“To be seamless is to be truly liberated.”
Film Producer, Cinematographer, Gaffer.
Derek Johnson
is a filmmaker driven by an insatiable curiosity for human stories and the visual poetry of cinema. From the stillness of a single photograph to the immersive world of feature films, his creative journey has been one of evolution, discipline, and deep storytelling. He has a lifelong addiction to cameras, stories, and pizza. He also goes to unbelievable lengths to find a great cup of coffee.
What I do Best
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Film Producer
From feature films like Healing Waters to short-form projects and award-winning commercial work, my portfolio spans a range of storytelling styles. Explore my latest films, branded content, and collaborations that showcase my approach to filmmaking.
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Director of Photography
As a Director of Photography, I bring a cinematic eye to interviews and dynamic b-roll, ensuring every frame enhances the story. Whether framing a deeply personal moment or crafting visually rich b-roll sequences, my goal is to elevate each project with imagery that resonates long after the screen fades to black
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Gaffer
Lighting is more than illumination—it’s about shaping emotion and balance. As a CLT with roots in still photography, I bring a keen eye for contrast, composition, and natural light. Guided by the Planckian Locus, I ensure precise color balance across sources, crafting visually cohesive and emotionally resonant scenes. From soft, cinematic key light to bold, high-contrast setups, my approach blends artistry with technical mastery to elevate every frame.
My Film Journey
As a producer, director, cinematographer, and sometimes writer, Derek has worked across the industry, from gripping documentaries to visually arresting scripted films. His cinematographic approach reflects a deep reverence for light, space, and human emotion—qualities inspired by his admiration for filmmakers like Werner Herzog and Wim Wenders. Herzog's philosophy of understanding the "heart of man" profoundly influences Derek's work, pushing him to seek the deeper truth within every frame.
Derek has worked in many departments on film sets, gaining an intricate understanding of the filmmaking process from the ground up. This hands-on journey has led him to become a sought-after Director of Photography and Gaffer. Stemming from his original pursuit of still photography, he has contributed to numerous productions, using his refined expertise in lighting, visual composition, and storytelling mechanics through the camera.
Derek is the founder of Kaifilms, a unique production company dedicated to crafting visually stunning and emotionally resonant stories. His work is guided by a commitment to authenticity, social justice, and the relentless pursuit of storytelling that moves audiences.
No matter the medium, Derek remains a filmmaker who dreams boldly, pursues stories with intensity, and, much like the great directors before him, refuses to live without vision.
Derek's early work with still photography captured raw, unfiltered moments of life, a practice that shaped his cinematic eye. His first significant foray into filmmaking came when he documented the events of 9/11 in New York City, an experience that set him on a path toward visual storytelling in its most impactful form. Since then, he has earned credits on ten feature films and four Emmy-recognized productions. As well as producing his first feature-length film, "Healing Waters."