Meet Tyler Henderson | Director of Photography and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Henderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve been drawn to photography since I was a kid. I actually have photos of myself taking photos when I was maybe 7 years old. I’ve always seen the world in frames. Even now, if I’m talking to someone and there’s a pole behind their head, I instinctively shift over so it’s not sticking out. I know it sounds a little neurotic, but it’s just how my brain works. I’ve always been obsessed with layers, composition, and how things feel in a frame.

Growing up, my favorite show was Mega Movie Magic. It showed how movies were made behind the scenes, and it blew my mind. I remember saying, “I want to do that.” I had no idea how, but I knew I wanted in. When I was 13, we took a family trip to LA and I told everyone, “I’m going to college and then I’m moving here.” They laughed. But sure enough, after graduating from Virginia Tech, I sent out thousands of emails. I had zero connections, but I got two replies. One turned into a free internship at Lionsgate. On my off days, I would PA on TV sets. I didn’t even know what a Director of Photography was at the time, but once I saw how lighting and camera could shape a story, I knew I’d found my path.

I still love photography, but cinematography is where I live now. The collaboration of filmmaking is what keeps me going. Watching every crew member bring their skill and energy to the table is inspiring. Ideas come from everywhere, and that collective creativity is what fuels me. I’m always learning, always growing, and that’s what makes this career endlessly exciting.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Little did I know that cinematography would become my career; I can now see that framing images has always been my deepest passion.

I was clueless as to what a cinematographer was or that it would be the path I wanted to pursue until I moved to Los Angeles in 2009. Watching actors on a beautifully lit set, I witnessed a DP ask for a bounce card to fill in the shadows of an actress. The simplicity and effectiveness of that moment, observed through the monitor, blew my mind. Since then, it has become crystal clear that this is exactly what I want to do and I want to learn as much information as I can about it.

My short-term goal is to secure jobs that align with my career aspirations in shooting more narrative and commercials. Achieving this requires writing, producing, and shooting my own speculative work while continually learning along the way. One of the biggest hurdles I have faced is that early in my career, the only people I knew worked in docu-series and news. This is where I started my career, and while some could consider it a hindrance, I believe it sets me apart and gives me a leg up. It taught me to be resourceful and to think and act quickly on set. Working at The Ellen Show for an extended period was both rewarding and limiting. Ellen’s brand required a light and bright aesthetic for everything we produced, which confined my creative expression for a brief time period. It took time for the executive producers and directors to allow me to add a “cinematic edge” to our work, but that experience taught me the importance of versatility and adaptability in cinematography.

Long-term, I aspire to work on more narrative and commercials that challenge me to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. I see each project, regardless of its scale, as a unique puzzle to be solved. And I love puzzles. Each challenge presents an opportunity for growth and creativity, and it is through these experiences that I continually refine my craft and grow as a cinematographer.

One of my favorite aspects of being a cinematographer is the collaboration involved in every project. Each project demands different approaches and visions from the directors and producers. My job is to bring their vision to life while contributing my creative input and expertise to tell the best story possible on screen. This involves making deliberate choices in lenses, camera movements, and lighting.

I have been an artist since I was a child, studying painters, sculptors and now other cinematographers. Through this, I’ve realized there are many ways to evoke feelings, each with different approaches. My approach to cinematography mirrors this philosophy: finding ways to build worlds and paint with light.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting LA, I’d want to give them the kind of trip that blends local favorites with classic LA experiences. We’d kick things off in the Valley where I live, grabbing something simple like a bagel or breakfast burrito at Black Heart Coffee Shop, then maybe lunch at Domingo’s Italian Deli, which has that old-school charm. For dinner, I’d definitely take them to Pace on Laurel Canyon. The food is incredible, and the vibe is one of my all-time favorites. We’d do a beach day or two, depending on time. If we’ve got the whole day, I love heading down to Manhattan Beach to walk the beach and relax. If we’re short on time, Malibu is my go-to. One of my favorite things is grabbing sandwiches and just hanging out on the beach for a few hours, soaking in the view. I’d show them some of the best Thai food in the Valley, maybe stop by Black Market Liquor Bar or OyBar for a drink. I love going on hikes too so some in the valley or if people havent been to LA before I would take them to Runyon of course. I also love showing friends how collaborative and creative LA can be. Maybe we’d catch a small show or pop into a local gallery. But overall, I try to keep it chill, fun, and real, the kind of trip that feels like a mix of vacation and getting a glimpse into what life is actually like out here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a few people I definitely owe a huge shoutout to. Early in my career, I had the chance to work with a DP named John Detarsio. We shot a bunch of reality shows together like Coming Home for TLC and Catfish on MTV. I was super green, but he took me under his wing and taught me things I didn’t even know I needed to learn. I soaked it all up. John also introduced me to his friend, DP Sam Painter, and I ended up working with Sam on some incredible projects like 60 Minutes, HBO sports documentaries, and even a Steven Spielberg doc. Both of them were instrumental in helping me navigate this industry, and I still turn to them for advice today. I’m really grateful for their generosity and belief in me.

More recently, I was accepted into the ASC mentorship program and paired with the amazing Patti Lee. She’s a super talented television DP and has already had a big impact on how I think about my work and career. The program is a year long, and I’m halfway through it, but I can already tell this will be a lifelong friendship. Especially with the slowdown happening in Hollywood right now, Patti’s insight and encouragement have really helped keep me grounded.

I also want to give credit to those early jobs in reality TV. Some were tough and a little wild, but they taught me a lot about professionalism, collaboration, and how to treat people on set. I learned quickly that every single person on a crew matters and that respect goes a long way. That’s something I’ve carried with me ever since. I try to run my sets professionally, but also make sure they’re fun. Because at the end of the day, we’re lucky to do what we do.

Website: https://www.tylermarkhenderson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerhenderson/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylermarkhenderson/

Image Credits
I have more photos if these don’t work. I have some with celebrities that may help, but I need to get approval.