I'm a cinematographer who's spent the last fifteen years turning caffeine into moving pictures that people actually want to watch - some to the tune of billions of views, which still sounds made-up to me. Along the way, I've learned how to lead large teams (and deal with the personalities that come with them), coordinate seamlessly with other departments, and keep my cool when capturing massive action sequences - turns out the secret is the same as handling any other high-pressure situation (including raising children): defined goals, clear communication, and a little bit of Yerba Mate. Wait, you’ve never heard of Yerba Mate?! Ooo, Google it right now and then come back here. You won’t regret it.
Anyway… I cut my teeth in the feature film world, working my way up through the ranks to eventually serve as both camera operator and 2nd Unit DP on some fairly large productions, where I learned to thrive under the pressure of ‘we only get one take at this’. Six-camera car chase with every stunt and special effect you can think of? Sign me up!
I've had the privilege of shooting music videos for major recording artists that have garnered millions (and yes, some billions) of views, and I’ve shot commercials that play on TV, in the movie theater, and on displays at the largest sports stadiums. Whether it's capturing the perfect moment in a broadcast spot or building the visual language for an entire feature, I approach every project with the same obsessive attention to detail that once made me a Division I swimmer - except now instead of staring at black lines on the bottom of a pool, I'm staring at waveform monitors.
When I'm not behind a camera or buried in DaVinci Resolve, you'll find me at home with my wife of ten years and our three kids, who serve as both my greatest inspiration and my most honest critics. They've yet to be impressed by my IMDB page, but they do think I'm pretty good at making pancakes.
Ready to elevate your next project? I'm always excited to collaborate with fellow filmmakers who believe in the power of story. Let's talk about how we can create something extraordinary together.
Drop me a line - my typical response time is faster than my 50 freestyle split. Spoiler alert: I was a backstroker.
Email
AElkinsDP@gmail.com
Phone
(513) 315-5911