Areas of Expertise

Cinematographer
Motion // Stills

I’m Quinn Taplin, a cinematographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. For over fourteen years I’ve worked across narrative, documentary, and commercial projects in more than thirty countries. Travel has been one of my greatest teachers, shaping how I see people, culture, and the environments that hold their stories.

I began as a stills flash photographer and later as a first assistant camera, where I learned the discipline and technical craft of being a camera technician. That foundation of precision and problem-solving still informs my work today. Stepping into camera operating and eventually directing photography felt like a natural progression, combining technical expertise with an instinct for storytelling.

My style blends craft with vision. I’m drawn to purposeful movement, textured light, and bold color that deepens emotion. Much of that comes from life outside of work - climbing, surfing, traveling, and meditation. Each has taught me to slow down, pay attention, and find rhythm in both stillness and motion.

Collaboration is the driving heart of what i do. I thrive on working with directors and crews to shape a visual language that feels authentic to the story. No matter the setting, I approach the work with precision and intent, always aiming to create images that carry weight and stay with people.

Off set, I stay active climbing, surfing, traveling, and practicing meditation. Those pursuits keep me focused and aware, qualities that fuel my perspective that im able to bring back to my work. Cinematographty for me is another form of exploration, a way of paying attention, and a way of connecting us through images that feel alive