Meet Aakash Subramaniam | Cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aakash Subramaniam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aakash, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I didn’t pursue a creative career just because I liked cameras or visuals. I went into it because I needed a way to express the things I didn’t always know how to say out loud. Cinematography gave me that space. It helped me sit with my emotions instead of running away from them. And honestly, it helped me make sense of what I was feeling while giving others something real to connect to.

I’ve always been drawn to the quieter stuff. The stillness in a room. That tension that lingers between two people you can’t quite explain but definitely feel. Cinematography became my way of holding onto those moments. I’m not trying to make something “pretty”. I’m thinking about what the moment is trying to say, and how I can protect that honesty without getting in the way of it.

Storytelling has always been a way for me to connect with the people I care about. It’s in how I grew up and how I see the world. So it just made sense. If I’m going to give everything I’ve got to something, it should be something I actually care about. I’d rather struggle doing what I love than feel stuck somewhere I don’t belong.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I do as a cinematographer is more of an extension of me than anything else. I don’t just look at a scene and think about where the light should fall or how the frame should look. I focus on what the moment is trying to say. What’s underneath the surface? What’s not being said out loud? That emotional layer the story brings is everything to me, and I think that’s what sets my work apart. I don’t chase flashy shots—I chase the story.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is my thesis film, Our Weird Selves. I worked as the cinematographer and executive producer, and it became more than just a student film. It was a reflection of how much I’d grown—technically, emotionally, and personally. This is one of the most important pieces of work I’ve done. Not because it was shot beautifully, but because we were able to deliver what the story was asking for.

It was an exciting and honorable opportunity. We shot it in collaboration with brands like Sony and Zeiss, and it pushed me to take responsibility not just for the visual language, but for the overall experience. I put everything I had into that project, and it became proof to myself that I could handle the pressure and still stay true to the story.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. There were moments of self-doubt, burnout, and feeling like I was falling behind. I’ve had times where I overthought every frame, questioned if I was good enough, and completely drained myself trying to get it right. But I kept showing up. I leaned on discipline when motivation wasn’t there. I learned to listen more to my collaborators, to the project, and to myself. Slowly, I started trusting my instincts and worrying less about trying to prove anything.

One of my biggest inspirations is Kobe Bryant. He’s often quoted as saying, “Rest at the end, not in the middle,” and that line is a constant reminder for me. It reminds me that even on the toughest days, you keep going. You stay locked in.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned, especially professionally, is that time is rewarding. You have to trust the process. When you care deeply about the work, it takes a lot out of you. But it also gives back in ways you don’t expect. That’s why I try to stay present. I don’t rush the process. I give myself time to feel and absorb everything I feel on the way.

What I want the world to know is that I’m not here to just make pretty images. I’m here to tell stories that stay with people. Stories that make someone feel seen

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place in California has to be Burbank. It’s one of the calmest cities in the area, and that’s exactly what I love about it. It’s surrounded by the film industry, and it’s also where I went to film school for my master’s degree. There’s a quiet creative energy here that feels like home.

If a close friend were visiting, one of my go-to spots would be Pricilla’s, my all-time favorite coffee place. It’s tucked away, super cozy, and the kind of place where I’ve spent hours just writing, reflecting, or meeting people who later became close collaborators.

I’d definitely take them to Crypto Arena. Also known as the house that Kobe built. As a Lakers fan, it’s a must. The energy in that space is unreal. It’s been home to NBA legends and some of the most iconic moments in the history of the game. Just standing there, knowing what’s happened on that court, gives you chills.

And one thing I’d really want to do is visit a few iconic GTA V spots in real life. That game came out when I was a teenager, and it shaped how I imagined LA before I even lived here. Walking through those places now feels like stepping into your own childhood imagination.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I want to thank my parents. They’ve always been my heroes. They believed in me long before I believed in myself, and they gave me the space to discover this path without pressure or fear. Pursuing a creative career isn’t always easy to explain to others, but they never made me feel like I had to. That gave me space to figure things out and actually love what I do.

I’m also grateful for the mentors who’ve been there along the way. whether they challenged me, guided me, or gave me opportunities to grow. Every lesson, every bit of trust they placed in me helped shape the way I approach both my work and my mindset.

And I have to mention to Marco Felipe, one of my closest collaborators and someone who has helped me grow not just as a filmmaker, but as a person. What started as a networking conversation turned into a real partnership. We’ve worked on six films together now, but more than that, we’ve built a creative language that pushes us both to keep evolving. If something gives us butterflies, we chase it. That energy, that sense of mutual risk and trust, is rare, and I deeply value it.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akphoto.7?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
I am the owner of all the images provided