Meet Cierra Pashawn | Cinematographer & Writer

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

Hi Cierra, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking has played a huge role in both my life and my career. I believe it’s essential, even when you’re afraid. You can’t be afraid to be a beginner, everyone starts somewhere, and growth only happens when you’re willing to step into the unknown. Earlier in my journey, always was afraid of failing. But over time, I’ve realized that not trying is a bigger risk. The “what if” of not taking action stays with you longer than any failure ever will. Every time I’ve taken a chance, whether it worked out or not I’ve gained something valuable. I’ve learned, I’ve improved, and I’ve gotten better for the next opportunity. I think more people would surprise themselves if they allowed themselves to just take that leap.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art lives at the intersection of story, emotion, and visual atmosphere. As a cinematographer, I’m drawn to creating work that feels immersive, where the audience doesn’t just watch the story, they feel it. I gravitate toward grounded, character driven narratives, often with a darker, more cinematic tone, and I use lighting and texture to reflect what’s happening internally with the characters. A lot of my work explores tension and human complexity, which you can see in projects like my vertical series What Loyalty Gets You. My journey hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t been traditional. After my dad passed, I had a moment of clarity, life is too short not to pursue what you truly love. I made the decision to walk away from what felt safe and fully commit to film, something I had always been passionate about. That decision changed everything for me, and I haven’t looked back since. There have been challenges navigating the industry, financial uncertainty, and moments of self doubt but I’ve learned to keep showing up anyway. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that consistency matters more than perfection. You don’t need to have everything figured out, you just need to start and keep going.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d definitely give them a full experience mixing entertainment, food, and special moments. We’d have to start at Intuit Dome, either for a game or a concert. I might work live events there so I’m a little biased, but it really is an incredible venue. The energy, the production, the atmosphere it’s an experience every time. One night is absolutely reserved for dinner at Delilah in West Hollywood. That’s one of my favorite spots. The ambiance, the live music, especially on Sundays, it’s one of those places where the night just feels cinematic. We’d also catch a show at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. There’s something special about seeing a Broadway production in the middle of LA, it’s a different kind of storytelling experience that I really appreciate.
Then of course, we’d spend some time by the beach, somewhere along the Southern California coast, just to slow things down a bit and take in the views. And if we have the time, we’re definitely going to Disneyland. You can’t come to LA and not tap into a little bit of that magic.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to give a shoutout to the Local 600 Black Women’s mente group. Being part of that community has been incredibly impactful for me. I’ve learned so much just from listening to their journeys, seeing the spaces they’ve carved out for themselves in such a competitive industry, and being reminded that there’s a place for me too. Their stories, support, and encouragement continue to inspire me to keep pushing forward and striving to grow.
I also want to recognize DeJon from Local 80, who took a chance on me and brought me into a grip training mentorship. That experience gave me hands on skills and confidence that I still carry with me on set today. Having someone believe in you early on and invest in your growth makes a lasting difference, and I’m really grateful for that.

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