I’m a documentary filmmaker and visual journalist based in Portland, Oregon. Previously, I was a video producer at The Oregonian and a producer and director with Blue Chalk Media. I also worked on the photo desk at the Chicago Tribune. I spent several years living between here and New Delhi, India.

I earned my M.A. from Ohio University, where I taught courses in photojournalism. Before that, I got a B.F.A. near my hometown at University of Louisville’s Hite Institute of Art + Design. I studied painting, photography, printmaking and art history — with big aspirations to be a working artist (HA!).

My interest in documentary work began early: 1. when I claimed my late grandpa’s piles of National Geographic magazines that he hoarded in his trailer in Kentucky (thanks, Bob Yager); and, 2. when one of my teachers showed us Hoop Dreams (I had about a week of trying to shoot hoops in my driveway, but quickly learned sports were not my strength, but maybe I could make documentaries instead). My first camera was ordered from the back of a cereal box when I was 8. It was plastic, had no viewfinder and was my favorite toy. I was raised in a 1914 farmhouse, 30 miles from Louisville, Kentucky with 5 siblings and a lot of bug bites.

I am a member of Women Photograph,The Journal collective and The Video Consortium. I am currently available for assignments in the U.S.

Say hi: abrookeherbert[at]gmail.com

+1 503-444-1831 (US)

RECOGNITION

2026

AACR, June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism

Best of the West, Second Place, Video Storytelling

Society for Professional Journalists, First place, Technology & Science Reporting

2025

Emmys, Winner, Long-Form Documentary

Emmys, Winner, Arts and Entertainment (Longform)

Webby Awards, People's Voice Winner in the Video & Film, Public Service & Activism category

The Telly Awards, Gold Winner, General History (social media video)

2022

Society for Professional Journalists, First place, Video

ONPA, First Place, Best Online Multimedia Element

Best of the West, First place, Video Storytelling

2021

Emmys, Nominee, Interactive Media

Emmys, Nominee, Documentary - Topical

Emmys, Nominee, Environment/Science - News

NPPA Best of Photography, Second place, Video and Documentary

Society for Professional Journalists, First place, Video Feature, Hard News

Society for Features Journalism, First place, Video Storytelling

2020

Emmys, Nominee, arts and entertainment

Emmys, Nominee, Branded Content

Emmys, Nominee, Public Affairs

Emmys, Nominee, Craft Category: Photographer

Society for Features Journalism, First Place, Video Storytelling

SELECTED CLIENTS & PUBLICATIONS

ProPublica

TIME

The Intercept

High Country News

CBS News

Getty

Blue Chalk Media

Voice of America

Chicago Tribune

CARE International

The Olympic Channel

The Oregonian

Oregon Public Broadcasting

HBO Max

Associated Press

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

Part 107 Drone Pilot
Wilderness First Aid