Credits » Jamie McPherson

Wolf

COMING SOON!

I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to spend so much time living with these amazing animals and documenting their lives. Can’t wait to share their story and our adventures to Ellesmere Island!

The Dinosaurs

Silverback Films in association with Industrial Light and Magic & Amblin Entertainment for Netflix (2026)

I was series VFX DoP and was responsible for the majority of the original live action cinematography across the series. I planned and shot the backplates, establishing the photographic language, lensing, camera movement, lighting, and visual continuity for the series using a wide range of photography techniques. Working closely with the directors and VFX team, I helped ensure the prehistoric action felt grounded, cinematic, and photographically coherent. My role continued throughout the VFX process, collaborating with the team to compose all VFX shots and maintain the cinematographic integrity of the final imagery.

1. Rise
2. Conquest
3. Empire
4. Fall

Narrated by Morgan Freeman

Directed by Nick Jordan, Jolyon Sutcliffe, Amber Eames and Darren Williams

Visual Effects and Animation by Industrial Light & Magic

Visual Effects Supervisors – Jonathan Privett and Steve Moncur

Showrunner – Dan Tapster

Executive Producer – Steven Spielberg

Life on Our Planet

Silverback Films in association with Industrial Light and Magic & Amblin Entertainment for Netflix (2023)

1. The Rules of Life
2. The First Frontier
3. Invaders of Land
4. In Cold Blood
5. In the Shadow of Giants
6. Out of the Ashes
7. Inheriting the Earth
8. Age of Ice and Fire

Narrated by Morgan Freeman

Visual Effects and Animation: Industrial Light & Magic

Executive Producer: Steven Spielberg

Our Planet

Silverback Films for Netflix (2019)

1. One Planet
2: Frozen Worlds
3: Shallow Seas
4: From Deserts to Grasslands
5: The High Seas

Narrated by David Attenborough

Parenthood

Silverback Films for BBC1 (2025)

I filmed the wild dogs for the grasslands episode. The pack we followed was huge, over 30 dogs, led by a bad-ass alpha female who took the pack on hunting trips to try and bring down buffalo. One of the most impressive things I’ve ever filmed.

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough
Produced by Elisabeth Oakham
Series Produced by Jeff Wilson

Our Oceans

Wildspace Productions with Freeborn Media and Higher Ground for Netflix (2024)

I filmed the wave washing sequence from the Antarctic Episode. We wanted to tell a fresh story with the killer whales, and thought the best way to do this would be to tell the story from the persoective of a crab eater seal. The junkyard dog of the seal world! The killer whales prefer to go for Weddel seals, as the crab eaters are far more fiesty and difficult to catch. With sea ice melting fast the killer whales are being forced to hunt crab eaters and the epic battle featured in the film came from one incredible encounter.

Narrated by Barack Obama
Produce by Abraham Joffe

The Hunt

Silverback Films for BBC1 (2015)

1. The Hardest Challenge
2. In the Grip of the Seasons
3. Hide and Seek
4. Hunger at Sea
5. Nowhere to Hide
6. Race Against Time
7. Living with Predators

Narrated by David Attenborough

Frozen Planet 2

BBC Studios for BBC1 (2022)

1. Frozen Worlds
2. Frozen Ocean
4. Frozen South
5. Frozen Lands

Narrated by David Attenborough
Series Producer: Liz White
Executive Producer: Mark Brownlow

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

Silverback Films for Netflix (2020)

A Life on Our Planet is a powerful first-hand account of humanity’s impact on nature and a message of hope for future generations. The film includes footage from sequences I shot for the Our Planet series including cheetah, walrus and glacier calving. The film won a Primetime Emmy for Cinematography in 2021.

Mammals

BBC Studios for BBC1 (2024)
I filmed the harp seals amongst the summer drift ice off the coast of Greenland. One of the cutest creatures on the planet!

Narated by Sir David Attenboroough
Produced by Will Lawson

Polar Bear

Silverback Films for Disneynature (2022)

I filmed the polar bear aquatic stalking sequence (and captured the second ever sequence of a successful hunt by polar bear amongst drift ice) (I shot the first one for The Hunt in 2015). I also appear in the behind the scenes film – Bear Witness.

Polar Bear won a Panda award at the Wildscreen Festival 2022.

Directed by Jeff Wilson & Alastair Fothergill
Edited by Andy Netley

Disneynature Tiger

Wildstar Productions for Disneynature (2024)

Bears

Silverback Films for Disneynature (2014)

I filmed the opening shots of the mother and cubs emerging from their den and the avalanche sequence.

