Sandra Valde-Hansen, ASC, LPS, is an accomplished Filipina-American cinematographer working across feature films, television, and documentary. Named one of Variety’s “Artisan Elite: Up Next,” she holds an MFA from the American Film Institute, where she now serves as a Senior Lecturer in Cinematography.
Her notable credits include the series, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime), the feature, Plan B (Hulu), and the documentary Burn Motherf**er, Burn* (Showtime). A longtime collaborator of acclaimed indie filmmaker Gregg Araki, she lensed his STARZ series Now Apocalypse and Sundance features Kaboom and White Bird in a Blizzard. Most recently, she served as cinematographer on XO, Kitty (Netflix), and Seasons 2 and 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty (Prime Video), created by New York Times bestselling author/showrunner Jenny Han.
Valde-Hansen is deeply committed to increasing representation in front of and behind the camera. She has committed that her work helps open up experiences of many diverse voices. She credits mentors such as Stephen Lighthill, ASC; Alan Caso, ASC; Nancy Schreiber, ASC; and Steven Poster, ASC for helping her believe this career was possible, and she strives to do the same for others. She actively supports and uplifts emerging voices through her work with organizations like Women in Media, Women in Film, Film Independent, the ASC, and numerous film schools and mentorship initiatives. For Valde-Hansen, mentorship is both a responsibility and a personal passion, rooted in the belief that representation, encouragement, and community are essential to thriving in both a challenging and rewarding industry.
Valde-Hansen achieved a longtime personal milestone in 2022 when she was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). She is also a proud member of the Philippines’ Cinematography society, Lupon ng Pilipinong Sinematograpo (LPS), the Society of Camera Operators, the International Cinematographers Guild, the Television Academy, and the American Association of University Professors. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.
