Mike Mitra holding a Sony FX6

a Mike
of all trades.

Creative director, cinematographer and photographer
based in Austin, TX.

Let’s work together

A proven creative team leader with experience in design and direction for advertising, branding, CRM, web, app,
and print.

A video and photo storyteller with experience producing, shooting, and editing content for everything from magazines to TikTok to a feature-length documentary.

Experience

  • Row One Productions (January 2020 - August 2024)

    Director of Photography and Editor on the documentary feature film ‘How to Be Queen: Philly’s Quest for a Senior Pageant Crown.’ Directed creative, shot and edited video content for Indeed, Church’s Chicken, HostGator, Expressable, Susan G. Komen, Upliv and Dell Children’s Medical Center. Acted as photographer and photo editor for various projects with international brands and nonprofits.

    Cients:
    Indeed, Prime Video, Amazon, Church’s Chicken, Upliv, Expressable, HostGator, Epicor, Dell Children’s Medical Center, Center for Child Protection, Jacob Bromwell, Certified Employee-Owned, Susan G. Komen, MDS Foundation, Magdelene House, Christy Maz Network

  • Drumroll (June 2017 - January 2020)

    Oversaw a team of creatives and creative lead on digital campaigns and video content. Lead a creative team to support digital content and strategy for Microsoft Store digital CRM, Amazon DSP, Capital One, AMD and Macerich retail, among others. Directed and shot photo and video packages for clients and pitch work. Worked alongside clients in quarterly planning and strategy meetings. Conducted digital innovation initiatives with other members of the creative and development teams.

    Clients:
    Microsoft Store, Microsoft Surface, Xbox, Microsoft Rewards, Amazon, Capital One, AMD, Macerich, Natgeo Kids, Epicor

  • Drumroll (July 2013 - November 2017)

    Oversaw a team of creatives on digital campaigns and large-scale email marketing lifecycle programs for major brands. Designed UX and UI for responsive websites and internal web tools. Shot photos and produced videos for clients. Managed internal creative engagement program.

    Clients:
    Microsoft Store, Xbox, Bing Rewards, Macerich, NatGeo Kids

  • Roger Black Studio (November 2011 - September 2012)

    Designed responsive digital publications and websites with CMS implementation for a startup. Art directed covers for Harper’s magazine. Designed identity work for MIT Technology Review and The Sporting News.

    Clients:
    Harper’s, MIT Technology Review, The Sporting News, Dent conference, Treesaver

  • Texas State University (April 2011 - October 2011)

    Redesigned Hillviews magazine. Art directed a rebrand of athletics print collateral. Directed photo shoots for athletics department. Designed print collateral within brand standards and conducted press checks on offset and digital print material.

  • Old Hat Creative (September 2009 - June 2010)

    Built and designed print pieces (media guides, brochures and other print material) for collegiate athletic programs such as Michigan, Georgetown and Florida State. Co-designed OKC Thunder’s Thunder Magazine. Acted as assistant photographer for shoots with the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball team.

Recognition

Munich New Wave Film Festival -
Best Cinematography (2024)

‘Flower & Fly’ short film | creative director, cinematographer, editor

Webby Award Honoree - Public Service & Activism category (2024)
‘Letters to Christopher’ short film | creative director, cinematographer, editor

New York Tri-State International Film Festival (2024)
‘Flower & Fly’ short film | creative director, cinematographer, editor

Roma Short Film Festival (2024)
‘Flower & Fly’ short film | creative director, cinematographer, editor

Tokyo International Short Film Festival (2024)
‘Flower & Fly’ short film | creative director, cinematographer, editor

Webby Award Nominee - Public Service & Activism category (2022)
‘Flower & Fly’ short film | creative director, cinematographer, editor

Webby Award Honoree - Branded Entertainment, Scripted category (2021)
‘HostGator’ YouTube series | creative director, cinematographer

Published on the VoyageAustin (2021) and
Bold Journey blogs (2023)

Speaker at Austin Design Week and guest mentor at SXSWedu (2016)

Instructor at General Assembly, teaching visual design and typography classes (2014-2016)

Skills

On Set (Video):
Sony FX6 & FX3, Panasonic S1H & GH5
Aputure Light Storm series, Rode audio, small crew lighting, grip and electric for interview and scripted narrative, documentary cam op on location

On Set (Photo):
Nikon Z series, Canon R series, Sony A7 series, Profoto lighting, manual strobes, tethering on Lightroom Classic, portraits and products in studio, environmental photojournalism, live action on stage, collegiate live sports

At the Computer:

Video/Photo - Premiere Pro, After Effects, Lightroom Classic (editing, color grading, audio mixing, motion graphics)

Design - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, Figma (design for responsive web, apps, print, branding and identity)

Audio - Adobe Audition (producing, editing and mastering)

Familiar with basic HTML & CSS

Google Suite, Microsoft Office, project management tools (Airtable, Asana, Basecamp, Jira)

Education

University of Oklahoma (2005-2009)
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication
Norman, OK

Just for Fun

Co-produce and edit the podcast
DCOM Decoded