Directed by Adam Chapman, Keith Scholey & Alastair Fothergill

Penguins

Silverback Films for Disneynature (2019)

I filmed the topside elements of the leopard seal predation sequence. Doug Anderson filmed the underwater. I also filmed the scenes tracking alongside porpoising penguins which were used throughout the film.

Directed by Jeff Wilson & Alastair Fothergill

Breaking Boundaries

Silverback Films for Netflix (2021)

David Attenborough and scientist Johan Rockström examine Earth’s biodiversity collapse and how this crisis can still be averted. Some of my sequences from Our Planet were used in the film.

Arctic 3D – Our Frozen Planet

BBC Studios for Giant Screen Theatrical Release 2023.

I filmed the hooded seals, harp seals and also the wolves hunting bison. Arctic 3D won best film, score, best sound and best cinematography at the Giant Screen Cinema Awards.

Directed by Rachel Scott.

Wild Isles

Silverback Films for BBC1 (2023)

I filmed the konik horses for the grasslands episode. These increible horses are an ancient native European breed and though living in a relatively small area in Norfolk, spending time with them feels like your in the wild west!

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough
Produced by Nick Gates

Natural World: The Smoke that Thunders

Halcyon Media for BBC (2009)

This film is about the wildlife and people whose lives are connected to Victoria Falls. The story is told by Mr White. He was a greatly respected fisherman who had fished below the falls for nearly 70 years. He sadly passed away in 2008. He was a great man. I filmed and Produced the film with Charlie Hamilton-James. It was nominated for an EMMY and won a Royal Television Society Award for cinematography.

Edited by Nigel Buck

Night on Earth

Plimsoll Productions for Netflix (2020)

1. Moonlit Plains

I filmed cheetah hunting by full moon with a low light camera in a Shotover F1. I also filmed lions hunting at night using a thermal imaging camera inside a Shotover F1.

Produced by Peter Fison

Our Planet Behind The Scenes

Silverback Films for Netflix (2019)

I appear in this long form version of the Our Planet behind the scenes filming the walrus and glacier calving sequences.

Bear Witness

Silverback Films for Disneynature (2022)

I appear in this behind the scenes film using a GSS rigged in a boat to film polar bears hunting among the summer drift ice.

Directed by Jeff Wilson & Alastair Fothergill

Night on Earth: Shot in the Dark

Plimsoll Productions for Netflix (2020)

I appear in this behind the scenes film using low light and thermal cameras to film cheetahs and lions.

Life Story

BBC NHU for BBC1 & Discovery (2014)

1. First Steps
3. Home
6. Parenthood

I filmed the lions, humpback ‘heat run’ sequences for episode 1. I also filmed the Wild Dog sequence for episode 3, using both long lens on the ground and cineflex from a helicopter. This was the first time a successful hunt had been filmed for a BBC landmark series. I also filmed mountain goat aerials and appear in the making of for this episode. For episode 6, I film the wolves hunting bison and also the zebra and wildebeest crossing the Mara River sequences. Episode 1 was nominated for both BAFTA and Panda awards for cinematography.

Narrated by David Attenborough

Animal

Plimsoll Productions for Netflix (2021)

1. Big Cats

The lion and cheetah sequences I shot for Night on Earth feature in the Big Cats episode of the series.

Produced by Bill Markham

Incredible Predators

Silverback Films for BBC Earth Giant Screen Theatrical Release (2016)

Incredible Predators is a giant screen version of the BBC tv series The Hunt for which I filmed the leopard, polar bear, cheetah, flying fish and blue whale sequences.

Directed by Alastair Fothergill

Dolphin Reef

Silverback Films for Disneynature (2018)

I filmed the mud ringing dolphin scene from a boat and helicopter. I also filmed the surfing dolphins with Roger Horrocks.

Directed by Keith Scholey
Narrated by Natalie Portman

One Life

BBC Earth theatrical release (2011)

I filmed the sequence about the young ibex evading predation by a red fox using the sheer cliffs to its advantage in Israel. The film won an EMMY for cinematography.

Directed by Mike Gunton & Martha Holmes
add – Narrated by Daniel Craig

Natural World: Wye Voices from the Valley

Halcyon Media for BBC (2007)

This is the story of life in a Welsh valley told by a ghillie, a sheep farmer, a bee-keeper and a cider farmer. It was the first Natural World film to be nominated for a BAFTA for cinematography. It was also awarded the Royal Television Society Craft Award for cinematography and the Award for Excellence by The Guild of Television Cameraman. It was also a finalist for best cinematography at Wildscreen Festival.

