At Black Bean Productions, we believe in the power of storytelling to create change. Every film we produce reflects our commitment to sustainability, connection, and purpose.
We create striking films and photography across conservation, humanitarian, and commercial spaces. Crafted to inspire, engage, and endure.
It’s a collaborative craft, where every member of our team brings their unique creativity, skill, and passion to produce meaningful, impactful content.
Co-Founder, Director and Photographer
Producer and Creative Director
Co-Founder and Director of Photography
Director and Photographer
Head of Post Production and Senior Editor
Production & Social Media Coordinator
Production Manager
Editor
WHERE STORIES BEGIN.
From storyboarding to campaign strategy, we develop creative concepts that align with your vision and connect with your audience.
WHERE IDEAS COME TO LIFE.
From filming and photography to editing and final delivery, we bring your story to the screen with precision and artistry.
Commercial and Documentary Film:
Photography:
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.
We ensure every frame meets broadcast-quality standards, delivering content that inspires and connects.
We had the pleasure of working with Black Bean on a video production in Malawi and were thoroughly impressed by the experience. From the outset, the team quickly grasped our vision and elevated it through powerful storytelling, striking visuals, and a collaborative, enjoyable working atmosphere. On location, the crew went above and beyond to capture the essence of the story we wanted to tell. The final film exceeded our expectations and has since received overwhelmingly positive feedback from audiences around the world.”
We approached Black Bean Productions in 2022, and they created the most beautiful video telling our story for the first time. That video opened doors - to funding, new supporters, and unexpected opportunities. They put us on the map. Their work is rooted in humanity and driven by purpose. We’re lucky to be part of their journey.
It was a pleasure to work with the Black Bean team at our property in the Maasai Mara. The entire process was smooth; they are highly professional, and I don’t believe you can find a better production outfit.
The Black Bean team is an absolute pleasure to work with. They are highly professional, quick to understand a brief, and consistently responsive. I would gladly recommend them.”
The best impact-focused production team in Africa, perhaps anywhere in the world.
For film releases, conservation news and behind-the-scenes.
At Black Bean, we’re always keen to collaborate with like-minded creatives who bring fresh ideas and bold energy to the table.
James Suter is a Co-Founder and Director of Black Bean.
James inherited his love of wildlife and passion for conservation from his father. This has been the driving force behind the work that James has done and continues to do. With his extensive background in professional guiding and travels throughout Africa, James is able to capture the efforts of organizations doing important work on the ground in an intimate and honest way. He used to be a full time Game Ranger and now completes a number of private guided safaris every year, as well as managing Black Bean Productions.
Using his profound knowledge of the African bush, he aids Black Bean in producing content that allows our audience to connect to the places, people and wildlife featured in our films and in his photographs. His passion for our natural world is infectious and comes through in the films he has directed for Black Bean.
Sam Suter, a Director and Producer at Black Bean, is a major driving force behind the work that we do.
Sam has a degree in Marketing and is actively involved in every aspect of Black Bean. Sam’s creativity and her passion for human-empowerment and wildlife conservation is immensely important to the work we do and the content we create. Sam has the ability to connect with people and make them feel seen, heard and valued, which is such a gift and so important in terms of the work we do.
She believes that through film we can shed a light on issues that need to be addressed and talked about – on people doing remarkable work – and create real change by sharing these stories through film and connecting people across the world. She is passionate about giving people the opportunity to be heard and share their experiences and their knowledge with others. She believes in lifting people up, and working alongside those doing good and those fighting to save our planet.
Sam loves the creative side of filmmaking and directing the content we produce for our wide range of clients.
Oli Caldow is a co-founder of Black Bean, as well as our Director of Photography.
He is an incredible asset to our team, playing an important role in the making of our films. Oli has over 10 years’ experience in the film industry and comes from a commercial background, where he worked on high-end productions all over the world.
Through his expertise and experience, Oli has developed a unique visual style, which shines through in every one of our films. He has a talent for capturing moments in a beautiful and cinematic way, giving a real edge to documentary storytelling. This adds so much value to the work we produce. He has years of experience in documentary filmmaking, documenting people all over Africa, working hard to tell their story in a honest way that sheds a light on their experiences and daily life.
His experience and passion is invaluable to our team.
Sacha Specker is a core part of our shooting team. He is a talented director and photographer who is passionate about our natural world and the work we do. He will do almost anything to get the shot – from climbing a tree, to hanging off the side of a vehicle for hours!
He has energy like no other, loves adventure and works well within our team. He fills various roles depending on the Black Bean assignment at hand, from assisting to directing our films and the content we create, to working alongside our Director of Photography to manage all equipment.
He is adaptable, a people’s person and willing to do a little bit of everything. We often work in isolated wilderness areas, and Sacha’s skillset is so valuable in ensuring we capture all that we need to and that we connect with the team on the ground.
He studied Nature Conservation and has a deep love for the ocean and marine conservation. He is well known for riding waves and photographing them (better known as his photographs of water sculptures).
Reinhardt is the head of post-production and senior editor with a unique blend of film and music production experience. He is passionate about music and sound design, adding layers to storytelling to evoke emotion.
Reinhardt’s lifelong connection to nature fuels his commitment to conservation and biodiversity protection. He believes in teamwork and the power of celebrating the beauty of our planet. His storytelling craft and work ethic are driven by his collective purpose to celebrate the dedication of those working tirelessly to preserve it.
Gerda is the Production & Social Media Coordinator, managing essential pre-production for films and the company’s social media presence. A true “jack of all trades,” she handles everything from pitch decks to office logistics.
Driven by a lifelong passion for nature and wildlife, Gerda’s values align with Black Bean’s mission. Known for her straightforward face and kindness, she’s always ready to bring a smile to those around her. A proud advocate for hyenas, Gerda believes they’ve been misunderstood for far too long, and it’s time for a rebrand!
Jessica has been working in production since 2017 and brings nearly a decade of experience to her role as Production Manager. She keeps our projects running smoothly with a sharp eye on budgeting, quoting, logistics, client communication, and all the moving parts that keep the team aligned and on track.
Known for her sense of humour and impressive multitasking skills, Jessica thrives on the fact that no two days in production are ever the same. She especially takes pride in her work on the South African portion of Postcards from Earth, created for the opening of the Las Vegas Sphere.
Outside of work, you’ll find her reading, writing, and hanging out with her two Boston Terriers – living the dream.
Chelsea is a video editor with over five years of experience in the film and commercial industry, specialising in impactful documentary storytelling. Her work is guided by a deep love for nature and people, and by a belief in the power of film to move audiences to feel, reflect, and act.
She is drawn to purpose-driven projects that tell important stories in authentic, beautiful, and emotionally resonant ways. A strong advocate for creative collaboration, Chelsea believes the best storytelling emerges from collective effort. She is motivated by exploring the complexity and beauty of the world, using her craft to raise awareness, inspire change, and celebrate the planet and its people.