Bringing with him 20 years of experience in the world of motion picture production, Michael Cruickshank, director of photography, is a passionate filmmaker who loves the opportunity to explore the realm of visual storytelling with each new project.

Beginning his career in 1995, he worked as an intern at the NBC affiliate in Memphis, while studying film production in college. He immersed himself in the production community with various opportunities on feature films, commercials, music videos, and documentaries. He found his happiness though, at the heart of the set, working with the motion picture camera.

While earning his living as a camera assistant, Michael founded an independent film production company, Fine Grind Films, with some of his colleagues. He shot and co-produced small budget features, commercials, and several shorts; many of which were shown in festivals across the country.

In 2002, Michael joined the International Cinematographers Guild and relocated to Los Angeles.

He has been a key member of the camera department on a great diversity of projects, and has gained inspirational experience working with notable cinematographers Rodrigo Prieto, Steven Poster, Xavier Grobet and Michael Weaver; and motion picture directors Alejandro González Iñárritu, Wim Wenders, Forest Whitaker, and Barbara Kopple.

During this time Michael has continued honing his own cinematography techniques while shooting commercials, documentaries, and web content for Memphis-based 1049 Productions (now VIA Productions). Some of his clients include: Capital One Bank, The Make–A–Wish Foundation, Hampton by Hilton, Medtronic, and HBO Documentary Films.

He earned an Addy Award for cinematography for his spot featuring golfer David Toms, from a campaign for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Michael is now focused on growing his career as a director of photography. He loves the process of working with the other members of his team, both creative and technical, and is determined to bring the utmost level of quality and creativity to every project he shoots.