Edited by Nigel Buck

Natural World: My Halcyon River

BBC NHU for BBC (2003)

An intimate tale of life on a small English river, told by Charlie Hamilton-James, who lived by the river when he was a boy. The film follows the lives of otters and kingfishers throughout a year. It was the first film Charlie, Philippa and I made together. We formed Halcyon Media the following year. My Halcyon River was awarded best cinematography at Wildscreen Festival and the Living Europe Wildlife Film Festival. It was also nominated for best cinematography at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and the Royal Television Society Craft Awards.

Edited by Nigel Buck

Natural World: Sea Otters – A Million Dollar Baby

BBC NHU for BBC/Animal Planet (2010)

This is the story of a female Californian sea otter, who abandoned life in the open ocean to raise her pup in a harbour in Monterey. The film tells her story as she teaches her pup how to adapt to life in the busy marina. Most of the film was shot on a Cineflex as this was the only way to follow the female and her pup out on the water. I shot and directed the film together with Emma Napper.

Edited by Nigel Buck

Natural World: Giant Otters – Raising Sancho

BBC NHU for BBC/Animal Planet (2008)

This is the story of an orphaned giant otter cub named Sancho. He is rescued and raised by Brazilian naturalist Carolina Vargas. I filmed the wild otter sequences, Sancho and several of the sync pieces with Carolina.

Natural World: On the Trail of Tarka

Halcyon Media for BBC (2006)

Based on Henry Williamson’s ‘Tarka the Otter’, the film follows the fortunes of a young otter living on the river Torridge in North Devon eighty years after the book was written. I filmed and Assistant Produced the film together with Charlie Hamilton-James.

Edited by Nigel Buck

Natural World: Naabi – A Hyena Princess

Halcyon Media for BBC/Animal Planet (2008)

This is the story of a young spotted hyena growing up on the plains of the Serengeti. When her mother is killed by lions she must learn to look after herself. I co-Produced and filmed this film with Charlie Hamilton-James.

Edited by Nick Carline

Natural World: The Wild Wood

BBC NHU for BBC/Animal Planet (2005)

The tale of life in a small English woodland. Charlie and I were always trying to innovate new filming techniques and for the Wild Wood I built a time-slice rig to film song thrushes using stone anvils to smash snails. The film was awarded the Royal Television Society Award for best cinematography.

Edited by Andy Netley

Life

BBC NHU for BBC1/Discovery (2010)

1. The Challenges of Life
2. Mammals
7. Hunters and Hunted

I filmed sequences of ibex for episode 7. The sequence shows how the ibex live on steep cliffs to avoid predators. I filmed young ibex finding their feet on the sheer rocks and using their agility to avoid predation by foxes. The sequence was moved to episode 1 for the Discovery version which was shown in America. I also filmed a hyena sequence for episode 3. It won a Primetime EMMY for outstanding cinematography. My ibex sequence was also used in the feature version – One Life.

Human Planet

BBC NHU for BBC1/Discovery (2011)

I filmed the sequence of fishermen at the top of Victoria Falls. The series won an EMMY in 2012.

Frozen Planet

BBC NHU for BBC1 & Discovery (2011)

2. Spring
6. The Last Frontier

I filmed the sequence on killer whales hunting the ice edge and Adélie penguins in the Antarctic for episode 2. I also filmed the sequence on the Sirius Patrol and the Northern Lights in Greenland for episode 6. Some of my killer whale shots were also used in the BBC1 2011 highlights promo and the BBC1 Wonderful World promo. I also appeared in an episode of Harry Hill’s TV Burp!

Series Producer: Vanessa Berlowitz
Executive Producer: Alastair Fothergill

Planet Earth

BBC NHU for BBC1/Discovery (2006)

I filmed the sequence on fruiting fig trees and squirrel monkeys in the Amazon.

Produced by Huw Cordey

Africa

BBC NHU for BBC1/Discovery (2013)

I filmed the sequence on forest elephants in Dzanga Bai. I used daylight, starlight, remotes and cable dollies to capture life in the Bai including a big fight between two bull elephants. The episode was nominated for a BAFTA for cinematography.

Edited by Nigel Buck

Enchanted Kingdom 3D

BBC Earth theatrical release (2014)

I worked on the mountain gorilla and crocodile sequences with Mark Deeble and was DoP on the Victoria Falls and Zambezi sequences. The film won an award for best cinematography at the IWFF.

Narrated by Idris Elba

Directed by Patrick Morris & Neil Nightingale
Edited by Nigel Buck

African Safari 3D

nWave theatrical release (2014)

I filmed the timelapse sequence of lunar rainbows at Victoria Falls.

Directed by Ben Stassen

North America

Wild Horizons for Discovery (2013)

1. Learn Young or Die
2. No Place to Hide

I filmed black bears in Labrador and wolves hunting caribou for episode 1. I filmed wolves hunting bison and bison stampeding for episode 2. I also filmed spinner dolphins, free-tail bats, the hay river frozen waterfall thaw and scenics in Costa Rica.

