Ben Richardson


Benjamin T. Richardson, is an English cinematographer, television producer and director. He is best known for his work on the films Beasts of the Southern Wild, The [Fault in Our Stars (film)|The Fault in Our Stars], Wind River, and Those Who Wish Me Dead, as well as the limited series Mare of Easttown, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Early life

Richardson was born in England and attended Bournemouth School succeeded by Royal Holloway, University of London's media arts degree programme.

Career

Richardson is a director of photography. Three of his films, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Happy Christmas, and Wind River have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Beasts of the Southern Wild was also nominated for four Academy Awards at the 85th Academy Awards, including a nomination for Best Picture. His short film Seed won Best Animated Short at the 2010 Slamdance Film Festival.
In 2019, Richardson was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers. In 2025, he became a member of the British Society of Cinematographers.

''Beasts of the Southern Wild''

Richardson met director Benh Zeitlin in Prague in 2004 and subsequently collaborated on the short film Glory at Sea in 2008. During pre-production on Beasts of the Southern Wild, Richardson shot a test reel which convinced the financiers to approve him as cinematographer for the film.
Beasts of the Southern Wild debuted at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival where Richardson won the Excellence in Cinematography Award. For his work on the film he also won the Independent [Spirit Award for Best Cinematography#2010s|Independent Spirit Award] for Best Cinematography, and was nominated for multiple awards including a Camerimage award and a Satellite Award.

Personal life

Richardson was in a relationship with actress Anna Kendrick since 2014 until 2020 after they met while filming Drinking Buddies.

Filmography

Cinematographer

Feature film
YearTitleDirector
2012Beasts of the Southern WildBenh Zeitlin
2013Drinking BuddiesJoe Swanberg
2014The Fault in Our StarsJosh Boone
2014Happy ChristmasJoe Swanberg
2014Cut BankMatt Shakman
2015Digging for FireJoe Swanberg
2017Wind RiverTaylor Sheridan
2017Table 19Jeffrey Blitz
2017Sand CastleFernando Coimbra
20171922Zak Hilditch
2021Those Who Wish Me DeadTaylor Sheridan

Television
YearTitleDirectorNotes
2018The ChiRick FamuyiwaEpisode "Pilot"
2018YellowstoneTaylor SheridanSeason 1
2021Mare of EasttownCraig ZobelMiniseries
2021Mayor of KingstownTaylor SheridanEpisodes "The Mayor of Kingstown" and "Simply Murder"
2021–20221883Taylor Sheridan
Himself
Christina Alexandra Voros		6 episodes
2022–20251923Himself
Guy Ferland		13 episodes

Director

Film
Television
YearTitleDirectorProducerNotes
2019YellowstoneDirected episodes "Resurrection Day" and "Behind Us Only Grey"
2021Mayor of KingstownDirected episodes "The End Begins" and "The Price"
2021–20221883Directed 5 episodes
2022Tulsa KingEpisode "Caprice"
2022–20251923Directed 13 episodes