Bob Brandon
Director
Bob Brandon has witnessed history. When the Berlin wall fell, he was there. When Nelson Mandela walked free
from prison in South Africa, he was there. He has covered every President since Lyndon Johnson. He shares two
Emmys for his work on the first editions of CBS News 48 Hours and was twice named Photographer of the Year.
Brandon shot his first images in 1966, while still in college, as a news photographer for KGNC Television in
Amarillo, Texas. He moved to Houston in 1970. In the nine years Brandon spent at KPRC-TV he won more
than 30 major awards for his photojournalism. He was named Photographer of the Year in 1975 by the
National Press Photographers Association. As Chief Photographer, he spearheaded the change from film to
video tape in the newsroom and has been a video cameraman ever since then.
In 1979 Brandon left Channel Two to begin a freelance career that continues today. He was named Photographer
of the Year a second time in 1980. He shoots projects for ABC News 20/20, NBC News Magazine, CBS News 48
Hours and 60 Minutes, and other national programs. He helped develop the familiar style of CBS News 48 Hours
that took the camera off the tripod and moved it with the story subjects. He was on the team that won two national
Emmys for groundbreaking 48 Hours broadcasts. He spearheaded the style-setting documentary “Emergency Vets”
on Animal Planet TV.
Brandon’s accomplishments are not only behind the camera. He has 30 years experience teaching the next generation
of reporters and photographers. He has been a member of the faculty of the National Press Photographers Association
News Photography Workshop since 1975. He has produced a series of DVD programs called "Shoot Like a Pro" to
teach the basics of video storytelling. His book, "The Complete
Digital Video Guide" by Readers Digest Publishing, is on bookstore shelves now, or it can be ordered
through the website: www.shootlikeapro.tv.
It has been praised by reviewers as the best textbook available to teach visual storytelling.
Brandon’s awards include the Steve Peringer Award for heroism from the Associated Press, the National FireFighters
award for Bravery, The Videographer Award of Distinction, and the Cliff Edom Award from the National Press Photographers
Association for his ability to inspire and motivate young photographers. In 2006 he was awarded the Joseph Sprague
Award by the National Press Photographers Association. The Sprague Award is considered the highest award in news
photography. Its namesake developed the Speed Graphic combat camera that was used to document World War II. It
is given to an individual who advances, elevates or attains unusual recognition for the profession of photojournalism by
conduct, initiative, leadership, skill, and devotion to duty.
