In this deeply personal and visually imaginative episode of the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Alicia Robbins—a storyteller who shapes emotion through light, lens, and movement. Best known for her cinematic voice and ability to elevate character-driven narratives, Alicia brings us behind the camera to reveal how she captures truth and creates imagery that resonates long after the frame fades to black. Alicia shares her creative evolution, from discovering the poetry of cinematography to developing a signature style that’s both technically masterful and emotionally intuitive. We explore her artistic influences, on-set experiences, and the quiet internal work that supports her boldest visual decisions. With thoughtful reflections on collaboration, identity, motherhood, and navigating a dynamic industry, Alicia offers a rare window into the heart of a cinematographer—where craft meets vulnerability, curiosity, and artistic purpose. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, or lover of cinema, this intimate conversation invites you to consider how images can shift our perceptions, unearth memories, and help us tell stories only the heart recognizes. Tune in for a soulful and inspiring deep dive into the world of visual storytelling with Alicia Robbins.a
✅ Keywords: Alicia Robbins, cinematographer interview, film cinematography, woman cinematographer, visual storytelling, filmmaking podcast, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, lighting design, camera artistry, women in film, behind the scenes filmmaking, creative process, film industry insights, movie storytelling, visual narrative, artistic journey, film craft, filmmaking career, cinematography podcast, creative conversation, movie production, on-set stories, Hollywood cinematographer, featured cinematographer
American cinematographer Alicia Robbins is the first female to become a full-time Director of Photography on a Shondaland series. Alicia was lead DP on season 17 of GREY’S ANATOMY, and also lensed episodes of season 3 of the Netflix series, ‘BRIDGERTON. Other credits include a 2022 mini-series for Netflix titled KEEP BREATHING. She also shot four episodes of season 2 of the NBC re-boot of Quantum Leap. The feature BABYSPLITTERS, lensed by Alicia, won Best Feature Film at the 2020 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Best Comedy Feature at the San Diego International Film Festival, and received a mention in Variety for its "sparkling" cinematography. And THE WEDDING INVITATION won Best Romantic Comedy at the Manhattan Film Festival and Best Comedy at Burbank International Festival in 2016. Alicia is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Emerging Cinematographer Award from the Cinematographer's Guild for her work on the short INTERNET GANGSTERS. Alicia was born in San Diego, California in 1979, the youngest of three children—she has an older sister Theresa and brother Tommy—to parents Mary Lynne and Tommy—both musicians, piano and voice teachers. Her parents lived in San Diego for over 20 years but when Alicia was four years old, the family moved to Trussville, AL where she grew up. At the age of seven, she became a competitive swimmer through high school. Despite a musical background, Alicia chose a career in cinematography and in 2003, she graduated with an MFA from the American Film Institute (AFI). Alicia will be returning to BRIDGERTON to shoot Season 4 later this year. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, fellow DP, David Smith.
Instagram:
@aliciacamchick
Website:
https://www.aliciarobbins.com/
IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0730281/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Some favorite women in visual arts:
Mary Lynne Robbins
Mandy Walker
Natalie Kingston
Jeanne Tyson
Host: Chris Stafford
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