Hire a Director of Photography in Los Angeles, CA
At a Glance
Assignment Desk provides professional director of photography services in Los Angeles, CA. Our director of photographys come fully equipped with Sony FX9, RED Komodo, ARRI Alexa Mini and operate on standard 10-hour production days. Available for corporate, broadcast, commercial, and live event productions. Book today for immediate availability.
What Does a Director of Photography Do?
A Director of Photography (DP) oversees all visual aspects of a video production, including camera operation, lighting design, and shot composition. DPs bring years of experience in cinematic storytelling and technical expertise to every shoot, ensuring broadcast-quality footage that meets the creative vision of the project.
Standard Equipment
Common Shoot Scenarios
- Corporate interviews
- Commercial productions
- Documentary filming
- Live event coverage
- Multi-camera shoots
Video Production in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world and the largest production market in the US. From Hollywood studios to Silicon Beach tech campuses, LA's crew base is the deepest and most experienced in the country.
California offers a 20-25% tax credit through the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program. LA's infrastructure is unmatched — thousands of stages, equipment houses, and post facilities. However, competition for crew is fierce, making advance booking essential.
- World's largest production market with thousands of active crew professionals
- 20-25% California Film & Television Tax Credit on qualifying expenditures
- Unmatched studio infrastructure: Warner Bros, Universal, Paramount, Sony, Netflix
- Silicon Beach tech campuses (Google, Snap, TikTok) drive corporate video demand
Director of Photography Crew in Los Angeles, CA
View all crew and services in Los Angeles, CA
Meet our director of photographys in Los Angeles in our crew directory.
Production Guidelines in Los Angeles
Standard Day Rate: All director of photography bookings in Los Angeles are based on a 10-hour production day, which includes setup, shooting, and wrap time.
Overtime: Hours beyond the standard 10-hour day are billed at time-and-a-half. We recommend building buffer time into your schedule for complex productions.
Local Radius: The local production zone covers a 30-mile radius from downtown Los Angeles (2629 Foothill Blvd. #110). Locations outside this zone may include travel time and mileage charges.
Equipment: All crew arrive with their standard equipment package. Custom gear requests (specialty lenses, additional lighting, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book crew in Los Angeles?
We recommend booking LA crew 2-4 weeks ahead for standard shoots. Pilot season (January-April) and awards season (October-March) are especially competitive. Same-week bookings are possible but may limit crew options.
What types of productions is Assignment Desk hired for in LA?
In LA we primarily staff corporate video (tech, entertainment, finance), broadcast news packages, commercial shoots, live event coverage, and satellite media tours. While LA has abundant freelance talent, clients choose Assignment Desk for our vetting, W2 employment, and reliability.
How much does a director of photography cost in Los Angeles, CA?
Director of Photography rates in Los Angeles vary based on project scope, equipment needs, and shoot duration. Assignment Desk offers competitive day rates on a standard 10-hour production day. Contact us at 312-464-8600 or visit our booking page for a custom quote.
What equipment does a director of photography bring to a shoot?
Our director of photography professionals in Los Angeles typically arrive with Sony FX9, RED Komodo, ARRI Alexa Mini, Cinema lenses, Wireless monitoring, Professional lighting kits. Equipment packages can be customized based on your production requirements.
See our director of photography crews in action on recent shoots. Browse Production Stories →
Book a Director of Photography in Los Angeles Today
Call 312-464-8600 or fill out our booking form to get started.
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