
Projects include Teach a Man to Fish (DoP) and Barren (DoP).
Director of Photography at Teach a Man to Fish (Project)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Director of Photography at Barren (Short Film)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Director of Photography at Miway Life TVC
January 1, 2017 - Present
Miway Life TVC – DoP.
Director of Photography at Miway Policy Explainer Videos
January 1, 2017 - Present
Miway Policy Explainer Videos – DoP.
Director of Photography at FCB, Fancourt
January 1, 2016 - Present
DoP for campaign.
Director of Photography at Shell “Potato Plane” TVC
January 1, 2016 - Present
DoP for TVC.
Camera Operator at Engen Petrol Attendants Dance
January 1, 2016 - Present
Director of Photography at Facebook, Free Basics – Domestic Arrival
January 1, 2016 - Present
30’ TVC – DoP.
Director of Photography at Facebook, Free Basics – Pass.ng “Mobile Student”
January 1, 2016 - Present
30’ TVC – DoP.
Director of Photography and Editor at UCT SRP Bokser
January 1, 2011 - Present
Director, DoP at Silverlining Pictures
January 1, 2012 - Present
Previsualization video for fiction short – DoP and editor.
DoP at MAX Models
January 1, 2013 - Present
Beauty shoot – DoP.
DoP at Bureaux Black
January 1, 2016 - Present
DoP for web video.
Camera Operator at Ride with Sir Richard Branson
January 1, 2013 - Present
Animator at Alice Lane Concept Store Animation
January 1, 2013 - Present
Full time digital content producer at Virgin Experience Days (UK)
December 31, 2023 - September 24, 2025
Led end-to-end digital content production across platforms, coordinating creative direction, production scheduling and cross-functional teams.
Freelance videographer and editor at Dreaming Fish Productions (UK)
December 31, 2022 - September 24, 2025
Produced long-form and short-form content for clients including ForgeRock, Zoggs, and Time Out London.
Freelance videographer, video editor and animator/motion graphics at Creations Wines (South Africa)
December 31, 2025 - September 24, 2025
Created promotional videos and motion graphics for wine brand campaigns, handling end-to-end production pipelines.
Freelance DP and editor at Energy Africa (Malawi)
August 31, 2024 - September 24, 2025
DP and editor on projects including the EGA Stove initiative; managed camera setups and post production workflows.
Head Cinematography lecturer at Botswana Ignite (Botswana)
August 31, 2024 - September 24, 2025
Delivered beginner to advanced lectures and managed high-end gear for cinematography training.
Freelance videographer/editor at Qwabi, Babohi
December 31, 2023 - September 24, 2025
Luxury game reserve exploration videography and editing.
Freelance DoP, video editor at FCB (South Africa)
December 31, 2019 - September 24, 2025
Delivered DoP and editing for brand campaigns and commercials.
Freelance DoP, video editor at Western Cape Government Protagonist (South Africa/Nigeria)
December 31, 2018 - September 24, 2025
DoP and editor on government-related media projects; collaborated with multi-stakeholder teams.
Freelance DoP at FullHD (South Africa)
December 31, 2017 - September 24, 2025
DoP on multiple commercials and short films; responsible for lighting and camera composition.
Freelance Assistant Camera at Kyknet (South Africa)
December 31, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Assisted camera for television and film productions; supported crew with setup and operation.
Freelance Assistant Camera at Damascus, Pearson, Elizabeth Arden
December 31, 2016 - September 24, 2025
Provided assistant camera support on diverse productions and brand shoots.
Freelance videographer, video editor, motion graphics animator at Virgin Active (South Africa)
December 31, 2017 - September 24, 2025
Created video content and motion graphics for fitness brands and campaigns.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at University of Cape Town
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013
Bachelor of Arts at University of Cape Town
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013
BA Film and Media at University of Cape Town
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2013
Matric at Westerford High School
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008
Short intensive video production course at UCT
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2005
BA Film and Media at University of Cape Town
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2013
Short intensive video production course at UCT
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2005
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media at University of Cape Town
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013

Qualifications

Agri-CULTURE - DoP - Winner Silver International Tourism Film Festival
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Vine to Wine - DoP - Winner Gold award 5th Edition of International Tourism Film Festival Africa
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Barren - DoP - Winner, best cinematography for 48hr film competition
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Teach a Man to Fish - DoP - Best cinematography finalist - MyRode Reel
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Travel & Hospitality, Agriculture & Mining, Energy & Utilities, Professional Services, Retail, Software & Internet, Telecommunications, Other, Government