Examples of some of cameraman Charlie Brittain's work.
Meet Charlie Brittain.
At just 27, he's living his dream job.
It's not because he's some kind of genius or has a string of qualifications. It's just because he got off his chuff.
The young Rotorua man is now based in London and travels the world as a cameraman.
He's"shot" famous people such as Ellen DeGeneres, Usain Bolt, Gordon Ramsay and regularly flies around the world shooting the car racing Formula E series.
Charlie Brittain from Rotorua while in Rome this month, where he is filming Formula E. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Take a squiz in his diary and coming up he's got some more Formula E to shoot in Uruguay, the winter Olympics in South Korea and the Football World Cup in Russia.
Brittain is a former Rotorua Primary School, Glenholme School and briefly a Rotorua Boys' High School student. He spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post while back home this month for his sister's wedding.
Brittain moved to Wellington in his teens and described himself as a typical teenager who wasn't too sure what he wanted to do when he left school because he hadn't really given it too much thought.
"I was determined to show them I had what it takes so with help from Dad I got a laptop and put together my own show reel and had the intention of applying to broadcasting school."
It turned out the person who got the job, decided they didn't want it, resulting in TVNZ calling Brittain to ask if he was still interested. Stupid question.
He spent five years as a TVNZ cameraman, covering all sorts of news from natural disasters to crime scenes.
In June 2016, he made the move to London to do his OE. Through TVNZ contacts, he immediately scored work with the BBC. Then Reuters booked him for shoots and so too did Australian news networks.
"I've been pretty fortunate really," the humble Brittain said.
He's now set up his own business and works as a freelancer for the different news agencies.
A recent exciting move in his career has been securing work with former New Zealander Roger Laxon, who runs his own production company overseas called Flying Fern Films.
Through Laxon he has gone to Hong Kong and Rome for the Formula E and has filmed Gordon Ramsay's Christmas special.
"He's taught me a lot and has given me a lot of work."
As for the future, thanks to his mother he has a British passport and can keep working based in London as long as he likes.
He looks back on how his career unfolded and feels pretty proud he's been able to make it happen.
"I just put my head down and was happy to plod along and work for nothing and show people that I was keen and capable.
"There are courses you can do but sometimes practical skills and being on the ground working with people who have been doing it for years is best."
He had advice for similar young men like him who in their mid teens might not know how to achieve their dreams.
"Put yourself out there and try things. I didn't find anyone not willing to give me a chance or show me what they did. Everyone I approached was keen to teach or share their experiences."
Charlie Brittain's top tips for getting your dream job: * Put yourself out there - don't be afraid to ask * Learn as much as you can from skilled people * Be keen, be reliable and work hard * Don't always expect to be paid at first
