Carmaine Means
Chicago
Summary
Award-winning Director of Photography and executive production leader with a robust background in documentary storytelling across premium nonfiction, national network news, and corporate storytelling. Delivered impactful visual narratives through a unique blend of technical production expertise, editorial judgment, and crew leadership while maintaining the emotional sensitivity necessary for intimate interviews. Led comprehensive productions from creative development to post-production, ensuring seamless execution and collaboration across all phases.
Overview
1
1
Certification
4
4
years of post-secondary education
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Steadicam | Jib Operator
NewsNation
Chicago
01.2026 - Current
- Operated Steadicam in live studio productions, enhancing visual storytelling through dynamic footage., jib, robotic, and specialty-camera systems for live studio and network productions.
- Collaborate with directors, producers, technical teams, and on-air talent to execute dynamic visual sequences with precise timing and composition.
- Translated show direction into polished camera movement, elevating pacing, energy, and audience engagement.
- Maintained composure and technical consistency during breaking news and live programming, ensuring seamless production in rapidly changing conditions.
Owner | Executive Producer | DP| Drone Pilot
DGP Creative
Chicago
11.2025 - Current
- Lead a creative production company specializing in documentary, corporate, branded, drone, and mission-driven visual storytelling.
- Guided projects from client discovery and creative development through production, cinematography, crew coordination, and post-production, ensuring alignment with client vision.
- Manage client relationships, production logistics, technical planning, equipment strategy, budgets, and final content delivery.
- Translate organizational missions into emotionally engaging visual narratives that strengthen reputation, audience connection, and brand clarity.
- Designed and delivered drone education, aviation safety, and visual storytelling programs for youth and community organizations, fostering engagement and enhancing skills.
- Managed client relationships, production logistics, technical planning, equipment strategy, budgets, and final content delivery, streamlining processes to meet project timelines.
Director of Photography | Cinematographer | Drone
Warner Bros. Media-CNN
Chicago
06.2020 - 04.2025
- Directed photography and cinematography for CNN documentaries, special projects, investigative productions, branded content, and national network coverage.
- Established visual approaches for complex stories, including lighting, lens selection, camera movement, composition, and interview environments.
- Worked closely with executive producers, correspondents, editors, and production leaders to align visual execution with editorial intent.
- Created discreet, emotionally safe environments for sensitive interviews with public figures, families, and individuals sharing personal experiences, enhancing storytelling impact.
- Led camera crews and mentored photographers while coordinating equipment and resolving technical challenges to meet demanding production deadlines.
- Supported multi-camera, live, field, drone, and specialty-camera production across rapidly changing environments.
- Maintained visual continuity from acquisition to post-production through collaboration with editors, producers, and color teams, ensuring cohesive storytelling.
National Network Photographer
CBS News
Los Angeles
04.2018 - 06.2020
- Photographed national news, special reports, executive interviews, breaking news, and feature content for network broadcasts.
- Traveled for national coverage while maintaining network standards for accuracy, discretion, safety, and visual quality.
- Managed field acquisition, lighting, audio coordination, transmission, media handling, and post-production to ensure seamless broadcast delivery.
- Troubleshot technical and creative challenges during high-stakes assignments, ensuring quality output under unpredictable field conditions.
- Traveled for national coverage, upholding network standards for accuracy, discretion, safety, and visual quality in diverse environments.
News Photographer | Lead Drone Pilot
CBS News and Stations
Chicago
09.2010 - 04.2018
- Captured and edited compelling visuals for daily news, investigative stories, special projects, and live broadcasts across multiple platforms, enhancing audience engagement.
- Photographed and edited daily news, investigative stories, special projects, and live broadcasts across multiple platforms.
- Operated satellite and microwave transmission systems, ensuring reliable remote and live broadcasting capabilities.
- Maintained strong journalistic, technical, and safety standards across breaking news and long-form assignments.
- Upheld rigorous journalistic, technical, and safety standards during breaking news and long-form assignments, contributing to high-quality reporting.
Photographer | Creative Services Camera
ABC News
Chicago
06.2005 - 11.2014
- Supported network news, live broadcasts, special reports, and production assignments to ensure timely and accurate news delivery.
- Worked with producers, correspondents, and production teams to execute visual coverage under tight deadlines.
- Operated field camera, lighting, audio, satellite, and microwave systems to capture high-quality visual content.
- Collaborated with producers, correspondents, and production teams to execute visual coverage efficiently under tight deadlines.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Film and Television
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL 01.1998 - 05.2002
Skills
- Camera Operation
- Cinematography
- Drone Cinematography
- Video Production
- Live Event Filming
- Field Production
- Production Coordination
- Production Planning
- Crew Coordination
- Equipment Setup
- Equipment Management
- Visual Composition
- Visual Storytelling
- Documentary filmmaking
- News Photography
- Interview Setup
- On-Camera Coordination
- Content Review
- Client Management
- Project Management
Certification
Remote Pilot Certification, Federal Aviation Administration, 08/01/16
Honors And Awards
- Webby Award, International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, 05/01/24, Celebrates outstanding online video, including branded entertainment and documentaries.
- Emmy Awards, CNN, 2023, Camera Operator/Drone Pilot, '4th of July Special'
- Emmy Awards, CNN, 2023, Cinematographer, The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: 'Deadly Adventure: A Trip to The Titanic'
- Emmy Awards, Multiple Midwest Regional Emmy Awards, 2005 - 2017
Timeline
Steadicam | Jib Operator
NewsNation
01.2026 - Current
Owner | Executive Producer | DP| Drone Pilot
DGP Creative
11.2025 - Current
Director of Photography | Cinematographer | Drone
Warner Bros. Media-CNN
06.2020 - 04.2025
National Network Photographer
CBS News
04.2018 - 06.2020
News Photographer | Lead Drone Pilot
CBS News and Stations
09.2010 - 04.2018
Photographer | Creative Services Camera
ABC News
06.2005 - 11.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Film and Television
Columbia College Chicago
01.1998 - 05.2002