DAVID RUFF
PHOTOJOURNALIST &
FAA CERTIFIED DRONE PILOT

My first real experience in television began in the Junior High School media center where I was exposed to video cameras and VCR’s. This led to my first natural sound project created by connecting 2 VCR’s together for a video celebrating my grandparents 40th anniversary. They loved the video and I discovered I loved the process of creating it. I couldn’t learn the equipment fast enough and continued videotaping school events and editing them through my High School years. My love of the craft continued into college where I was able to edit videos for the University marching band (when I wasn’t playing in it). This is also when I actually started getting paid to do TV at the local stations in Springfield Missouri where I attended Southwest Missouri State University (now shortened to Missouri State University)

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I owe much of my valuable television experience to KOZK-TV in Springfield Missouri. I had the opportunity to shoot, edit, direct, floor direct, technical direct, and operate studio cameras for the stations pledge drives. This eventually turned into my first real paying TV gig. I then went on to shoot and edit at KOLR-TV in Springfield. I tried my hand at directing newscasts for a couple years and then just had to go back to shooting news.

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This led me to KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, where I took a staff photographer job. After just 9 months, I was promoted to Chief Photographer overseeing a staff of 13 photographers and 6 editors at the young age of 24. I spent hours in the station's helicopter, drove to every corner of the state operating the satellite truck and most importantly, I had the opportunity to work some some of the best reporters and photojournalists.  As a Chief Photographer, I had the opportunity to oversee the purchase of over $1 million in new cameras, accessories and edit equipment.

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After 6 years as Chief Photographer, I got the offer call from CNN while sitting in the Satellite truck at a Senator Kerry Rally in downtown Albuquerque. I accepted the job and made the move from the southwest to the east coast and joined the photojournalist ranks at CNN’s Washington Bureau in 2004.

 

My work in Washington D.C. took me all over the world and many parts of the United States. I covered many breaking news stories and also traveled overseas following the Secretary of State to places like Libya, Afghanistan, Moscow, and Uzbekistan.

 

In 2013, I was given the opportunity to join the CNN Chicago bureau where I continued to cover breaking news all over the country as well as work on CNN documentaries and specials.

 

In 2018, I completed training to become a CNN Air pilot which allows me to fly a drone for CNN packages, documentaries, and breaking news.

 

In 2019, I was given the opportunity to move south and join the CNN Dallas bureau where I continue to work on special projects, documentaries and incorporate CNN Air whenever possible.