David Palfrey
Based in Bristol, UK, I am a multi-skilled underwater camera person with extensive experience living and filming in foreign remote locations capturing creatures both big and small. As a CCR Certified, HSE Part 4 Media Diver, I am always open to discussing underwater camera operating, underwater camera assisting safety diver roles and more around the UK and abroad. I have a passion for environmental storytelling and adventure.
David Palfrey - wildlife cinematographer
selected work
Deadly Mission Shark - BBC - Underwater Camera Operator and Shooting Researcher
• Lead planner for 3-week dive shoot consisting of 6 UK children, 4 Bahamian children and 11 professional divers across 3 boats with multiple shark species. • Underwater camera operator, safety diver and lead DIT. • Casting children, wildlife research, fact checking and edit assisting.
Spy In The Ocean - John Downer Productions - Underwater Camera operator and assistant
• Underwater camera operator, assistant, drone / ROV pilot and DIT on location. • Selecting media, assembling rough cuts and identifying behaviours • Developing and maintaining bespoke “spy” camera kits for remote filming
Esprit - Freelance Camera Technician - August 2022 - Present - ad hoc
• Underwater camera assistant and kit technician, working on shoots, sets and in-house to prep and maintain professional and bespoke UW camera systems. • Shoots include: Fast and Furious 10 (2023) and Mission Impossible 8 (2025)
skills list
Adventure Filming, Animal Behaviour, Boat Work, Camera Assistant, Canon Cameras, Camera Traps, Data Wrangling and workflow, Digital Editing (Avid, Final Cut etc), Diving Qualifications, Diving Supervision, Drone Operator, First Aid Qualifications, Gimbal Filming (Ronin etc.), Hand Held Filming, Low Light, Macro Location, Medical and Scientific, Panasonic Cameras, Periscopes, Remotely Operated Cameras, Red Cameras, Sony Cameras, Sound Recording, Sport filming, Sync and Crew Filming, Technician for camera equipment, Time Lapse, Underwater Filming
contact - David Palfrey
cell: +447737123202
