James Stier - Lighting Camera Operator

James is a Yorkshire camera operator, Sony Venice owner/operator, director of photography and documentary filmmaker with a base in West Yorkshire and Manchester, UK. James's images help shape authentic stories for broadcast television, corporate communication and branded content.

Having trained at the BBC, Arri Academy, and National Film and Television School, he is a military veteran, serving as a combat camera operator in the UK and the USA. He undertook advanced media and hazardous environment training at the Defense School of Photography, RAF Cosford.

James was among the first British Society of Cinematographer mentorship graduates, mentored by a high-level Oscar-winning BSC member.

Now an industry veteran, James has over a decade of international production experience in the USA, Europe and Asia. Because of this, he carries a US I Media Visa with US Global Entry for his frequent work in the States. He works in the USA on long or short-term projects, supporting clients on both sides of the Atlantic when filming in each region.
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James has directed and self-shot two award-winning feature documentaries and a collection of shorts typically centered around his interests and passions.

A creative problem solver at heart, his happy place is developing a project's visual identity through a considered approach to composition and lighting. He strives to support colleagues with artistic, technical and logistical decision-making - an eye pressed into the viewfinder, creating work that matters with people who care.

James lives in the beautiful Calder Valley in the county of Yorkshire - close to Leeds with a production base in Manchester.

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