In Focus: Autumn Durald Arkapaw

The challenge is not in finding something outside yourself, but in being vulnerable enough to explore and express what is already there. I learned this early on while I was shooting fashion films with Gia Coppola. We would run around with the camera and shoot what we thought was beautiful. Our first feature together, Palo Alto (2013), changed the course of my career, allowing me to present my unique visual style to a wider audience. Gia and I were brave with our process because we were willing to trust our instincts. Looking back, it built so much confidence in our point of view, and we developed a collaboration and friendship that I treasure. 

Being brave with my choices is my most important tool. When you create from that honest place, your work carries power. And when you’re able to create with people you genuinely admire and love, your work begins to truly evolve. Finding the right place for the camera is part of my job as a cinematographer, but for me it’s more than just a technical decision; it’s something deeply personal. I never fully know what feels right until I have my eye to the eyepiece, watching a rehearsal unfold. That’s when it clicks. I feed off the performances, the rhythm of the scene, the energy, and the beauty in the space. It’s an intuitive process, one that comes from being present and connected to the moment.

Imitation can teach you technique, but it won’t reveal your truth. Every time you take a risk and share your perspective, you step closer to discovering your visual voice. Each choice I make is a mix of instinct and lived experience. It’s about trusting the feeling I get and drawing from what I know. I’ve also found that the more I infuse my work with my cultural identity—Sinners (2025) is a great example of this—the more vibrant and meaningful the work becomes to me. With my great-grandmother born in Mississippi and my father born in New Orleans, returning to that land after so long—to tell a story rooted in my personal ancestry, with the special team Ryan brought together—was profoundly moving. Every layer of that experience carried meaning I could feel in my bones.

Whenever I’m presented with a great project, I view it as an opportunity to take big swings and infuse it with my style. Whether that’s strong framing or bold lighting, it’s important to have a distinct point of view. I was able to do that with director Kate Herron on the Marvel series Loki (2021–). Trying to do the majority of our visual effects in camera and having real ceilings in our sets was something very important to our team and something we pushed for. We were daring in our visual storytelling—Loki was well written and looked nothing like anything they had done before—and it paid off in the show’s success. It’s so important to give the audience a sense of who you are through the framing and camera movement. It doesn’t happen all at once; it’s a process of layering, testing, and refining. Even the missteps are valuable; they guide you toward clarity by showing what doesn’t resonate with your vision. 

Looking for that harmony between your taste and the story on the page is essential to creating work that feels both personal and compelling. Ryan Coogler is one of the most inspiring individuals I’ve ever been around. Being inspired by collaborators is paramount to creating work that resonates deeply and, in the process, can change who you are as an artist. I’ve found a truthful and soulful collaborator in Ryan, someone who brings out the best in everyone around him.

Great storytelling happens when you find the right moments, the right light, the right framing, and, most importantly, an emotional connection. This connection stays with people long after the image fades. I studied photography in college, and still images have always been my greatest source of inspiration when prepping for a film. A single still image has the power to stay with you, and this opportunity to create many images, moving ones, is something I never take for granted. Being bold creatively means trusting your voice and sharing work that reflects who you truly are. 

It’s been an honor to work on projects that evolved with me, each one a mirror of my growth and a reflection of my heritage, brought to life on-screen. Even the less successful projects have offered important lessons and shaped the way I work. I truly believe timing is everything, and in many ways, these projects chose me. Share the stories deeply rooted in you, the ones only you can tell; they’re the ones that will remain after you’re gone.

With love and courage, 

Autumn Durald Arkapaw