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. She is also a proud member of the International Cinematography Guild, Local 600. 

Sarah has lensed multiple award winning films and short form work. Her films have been screened in festivals worldwide, and her feature work can be found on most streaming platforms.

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

“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