Today we’d like to introduce you to Paloma Ronquillo.
Hi Paloma, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Cinematography started in my living room, filming my dog, cat, and cousin on a Cyber-shot Sony digital camera. There were times when I was young that I remember documenting even the hard moments. Back then, it was just for fun—or because I felt the need to capture a specific feeling in those moments. But somewhere between those homemade scenes and the first time I held a cinema camera, something clicked—a heat wave of just knowing: this is it. It wasn’t just a hobby anymore.
It was my second year in college as a filmmaker, and I was asked to first AC on a student thesis. Honestly, I was so new I didn’t even know what a 1st AC really did. Midway through the day, our DP had to leave. “You’re up, Paloma!” the director shouted as they handed me the camera. From that moment on, I knew—this was something I wanted to pour my heart into.
Throughout college, I worked as a camera operator with the local 611 and shot several independent short films and small commercials. Those hands-on experiences helped me build confidence and shaped my visual voice behind the camera.
After college, I went on to graduate school at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, where I earned my MFA in Cinematography.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped me. In the beginning, I didn’t have access to film programs or mentors, so I taught myself with whatever tools I had—usually just with my DSLR camera and a lot of trial and error. Later, navigating the industry as a woman of color in cinematography came with its own hurdles, from being underestimated to having to constantly prove my value on set. But those experiences pushed me to become more confident, resourceful, and intentional with my work. I wouldn’t trade that growth for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a cinematographer with a strong foundation in visual storytelling, shaped by a love for creating home videos as a kid on my family’s Sony cyber-shot digital camera. My work often leans into immersive, emotionally driven imagery—I’m known for using color, light, and bold lens choices to reflect the inner worlds of characters. I specialize in narrative and experimental work, with a passion for collaboration—especially with production designers—to build cohesive, layered visual worlds.
What sets me apart is my deep care for emotional honesty in the frame, and my commitment to growing with every project. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come from those early living room videos to leading cinematography on shorts that challenged and excited me, all while staying rooted in the joy of connection and storytelling.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is being on set, building something from the ground up with a team of passionate creatives. There’s something really special about watching a story come to life—seeing the light hit just right, the camera move with purpose, and knowing everyone poured their heart into that moment. I especially love collaborating with production designers and directors early on—sharing references, textures, and ideas to build a world together. It reminds me of why I started all this in the first place: the joy of creating something meaningful with others and making people feel something through the frame.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palomaronquillo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dove_is_my_name/
Image Credits
Cortney Colvig
Dexter Fletcher
Nareh Dovlatyan
Andre Hurtado
