This Is Me: Slightly Jet-Lagged, Always Curious
I’ve spent more than two decades telling stories for national and international outlets—sometimes with a notebook, sometimes with a camera, sometimes with whatever was left in my pockets after airport security. My assignments have taken me from the pyramids of Egypt to the plains of Montana, from the beaches of Normandy to the lava fields of Hawai‘i. These days, I write for a variety of travel publications and moonlight as a Guest Columnist for Tribune Publishing’s Orlando Sentinel.
Before I swapped breaking news for slightly less-breaking deadlines, I spent years as a network cameraman for NBC News. I covered everything from 9/11 at Ground Zero to Hurricane Katrina and the war in Iraq, roaming through Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, South America, and the Middle East chasing politics, and culture. I’ve filed stories from the West Bank and Gaza, the Olympic Games, Super Bowls - floating in Zero Gravity with astronauts-in-training, only to return to full gravity aboard Air Force One.
I’ve also spent years wandering through the wild, wonderful world of entertainment—producing documentaries, concerts, marketing campaigns, and the occasional project that defies easy explanation (or résumé formatting). That path has put me shoulder-to-shoulder with an A-list collection of presidents, prime ministers, pop stars, authors, and icons: Presidents Bush, Clinton, and Obama; Prime Minister Shimon Peres; Yasser Arafat; Muhammed Ali; J.K. Rowling; and Oprah Winfrey.
Covering entertainment meant stepping into a universe where rehearsal schedules were more suggestion than rule, and dressing-room riders routinely ran longer than some novels. Along the way, I worked with Aretha Franklin, The Jonas Brothers, Janet Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and *NSYNC—an education in talent, timing, and the art of waiting quietly near very important doors.
In 2004, I took that education on the road, traveling with Aerosmith during their Honkin’ on Bobo Tour. From there, my work expanded into international documentaries as a cinematographer, along with shooting EPKs and working second unit on feature films with artists like John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson. I also served as a DP on episodic television for outlets including A&E, History Channel, Discovery Channel, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime—just a sampling of the many musicians, productions, and networks I’ve had the chance to work with along the way.
Through it all, I’ve kept chasing stories—the extraordinary kind hiding in ordinary places.
Experience (Download C.V.)
Volunteer Docent at ʻIolani Palace
Oct 2021 - Present - Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
With Yarn Faw headquartered on the island of O’ahu, I focus on Hawaiian Culture & Historical Appreciation by volunteering as an Historical Docent at ʻIolani Palace; a living restoration of a proud Hawaiian national identity, registered National Historic Landmark & the only official Royal Palace in the United States. King Kalākaua delighted in showing guests his beautiful modern Palace. Today, I get share the history of ʻIolani Palace, its sacred grounds, & the stories of the influential people who made an impact on Hawaii's history with modern-day visitors.
Digital Nomad / Backpack Storytelling, Yarn Faw Inc.
Yarn Faw Inc. / Jan 2017 – Present - Offices in Honolulu, Hawaii & Orlando, Florida
Serving a collective of storytellers from around the world in the development & production of independent & feature films, national commercials, & international content/brand communications. With offices in Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta, & Honolulu Hawaii, my "Digital Nomad" approach to storytelling allows me to lead the Yarn Faw team in bringing good stories to life through technology (& lots of great coffee). The “backpack concept” guides our collective in choosing the smallest impact for the greatest outcomes. After years of globetrotting assignments, I realized customized solutions for changing environments foster better results and more joy to otherwise stress-threatened creative endeavors. Partnering alongside socially centric entrepreneurs and innovators, our experience, earned over decades of collaboration, supports visionary individuals as well as some of the most recognized brands in the world.
Partner & Director of Film & TV Commercial Content for Sol Katmandu Park & Resort
Meliá Hotels International / Mar 2014 - Dec 2016 - Mallorca, Spain
Responsible for delivering Television Entertainment, Marketing, Branding & Content Creation for Sol Katmandu Park & Resort to European & North American audiences.
Co-Owner - Director of Photography, Editor, Producer, Writer
Go To Team / Mar 2012 - Mar 2014 - Orlando, Florida
Partner/Director for Go To Team's Orlando Offices. Contributing domestic & international coverage for some of the biggest names in Television News, Sports & Entertainment; Adventures by Disney, Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts, Universal Studios, CNN, NBC, CNBC, Dateline NBC, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, Turner & Fox Sports.
Owner - Director of Photography for Roycom Communications - Film & TV
Universal Studios / Mar 2009 - Mar 2012 - Orlando, Florida
The Roycom team collaborated with NBC Universal's PR & Entertainment divisions. Developing marketing/branding content for all attractions & events. Most notably, a 4-year documentary on the creation of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Providing all video, editing, animation & graphic design. As well as all SMT's (Satellite Media Tours), EPK's (Electronic Press Kits) & VNR's (Video New Releases).
Cameraman, Producer, Writer, Editor
NBC News / Jun 1996 - Feb 2009 - Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America & the Middle East
Covering Breaking News for The Today Show, Nightly News, & Dateline NBC. As well as Olympic Games coverage & Presidential Politics for MSNBC & Meet the Press.
Cameraman & Editor
Sep 1994 - Jun 1996 - Tel Aviv, Israel
Working in both the Tel Aviv & Jerusalem Bureau's, traveling throughout the Middle East, Asia & Africa as a Cameraman & Editor, I helped cover the continuation of the Middle East Peace Process for the Today Show, Nightly News, MSNBC, Meet the Press, & Dateline.
Cameraman & Writer
WBTV News / Feb 1993 - Aug 1994 - Charlotte, North Carolina Dayside Cameraman, Writer, and Live Truck Operator for Morning and Noon broadcasts. Responsible for shooting, writing & editing, "In Their Own Words" first-person-narrative stories for daily broadcasts.
Cameraman & Live Truck Operator
WCIV TV News / Feb 1992 - Feb 1993- Charleston, South Carolina
Weekly Nightside Cameraman responsible for General Assignment, Feature & Breaking News stories for 6P & 11P newscasts.
95.1 WSSX Radio - Music Director & On Air
Talent Cumulus Media / Jan 1990 - Jan 1992 - Charleston, South Carolina
Weeknight DJ & Music Director for Top 40 Radio station. Also responsible for Music Research Department for station's current playlist.
Honors & Awards
Emmy - National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Sep 2002
Recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Outstanding Journalism Coverage of 9-11 and its aftermath for NBC News
Telly Award
Dec 2013
35th Annual Gold Telly Award Winner / Charitable Not-For-Profit - Directory of Photography with Mad Bear Productions. A Journey of Hope and Healing: A Hillside Story
Telly Award
Sep 2013
35th Annual Gold Telly Award Winner / Infomercial - Directory of Photography with Mad Bear Productions. Haneke Design
Telly Award
May 2021
42nd Annual Silver Telly Award Winner / On-Line Commercial Campaign - Director of Photography, Editor & Producer with ID8 and Innov8 - "Innovating for Business as Unusual”
