Meet Our Big Picture Research Team
Our projects often take us to uniquely challenging locations. Luckily, we have an outfit with the experience to get the job done in any environment.
Our team director has over 12 years of experience filming internationally, and he spent 5 years covering the refugee crisis in Jordan and Turkey. Drew has worked in over 30 countries, from Guatemala to Argentina - and across Europe and Asia. After graduating from Georgia Southern University, he began filming while teaching English abroad in places like Prague, Manila, Auckland, and Bogota. In 2013 he co-founded Creative Cabin Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. He now lives and works in Denver, Colorado.
Matt, our equipment specialist and drone captain, graduated from the University of Georgia before traveling overseas to teach English. His technical skills with our camera equipment and experience all over the world serve us well in the field. When we have issues with interviews, logistics, or communication, Matt is our go-to problem solver. He's become a master of capturing aerial footage with our drone, and he also assists in client relations for Big Picture.
Our producer, Brooke, grew up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and graduated from Auburn University. After years in event planning and corporate travel management Brooke transitioned to a full time career in photography and has since photographed in 14 countries, worked for a myriad of nonprofit organizations, managed commercial clients such as Coca Cola and TD Ameritrade, and colleges throughout the US. Brooke currently lives in Denver where she works as a freelance commercial photographer and director of operations at Big Picture Research.
Tom lives in Victor, Idaho. He's our audio and lighting specialist, as well as our primary photographer during overseas projects. When he's not behind the camera you can catch him camping or snowboarding all over Wyoming. Tom is a great asset due to his eye for photography and professionalism on set. He's adaptable to difficult situations and plays an important role during our remote field operations.
Support Network
Complex projects require resources from around the globe, and thankfully we have contacts in 55 countries. These individuals help us plan and research, and you'll see them appear in some of our videos from time to time.
Here are a few of our most trusted:
Jonathan Smith, USA: Founder of Visual Epidemiology
Anna Tuson, Switzerland: Norwegian Refugee Council
Diana Bazadough, Jordan: Danish Refugee Council
Alan Smith, USA: Founder of Creative Cabin Studios
Humam Akbik, USA: Leader of Atlantic Humanitarian Relief
Katherine Keator, USA: Syria Mapping Project
Shawn Powers, USA
US State Department
Katie Cyphers, USA, founder of
Education Cures
Wade Watson, Sierra Leone
Sierra Agra
Places We've Worked
Our team will travel anywhere vulnerable populations exist. We can be ready to film in under two weeks. Our equipment specialists understand the challenges that field work presents - and prepare for any situation. We've also got a director and producer that have been in the business of international filming for a combined 20 years.
Here are a few of the locations our team has filmed:
Jordan: Amman, Irbid, Zaatari, Azraq, Salt, Madaba, Mafraq
Turkey: Istanbul, Gaziantep
The Philippines: Manila, Baguio, Legazpi City, Masbate
Malaysia: Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan
China: Beijing
Hong Kong
Colombia: Bogota, Barranquilla
Argentina: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bariloche
Guatemala: Antigua
Spain: Barcelona
Sierra Leone: Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Wellington, Northern Province