Step behind the camera and into the heart of visual storytelling with Colleen Laffey, an acclaimed camera operator whose quiet presence shapes unforgettable cinematic experiences. In this deeply personal and introspective episode, Colleen opens up about the artistry and intuition behind capturing motion, how she finds truth in every frame, and the subtle emotional labor demanded in film and television production. Host Chris Stafford and Colleen explore the path that led her onto set, what it means to collaborate with cinematographers and directors, the physical and mental challenges of camera operation, and how she stays grounded in a fast-moving industry. From career milestones to private reflections on resilience, creativity, and purpose, this interview offers a rare and humanizing portrait of the person behind the lens. Whether you’re passionate about filmmaking, drawn to behind-the-scenes craft, or simply curious about the emotional journey of artistic professionals, this conversation invites you to see the world through new eyes—one frame at a time.
✅ Keywords
camera operator, cinematography, filmmaking podcast, film industry, behind the scenes, motion picture camera, set life, storytelling, visual storytelling, film interview, Colleen Laffey, camera department, Hollywood filmmaking, creative process, Chris Stafford, AART podcast, film careers, women in film, entertainment industry, technical filmmaking, film craft, camera operator interview
BIO
Colleen Laffey is a camera operator whose credits include:
Love is Blind, World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, American Grit, Capture, Master Chef, Jersey Shore, The Bachelorette, Kings of Pain, Are You The One, and
MotoMaidens. She has, she says, become obsessed with photography, it’s her drug of choice and gets in her flow state when she’s shooting. Colleen was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1960, the oldest of three children—she has a brother, Marty, and sister Maureen. Her mother, Dale was a homemaker, and her father Marty a bank loan officer. Colleen’s childhood was largely spent outdoors and when it came time to graduate from High School she chose to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where she graduated with an Associate Degree in Photography. From there she began working in outdoor recreation as a still photographer, a river guide, video kayaker, ski instructor and ski patrol. She worked 4 years at WVPB, and chance opportunity to run camera on a large show changed the course of her career, and at the age of 44 she settled into the unscripted TV industry becoming a sought-after camera operator. Colleen lives in Fayetteville, WV, in a house she designed, and in her spare time she can be found mountain biking or whitewater kayaking.
Colleen’s IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1837418/Instagram @cococam
https://www.instagram.com/cococam/ Colleen’s playlist:
Talking Heads, A Naive Melody
Restless, James McMurtry
Counting Stars, One Republic
I Don’t Know, Lisa Hannigan
Some favorite female artists in visual arts:
Annie Lebowitz, photographer
Ellen Kuras. cinematographer
Zaha Hadid, architect
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email:
hollowellstudios@gmail.com
