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 maintains a core team of 20+ staff DPs stationed across 24 US markets. Staff crew are W-2 employees who have completed our federally accredited apprenticeship program, carry standardized broadcast-quality camera, lighting, and audio packages, and drive company-equipped vehicles — ensuring consistent quality in every market. Because Assignment Desk controls their calendars, staff DPs are available for same-day booking and rapid deployment, giving clients unmatched scheduling flexibility.
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. For positions beyond the DP role, our extended network of 4,200+ independent contractor (1099) crew members fills every specialized role nationwide.
Equipment & Tools
Common Use Cases
Available in 24 Markets
Book directors of photography in any of our nationwide markets. Click a city to learn more about our local crew and services.
Austin
TX
Atlanta
GA
Boston
MA
Charlotte
NC
Charleston
SC
Chicago
IL
Cleveland
OH
Dallas
TX
Denver
CO
Detroit
MI
Houston
TX
Las Vegas
NV
Los Angeles
CA
Miami
FL
Minneapolis
MN
Nashville
TN
New York City
NY
Phoenix
AZ
Salt Lake City
UT
San Francisco
CA
Seattle
WA
St. Louis
MO
Toronto
ON
Washington
DC
Philadelphia
PA
San Diego
CA
San Antonio
TX
Jacksonville
FL
Indianapolis
IN
Columbus
OH
Fort Worth
TX
Portland
OR
Memphis
TN
Oklahoma City
OK
Baltimore
MD
Milwaukee
WI
Albuquerque
NM
Tucson
AZ
Sacramento
CA
Kansas City
MO
Pittsburgh
PA
Cincinnati
OH
Orlando
FL
Tampa
FL
Raleigh
NC
New Orleans
LA
Louisville
KY
Richmond
VA
Buffalo
NY
Hartford
CT
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 staff Directors of Photography are W-2 employees who regularly work multi-day productions and travel nationwide. Because Assignment Desk controls their calendars and they carry standardized gear and vehicles, travel logistics, per diem, and workers' compensation are handled seamlessly — simplifying your production planning. For other crew roles booked as 1099 independent contractors, we coordinate travel and logistics through our platform.
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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