Based out of Los Angeles, California, award winning unit and portrait photographer Darren Michaels has created the scene coverage, BTS, and marketing photography for over 70 major motion picture feature films and 60 television series. Having photographed a ''who's who'' of Hollywood's A-list, his iconic images from the insider perspective have been published around the world in every medium.


Raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Darren graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Photography from the Roy Park School of Communications at Ithaca College. He then became a sought after Photographer's Assistant in New York City culminating in an assignment as 1st Assistant on Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, but soon after made it out to the West Coast where he resettled in Hollywood and established his own shop.


Darren says he enjoys the collaborative process and has previously worked closely with auteur directors Quentin Tarantino (Jackie Brown); Danny Boyle (A Life Less Ordinary); Adrian Lynne (Lolita); three films for Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, Simone, Lord of War); four films with Kevin Smith (Dogma, Clerks II, Zack & Miri, Yoga Hosers); as well as the Charlie's Angels and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle films for McG, and Mr. Church for Bruce Beresford. A repeat favorite of those who know his work, Darren has photographed five films with actress Cameron Diaz including her first, The Mask; five films with Ben Affleck; and eight films with Drew Barrymore including 50 First Dates and her directorial debut, Whip It.


In addition to feature narrative and single-camera productions, Darren is equally effective in episodic dramas (52 episodes of Major Crimes) and multi-camera comedies (50 episodes of 2 Broke Girls, 52 episodes of Childrens Hospital), and has worked extensively on projects for the 'King of Sit-coms', television producer Chuck Lorre (40 episodes of Mom and numerous episodes of Two and a Half Men, Mike and Molly, The Big Bang Theory, Disjointed, The Kominsky Method and Young Sheldon). Recently, Darren completed two new seasons of the relaunch of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (NETFLIX), the first season of Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy (SONY/Crackle) and the new series Medical Police (NETFLIX).


Darren is a long standing member of The Society of Motion Picture Still Photographers (SMPSP) as well as the IATSE Local 600 Cinematographers Guild, and accepts assignments worldwide for unit still photography, advertising, editorial, publicity, and private portrait commissions. He says he is "often busy, but never too busy to work." On days he's not shooting or writing bios in the 3rd person, you can probably find him out back creating some seriously mouth watering & delicious tasty smokey BBQ. Seriously. Delicious. To check Darren's availability for your next project, please contact him directly via text, email, or phone at 818-636-1300 / [email protected]

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