Nicholas Donnelly,
Director of Photography
Emmy-nominated, Award winning.
global visual storyteller.
National Geographic, Netflix, PBS, Disney+, PBS, TLC, and more.
Natural History, Documentary Selections
Rapido + Sucio Digital Cinema is the result of nearly 2 decades of relentless work in an industry where experience truly matters. Founded by Director of Photography Nicholas Donnelly, the company’s core values are rooted in classical fine art principles—emphasizing aesthetic literacy, historical awareness, color theory, and effective framing. On many projects though, his core values are intentionally inverted to create work that becomes more authentic, unexpected, and thought-provoking.
This dichotomy of thinking is what shaped Rapido + Sucio’s highly practical production methodologies. And decades of boots-in-the-mud, good old-fashioned hard work is what has proven and battle-tested it.
Please explore the evidence of this philosophy by clicking the embedded links in each title below.
“I’m an artist, instinctively creative, naturally inquisitive, maybe a bit unconventional at times, but I’m human. I understand vision, and I understand reality.
I get it.”
— Nicholas Donnelly
Selected Credits
2024
2023
Hustle & Strive — Director of Photography, Commercial Campaign
Various National Commercial Spots — Director of Photography
2022
2021
The Last Ice (Feature Documentary) — Cinematographer
• Emmy-nominated for Best CinematographyThese Things Can Be Done (TV Special) — Director of Photography
2020
Expedition Amelia (National Geographic) — Director of Photography
Sleeping Bear Dunes (National Park Service) — Director of Photography
Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron (National Geographic) — Cinematography
Comprehensive and Complete list of Credits available upon request.
CV
Corcoran College of Art + Design, George Washington University. w/ Honors - 2009
Freelance Director of Photography 2010-Present.
National Geographic, 2009-2023.
