Ben Hamilton is a filmmaker and storyteller who has spent nearly two decades capturing the wild heart of Alaska. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, he first came north in 2007 to work with the Sitka Conservation Society and never truly left. What began as a summer film project became a lifelong pursuit to reveal the beauty, fragility, and interconnectedness of wild places.
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A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Geography and Radio Television Film, Ben brings both a deep curiosity for landscapes and a filmmaker’s eye for story. Through his company Pioneer Studios, he has filmed across six continents for National Geographic, BBC, Smithsonian, and leading conservation organizations working to protect the planet’s last wild ecosystems. His work has received the Wilderness Legacy Award, the Daniel Housberg Award for Excellence in Video, and a Primetime Emmy for cinematography.
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Beyond filmmaking, Ben has spent years hiking Alaska’s remote coastlines, kayaking hidden inlets, and managing logistics for scientific and film expeditions in some of the most challenging conditions on earth. That field experience now shapes the way he guides — with an eye for safety, storytelling, and the quiet details that most people miss.
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In 2025 Ben launched Sitka Wonders to bring that same sense of awe home and to help visitors experience Sitka’s ecosystems with the depth and respect they deserve. The project blends film, guided experiences, and local partnerships to connect people with Alaska’s natural world beyond the crowds.
When he is not behind a camera, Ben can often be found exploring Sitka Sound with his wife and two kids, reminding them and himself that wonder is something you have to keep choosing every day.

To see more of Ben's film work visit: www.pioneerstudios.org.