Cinematographer drawn to stories that transform the ordinary into the unforgettable. I aim for visual impact and emotional response in my work: lighting that elevates the frame and commands attention, color driven by tone and mood, and camera movement that invites the viewer into the scene. My journey through the camera department — utility, loader, camera assistant, operator, and now DP— has grounded me in the day-to-day craft of filmmaking. I’ve learned how to move through sets quietly, respect performance, and build trust through clarity, communication, and consistency. Since joining Local 600 in 2019, and becoming a DP mentee in 2025, I’ve contributed to features, episodic work, long-form documentaries, and commercial content. I’m comfortable building looks from set through color pipelines, navigating multi-camera workflows, and adapting to whatever the shoot demands. My goal is always the same: to serve the director’s vision while creating an exceptional visual journey.

Julie Nhem

Cinematographer drawn to stories that transform the ordinary into the unforgettable. I aim for visual impact and emotional response in my work: lighting that elevates the frame and commands attention, color driven by tone and mood, and camera movement that invites the viewer into the scene. My journey through the camera department — utility, loader, camera assistant, operator, and now DP— has grounded me in the day-to-day craft of filmmaking. I’ve learned how to move through sets quietly, respect performance, and build trust through clarity, communication, and consistency. Since joining Local 600 in 2019, and becoming a DP mentee in 2025, I’ve contributed to features, episodic work, long-form documentaries, and commercial content. I’m comfortable building looks from set through color pipelines, navigating multi-camera workflows, and adapting to whatever the shoot demands. My goal is always the same: to serve the director’s vision while creating an exceptional visual journey.

Available to hire

Cinematographer drawn to stories that transform the ordinary into the unforgettable. I aim for visual impact and emotional response in my work: lighting that elevates the frame and commands attention, color driven by tone and mood, and camera movement that invites the viewer into the scene.
My journey through the camera department — utility, loader, camera assistant, operator, and now DP— has grounded me in the day-to-day craft of filmmaking. I’ve learned how to move through sets quietly, respect performance, and build trust through clarity, communication, and consistency. Since joining Local 600 in 2019, and becoming a DP mentee in 2025, I’ve contributed to features, episodic work, long-form documentaries, and commercial content. I’m comfortable building looks from set through color pipelines, navigating multi-camera workflows, and adapting to whatever the shoot demands. My goal is always the same: to serve the director’s vision while creating an exceptional visual journey.

See more

Experience Level

Intermediate
Intermediate

Language

Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Cinematographer at Various Independent Productions
January 1, 2025 - Present
Selected cinematography for narrative features and episodic work, including The Mural (2025, Dir. Rollyn Stafford), Smokey's (2024, Dir. Cristian Paluso), Menopunks (2025, Dir. Alicia J. Rose), The Woman’s Rite (2024, Dir. Heidi Uecker), This Is Fine (2022-, Dir. Tara Johnson-Medinger), Everything I Am (2025, Dir. Martin Vavra). Built looks from set through LUT development and DI collaboration; natural lighting, restrained camera movement, and a focus on visual storytelling.
Cinematographer at The Mural
January 1, 2025 - Present
Visual character study exploring community and place. Focus on natural light, restrained camera movement, visual intimacy, and juxtaposed skin-tone tonal palettes. Built look through LUT development + DI collaboration.
Cinematographer at Smokey’s
January 1, 2024 - Present
Cinematic fantastical storytelling grounded in shadow-contrast lighting & handheld camera movement.
Cinematographer at Menopunks
January 1, 2025 - Present
Multi-state interview-focused documentary. Lean, mobile setups, mixed-sensor workflow, and long-form vérité coverage.
Cinematographer at The Woman’s Rite
January 1, 2024 - Present
Interviews + vérité hybrid with thematic color separation. Managed on-location lighting strategy and several multi-camera setups.
Cinematographer at This Is Fine
January 1, 2022 - Present
Episodic pilot incorporating strong female leads and dance choreography. Warm naturalistic light integrated with low atmospheric, skin-tuned magentas and violets in dance sequence. Composed with responsive dolly movement, maintaining dynamic proximity.
Cinematographer at Everything I Am
January 1, 2025 - Present
Love and grief between an interracial couple punctuated with monochromatic visuals built through a LUT.

Education

Film Studies, Post-Baccalaureate at Portland State University
January 11, 2030 - January 20, 2026
Higher Education Administration, M.Ed at University of Arkansas
January 11, 2030 - January 20, 2026
Anthropology & Spanish, B.A. at University of Oregon
January 11, 2030 - January 20, 2026
Post-Baccalaureate in Film Studies at Portland State University
January 11, 2030 - January 20, 2026
Master of Education (M.Ed) in Higher Education Administration at University of Arkansas
January 11, 2030 - January 20, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology & Spanish at University of Oregon
January 11, 2030 - January 20, 2026

Qualifications

IATSE Local 600 DP Mentee
January 1, 2025 - January 20, 2026
WIF-PDX Board Member
January 1, 2024 - January 20, 2026
OMPA Co-Chair
January 1, 2024 - January 20, 2026
OMPA Pathways Program Selection
January 11, 2030 - January 20, 2026
IATSE Local 600 DP Mentor
January 1, 2025 - January 20, 2026
WIF-PDX Board Member
January 1, 2024 - January 20, 2026
OMPA Co-Chair
January 1, 2024 - January 20, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other