About & Contact

Justin Knodel is a narrative feature cinematographer, specializing in visually driven storytelling for feature films and prestige television.

His work is rooted in character, crafting images that serve performance, atmosphere, and emotional tension rather than spectacle alone. Whether photographing intimate drama, psychological thrillers, or large-scale international productions, Justin approaches each project with a disciplined cinematic language shaped by tone, rhythm, and narrative intention.

He served as Director of Photography on the international feature Al Ittihad, leading a 100+ crew across a 25-day schedule, and has lensed multiple narrative features currently streaming on Amazon Prime. His television work includes Prisoner of Earth and the award-winning series The Rich Kid Rules.

Working across U.S. and MENA markets, Justin brings experience navigating international co-productions, diverse crews, and complex production environments. He is comfortable operating at scale while maintaining a collaborative, director-focused process that prioritizes clarity, efficiency, and visual cohesion.

His visual style favors grounded realism with controlled atmosphere, with expressive use of shadow, motivated light, and camera movement that supports performance rather than overwhelms it. Each project begins with tone conversations, visual research, and a clear understanding of the story’s emotional architecture.