Blue Ocean Productions provides professional underwater video production services for documentaries, television programs, environmental projects, commercial campaigns, marine research organizations, tourism boards, and branded content. Led by award-winning underwater cameraman and videographer Jim Knowlton, the company specializes in capturing compelling underwater footage in oceans, rivers, reefs, kelp forests, pools, and controlled aquatic environments.
With decades of experience filming underwater subjects around the world, Blue Ocean Productions combines technical expertise, creative storytelling, and professional production workflows to deliver broadcast-quality content. Whether producing marine wildlife documentaries, underwater product videos, conservation films, tourism campaigns, or commercial productions, every project is approached with a focus on visual excellence and authentic storytelling.
As an experienced underwater cameraman and underwater cinematographer based in California and available worldwide, Jim Knowlton has worked with leading brands, television networks, conservation organizations, and production companies to create engaging underwater visuals that inform, educate, and inspire audiences.
Equipment
Jim owns a Canon R5 in an Aquatica Housing that can shoot 4K and 8K video and he owns daylight balanced underwater video lights. Jim can also shoot Sony and RED cameras or the camera of your choice if you prefer to use your own equipment or rent to fit the format of your production. Contact Jim Knowlton for more information.
Professional Underwater Video Production Services
Blue Ocean Productions offers complete underwater video production services for clients seeking high-quality underwater content. From concept development and production planning to filming and post-production support, every project is tailored to meet the specific goals of the client.
Services include:
- Underwater cinematography
- Underwater videography
- Documentary filming
- Commercial video production
- Marine wildlife filming
- Underwater product demonstrations
- Conservation and environmental storytelling
- Tourism and destination marketing videos
- ROV and marine technology filming
- Broadcast television production support
Whether filming in open ocean environments or controlled aquatic settings, Blue Ocean Productions delivers professional underwater footage suitable for television, digital marketing, documentaries, and branded campaigns.
Underwater Video Production for Documentaries, Commercials & Marine Projects
Underwater filming requires specialized technical knowledge, advanced camera systems, and experience working in challenging marine environments. Blue Ocean Productions has extensive experience producing underwater content for documentary filmmakers, television producers, environmental organizations, and commercial brands.
Projects have included marine conservation campaigns, wildlife documentaries, educational programming, scientific research documentation, tourism promotions, and underwater commercial productions. This experience allows Blue Ocean Productions to adapt to a wide range of production requirements while maintaining the highest standards of image quality and safety.
Underwater Product Video & Commercial Filming
For companies developing marine technology, aquatic equipment, underwater robotics, diving products, or water-related services, professional underwater video can showcase products in real-world operating conditions.
Blue Ocean Productions creates underwater product videos that highlight performance, durability, functionality, and unique product features. Projects can include underwater demonstrations, product launches, promotional videos, training content, and commercial advertising campaigns.
From filming remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to underwater cleaning equipment and marine technology systems, Blue Ocean Productions helps brands communicate product value through compelling visual storytelling.
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom – Kelp Forest Series
Jim shot an underwater video for Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom series on the Kelp Forest Ecosystem. Jim shot at the California Channel Islands to capture these epic kelp forest scenes. You can see episodes of this series here: (make link light blue)
Swains Island – One of the Last Jewels of the Pacific
Jim shot video above and underwater of Jean-Michel Cousteau and a team of scientists for SWAINS ISLAND – One of the Last Jewels of the Planet. The film won top award in the category, People and the Sea at the Blue Ocean Film Festival in Florida.
Hayward Aquanaut Pool Cleaner Commercial Production
Jim also shot underwater video for a commercial for the Hayward Aquanaut 200 & 400 Suction-Side Pool Cleaners. Jim hooked up an HDMI cable to his underwater housing so that the topside director could see what Jim was shooting. The director and Jim used an OTS Buddy Phone 2 Channel Surface Station to communicate so the director could direct Jim to get the shots he was looking for. Jim is available for pool shoots using an HDMI live video feed to the surface and with Buddy Phone communications.
Underwater scenes shot by Director of Photography Jim Knowlton
Marine Wildlife, Conservation & Documentary Filming
Marine ecosystems present extraordinary opportunities for visual storytelling. Blue Ocean Productions has extensive experience filming marine wildlife, coral reefs, kelp forests, marine habitats, and environmental conservation initiatives.
Underwater documentary projects focus on creating authentic visual narratives that support education, conservation awareness, and scientific communication. By combining technical underwater expertise with strong storytelling techniques, Blue Ocean Productions helps organizations communicate complex environmental topics to broader audiences.
