Jason Derrick is a conservation filmmaker and photographer based in Maine, dedicated to translating complex environmental missions into human stories that drive action.
Portrait by Bella Hankston
Growing up on the coast of Maine, my childhood was spent looking for sea glass along the rocky shores of New England. Love for nature has been present my whole life, but my path shifted during a four-year battle with Lyme Disease, which forced me to stop attending high school. Unable to spend time outdoors, I became obsessed with the technical side of production, embracing sound design, editing, and color correction. At the height of my illness, I saw a TED talk about a day in the life of a wildlife photographer and immediately knew this would be my calling if my health ever returned. Miraculously, I made a full recovery and have never stopped exploring since, bringing a deep resilience and technical precision to every project I undertake.
Artist Statement:
The power of art lies in showing the world from a perspective we normally disregard. Reflecting this, the first lenses in my kit were a macro lens, an extreme wide angle, and a super telephoto zoom. Although these lenses opened my eyes to hidden worlds, I soon realized that a striking image can come from almost anywhere. Photography and videography are my creative outlets; a way to combine my love of art and technology with my love of nature and the outdoors. Visuals, much like music, are a universal language understood by all, regardless of age, culture, or place in the world. Each day spent with my camera, communicating through this language and sharing stories with others is a privilege I will never take for granted.
Portrait by Sophia Scull