Wild Canada

Brain Leith Productions for CBC & Eden (2014)

I filmed sequences on wolves hunting bison from the air, burrowing owls and pronghorn.

The Life of Mammals

BBC NHU for BBC1/Discovery (2002)

2. Plant Predators
6. Opportunists

I shot the sequence on urban racoons for episode 6: I also worked on the Kitum Cave elephant sequence for episode 2.

Series Producer Mike Salisbury
Produced by Vanessa Berlowitz & Huw Cordey

Ice Age Giants with Dr Alice Roberts

BBC NHU for BBC/Discovery (2013)

I filmed Dr Alice on the Greenland Ice Sheet as well as scenic sequences.

Produced by Mark Flowers

Planet Earth Live

BBC NHU for BBC/Nat Geo Wild (2013)

I filmed sea otters in Monterey harbour and the sequence of killer whales hunting grey whale calves also in Monterey Bay.

Snow Wolf Family and Me

BBC NHU for BBC (2015)

I filmed scenics and aerials of Gordon looking rugged yet sensitive on Ellesmere Island for both episodes.

The Dark

BBC NHU for BBC/Discovery (2013)

I filmed scenics and contributors in the coastal forests of Costa Rica.

Autumnwatch

BBC NHU for BBC (2006-2011)

I filmed several sequences for Autumnwatch over the years, including: red deer, raven, wild boar, salmon spawning and both rural and urban otters.

Springwatch

BBC NHU for BBC (2007-2009)

I filmed several sequences for Springwatch over the years, including: otters, wild cats, merlin, hen harriers, pine martens and much more.

Planet Earth 2

BBC NHU for BBC1 (2016)

Saving Grace/An Otter in the Family

Halcyon Media for Animal Planet/BBC 2 (2007)

The Nature of Britain

BBC NHU for BBC2 (2007)

I filmed urban otters, kittiwakes, red-kites, grey seals and nocturnal robins in Newcastle. I also filmed time-lapses in London and Newcastle.

Halcyon River Diaries

Pilot Episode

Halcyon Media for BBC1 (2010)

Great Rift: Africa’s Wild Heart

BBC NHU for BBC1/Animal Planet (2009)

I filmed a sequence on Victoria Falls.

Simon King’s Shetland Diaries

BBC Scotland for BBC2 (2010)

I filmed otters, puffins and sea bird colonies in Shetland.

The One Show

BBC NHU for BBC1

How to Watch Wildlife with Bill Oddie

BBC NHU for BBC2 (2003-2005)

Series 2
Series 3

British Isles – A Natural History

BBC NHU for BBC2 (2004)

Canon 250D Advert

Coast Productions

Featuring Jonathan and Angie Scott in the Masai Mara

A Wild Cornish Summer

BBC NHU for BBC2

Elephant Cave – Natural World

BBC NHU for BBC2 (2004)

I worked on the sequence of the elephants visiting Kitum Cave at night.

Britain Goes Wild

BBC NHU for BBC2 (2004)

For the second incarnation of what would become Springwatch, I recce’d all locations and found the Devon Farm which became the main Springwatch OB for many years. I built and rigged all the remotes on the main site.

Wild in Your Garden

BBC NHU for BBC2 (2003)

The origin of Springwatch, this series picked up where ’Bird in the Nest’ left off in the ’90s. I designed and built all the filming nest boxes and rigged all the remote cameras. The series was nominated for an RTS award for best multi-camera cinematography in 2003.

Bears on the Black Run – Wildlife on One

BBC NHU for BBC1 (2003)

I filmed a sequence of a wild female black bear and cubs waking up and emerging from hibernation. This was the first footage inside a wild black bear den using mini-cams and thermal imaging. I was also bitten on the arse by a bear during the shoot. Sadly I don’t have a scar.

Toolmakers of Bossou – Wildlife on One Chimpanzee Special

BBC NHU for BBC1 2001)

I filmed chimpanzee tool use in Guinea, West Africa.

A Wolf Called Storm – Natural World

River Road Films for BBC2/CBC (2012)

This is the story of a wolf pack in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada. Jeff Turner filmed here 25 years ago and for this film we returned, only this time I had a cineflex mounted on a helicopter to track the pack throughout the year. Most of the film is shot from the cineflex and I captured a great range of wolf behaviour from the air which had never been achieved before. From young pups around the den, to yearlings playing and learning to hunt ducks to the pack bringing down bison in all seasons.

Britain’s Cleverest Animals

BBC NHU BBC2

I filmed tool-use in Ravens.