Studio Rentals Are Coming Soon!
Big things are coming.
We have not officially announced it yet, but we are currently building our new Kathman Studios creative space in Clearwater, Florida. This will be the first commercial space that is completely our own, and we are excited to begin bringing it to life.
There is still a lot of work to do, but the space is officially ours.
The studio will include a podcast setup and a fully remodeled production space designed for photoshoots, video productions, content creation, and creative collaboration.
Follow along with @DanKathman and @KathmanStudios on social media to watch the progress as we build the studio.
If you are reading this, you are one of the first to know.
We are also working on an email list so we can send updates as the space develops and notify you when the studio is ready for tours and rentals.
More details coming soon.
WE Signed our First COMMERCIAL Studio Lease!
Established in 2009. Built for Scale.
Kathman Studios began in a college dorm room at the University of South Florida, when founder Dan Kathman launched his first production company while still a student. What started with campus events and student organizations quickly expanded.
Kathman Studios is a creative media and marketing company based in Clearwater, Florida. For more than 15 years, we have helped businesses, brands, and organizations grow through powerful visual storytelling, high quality content, and strategic marketing.
Our team specializes in professional photography, video production, corporate event coverage, and social media content designed to help businesses stand out and connect with their audience. From local companies to national organizations, we work with clients who want more than just content. They want results.
At the heart of Kathman Studios is a commitment to creativity, professionalism, and building long term relationships with the businesses we serve.
We are currently expanding into a new studio space in Clearwater that will serve as our creative headquarters and a place for creators, brands, and businesses to produce content, collaborate, and bring ideas to life.
Our Team
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Dan Kathman
Founder & Executive Producer
Dan started the company in 2009, building it from the ground up through persistence, reinvention, and a commitment to quality production.
With experience spanning national broadcast campaigns, international clients, corporate event media, and branded online productions reaching millions of viewers, he has spent nearly two decades refining both the creative and operational side of professional production.
He now leads Kathman Studios with a disciplined, enterprise-focused approach designed to support marketing teams, executive leadership, and large-scale events.
Dan is also recently engaged to Karen Best, and makes content himself online.
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Karen Best
Future Mrs. Kathman & Corporate Event Planner
Karen Best is a seasoned corporate event strategist with over 10 years of experience in large-scale planning, marketing alignment, and executive-level event environments.
Her influence has played a key role in refining the structure, systems, and client experience at Kathman Studios. With a deep understanding of corporate expectations and event execution at scale, she helps ensure that every production meets the professionalism and foresight enterprise clients require.
Her leadership, strategic clarity, and operational precision add a level of preparation and polish that clients immediately feel.
Karen is also Dan’s fiancée and a trusted partner in the continued growth of the company.
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Taz Smith
Contract Video Producer and Founder of X Creative.
Taz brings over 10 years of experience in corporate and branded production. Known for his versatility and calm execution in fast-paced environments, he leads on-site coverage and directs a dedicated team of remote editors to maintain quality and streamlined delivery across projects. Taz is also and husband and recent father.
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Camilla Sjodin
Contract Photographer
Camilla is a seasoned event photographer and founder of a Las Vegas–based event photography company. With extensive experience capturing high-level conferences and brand events, she brings professionalism, precision, and creative instinct to every production. Now based in Tampa Bay, she continues to deliver exceptional event coverage for corporate clients nationwide.
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Brody Hodges
Contract Video Creator
Brody is an experienced video shooter specializing in cinematic production using professional Sony cinema cameras, including the FX6. He brings strong technical expertise, a self-sufficient workflow, and a disciplined production approach to every event. In addition to corporate work, he also operates a social media content agency, giving him a sharp understanding of modern digital distribution.
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Chris Doran
Contract Video Creator
Chris is a seasoned broadcast camera operator with experience covering Major League sports across the NHL, MLB, and NBA. His work includes long-standing production roles with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays, Orlando Magic, ESPN, and Fox Sports.
A graduate of the University of South Florida’s TV Production program alongside Dan, Chris brings broadcast-level precision, composure, and technical excellence to every corporate event production.
A devoted husband and recent father, he approaches both his craft and his commitments with consistency, discipline, and professionalism.
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Elijah McGill
Contract Photographer, Behind the Scenes & Social
Elijah is a talented photographer and owner of EM Photography, with experience capturing both client-facing productions and behind-the-scenes moments that bring brands to life.
In addition to his production work, he serves as a local pastor and community leader. When not covering client projects, Elijah supports Kathman Studios with behind-the-scenes and social content that highlights the energy and professionalism of each event.
A devoted husband and father of two, he brings integrity, reliability, and strong character to every engagement.
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Ian Longen
Contract Video Creator
Ian is an experienced cinematographer and director with a strong background in both live event production and long-form storytelling. He was part of the early foundation of the company under its original name and has remained a trusted creative partner ever since.
Over the years, Ian built a successful wedding film company and expanded into independent film production, serving as a producer and director on multiple projects, including a recent documentary featuring Hulk Hogan.
Ian continues to collaborate closely with Kathman Studios, bringing creative leadership, technical expertise, and seasoned production insight to corporate event work.
A devoted husband and father, he brings steadiness and professionalism to every project.
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Cathy Kathman
Payroll & Admin & Mother to Dan Kathman
Cathy has played a foundational role in the growth of the company since its earliest days. In the beginning, she opened her home in Texas to support the vision, allowing part of the house to be converted into a working studio space that welcomed real clients and productions.
Her steady encouragement and belief in the mission helped carry the company through its formative years.
Today, she supports Kathman Studios through payroll and administrative operations, bringing consistency and trusted oversight to the team. She recently fulfilled a lifelong goal of becoming a Realtor® in Dallas, Texas.
A devoted mother of two, Cathy remains a steady presence behind the scenes.
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Remote Editors & Creative Partners
Our team includes experienced video and photo editors who work remotely, allowing us to scale projects quickly and keep turnaround times fast. We also collaborate with specialized partners for SEO, paid ads, and advanced post-production when needed, giving our clients access to a full creative ecosystem without the bloated overhead.
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Jan-Michael Reyes
Contract Live Video Switcher
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Ai
Administrative Assistant, Research Intern, Copywriter, Scheduling Support, and Occasional Therapist
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Join Our Team
We work with an incredible network of photographers, videographers, editors, and creatives who help bring our projects to life. Many of which aren’t listed on here.
Our team is constantly growing, and we’re always looking for new talent to join us on events and productions.
From shooters and editors to future roles in sales, admin, producing, and live production, we collaborate with passionate people who want to grow their craft and create amazing work together.
If you’d like to join our team and work with us in the future, reach out to us directly. Soon we’ll also have an “Apply” tab here to make it even easier.