The company has collaborated with conservation organizations, television networks, tourism boards, and production companies to create engaging marine-focused content viewed by audiences worldwide.
Underwater Product Video for Oceanbotics ROV
Blue Ocean Productions owner and underwater cinematographer Jim Knowlton filmed underwater product footage for the Oceanbotics SRV-8 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), creating cinematic visuals that demonstrated the vehicle’s maneuverability, precision, and real-world performance beneath the surface. The video helped showcase the commercial capabilities of the professional inspection ROV for customers in the marine technology industry.
From marine technology and underwater robotics to scientific equipment and commercial diving systems, Jim combines underwater cinematography with product storytelling to create engaging marketing videos that highlight innovation, engineering, and performance in challenging underwater environments.
Filming Rick Rosenthal & Hobie in Hawaii
Blue Ocean Productions owner and underwater cinematographer Jim Knowlton traveled to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii to film underwater and topside video for Rick Rosenthal and Hobie as Rick explored the Pacific aboard his Hobie kayak. Working in the open ocean, Jim captured incredible marine wildlife encounters while documenting the adventure for a commercial production that showcased both the excitement of ocean exploration and the beauty of Hawaii’s marine environment.
The expedition included unforgettable encounters with spinner dolphins, pilot whales, oceanic whitetip sharks, and vibrant coral reefs in crystal-clear water. With more than 20 years of experience filming beneath the surface, Jim combines technical diving knowledge, marine wildlife filmmaking, and cinematic storytelling to create compelling visuals for documentary, television, and commercial productions around the world.
Tourism Fiji Ecotourism Campaign
Blue Ocean Productions owner and underwater cinematographer Jim Knowlton traveled to Fiji with Jean-Michel Cousteau and Ocean Futures Society to produce a series of promotional videos for Tourism Fiji. Jim captured both underwater and topside 4K footage of Fiji’s pristine coral reefs, tropical rainforests, white-sand beaches, eco-friendly resorts, and environmental restoration projects, helping showcase Fiji as one of the world’s premier ecotourism destinations.
The project resulted in six promotional films, translated into three languages, highlighting Fiji’s commitment to sustainable tourism and marine conservation. The shorter videos continue to be featured on Fiji Airways’ in-flight entertainment system, introducing travelers from around the world to the beauty of Fiji and its commitment to protecting its marine environment. Through underwater cinematography and cinematic storytelling, the series inspires visitors while promoting coral restoration, mangrove planting, wildlife conservation, and sustainable tourism.
Underwater Camera Equipment & Production Support
Successful underwater productions require reliable equipment, experienced crew members, and efficient production planning. Blue Ocean Productions utilizes professional underwater camera systems capable of producing broadcast-quality imagery in a wide range of environments.
Production support services may include:
- Underwater camera operation
- Production planning
- Location scouting
- Safety coordination
- Marine logistics
- Remote monitoring
- Documentary production support
- Commercial production support
Whether supporting a large broadcast production or a specialized commercial project, Blue Ocean Productions provides the technical capabilities required for successful underwater filming.
Hire an Underwater Cameraman in California or Worldwide
Based in Ventura, California, Blue Ocean Productions provides underwater videography and underwater cinematography services throughout California, across the United States, and internationally.
If you need an experienced underwater cameraman for a documentary, commercial campaign, tourism project, conservation initiative, marine technology production, or branded content project, contact Blue Ocean Productions to discuss your goals and production requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Blue Ocean Productions provides underwater videography, underwater cinematography, documentary filming, commercial video production, marine wildlife filming, conservation storytelling, tourism campaigns, and underwater product videos.
Yes. Blue Ocean Productions is based in Ventura, California, and provides underwater video production services throughout California, across the United States, and internationally depending on project requirements.
Yes. Blue Ocean Productions regularly films underwater product demonstrations, marine technology equipment, ROV systems, pool products, diving equipment, and other aquatic-related products.
Projects include documentaries, television productions, environmental campaigns, marine conservation films, tourism promotions, branded content, scientific documentation, and commercial advertising campaigns.
Blue Ocean Productions utilizes professional underwater camera housings and broadcast-quality camera systems capable of producing high-resolution footage for television, digital media, and commercial productions.
Professional underwater filming requires specialized equipment, technical diving knowledge, safety awareness, and extensive experience working in aquatic environments. Hiring an experienced underwater cameraman helps ensure high-quality footage and efficient production workflows.
Blue Ocean Productions works with television networks, production companies, tourism boards, conservation organizations, marine technology companies, environmental groups, educational institutions, and commercial brands.
