Nature films were my first connection to storytelling on screen—they’re some of my earliest memories of watching TV. Years later, I saw Baraka, and it completely expanded my sense of what was possible. It took me a while to find cinematography, but Life Cycles was my first opportunity to dive in, and I haven’t stopped chasing real stories since.
Documentary Clients : Netflix, Apple, BBC, Disney, Sony, IMG, CBC, Plimsoll Productions, River Road Films, Wild Spaces, Red Bull, National Geographic
CO-CREATOR / Feature Doc (in production) - A film about Dag Abbye a very interesting human, pushing boundaries since 1941.
A selection of work from blue-chip natural history productions, including Planet Earth II & III, Incredible Animal Journeys, Hostile Planet, Wild Canadian Year, Wild Canadian Weather, Night on Earth, Tiny World, and Super/Natural.
Filmed across land, air, and underwater environments, the work spans intimate natural behavior and large-scale wildlife storytelling in some of the world’s most challenging conditions. Derek is an Emmy Award–winning cinematographer (Planet Earth II).
CREATOR / IN MY NATURE / short
This short film is a rhythmic portrait of artist Lars Baggenstos. It offers a glimpse into the artist’s mind and creative process while reflecting Derek’s own approach to work, resulting in a meditative and authentic experience.
CO-CREATOR / LIFE CYCLES / feature length
Life Cycles is a film that follows the life of the mountain bike, blending immersive cinematography with storytelling. Derek translates motion, emotion, and human experience into a vivid, cinematic portrait. They set out to make something worth watching, and audiences around the world responded—the film has a perspective that continues to resonate. A cult classic, it pushed the boundaries of what was possible from 2008 to 2010, representing one of the first generations of high-quality digital workflow, and helped launch Derek’s career in motion, opening doors for future creative opportunities.
CREATOR / BULLSEYE / short
Derek has spent extensive time embedded in Grasslands National Park in Canada for a variety of projects. This short film captures the simple power of bison, conveying a strong sense of place and presence
DP / THE FLOOD / short
Elevating a simple story with an engaging perspective, this charming short is a collaboration with a talented small team and director Scotty Carlson. It offers a fun and creative approach to telling a non-human story.
CREATOR / CHAOS THEORY / short
An experimental short that explores visual meditation and chaos theory, this film weaves together a collection of stories that share a subtle, unifying thread.
CO-CREATOR / HORSEPOWER / short
This personal work, created in collaboration with Greg Huszar, is a short visual story from a trip to the Canadian prairies. The open range and cowboys carry a romance that has captivated imaginations around the world. After spending time in this world, Derek can see why.
CO-CREATOR / GRASSLANDS / short
On his first visit to this gem of a national park, Derek experienced unexpected beauty and opportunity at every turn. There’s no better light on the earth—different, but not better.