Biography

Kaia Yamamoto is a Los Angeles– and San Diego–based cinematographer and camera technician with experience across narrative, commercial, documentary, and live event productions. He holds a B.S. in Film Production with an emphasis in Cinematography from San Diego State University.

Kaia has worked in a range of camera department roles, including Director of Photography, 2nd Assistant Camera, Camera Utility, and Jib Operator. His credits include IMAX-format documentaries with MacGillivray Freeman Films, national broadcast segments for PBS SoCal, and multi-camera coverage for live concerts and consecutive Regional Emmy Awards.

He also served as a Camera Equipment Specialist at SDSU’s Student Equipment Center, where he managed, maintained, and prepped camera and lighting gear for hundreds of student and faculty productions.

Kaia is based in Los Angeles and San Diego and is available for union and non-union productions throughout Southern California.

Production Credits

Director of Photography:

Underbelly – Narrative (2025)
Dir. Noah Wallace-LaGue | Prod. Anneka Keller | Bolex H16 Rex 5, Zeiss Standard Prime | Mole Richardson & LED light fixtures

Nanay or Mommy – Documentary (2024)
Dir. Jesa Miclat | Prod. Duy Do | Blackmagic PYXIS, Angenioux EZ Zooms

A Lavender Heartbeat – Narrative (2025)
Dir. Sergio Preciado | Prod. Nick Kusior | Blackmagic PYXIS, Nikkor Primes

Strangers in the Night – Narrative (2025)
Dir. Franco Carrizo | Prod. Tyler Baker | Arri Amira, Angenioux EZ Zoom | Arri & Aputure light fixtures

The Starlett – Narrative (2024)
Dir. Matt Benedetti | Prod. Griffin Edwards | Blackmagic Pocket 6K, Rokinon Primes | Mole Richardson light fixtures

Chord of David – Narrative (2024)
Dir. Nick Kusior | Prod. Evan Orlow | Canon C300, Canon AF Zooms | LED, Mole, & Stage lighting

Writer's Block – Short Film (2024)

Dir. Zoe Yarling | Prod. Giovanni Autiero | Blackmagic Ursa Mini, DZO Pictor Zoom

Orolan – Music Video (2024)
Dir. Aidan Hayek | Prod. Kaia Yamamoto | CP-16 Broadcast Camera, Angenioux Zooms

Veto: Strawberry – Music Video (2025)
Dir. Jesa Miclat | Prod. Veto | Blackmagic PYXIS, DZO Vespid Prime

Only Me – Short Film (2025)
Dir. Andrew Reyna | Prod. Liam Terlecki | Blackmagic PYXIS, DZO Alres Prime

1st Assistant Camera:

Ohio: National Parks IMAX – Feature (2024)
Dir. Shaun MacGillivray | Prod. Greg MacGillivray | Dop. Zach Peterson | Red V-Raptor, DJI Ronin 4D, DJI Inspire 3, Zeiss Super Speeds

Fage Discoveries: PBS SoCal – Television Special (2025)
Dir. Shaun MacGillivray | Prod. Greg MacGillivray | Dop. Zach Peterson | Red V-Raptor, Zeiss Compact Zooms

The Perfect Date – Short Film (2025)
Dir. Giovanni Autiero | Prod. Loriann Lorico | Dop. Zach Peterson | Arri Amira, Dulens Prime

Hey, I Found Your Dog – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Ruthann Kvamme | Prod. JJ Eccles | Dop. Jonah Richards | Canon C300, Canon EF Zooms

Sins of the Father – Short Film (2025)
Dir. Jack Gulden | Prod. Anneka Keller | Dop. Max Gulden | Arri Amira, DZO Pictor Zooms

Oml – Music Video (2025)
Dir. Jordan Eichhorn | Prod. Jason Bjorklund | Dop. Jason Bjorkland | Sony FX6, Sony G Master, Nucleus-M

Sean Thompson Profile – Television Special (2025)
Dir. Shaun MacGillivray | Prod. Greg MacGillivray | Dop. Zach Peterson | Red V-Raptor 8K, Zeiss Compact Prime

2nd AC:

Golo For Life – Testimonials – Commercial (2025)
Dir. Paulina Lagudi Ulrich | Dop. Cooper Ulrich | Sony Venice, Hawk Blackwing Primes

Golo For Life – Foods – Commercial (2024)
Dir. Paulina Lagudi Ulrich | Dop. Cooper Ulrich | Sony Venice, Tokina Primes

ACEs Live Beyond – Commercial (2024)
Dir. Paulina Lagudi Ulrich | Dop. Cooper Ulrich | Sony Venice, Angenioux EZ Zoom

Never A Bother – Caregivers – Commercial (2024)
Dir. Paulina Lagudi Ulrich | Dop. Cooper Ulrich | Sony Venice, Tokina Primes

A Solid 9 Months – Documentary (2024)
Dir. Paulina Lagudi Ulrich | Dop. Cooper Ulrich | Sony Venice

Neighbours – Short Film (2025)
Dir. Aidan Hayek | Prod. Sony FS7, Rokinon Primes

Pareidolia – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Lizzette Flores | Dop. Nate Elegino | Red Dragon, DZO Pictor Zooms

Asher Baby – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Paulina Lagudi Ulrich | Sony Venice, Hawk Blackwing Primes

Camera Operator / Jib Operator:

2024 NATAS Emmy Live Broadcast – Television Broadcast (2024)

Dir. Donn Johnson | 15ft jib crane arm, Sony FS7

2025 NATAS Emmy Live Broadcast – Television Broadcast (2025)

Dir. Donn Johnson | 15ft jib crane arm, Sony FS7

Jason Miraz: Kaleidoscope Live – Live Broadcast (2024)
Dir. Jose DeMatos | Sony FS7, Blackmagic switcher system

Live! At the Belly Up – KPBS – Live Broadcast (2024)
Dir. Tim Powell | 13ft & 15ft jib arms, Sony FS7

Gaffer:

Dreamer – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Sean Michael Burt | Arri Alexa, Zeiss Standard Speeds | Aputure & Arri light systems

Like Mike Tyson – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Nikko Cordero | Red Komodo 6K

6 Weeks – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Caroline Lannes | Prod. Ellie Block | Blackmagic Ursa Mini

Grip:

Finding Figures – Short Film (2025)
Dir. Sam Centurion | Sony Burano, Cooke SP Mini

6 Weeks – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Caroline Lannes | Blackmagic Ursa Mini

Outlast – Short Film (2024)
Dir. Connor Nagel | Sony Fx6

Camera Production Assistant:

They Took My Father Too – Short Film (2025)
Dir. Stanley Young | Arri Alexa Mini LF, Arri Signature Primes