WHAT WE OFFER

Director of Photography & Cinematographer in Ventura, CA

Professional cinematography for commercials, corporate films, documentaries, television, underwater productions, drone projects, and expeditions. Jim Knowlton brings more than 20 years of experience as a Director of Photography and cinematographer, creating compelling visual stories for television, commercials, documentaries, short films, corporations, and organizations.

Discuss Your Project

EXPERIENCED DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMATOGRAPHER

Jim Knowlton is an experienced Director of Photography and cinematographer in Ventura, California, with more than 20 years of experience filming and directing productions for television, commercials, documentaries, short films, corporations, and organizations.

His work has appeared in programming associated with Shark Week, National Geographic, and PBS, as well as award-winning documentaries and short films.

From studio productions to remote expeditions, Jim combines professional cinematography, documentary filmmaking, underwater filming, aerial cinematography, and visual storytelling to create engaging video content.

Whether you need a commercial cinematographer, documentary cinematographer, corporate video cinematographer, underwater cinematographer, or expedition filmmaker, Blue Ocean Productions provides the experience and production capabilities needed to bring your project to life.

Contact Us

What We Do

CINEMATOGRAPHY SERVICES

Blue Ocean Productions provides professional video production and cinematography services for businesses, organizations, filmmakers, tourism companies, and environmental projects.

Commercial & Corporate Cinematography

Create professional visual content for commercials, corporate videos, promotional videos, branding campaigns, and marketing projects.

Our cinematography combines creative visual storytelling with professional production techniques to help businesses communicate their message and connect with their audience.

Documentary Cinematography

Jim has extensive experience in documentary cinematography, capturing authentic people, locations, wildlife, interviews, and real-world stories.

His experience working in challenging environments makes him a valuable Director of Photography for documentary productions.

Underwater Cinematography

Blue Ocean Productions specializes in underwater cinematography and underwater video production for marine documentaries, wildlife films, conservation projects, tourism campaigns, commercials, and promotional videos.

With decades of diving and underwater filming experience, Jim can capture compelling footage both above and below the surface.

Drone & Aerial Cinematography

Jim Knowlton is an FAA Part 107-certified drone operator providing professional drone cinematography and aerial video production.

Aerial footage can add scale, movement, and perspective to commercials, documentaries, tourism videos, real estate productions, short films, and corporate projects.

Expedition Cinematography

Blue Ocean Productions provides expedition cinematography for productions in remote and challenging environments.

Jim has filmed throughout California and locations including Hawaii, Mexico, Peru, Iceland, Fiji, American Samoa, the Bahamas, and the Tortugas.

Studio & Location Production

Blue Ocean Productions can provide a complete video production package for studio and location filming, including professional cameras, lenses, lighting, sound equipment, tripods, teleprompters, and other production equipment.

FAA PART 107 DRONE & AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY

Jim Knowlton is an FAA Part 107-certified drone operator with experience capturing aerial footage for documentaries, commercials, short films, tourism projects, real estate, and other productions.

Professional aerial cinematography can provide a unique perspective and add scale to your production.

From California coastlines and landscapes to remote expedition locations, drone footage can be combined with traditional cinematography to create a complete visual story.

Explore Drone Video Services

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY FOR EXPEDITIONS

Remote productions require experience, preparation, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Jim has led and participated in filming expeditions throughout the United States and internationally, including California, Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Peru, Iceland, Fiji, American Samoa, the Bahamas, and the Tortugas.

His expedition experience includes filming for documentaries, corporations, tourism organizations, environmental projects, short films, and marine conservation initiatives.

OUR DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION PROCESS

20+ YEARS OF PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE

More than two decades of experience across commercial, corporate, television, documentary, and film productions.

SPECIALIZED UNDERWATER EXPERTISE

Decades of experience in underwater cinematography, combined with extensive diving and ocean knowledge.

LAND, AIR & UNDERWATER

Capture your project from traditional camera positions, underwater environments, and the air with one experienced cinematography team.

EXPEDITION EXPERIENCE

Experience working in remote locations and challenging production environments around the world.

COMPLETE PRODUCTION SUPPORT

Professional cameras, lenses, lighting, sound, underwater equipment, drone capabilities, and other production resources.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

WHAT CLIENTS SAY

The Ventura Education Partnership Board recently had the opportunity to work with Jim on a marketing video that will be used to promote our organization. Jim‘s patience and creativity as well as his professionalism made working with him a truly rewarding experience. I can’t say enough good things about the entire process. Jim is absolutely the best!
- Nancy Maxson

Jim is in a league of his own. He captured the emotion, excitement, and uniqueness of this special project. He has a keen eye for both people and the environment and those special moments that happen when the two come together. Thanks for all you do Jim. You're a true Ambassador of the Environment.
- Travis Langden

Jim is absolutely fantastic to work with! He's a wonderful listener and keen observer. He's present, kind, and attentive to his client's needs. He gives 100% attention and commitment and we are so grateful for his help with drone footage for our brand.
- Victoria Voss

Jim was super helpful, encouraging and professional. Our resulting video is relatable and easily shared, uses many of our captured photos and really helps people understand what VEP is all about. Highly recommended!
- Nancy Maxson

Jim created a wonderful video for Ventura Education Partnership (VEP) and really took the time to listen to our needs and follow up. Thanks, Jim!
- Lisa Edwards

SEE THE CINEMATOGRAPHY IN ACTION

Explore examples of commercial, documentary, environmental, underwater, aerial, tourism, and promotional videos created by Blue Ocean Productions.

WHAT TYPES OF PRODUCTIONS DOES JIM KNOWLTON WORK ON?

Jim works on commercials, corporate videos, documentaries, television productions, short films, tourism videos, environmental films, underwater productions, aerial projects, and expedition filmmaking.

View the Full Video Portfolio

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does a Director of Photography do?

A Director of Photography (DP) is responsible for the visual execution of a film or video production. This can include camera selection, lenses, lighting, composition, camera movement, and working with the director and production team to create the desired visual style.

Does Blue Ocean Productions provide underwater cinematography?

Yes. Blue Ocean Productions provides professional underwater cinematography and underwater video production for documentaries, marine wildlife films, conservation projects, tourism, commercial productions, and other projects.

Does Jim Knowlton operate drones?

Yes. Jim Knowlton is an FAA Part 107-certified drone operator with experience capturing aerial footage for documentaries, commercials, short films, tourism, real estate, and other productions.

Where is Blue Ocean Productions based?

Blue Ocean Productions is based in Ventura, California, and works with clients throughout California as well as on domestic and international productions.

Does Blue Ocean Productions travel for productions?

Yes. Jim has experience filming throughout California, the United States, and internationally, including projects in Mexico, Peru, Iceland, Fiji, American Samoa, and the Bahamas.

LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

Whether you’re producing a commercial, corporate film, documentary, television program, underwater project, conservation film, or expedition, Blue Ocean Productions can help bring your vision to life.

Start Your Video Project

Director of Photography & Cinematographer in Ventura, CA

EXPERIENCED DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMATOGRAPHER