Sarah Whelden Cinematographer

Sarah Whelden

Sarah Whelden is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles. Her perspective as a trans and queer woman has instilled a passion for stories that highlight the often overlooked complexities of the human experience and to characters trapped between worlds. She is energized by working with directors to develop a visual language driven by emotional intention and composed of rules that form the foundation of a cohesive narrative.

Born and raised on Nantucket Island, Sarah developed an interest in capturing the magical light, colors, and textures of her surroundings. On water or land, she has always found comfort in the stillness of the outdoors. Her New England roots also instilled a love of sport as a way to bring people together and marvel at the possibilities of human achievement. Sarah’s commercial work draws inspiration from these nostalgic memories and recontextualizes them through a modern lens.

She has been a full-time cinematographer since 2013 and was selected as part of the prestigious ASC Vision Mentorship in 2021, working under the tutelage of Polly Morgan, ASC, BSC. In 2023 she was among eight Cinematographers chosen for Netflix and WIF's inaugural Cinematography Fellowship. She is also a proud member of the International Cinematography Guild, Local 600.

Sarah’s award-winning narrative portfolio spans six feature films and numerous short films that have premiered and screened at prestigious festivals worldwide. She has two features and two shorts heading into the circuit in 2024 including “Tight,” which will be premiering at SXSW in March.

She has been fortunate to collaborate with the likes of: Nike, AT&T, NBC Sports, On Running, Adidas, GoreTex, Hurley, Columbia Sportswear, LaCie, Keen, Wacom, Stitch Fix, Gerber Gear, and many more.

PRESS

Rosco Spectrum Blog: DMG DASH™ Octa Kit: How All Eight Fixtures Were Used To Light A Short Film

The Wrap: Women In Film Launches Inaugural Fellowship Program (Exclusive)

FujiFilm Blog: Narrative Filmmaking with GFX100 II

Atlas Lens Co. Youtube Channel: On Set With the New GFX100mkII - Interview w/ Sarah Whelden

In Love With The Process Podcast- Fujifilm Creator Series

NAB Amplify: Cultivating Community and Collaboration

The ICF+C Podcast - Episode 10 Part 1

"Check out Sarah Whe ldens Story" - Voyage LA

"Sarah Whelden" - ICG Magazine Summer fun Issue

“Seeing Through the Lens” - On The Page Podcast

“Sarah Whelden on Living Her Truth and Making Space for Younger Filmmakers” - Long Story Short on Muse by Clio (produced in collaboration with Free The Work)

“PBS Food’s Original Fare Gets a New Look with the Cooke Varotal/i FF Zoom Lens” - News & Events by Cooke Optics

“We All Have Our Own Little Superpowers” - Fortitude Series by OMPA

“Bury Your Fish” - Premiere and Write Up on Short of the Week

"Meet Cinematographer Sarah Whelden" - ARRI Instagram

Magic Hour premiere at SXSW

Select Reviews:

IndieWire

"It also looks just gorgeous, thanks to cinematography from Sarah Whelden, which never skimps on the dusk from which it takes its title, but also finds warmth in mornings, late nights, and cozy interiors. Mostly, it feels safe and welcoming, the exact sort of space in which someone would want to work out their biggest problems and face down their worst tragedies. We could all stand for more of that."

Hollywood Reporter

"Sarah Whelden’s cinematography is dazzling. Its bright, candy-colored intensity creates a hyperreal mood in keeping with a story about what is or isn’t real, as we are led to wonder how much Erin has idealized Charlie. Wide views of the desert reflect the couple’s isolation from the rest of the world, as well as the glaring brightness of the sun."

RogerEbert.com

"She admittedly uses her setting well as cinematographer Sarah Whelden embraces the film meaning of the title too, shooting the desert like the surreal, magical place it can be."