Rayana Rasamee
Director of Photography
About
Rayana Rasamee is a Thai-American cinematographer based in Los Angeles. Her passion for the art of storytelling is drawn from a desire to inspire, uplift and introduce new perspectives. As a product of immigrant parents, she is enamored with stories that examine the human experience while showcasing inclusive imagery representative of her upbringing.
Rayana’s cinematography work encompasses narrative feature films, documentaries and commercials for world-renowned clients such as Toyota, Puma, WNBA, Palm Beach Tan and Advance Auto Parts. Her career in film took off after deciding to pivot from a decade-long journey working in tech. In 2018, she was accepted to the inaugural class of the American Film Institute’s Cinematography Intensive for Women (CIW) and in 2022, she completed her MFA in Cinematography at the AFI Conservatory with support from AFI AWARDS Audi Scholarship, Tom Yoda Award and P.E.O. International. She holds a BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland and is an associate member of the Society of Camera Operators (SOC).
In 2023, Rayana completed shooting two independent feature films: ‘Spiral into the Yellow Void’ shot in Santa Fe, NM starring Monique Candelaria (Breaking Bad, Lovecraft Country) and directed by Levin Garbisch. ‘Ugly Sweater’ starring Deja Monique Cruz (Disney+ The Crossover) directed by Lauren Musgrove shot in Boston, MA and produced by Purple Magnet. She is currently shooting principal photography for independent feature documentary produced by Alpine Labs and directed by Kevin Abrams ‘Second Chair, Stage Left.’
In March 2023, Rayana was selected as one of four cinematography participants for Issa Rae’s ColorCreative inaugural Find Your People cohort.
Featured Press:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/best-american-film-schools-ranked-2023-1235559013/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/issa-rae-find-your-people-program-1235566594/
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/horror-filmmaker-living-dream-in-santa-fe/article_0f0d73e8-dd5b-11ed-b783-3fae64e019fa.html
Rayana’s cinematography work encompasses narrative feature films, documentaries and commercials for world-renowned clients such as Toyota, Puma, WNBA, Palm Beach Tan and Advance Auto Parts. Her career in film took off after deciding to pivot from a decade-long journey working in tech. In 2018, she was accepted to the inaugural class of the American Film Institute’s Cinematography Intensive for Women (CIW) and in 2022, she completed her MFA in Cinematography at the AFI Conservatory with support from AFI AWARDS Audi Scholarship, Tom Yoda Award and P.E.O. International. She holds a BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland and is an associate member of the Society of Camera Operators (SOC).
In 2023, Rayana completed shooting two independent feature films: ‘Spiral into the Yellow Void’ shot in Santa Fe, NM starring Monique Candelaria (Breaking Bad, Lovecraft Country) and directed by Levin Garbisch. ‘Ugly Sweater’ starring Deja Monique Cruz (Disney+ The Crossover) directed by Lauren Musgrove shot in Boston, MA and produced by Purple Magnet. She is currently shooting principal photography for independent feature documentary produced by Alpine Labs and directed by Kevin Abrams ‘Second Chair, Stage Left.’
In March 2023, Rayana was selected as one of four cinematography participants for Issa Rae’s ColorCreative inaugural Find Your People cohort.
Featured Press:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/best-american-film-schools-ranked-2023-1235559013/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/issa-rae-find-your-people-program-1235566594/
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/horror-filmmaker-living-dream-in-santa-fe/article_0f0d73e8-dd5b-11ed-b783-3fae64e019fa.html
Photo: Naomi Christie
ray@rayana.co