Josh Berendes documents international stories through travel and creative camera work
Sept. 26, 2024
Photo taken by Laura Kottlowski
Documentary filmmaker and director of photography Josh Berendes is based in Denver, but a lot of his work involves learning from and about others while gathering snapshots of outdoor experiences worldwide.
Berendes’ portfolio features everything from photos of Costa Rican landscapes to videos of concerts at Red Rocks and island-hopping trips in Croatia.
Photos taken by Josh Berendes
Berendes enjoys projects that involve exploration through travel, challenge him and allow him to learn more about himself the most. He said his projects often require him to navigate new environments and adapt his skills accordingly, which means that each one comes with its own set of challenges.
“A lot of times, I'm just kind of figuring things out as they're unfolding, you know, whether it's white-water rafting through the Gunnison Gorge, or backpacking in Nepal or free diving in Mexico. I just kind of throw myself in these situations where I don't really know the lay of the land, how things work and I'm just, you know, along for the ride,” he said.
Photos taken by Josh Berendes
Berendes said he also values projects that give him the chance to have in-depth conversations and share impactful stories.
“I think I'm in a really unique place where I have the opportunity to sit down and have deep conversations with people, and that's what I feel most inspired to be doing,” he said.
According to Berendes, one of his most impactful stories was told through a creative video he made during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that several people who watched it told him it was dark, beautiful and made them cry.
The piece features dancers wearing face masks while performing choreography, which is set to Jasmine Thompson’s cover of “Mad World” by Tears for Fears, in the empty streets of Denver.
“I think that was definitely one of the videos that I created that had the most impact on people, and that's what I enjoy. I want to make something that's impactful in a way,” he said.
While the work that fulfills Berendes the most involves travel and deep storytelling, he also finds fulfillment in filming high-energy events. Many of his more dynamic projects are showcased on his website, including drone footage of Red Rocks shows and videos of Super Bowl Parties in Miami.
“The energy and the fast-paced movements and moments that happen at Red Rocks shows are really awesome. I love that kind of fast-paced living, and editing and atmosphere,” Berendes said.
Berendes grew up and went to college in Iowa, and a love of music he shared with a friend group got him interested in film and photography. He was eventually able to add to his portfolio by collaborating with friends who had music industry and venue management jobs, which he said was a “full-circle experience.”
While these experiences helped him find his current career path, Berendes said the moment he knew film and photography were right for him happened while on a community college trip to Rome.
Berendes said he was documenting the trip on a GoPro he brought along. At one point, upon exiting a cathedral, he saw a man start playing cello, which caused people to stop what they were doing in the square to listen.
“Everyone kept walking, but for a few moments, all these people from different backgrounds, cultures [and] languages all stopped and shared a moment with each other. And I walked away from that moment and captured [it] with my GoPro, and I was like, ‘this is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life,’” Berendes said.
After the trip, Berendes said he applied to a four-year university and eventually studied design, photography and video in Florence.
While Berendes found his sense of creativity through a life-changing moment, he recognizes that not everyone gets that opportunity. He said in his website bio that growing up in a small town meant limited access to creative resources, which meant people didn’t explore photography and videography.
He thinks that people need access to art to explore what emotional creative expression looks like for them and how it fits into their lives.
“I think it's very therapeutic to be able to put your emotions, and thoughts and what you're going through either on paper with words, or markers, or paints or photography and video. And I also just think most to all people are creative. They just have not tapped into that aspect of their lives,” Berendes said.
Berendes shares some of his work on his Instagram account, along with behind-the-scenes travel photos and announcements. More information about him and his work can be found on his website.
