Assignment Desk

Directors of Photography — Professional Video Production Services

Cinematic vision meets broadcast precision

At a Glance

Assignment Desk provides professional directors of photography in 24+ US cities. All crew are W2 employees with full equipment packages, workers' compensation coverage, and same-day availability. Book directors of photography for corporate, broadcast, documentary, sports, and commercial video productions nationwide.

About This Service

A Director of Photography (DP) is the creative and technical leader behind every frame of your video production. Assignment Desk employs over 20 full-time, W2-employed DPs stationed across 24 US markets — each equipped with their own broadcast-quality camera, lighting, and audio packages. Our DPs bring decades of combined experience shooting for networks like ESPN, HGTV, HBO, CNN, and NFL Films, delivering cinematic quality on corporate, sports, documentary, and commercial productions.

Unlike freelance camera operators, our Directors of Photography own and maintain professional equipment packages valued at over $100,000 each. They arrive on set ready to shoot with Sony FX9s, RED Komodos, ARRI cameras, professional lighting kits, wireless audio systems, and grip gear. This eliminates the need for separate equipment rentals and ensures consistent, broadcast-ready results on every project.

Whether you need a single DP for a corporate interview or a full production team for a multi-day shoot, Assignment Desk matches you with the right Director of Photography based on your location, budget, and creative requirements. Same-day bookings are often available through our nationwide staff crew network.

Directors of Photography — Assignment Desk

Equipment & Tools

Sony FX9 / FX6 cinema cameras
RED Komodo / DSMC2 systems
ARRI Alexa Mini
Professional cinema lenses (Zeiss, Canon CN-E)
Wireless monitoring and focus systems
LED lighting kits (ARRI SkyPanel, Litepanels)
Wireless audio packages (Sennheiser, Lectrosonics)
Grip equipment (C-stands, flags, diffusion)

Common Use Cases

Corporate interviews and testimonials
Commercial and brand video production
Documentary and docu-series filming
Live sports and event coverage
Multi-camera studio productions
Music video and entertainment shoots
News magazine and broadcast segments
Real estate and architecture videography

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Director of Photography and a Camera Operator?

A Director of Photography (DP) oversees all visual aspects of a production — camera operation, lighting design, shot composition, and crew management. A Camera Operator handles the hands-on camera work under the DP's direction. DPs bring their own equipment packages and make creative decisions about how each scene looks, while Camera Operators typically work with client-provided or rented gear.

Do your Directors of Photography bring their own equipment?

Yes. All Assignment Desk staff DPs arrive with full professional equipment packages including broadcast-quality cameras (Sony FX9, RED, ARRI), cinema lenses, LED lighting kits, wireless audio systems, and grip gear. This eliminates the need for separate rental houses and ensures consistent quality across all markets.

How quickly can you book a Director of Photography?

Assignment Desk can often arrange same-day DP bookings thanks to 20+ full-time staff DPs based in major US cities. For planned shoots, we recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance to ensure the best match for your specific creative and technical requirements.

Are your DPs available for multi-day shoots and travel?

Absolutely. Our Directors of Photography regularly work multi-day productions and travel nationwide. Because they are W2 employees, travel logistics, per diem, and workers' compensation are handled by Assignment Desk — simplifying your production planning.

What industries do your Directors of Photography serve?

Our DPs serve clients across corporate, broadcast, sports, entertainment, documentary, commercial, healthcare, education, and non-profit sectors. Major clients include ESPN, UFC, NFL, PGA Tour, Bloomberg, CNN, HGTV, and hundreds of Fortune 500 companies.

See how our directors of photography teams deliver on real productions. Read Production Stories →

Book Directors of Photography Today

Call 312-464-8600 or fill out our booking form to get started.

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