Ted Hesser

Background

I produce, direct and shoot documentary and commercial films, and make commissioned photographs for brands and organizations.

My first career was in clean energy. After studying physics and mathematics at Colorado College and Atmosphere & Energy at Stanford, I analyzed markets at Bloomberg New Energy Finance and helped develop and bring solar products to market in East Africa with d.light and Off Grid Electric, now Zola Electric.

I began working independently in film and photography in 2017. My assignments have taken me from mountain expeditions to factories and farms. I served as director of photography for four Meta Paris 2024 athlete stories and photographed Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell for MasterClass.

I originated Skyrunners, a forthcoming Netflix feature documentary on Everest with Plimsoll Productions, and served as executive producer and cinematographer. My work also includes films and photography for Black Diamond, adidas, The North Face and Lilac Solutions, and documentary assignments for Acumen.