Michael Hsueh is a Los Angeles–based cinematographer with over a decade of on-set experience across features, short films, music videos, and commercial work. Born in Virginia to Taiwanese immigrant parents, he spent his early years learning digital video before moving to California to pursue film production, earning an MFA in Film Production with an emphasis in Cinematography from Chapman University and gaining hands-on experience with digital and celluloid formats, including 16mm and 35mm film.

 

As a Cinematographer, Michael photographed the short film “Prodigal” on 35mm with award-winning director/writer Darryl Wharton-Rigby, which was featured at Dances with Films Festival and Cannes Short Film Corner. On digital formats, he shot the short films “JA-9,” featured at LA Shorts Fest; and “His Story,” featured at Big Heart Small Films Short Film Competition. He has also collaborated with Vietnamese musical artists, Trina Bao Train and Justin Nguyen on the music video “Bittersweet.”

 

In parallel with his freelance work, he has spent many years teaching and mentoring emerging filmmakers at the undergraduate and graduate levels, an experience that has refined his practice and deepened his understanding of the craft.

 

Michael’s work is grounded in the belief that cinematography should serve the story first. Every lighting choice, camera movement, and composition is designed to create imagery that feels emotionally connected to the narrative. Each project is approached intention and commitment, striving to create images that resonate long after the final frame.