RYAN ATKINSON

expedition paramedic / cinematographer / environmental storyteller

RYAN ATKINSON

expedition paramedic / cinematographer / environmental storyteller

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RYAN ATKINSON

expedition paramedic / cinematographer

Remote medicine, natural history, and expedition storytelling.

I have spent the past 16 years bridging the gap between expedition medicine and documentary cinematography, supporting remote productions and environmental storytelling in challenging environments worldwide. I am both an award-winning director of photography specialising in wildlife, science and travel programming, and a HCPC registered paramedic with extensive expertise and experience in the expedition environment. My work spans natural history, expedition filmmaking, field operations, education and remote medical support globally, with operational experience in all conditions and a particular emphasis on high-risk remote, polar and mountain environments.

50+

Expeditions

40+

Countries

Continents

Years of experience

Expedition medic

I’m an HCPC registered paramedic with extensive experience both practicing and educating within the space of expedition medicine. Drawing on my 16 years of experience in expeditions and a background as a mountain rescuer and technical rescue specialist, I offer expert and resilient operational medical and field logistics support for remote expedition work in demanding environments worldwide.

Director of Photography

Award-winning natural history filmmaking, environmental storytelling, and cinematography across international productions and remote locations with credit highlights including multiple productions within David Attenborough’s ‘Planet Earth’ strand, National Geographic’s ‘One Strange Rock’ and the BBCs ‘Expedition Volcano’ and ‘Avalanche’.

Remote and Hostile Environments

I specialise in operating in remote, high-risk and difficult-to-access environments, combining expedition medicine, technical access and cinematography to support productions in extreme conditions. I have worked in all environments including desert, jungle and ocean however I have particular experience in polar, high-altitude and remote expedition settings, including technical rope access, swift-water rescue, advanced and off-road driving, snow operations and hostile environment safety. Whether in studio or at 7000m above sea level, I’m most at home working where conditions are challenging and changeable, and reliability matters.

Selected Work

National Geographic's One Strange Rock

Multiple shoots for landmark National Geographic series in Africa and the Arctic.
Disney Nature: Polar Bear

Aerial and long lens cameraperson working on major new Disney Nature feature on the life of Polar Bears
The Last Glaciers

Director of Photography on major independent feature film about climate change, for theatrical and IMAX release.
BBC's Perfect Planet

Various shoots for new BBC Landmark 'Perfect Planet' including long lens work of arctic foxes in Canada.
Netflix's Our Planet

Blue chip wildlife documentary. I have done a number of shoots for this project including aerial photography, animal behavior sequences and general scenic work.
The Molecule That Made Us, PBS

PBS Documentary about the origins of life on earth. Director of Photography working across the series on multiple sequences.
BBC's Avalanche

BBC documentary looking at the science behind avalanches. Filming in high-altitude mountain environment. Sync and Long Lens.
BBC's Planet Earth II

Throughout 2013-2015, I worked on a number of shoots for Planet Earth 2 for the Mountains Episode, including the viral hit that was the Flamingo mating dance, high up in the Chilean Andes.

Words, thoughts, musings

A selection of articles, essays and thoughts related to my work as both a wildlife and expedition director of photography, and an expedition medic.

RYAN ATKINSON

Expedition medic

Director of Photography

Selected Work

National Geographic's One Strange Rock

Multiple shoots for landmark National Geographic series in Africa and the Arctic.

Disney Nature: Polar Bear

Aerial and long lens cameraperson working on major new Disney Nature feature on the life of Polar Bears

The Last Glaciers

Director of Photography on major independent feature film about climate change, for theatrical and IMAX release.

BBC's Perfect Planet

Various shoots for new BBC Landmark 'Perfect Planet' including long lens work of arctic foxes in Canada.

Netflix's Our Planet

Blue chip wildlife documentary. I have done a number of shoots for this project including aerial photography, animal behavior sequences and general scenic work.

The Molecule That Made Us, PBS

PBS Documentary about the origins of life on earth. Director of Photography working across the series on multiple sequences.

BBC's Avalanche

BBC documentary looking at the science behind avalanches. Filming in high-altitude mountain environment. Sync and Long Lens.

BBC's Planet Earth II

Throughout 2013-2015, I worked on a number of shoots for Planet Earth 2 for the Mountains Episode, including the viral hit that was the Flamingo mating dance, high up in the Chilean Andes.

Words, thoughts, musings

Exped Security for Clinicians: Get kidnapped well or don’t get kidnapped.

What Prehospital & Expedition Medicine Teaches Us About Adaptability in Leadership.

Lessons in Leadership and Humour from the World’s Toughest Environments

Beyond the Summit: Why Human Factors and Crew Resource Management Matter in Expeditions

How to Not Mess Up Before You Even Leave: The Art of Pre-Expedition Planning

Lets talk about climate hypocrisy and carbon democracy…

Local Loss in a Global Crisis

Wildlife Photographers Kit Bag

Climate Change – Education through Adventure.