Director of Photography in Washington, DC
I’m Umit Gulsen, a freelance cinematographer based in DC since 2015. I film interviews, documentaries and brand films for newsrooms, agencies and nonprofits across the DMV — and arrive with the full camera, lighting and grip package.
Washington shoots have their own rhythm: a twenty-minute window with a cabinet secretary, a conference room at an agency with a security escort, a scientist who has never been on camera. My job is to make that time count — a lit, composed frame ready before the subject walks in, and a calm set once they do.
I’ve filmed Fed Chair Janet Yellen at the Federal Reserve, Climate Envoy John Kerry, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Education Secretary Linda McMahon for The Wall Street Journal, Nobel laureate John Mather at NASA Goddard for Quanta Magazine, and documentaries for AARP Studios, HBO and WETA PBS.
I hold an MA in Film and Video from American University and belong to WIFV and TIVA, DC’s film and video associations. Because I own and maintain everything I shoot with, you book one person and get a complete, tested package — no rental pick-ups, no surprises on the day.
- Based in
- Washington, DC
- Freelance DP since
- 2015
- Covers
- DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland
- Cameras
- 2× Varicam LT, EVA-1, Ronin 4D
- Lighting
- Nanlite Forza, ARRI, Pavo tubes
- Transport
- Mercedes Metris production van
- Phone
- 703 349 9125
Interviews, documentaries,
brand films.
Sit-downs & news
Two-camera interviews for newsrooms, nonprofits and agencies — officials, executives, scientists and first-time interviewees.
Stories with people
Character-led documentary for AARP Studios, Quanta Magazine, HBO and international broadcasters, in the DMV and on the road.
Brand & nonprofit
Recruitment films, commercials and mission videos for organisations across DC, Maryland and Virginia — like WAEPA and Kaeser Compressors.
Hiring a DP in DC
Do you bring your own camera and lighting?
Yes. I’m an owner-operator: two Panasonic Varicam LTs, an EVA-1, a DJI Ronin 4D, Angenieux EZ zooms, Nanlite and ARRI lighting, a dolly and grip all arrive with me in a custom-built Mercedes Metris production van. See the full gear list.
Which areas do you cover?
All of Washington, DC, Northern Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Reston) and Maryland (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Greenbelt). I also travel for shoots across the US and abroad.
Have you filmed in federal buildings and institutions?
Yes — at the White House for a TIME interview series produced by Blue Chalk Media, at the Federal Reserve with Fed Chair Janet Yellen, at the Federal Trade Commission for The Wall Street Journal, at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for Quanta Magazine, at Carnegie Science, in the U.S. Capitol and the House office buildings, and in many other federal buildings and cabinet departments. I’m used to security screening, tight load-in windows and small rooms with a hard out.
Do you shoot interviews for news outlets?
Regularly. I film sit-down interviews in Washington for The Wall Street Journal — including Climate Envoy John Kerry, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Education Secretary Linda McMahon — as well as for Channel NewsAsia, NZZ and WETA PBS. See the broadcast work.
Can you bring a crew?
Yes. For larger shoots I bring in a gaffer, grip or sound recordist from the DC crew I work with regularly, so you can book the whole camera department with one call.
How much does a Director of Photography cost in DC?
Every shoot is quoted to the job: DP only, or DP with the full camera, lighting and grip package. Send your dates, location and a short brief and I’ll reply within one business day. Check availability.