I’m Michael, a filmmaker and photographer based in the Tees Valley, in North East England. Fully self-taught, I’ve ran my commercial practice for eight years. I’m proud to offer a full production service to the clients I work with, and mostly take on commissions in the hotel, travel and lifestyle sector, with clients all over the UK.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to creative mediums as a way of expressing myself. Movies were a big part of my upbringing, and the films of Spielberg, like Jurassic Park, left a huge imprint on me, instilling a sense of awe and wonder from a young age.

Seeking direction in my early 20’s, I started taking day trips to the Lake District with some friends. We were seeing breathtaking sights that reignited the same feelings I had when I was younger. I wanted to document those experiences in a more tangible way, so I bought a camera and taught myself the ropes of both photography and filmmaking, later turning it into a successful career.

My career has since taken me to some breathtaking parts of the world, and throughout my journey, I’ve endeavoured not just to document the places I visit, but to capture the feeling of actually being there - just like the films of my childhood did for me.

Outside of film and photography, you’ll most likely find me working on our Edwardian home renovation with my partner and our tabby, Cleo.

I pride myself on delivering a friendly working relationship throughout a commission. I have years of experience managing and directing agile shoots with models and clients on set, and overall I always aim to make a production day feel fun and relaxed for everyone involved.

If you have a project you would like to discuss with me, you can do so at hello@michaellazenby.com.