Produced by: Her Studio New York

Interviewed by: Stephanie Rommelt

What kind of creative do you identify as?

I am a master of the camera, both in front of and behind the lens. My relationship with cameras began when I was a teenager entering my modeling career. Growing up as a shy and introverted individual was not easy. All I wanted to do was fade into the background, but my towering height (I’m 5’11”) made it impossible for me to hide in the shadows. Sports were something I was never interested in, but I instead gravitated toward the arts and storytelling. I binged America’s Next Top Model not only because I loved the fashion but because I identified with the contestants, as they were all tall. I saw people who looked like me, and it helped me realize that modeling was where I belonged at the time. It did not take me long to find people who were interested in letting me model for them, and it allowed me to travel and work in Los Angeles and New York City. Modeling helped shape me into who I am today. It created an avenue to my confidence and allowed me to feel comfortable enough to show the world who I am.

However, as I grew older, I gravitated behind the camera because my interest in cinematography began to develop. In college, a friend at the time told me there were a lot of movie sets filming in town (New Orleans), and I should go be a background artist to make extra money. Extra money to a college student is always important. I figured out how to get on my first film set, and the moment I walked into the room, I knew for the first time what I was meant to do with the rest of my life. The camera operator and cinematographer drew my eye, and I promised myself that I would do that too.

Thus, I am a master of the camera—a storyteller who understands how to craft an image, whether still or moving, on both sides of the lens. A cinematographer who operates cameras with a history of modeling.

How did you find your passion, or what is your mission?

I took a film studies course when I was a senior in high school. My teacher only showed us films created, directed, and produced by women. She did so to teach us that there are not many women or minorities working in filmmaking. Minorities are especially scarce in technical, creative, decision-making positions, like being a cinematographer. At the time, I did not know that would be the most important class I would ever take in my life.

I went on to college to study Journalism and French, but the thought of there being a lack of minorities never left me. The reason is that I know our stories are just as captivating and important as those of white male filmmakers, who dominate the industry. When I eventually figured out how to get onto a film set, I knew that I had to learn everything I could about being a cinematographer and working with the Camera, Lighting, and Grip departments.

My journey began in college, where I earned a drone piloting certification issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. Since then, it has been an endless pursuit of seeking opportunities where I can expand my knowledge and skills to become a well-rounded cinematographer. I have flown all over the country to attend workshops, make industry connections, and get a camera in my hands as often as possible. I was still a full-time college student and starting my journey into filmmaking, but the 100-hour workweeks were worth it.

Being a cinematographer is a big goal of mine. However, my life’s purpose is to inspire, uplift, and encourage women and minorities (especially Black women) to pursue working with cameras in the film industry. That is the fire that is ignited daily, and the flames grow at the thought that if I work hard enough, I will achieve it.

What does a “day in the life” look like for you?

It’s funny you ask this because I am now creating vlogs. I want to show people what a day in the life of an emerging female cinematographer looks like.

In a nutshell, every day is a little different, which makes it all very exciting! Have a look here to get a glimpse into my world.

How do you balance your professional life with other aspects of your life?

I would be lying if I said my world was not dominated by filmmaking during almost every waking moment of my day.

It is hard to create a work-life balance, and I am still perfecting mine. However, I always make sure that I take care of my physical health with daily exercise and good nutrition.

As for hobbies, New York City has so much to offer; there is always something to do. Therefore, I like to try new things that excite me. Some things I have recently done include aerial acrobatics, attending the American Ballet Theater, learning more about aquatic life, and going out with friends.

My latest pursuit in my journey as a camera woman is underwater camera operation and cinematography. I am earning a scuba diving certification to add to my collection of niche skills. I want to be a cinematographer who operates cameras in the air, on land, and in the sea. It has been a ton of fun, and it has further piqued my interest in wildlife. I am now a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and I hope to educate myself on sea creatures through volunteer opportunities for scuba divers.

Lastly, when I need more relaxing time, I love going on long walks in the city, reading books, meditating, or sketching (I’m a self-taught artist).

What would you like to see more of in the industry?

More women and minorities, specifically Black women, in the Camera department within the film industry—immediately! In the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, I believe there are nearly 10,000 members that make up the Camera union within the United States. Out of that number, only 100+ are Black women. That is absurd.

There is no good reason why our voices, stories, and faces shouldn’t be heard, seen, or celebrated in this space. Our stories matter. We matter.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to women who want to pursue a similar career?

Even when there are things, forces, and people that have been sent to destroy you, please do not let them take your power away. Know your worth, own it, and do not accept anything less than what you deserve.

This journey is not for the faint of heart, and you will be tested beyond your preconceived limitations of yourself.

As a woman, you will have to be the hardest-working person in the room. Do the job and complete it well. You’ll make mistakes along the way, which is okay, but you must learn from them to better yourself next time.

Trust in your vision. Trust in yourself. That is your rocket power.

Do you believe the spaces you work in are diverse?

Sadly, no. The lack of diversity within the film industry, specifically the Camera department, is the reason I joined the industry in the first place. I want to leave it better than when I found it.

Most of the time, I walk onto sets or into rooms, and I find that I am one of the only people who look like me in there. I am often surrounded by a group of guys who are usually white. People within the industry would refer to this as being a ‘Boys Club,’ and I agree.

A challenge that I face is inserting myself into the space as a Black woman and proving that I can perform just as well as the guys can.

When people see me, they do not think I work in the Camera department. I am always mistaken for being an actress, makeup artist, or hairstylist. A few occasions, I have been mistaken for being a producer, which is nice (it is a significant decision-making position of power), but I want to be viewed as a camera woman.

I try to rectify this situation by using my social media platforms, like Instagram (@erinhaynesofficial), to showcase myself with a camera. I do this to expose people to the idea that Black camera women exist. People cannot deny things if they can see them.

I acknowledge that there has been an effort to increase diversity within film crews. Some studios require film sets to meet a certain percentage of diversity among their crews. I appreciate the efforts, but it also makes me feel like I am being hired to fulfill a diversity checkbox—not for my hard work, skills, and talent. I have mixed feelings about this, but we have to start somewhere. Some diversity is better than none.

A tip to becoming a girl boss:

Do the things that are scary and uncomfortable. Do not be reckless, of course, as you do not want to hurt yourself.

But, make that phone call, write that email, take that flight… everything you want in this life is on the other side of fear.

Do something about it.

What/who inspires you?

In the words of Virgil Abloh, “Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself.”

To the awkward, unassuming, and insecure young Erin who thought she would only see her dreams in her head, I am proud that the current version of me is bringing that mind-movie into reality. Hopefully, my actions can inspire the little girls who look like me to do the same.

What is one thing you hope to do in the future?

My fever dream is to walk a runway or do a photoshoot, finish my modeling work for the day, and go change clothes. Only to re-emerge at the cinematographer capturing the rest of the shoot or show. That’s crazy, haha! But, I am also the same person who has brought cameras 400-feet into the air, and I will soon bring them into the ocean meeting wildlife. I’m only 25. Anything is possible in this lifetime. 

Connect with Erin!

Instagram : @erinhaynesofficial