Ben Sanford is a cinematographer and photographer based in the Blue Mountains/Sydney, Australia. With over a decade of experience, Ben’s passion for visual storytelling began at 13 when he first picked up a camera. By 15, he began working with a film production company in Sydney, learning the ropes as a production assistant and advancing through lighting and camera departments.

Known for his versatility, Ben has delivered high-profile advertising campaigns, TVCs, and extreme sports content. Whether shooting, editing, or lighting, he excels in all aspects of the process. His work has been featured in National Geographic Adventure, Rock and Ice, and Alpinist Magazine, and he has received accolades like New Zealand Geographic Young Photographer of the Year in 2017 and Australia’s Top Emerging Photographer by Capture Magazine.

Ben is also the host of Peak Podcast with Ben Sanford, where he dives into the journeys and mindsets of top performers across various fields, sharing crazy stories, insights, and laughs along the way. His podcast is a deep exploration of what it truly takes to be the best.

In addition to his work behind the lens, Ben is an avid adventurer with impressive athletic achievements. His alpine pursuits include challenging climbs like the North Face of Ranrapalca and the French Direct/South West Face of Alpamayo. He has also led major ice climbs across Canada, including Ice Nine WI6 and Dark Nature WI5+ M6, alongside notable kayaking feats like a first descent of the Snowy River.

As an ambassador for Mountain Equipment Australia, RAB Equipment, Radix Nutrition, and Lowe Alpine, Ben continues to share his passion for exploration and storytelling, capturing unique experiences in some of the world’s most remote locations.

Notable Film Credits:

Freedom Furniture (2025) | Gaffer | Incubeta Australia | Sydney, Australia
Colgate Max Fresh (2025) | Gaffer & Grip | VML Productions | Sydney, Australia
Riverstone Springs (2025) | Gaffer | Last Humans | Sydney, Australia
Hyundai For Unexpected Adventures (2024) | Stills Photographer & Camera Operator (Ski) | Schope Creative | Snowy Mountains, Australia
Budgie Smuggler x Operation Crayweed (2024) | Stills Photographer | Gemba | Sydney, Australia
Wonderful World of Elephants 3D IMAX (2023) | AC/ Crane & Camera Operator | Definition Studios | Namibia, Africa
Mastercard X Uber Winter Dining (2023) | Stills Photographer | We Are Social | Sydney, Australia
Adidas FIFA Women’s World Cup (2023) | Stills Photographer | We Are Social | Sydney, Australia
Eagles Pass (2023) | Director of Photography | Peak Performance | Revelstoke, Canada
Introspection (2023) | Director of Photography | Xalibu Skis | Revelstoke, Canada
Double Trouble (2023) | Ski & Drone Camera Operator | K2 Skis | Revelstoke, Canada
Cash Rewarden (2023) | Stills Photographer | Poem Group | Sydney, Australia
Audi Short Circuits (2022) | Photographer & Videographer | We Are Social | Sydney, Australia
Feel New Immersive – Snow (2022) | 3D Camera Array Operator | Destination NSW | Milk Money | Snowy Mountains, Australia
Powering Your Electric Lifestyle (2022) | Entire Production | Penrith Solar Centre | Richmond, Australia
TikTok Summer Now You Know (2022) | Director of Photography | We Are Social | Sydney, Australia
TikTok Taught Aus (2022) | Stills Photographer | We Are Social | Sydney, Australia
TikTok For You Event Summit (2022) | Director of Photography | We Are Social | Sydney, Australia
First Backcountry Experience w/ Tess Coady (2022) | Director of Photography | The North Face | Thredbo, Australia
The Ultimate Balloon Ride (2022) | Director of Photography | Butter Media | Canowindra, Australia
Weight Loss Balloon (2022) | Director of Photography | Allurion | Sydney, Australia
1 BreadCrumbs Explainer (2022) | Director of Photography | One Day Video | Sydney, Australia
Climbing QT’s (LGBTQIA+) x BMCS (2022) | Director of Photography | Juicy Projects | Sydney, Australia
Feels Like Summer (2021) | Director of Photography | Ocean Tales | Sydney, Australia
OPSM Life Focused (2021) | Camera Operator | Bashful Agency | Sydney, Australia
Redbank Hydrogen Conversion Project (2021) | Producer & Director of Photography | Verdant Earth | Hunter Valley, Australia
Plan B – Cricket NSW X TFNSW (2021) | Videographer | Gemba | Sydney, Australia
Asics GTM Nimbus (2021) | Gimbal Operator | Chisel Productions | Wollongong, Australia
Knock On Effect x TFNSW (2020) | Drone Operator | Chisel Productions | Sydney, Australia
Asics Summer Cricket (2019) | Gimbal Operator | Chisel Productions | Sydney, Australia
Sydney Comedy Festival (2019-2024) | Stills Photographer & Gimbal Operator | Century Venues | Sydney, Australia

Notable Athletic Achievements:

ALPINE:

North Face of Ranrapalca, PERU (6162m) – 2019
North Ridge of Artesonraju, PERU (6025m) – (Shy of summit) – 2019
French Direct/ South West Face of Alpamayo, PERU (5947m) – 2019
Urus Este, PERU (5423m) – 2019
Ishinca, PERU (5530m) – 2019
First Ascent of Hotline (IV, 5+, M5) West Face, Mt Haast, NEW ZEALAND – 2019
West Ridge Glacier Peak, NEW ZEALAND, Ski Descent West Face (Ropeless) – 2019
Ascent and Ski Descent of Minarets, NEW ZEALAND (Ropeless) – 2019
Mt Malte Brun West Ridge, NEW ZEALAND – 2017
Mt Aspiring SW Ridge, NEW ZEALAND – 2017
Humdinger, NEW ZEALAND – 2017
Lendenfeld Peak, NEW ZEALAND – 2017

ICE CLIMBS (CANADA):

Ice Nine WI6 (P1 Lead) – 2022
Dark Nature WI5+ M6 (P2 Lead) – 2024
The Sorcerer WI5+ (P1 & P2 Lead) – 2020
Whitemans Falls WI6 (P1 Lead) – 2022
Seven Pillars of Wisdom WI5+ (P2 Lead) – 2022
Spray River Falls WI5 (P1 & P2 Lead) – 2022
The Eagle WI5 (Lead) – 2022
Carlsberg Column WI5 (Lead) – 2024
Super Bock WI5 (Lead) – 2022
Weeping Wall Right Side WI5 (P1 & P2 Lead) – 2022
Wicked Wanda WI4+ (Lead) – 2022
Cascade Kronenbourg WI5 M5 (Seconded) – 2022
Cosmic Messenger WI5 (Seconded) – 2022
Curtain Call WI6 (Seconded) – 2022
Malignant Mushroom WI5+ (Seconded) – 2022
My Daddy is a Psycho WI5+ (Seconded) – 2024
Oh Le Tabernac WI5+ (Seconded) – 2022
Pilsner Pillar WI6 (Seconded) – 2019
Physiotherapy WI5 M7 (Seconded) – 2020
Rainbow Serpent WI6 (Seconded) -2020
Tokumm Pole WI5 (Seconded) – 2019

WHITEWATER KAYAKING:

3rd in Australia for Playboating (Junior) – (2012)
First Descent of Snowy River from Jindabyne Dam Class IV – (2012)
Descent of Tully River, Cairns Class IV – (2012)
Descent of Baron River, Cairns Class III- (2012)
Descent of Snowy river Guthega Dam Class IV – (2023)
Descent of Colo River in High Flow Class III- (2023)

About Ben

Notable Film Credits:

Notable Athletic Achievements: