Meet Sharon Pulwer | Cinematographer

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

Hi Sharon, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think taking risks is the funnest part about being a cinematographer – trying new things in every shoot is the best way to learn, to evolve, and to keep myself curious and engaged. I think that only through taking risks you give room for real discovery, and these moments of discovery are the ones that really make this work worth while.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my professional life in Israel as a journalist, when photography was just a hobby and a side passion I had. One day I decided to take a chance and apply with some of my photographs to a one year program at the International Center of Photography in New York. It felt like a long shot – but my efforts paid off and I was lucky to get in and move to the US. I found my place behind the camera, and realised that this is the way that I like to communicate and express myself. I pursued photojournalism and started slowly to diverge more and more into narrative filmmaking – as much as I loved documenting reality, I felt the need to use additional creative tools to tell stories. I am currently a cinematography fellow at The American Film Institute in Los Angeles, where I get to collaborate with so many incredible filmmakers around the world that I have the privilege of working with. I think one of the main things for me was realising that sometimes when you change a career there is a lot of fear regarding lack of experience and the outcomes of these major life shifts – for me, I found that everything that I have done before taught me something that I still use today even if my professional path has changed entirely. I believe making changes and taking risks made my career path unique, and that having a diverse past can be a great strength.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am absolutely obsessed with Joshua Tree, There is something about how unique the landscapes are in that area and about the silence of the desert that just makes me so happy. If I have to show someone a good time that will be my first choice – a trip to the national park, and then just wondering around Yucca Valley!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a shoutout to all the crew members that I work with that make films come to life an often don’t get much credit! The dedication of so many people putting in hours of hard physical work because they love being a part of these stories is something I never take for granted. In film you are nothing without your team, and I am so great full for all the incredible talents that I have the privilege to work with.

Website: https://www.sharonpulwer.com/

Instagram: @sharonpulwer