Moder was born in Los Angeles, California to Producer Mike Moder and Patricia Ann Watz. He has four siblings: John, Jyl, Jane, and Debbie. Moder graduated from Saint Monica High School in 1987 and earned a degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado - Boulder in 1992.

Moder began his career as a production assistant in the 1995 action film Crimson Tide. The following year, he worked on the set of the 1996 Sports drama film The Fan. From then, he worked in the Camera and Electrical Department on films like The Brave, Enemy of the State, The Big Tease, and Tuesdays with Morrie. He made his debut as a Cinematographer in the short comedy film Kid Quick. As a Cinematographer, he has since worked on films like Grand Champion, Border, The Hit, Fireflies in the Garden, Jesus Henry Christ, Highland Park, Plush, The Normal Heart, and Secret in Their Eyes. Moder has also worked on a number of short films as a Cinematographer. He continues to pursue jobs in the Camera and Electrical Department with films such as The Mexican, Full Frontal, Mona Lisa Smile, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Friends with Money, and Spider-Man 3.

Moder was previously married to Vera Steimberg from 1997 to 2002. He met his wife, Actress Julia Roberts, on the set of her film The Mexican in 2000. After his divorce from Steimberg was finalized, he and Roberts wed on July 4, 2002, in a small ceremony at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico. They have three children together: twins Hazel Patricia Moder and Phinnaeus "Finn" Walter Moder (born November 28, 2004) and son Henry Daniel Moder (born June 18, 2007).