Biography
Dustin Ward is an acclaimed Director of Photography based in New York City. With an impressive 21 awards to his name, he was endorsed by Wedio Academy as one of the "12 Cinematographers in New York City You Should Know in 2022." Having built a career on his keen eye for detail and ability to lead an exceptional team, he is sought after by industry titans like Netflix, HBO, Warner Brothers, Tubi, Apple, A&E, and more.
Dustin's portfolio is a tribute to his confident visual style. His latest projects span a variety of genres, with powerful dramas such as Brownsville Bred (2022 Audience Award Winner at SXSW and Urbanworld), thrillers such as Midnight Hustle (2023 Streaming on Tubi), adventures such as Plunder Quest (2022 Streaming on Xfinity, 2022 Best Feature Film Award Winner, New York International Film Awards), and comedies such as Yaniv (2024 theatrical distribution). In 2020, his work on The Time In Between the Seconds earned him the Best Cinematography Award at the ReadingFilmFEST, and also garnered recognition in categories such as Best Short Film, Best Short Drama, and Best Narrative Short. In recent years, Dustin has contributed to notable films such as Princess Cut (streaming on HBO), Hoar (sponsored by Netflix), Proximity (numerous awards including Best Film and Best Cinematography at FilmGate Film Festival), and Just Like the Butterfly (Streaming on Plex, 2022 Audience Choice Award Winner, Monthly Indie Shorts).
Dustin began his filmmaking journey in his teens when he started producing documentaries for non-profit organizations and commercials for local businesses. Though genres may change, at the heart of Dustin's work you will always find people; people with often dramatic circumstances, but sometimes hilarious journeys to untangle them, and never without heartfelt moments. As a professional, his passion for capturing cinematic moments and pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling continues to capture the imagination of audiences and industry leaders alike. To stay up to date on Dustin's current projects, follow him on Instagram at @wardcinema.
