Hi, I’m Kai Hashimoto, a sports cinematographer with a deep passion for visual storytelling. Growing up, I fell in love with cameras, which led me to dream of becoming a Director of Photography. To build my foundation, I worked at multiple rental houses, where I immersed myself in everything about cameras, gear, and lenses. I then applied that knowledge on set, working as a gaffer and 1st AC on several USC thesis and graduate films.
While studying at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, I took the opportunity to combine my love for sports and cinematography by shooting video content for the USC Tennis team and later, the USC Football team. It was there that I discovered my true passion for sports cinematography. After graduating with a degree in Film & TV Production, I moved to Cincinnati to work for the Bengals as a Seasonal Production Assistant. During my time there, I honed my cinematography skills while also growing as a producer and editor. I produced 17 episodes of Bengals Weekly and led key projects, including Ja’Marr Chase’s NFL Honors video and the Stripe the Jungle announcement video and TV ad.
Currently, I own and operate an URSA 12K camera paired with a rare Optex 14.5-480mm T/3 lens. I’m always excited to collaborate on new projects and bring fresh perspectives to sports cinematography. Let’s create something amazing together!
