Connor Botts

Connor Botts is an American cinematographer, and 1st Camera Assistant based in Iowa, known for his cinematic visual style, atmospheric lighting, and grounded genre-driven storytelling. With over 15 years of experience in cinematography and production, Botts has worked across narrative films, commercials, music videos, and branded content, developing a reputation for creating high-production-value imagery across independent and commercial projects alike. Botts began his filmmaking journey at an early age, later expanding his technical training through advanced film studies at Central Campus in Des Moines. Over the course of his career, he has shot more than 50 music videos along with numerous commercial campaigns and short films, combining practical filmmaking techniques with modern digital workflows and visual effects. His narrative work has gained notable online and festival recognition. The sci-fi horror fan film Alien: Lost Transmission attracted widespread attention, surpassing hundreds of thousands of views online, while his horror short Hell’s Hollow was selected among the Top 25 films out of nearly 200 submissions in the Jakob Owens Horror Film Contest and accepted into multiple film festivals. Botts’ work often blends grounded realism with genre influences, drawing inspiration from science fiction, horror, and psychological drama. Known for his hands-on production approach, Botts frequently serves in multiple creative roles including cinematographer, 1st AC, editor, and visual effects artist.