Cassandra Giraldo

Cassandra Giraldo (born May 4, 1989) is an American cinematographer and documentary filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. She was a staff producer and cinematographer for Vice News Tonight on HBO from 2016 to 2020 and has covered a range of social and political topics in the United States and abroad as a photojournalist and documentary cameraperson. [1]

Early life and education

Cassandra Giraldo was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1989. She is of Mexican-American and Colombian descent.[2] She attended Skidmore College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Affairs and French in 2011.[2] In 2012, she completed the Photojournalism & Documentary Studies Program at the International Center of Photography (ICP). During her time at ICP, she started The After School Project. After working as a freelance photographer for four years, Giraldo pursued a master’s degree in investigative journalism at the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, graduating in 2017.[3]

Career and documentary work

Photojournalism and cinematography

Giraldo's career has focused on visual storytelling, with her work appearing in major publications and documentary platforms. From 2016 to 2020, she was a staff producer and cinematographer at Vice News Tonight on HBO, contributing to news segments covering social justice movements, political protests, and cultural shifts in the U.S..[1] Her work has been recognized for its raw and immersive approach, capturing underrepresented communities and contemporary youth culture.

Notable projects and exhibitions

  • The GentlePunks – A documentary series that follows teenage punks in St. Petersburg, Russia, highlighting their counterculture identity and experiences with police intimidation.[4]
  • The After School Project – A long-term documentary photography project that captures the after-school lives of New York City teenagers. Inspired by a Brooklyn teen shooting, Giraldo sought to contrast the intimate and playful aspects of teenage life with the challenges of navigating urban environments. The project gained recognition through Instagram and was a finalist for the Getty Institute’s inaugural Instagram grant in 2015.[5]
  • Chutanacuy – A photo-documentary project documenting carnival traditions in Ollantaytambo, Peru. The series captures local customs, including Chutanacuy, a tug-of-war-style competition that determines who will harvest the ceremonial "tree of gifts."[6]

Awards and recognition

  • Emmy Award for Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a Newscast (as part of Vice News Tonight’s coverage of the George Floyd protests in 2020).[7]
  • Winner, American Photography 32 (2016) – Photograph of the Brooklyn Technical High School football team from The After School Project.[8]
  • Finalist, Lucie Emerging Scholarship (2016).[8]
  • Bob Baxter Scholarship Winner, National Press Photographers Association (2016).[9]
  • Named "30 Under 30 Women Photographers" by Photo Boite (2016).[9]
  • Exceptional finalist, Getty Images Instagram Grant (2015).[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Cassandra Giraldo". VICE. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  2. ^ a b "Cassandra Giraldo". IWMF. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  3. ^ Teicher, Jordan G. (2016-05-24). "Hanging Out After School With New York City Students". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  4. ^ Jan, Emily. "The After School Project by Cassandra Giraldo: Photographs of New York City Teenagers - The Atlantic". www.theatlantic.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  5. ^ https://theemmys.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/news-42nd-news-programming-winners.pdf
  6. ^ "AI-AP Slideshow". www.ai-ap.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  7. ^ "Awards - VICE". vicemediagroup.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  8. ^ a b "Cassandra Giraldo "The After School Project"". Lucie Foundation. 2015-12-14. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  9. ^ a b "Cassandra Giraldo". nppf.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  10. ^ "Getty Images Newsroom - Getty Images". Getty Images Newsroom - Getty Images. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
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