Today we’d like to introduce you to Geneviève Agar
Hi Geneviève, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in cinematography began in Miami, a market primarily known for music videos and commercial work. Starting as a camera PA, I soaked up knowledge from every set I was on, whether it was the flow of commercial productions, music videos or indie features. While Miami offered solid opportunities to learn the basics, I knew I needed to push beyond its familiar shores to fully realize my creative ambitions.
When most people were retreating from Los Angeles in 2020, I made the bold decision to leave Miami and pursue my dreams in the entertainment capital of the world. As a camera assistant ready to take the next step in my career, I dove headfirst into the city’s film industry during one of its most challenging periods.
Moving to LA during the pandemic wasn’t the typical Hollywood arrival story, but in some ways, the unusual circumstances created unique opportunities. While productions were initially limited, this period allowed me to forge meaningful connections within the film community, laying the groundwork for future collaborations.
As the industry adapted to new protocols, I found my niche in documentary filmmaking, working on projects for HBO, Showtime, Hulu & Disney. This genre became a transformative stepping stone, offering me opportunities to travel the world while honing my craft. Through these projects, I developed a keen eye for finding beauty in unscripted moments and adapting to unpredictable situations.
My journey took an exciting turn with acceptance into the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory’s Cinematography program. This educational experience marked a pivotal moment in my evolution from Miami camera PA to Los Angeles cinematographer, providing a platform to refine my technical skills while developing my distinct creative voice.
Today, my portfolio spans an array of projects – from feature films to commercials, music videos, and my continued work in documentaries. Each project, whether it’s capturing the raw emotion of a documentary subject or crafting the perfect commercial shot, benefits from the unique perspective I’ve gained along the way.
Looking back, moving to LA during a pandemic could have been seen as a setback, but I transformed it into an opportunity for growth. Through persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace unconventional paths, I’ve built a career that spans multiple facets of cinematography. As I continue to push creative boundaries and take on new challenges, I’m grateful for the journey that took me from Miami’s music video sets to shooting features in Los Angeles.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a woman pursuing a career in cinematography, I’ve had to navigate an industry where technical roles – particularly in grip, electric, and camera departments – remain overwhelmingly male-dominated. On many sets, I was the only woman in the camera department. While some crews welcomed me immediately, others required me to repeatedly prove my capabilities in ways my male colleagues never had to. But each challenge only strengthened my resolve. I found mentors who saw my potential rather than my gender, and I’ve made it a point to help pave the way for other women entering these technical fields.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What truly drives me as a cinematographer is the power of visual storytelling to build bridges between communities and reveal the deeper human connections that unite us all. While I work across features, commercials, and music videos, I’m particularly drawn to projects that allow me to immerse myself in unique stories.
A recent highlight was working on a film about the women-led lowrider scene in Los Angeles. Getting to learn about this community and its history through my lens was an incredible experience that reminded me why I love what I do. It’s these kinds of projects – ones that shed light on unique communities and challenge prevailing narratives – that really excite me as a cinematographer.
What sets me apart is my belief that great visual storytelling comes from a place of genuine curiosity and respect. I don’t just show up with a camera; I take time to understand the story we’re trying to tell. Whether I’m shooting a narrative feature, documentary, or commercial, I look for those authentic moments that make viewers feel something real.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Being the first in my family to pursue an artistic career meant navigating uncharted territory. There was no roadmap, no family connections in the industry, just a deep belief that stories matter and that I had something unique to contribute through my lens. I believe there’s no reward without risk and while I might have had a more stable career if I had done something more traditional, I am happy to look back on the last 10 years of my life and gotten to create work with good people that I’m incredibly proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: Being the first in my family to pursue an artistic career meant navigating uncharted territory. There was no roadmap, no family connections in the industry, just a deep belief that stories matter and that I had something unique to contribute through my lens. While others in my family took more traditional paths, I chose to bet on myself and my vision. What sets me apart is this perspective of someone who had to discover and create their own path into filmmaking. I bring this same spirit of exploration and determination to every project, whether I’m shooting narrative features, documentaries, or commercials. I’ve learned to find creative solutions in challenging environments, drawing from my experiences in both Miami and Los Angeles film scenes.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genevieveagar
Image Credits
Geneviève Agar
