Justin Turkowski has a passion for being outdoors and telling inspiring stories. Growing up in rural Minnesota, by the age of 15 he was shooting and editing his own videos. After graduating from St. Cloud State University with a mass communications - television production degree, Justin cut his teeth in network television with the Sportsman’s Channel, where he was a full-time television photographer. This is where he would invest much time growing his trade; managing trips and directing a wide range of talent for various TV shows. When in the office, he would spend his days editing video to learn and grow for the next shoots.
Motivated to expand his world, Justin moved on to the mountains and freelance production. Falls' were spent field producing for shows aired on Outdoor Channel and Sportsman’s Channel, while winters had him chasing harsh winter climates and shooting snowboarding. In 2012 Justin went on to produce an X Games Real Snow video part that won him an ESPN X Games gold medal.
Today Justin now resides on the north shore of O'ahu where he has learned a whole new set of skills. Growing up on the lakes of Minnesota allowed Justin the comfort and confidence to take up underwater cinematography and photography. An avid freediver and PADI certified scuba diver, Justin continuously builds his comfort in all of the elements.
His recent work has been an exciting test of his previous endeavors combined as he worked on 6 episode series' for each Discovery Channel and National Geographic. His skills and passions put him in the depths of the Arctic Ocean to the jungles of Malaysia. Also working with companies like Columbia, Camp 4 Collective, Patagonia, and World Surf League, Justin is always honing his skills as a shooter, director, editor while always finding satisfaction in pushing his diversity.
Justin strives to tell authentic stories that represent cutting edge individuals and companies around the world. His versatility and creativity are a combination that allows him the confidence to shoot incredibly long days in the mountains, in freezing cold temperatures, or holding his breath to shoot underwater landscapes. His knowledge and commitment to evolving technologies are essential as he can quickly adapt to various equipment’s on a per shoot basis. Justin can be trusted upon to execute his duties while representing himself and his clients in a professional manner.
* Contact for current production kit. Also offering rentals on Oahu.
* Licensed drone operator
* Portrait by Izzy Cohan