James Branaman

As a visual storyteller and communications professional with 20+ years of experience, I bring a Swiss Army knife skillset to every project. I am a photojournalist, writer, videographer and FAA Part 107-certified drone pilot, experienced in filming from helicopters, boats and all sorts of vehicles. I was also an early adopter of 360-degree spherical video for AR/VR, remote camera capture and video editing with motion graphics. I'm capable of taking a project from initial concept and script to field production and final color grade, yet also happy to jump in and collaborate with purpose-driven teams. My editorial work has earned recognition from the National Press Photographers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, while my conservation projects have been showcased internationally through film festivals and traveling exhibits.

​

I thrive on road trip projects, scientific expeditions and the challenge of documenting fragile ecosystems. Favorite project? It's hard to beat being an artist-in-residence for the National Park Service, where I lived and worked within Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Acadia and Everglades national parks, exploring the relationship between humanity and nature. I can often be found traveling between the rugged coastlines of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington to the rolling hills of the California Central Coast, where I am driven to tell stories that advocate for exploration and conservation. I am a sucker for projects that sit at the crossroads of culture, nature, science and technology, so if that sounds like your story, let’s talk!