Raquel is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer who prioritizes the story within filmmaking. She is drawn to stories that explore the emotional intimacy of the shared human experience.
She received her BFA in Film Production from University of Central Florida (2014) and MFA in Cinematography from UCLA (2023). Her MFA cinematography thesis was research for Color Grading for All Skin Tones. She is the LACA Los Angeles Cinematography Award Winner (May 2023) for the short film “Vida”.
While working as a photojournalist for the NBC news affiliate, WKYC in Cleveland Ohio for several years, she received a regional Edward R. Murrow award for an investigative series on the opioid crisis 'Riders on the Storm' in 2018. She also has been nominated for multiple regional Emmys for her work, such as 'Riders on the Storm' in 2018, ‘Cast Aside | Autism's Cliff to Nowhere’ in 2019, and ‘School of One: Jimmil’s Journey’ in 2020.
When Raquel is not on set, you will find her gardening, on a hike with her two dogs, or attempting to cook her Abuelita’s Puerto Rican recipes.