There are some career moments that feel extra special, and cinematographer Claudia Raschke being welcomed into the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is definitely one of them. For those of us at the New York Film Academy and for any aspiring filmmaker trying to figure out their own path, her journey offers a reminder of how beautifully unpredictable this field can be.
Claudia was born in northern Germany, in Hamburg. She grew up surrounded by cinema – thanks to her family’s movie theatre business. Cinematography wasn’t her first dream, she originally came to New York to study modern dance at the Martha Graham Studio. While in conversation with a fellow restaurant worker who also happened to be a part-time cinematography instructor at Columbia University, he invited her to visit a set and she describes in the ASC announcement, “ It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.”
After that moment, Raschke enrolled in a One Year Filmmaking program at New York University and began filming projects for Columbia students. She worked her way up, from clapper loader to camera assistant to operator and then director of photography..
This October, she became a member of the ASC, a milestone that doesn’t just honor her artistry but also her perseverance in the field. It reflects her decades-long commitment to the craft. ASC membership is extended by invitation only and recognizes cinematographers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, professionalism, and dedication to advancing the art of visual storytelling. For Raschke, joining the ASC places her among a distinguished group of cinematographers whose work has impacted both the industry and the way audiences experience film. It also highlights the increasing presence of women within the cinematography community.
One of the most compelling things about Raschke’s work is how her dance background lives inside her cinematography. As she says, “I can choreograph using camera movements with my subjects; I can paint with lights and sculpt with shadow to create a three-dimensional world.”
Over the course of her career, Raschke has worked on a number of documentary features and series. Some of her most notable credits include:
- RBG (Academy Award nominee & Emmy winner; CNN) – A documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- Fauci (NatGeo) – A detailed look at the life and work of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
- Julia (CNN) – A portrait of Julia Child, chronicling her influence on food culture.
- Particle Fever (Inaugural winner of Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication) – A documentary exploring the Large Hadron Collider and the search for the Higgs boson.
- My Name Is Pauli Murray (Peabody & duPont-Columbia Award winner) – Highlighting the life of civil rights pioneer Pauli Murray.
- Mad Hot Ballroom (National Board of Review Winner for Top 5 Documentaries & celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year), Boys State (Emmy winner), and the eight part docuseries Kevin Costner’s The West, among many others.
Her work covers a wide range of subject matter, like political figures, scientists, activists, artists and historical icons.
For RBG, filming with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was incredibly restricted. Access was limited and Raschke often had a little as twenty minutes with her. She had to prepare meticulously, consider lighting, blocking, and camera movements to have everything ready to go the second the clock started. Filming inside the Supreme Court meant no second chances.
Beyond her work as a cinematographer, Raschke has always been committed to teaching. She joined the NYFA Documentary Faculty in 2016, sharing decades of real documentary experience with students – the kind of knowledge you only get from being in the field, solving problems under pressure, and navigating stories that evolve moment by moment.
Raschke is also a founding member of the NYC Kamera Kollektive, a collective focused on documentary cinematography. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and has been recognized as a Canon Explorer of Light, a program highlighting photographers and cinematographers who demonstrate excellence in their field. These affiliations reflect both her expertise and the respect she has earned within the filmmaking community.
Her philosophy makes it clear why her work resonates the way it does. As she puts it, “Filming intuitively, honestly and without inhibitions is a journey that requires a compassionate heart and the ability to see and hear what lies beneath the surface.”
Seeing Claudia Raschke join the ASC isn’t just inspiring, it’s grounding. It’s a reminder that filmmaking isn’t just about equipment or technique. It’s about listening, paying attention, staying open, and following the moments that change you. Her journey is proof that your instincts and your curiosity can take you exactly where you’re meant to be.
We’re proud to have Claudia shaping the next generation of documentary storytellers at NYFA, and we eagerly look forward to the meaningful, transformative films she will bring into the world.