What does it take to go from shooting photographs in the Royal Air Force to working as a Director of Photography (DOP) on international productions? For James Stier, it’s been a journey defined by curiosity, resilience, and a passion for visual storytelling.
In episode #20 of the Coolbox Podcast, James sits down with the team to talk about his career path, the highs and lows of the filmmaking industry, and why he still feels lucky every time he picks up a camera.
Finding Direction Through a Lens
James’s first encounter with photography came with an old Zenith SLR. Looking through the viewfinder gave him a sense of control and clarity he hadn’t felt before:
“When I put it up to my eye, the world just seemed to make a bit more sense through it.”
What began as shooting silly films with friends on a bulky Sharp Handycam eventually turned into something more serious. Though James struggled academically in school, a media course at Barnsley College and three inspiring tutors helped him find purpose and a career path he hadn’t considered possible.
A Career of Contrasts
From high-budget supercar shoots in Bahrain with Aston Martin prototypes to corporate jobs just 30 minutes from home in West Yorkshire, James has seen every end of the filmmaking spectrum.
Despite the contrast, his approach never changes:
“Whether it’s a $98 million set or a local corporate job, I approach it the same way. I want to give my best for the people I’m working with.”
That mindset has kept him grounded and motivated, even as projects blur together or range from glamorous to seemingly mundane.
Lessons from the RAF
Before fully committing to cinematography, James served as a photographer in the Royal Air Force Reserves, specialising in helicopter operations. He describes hanging out of helicopters with a camera in hand as both challenging and transformative.
His time in the RAF instilled discipline, professionalism, and the ability to thrive under pressure, skills that translate directly into life on set.
Mistakes, Mishaps, and Problem-Solving
Like any filmmaker, James has had his share of “uh-oh” moments:
- Forgetting the camera in Istanbul: On a high-profile shoot at the Hagia Sophia, the team realised they’d left the main camera behind. A stressful espresso break later, the gear thankfully arrived unscathed.
- Lost interviews in Austria: An eager but inexperienced sound assistant accidentally formatted an audio card, erasing three key interviews. The solution? James flew back and re-recorded dialogue in ADR, piecing the project back together.
His takeaway? Mistakes happen, but leadership means finding solutions, staying calm, and keeping the team moving forward.
Serving the Story as a DOP
Over time, James discovered his strength wasn’t in producing or directing but in creating images that serve the story.
“As a DP, your job is to look after the image and support the director, but not get in the way. Everyone else has their priorities, you’re the one who cares most about the image.”
This shift in focus brought not only career clarity but also more joy in the craft.
Passing It On
One of James’s strongest convictions is the importance of mentorship and media education. He credits his own teachers with changing his life trajectory and believes the industry has a responsibility to pass that opportunity forward:
“The role that gets cut the most on a camera team is the trainee. But I think it’s the most important role to include. It gives someone a purpose and a chance they might not have had otherwise.”
Final Thoughts
From teenage experiments with video cameras to adrenaline-fueled RAF missions, and now to professional sets worldwide, James Stier’s journey demonstrates that filmmaking is as much about perseverance and mindset as it is about technical skill.
Whether it’s chasing light in California, shooting corporate work in Yorkshire, or problem-solving on a documentary in Austria, James embodies what it means to stay passionate, adaptable, and humble in a competitive industry.