Hi! I’m Sela Van Buskirk, a Chicago-based photographer and filmmaker, currently finishing my BFA in Film & Television with a concentration in cinematography at DePaul University.

My work lives between film and photography, and I’m especially drawn to the in-between moments; the ones that aren’t planned but end up meaning the most. I’m not chasing perfection. I’m more interested in what feels honest, what feels lived-in, and what actually holds something real.

I shoot on both film and digital, depending on the project and the feeling I’m trying to capture. I like the balance of the two; film slows me down and makes me more intentional, while digital gives me the freedom to move with the moment. Both play a role in how I see and create.

A lot of what I make comes from my everyday life; people I’m close to, places I’ve spent time in, or small moments that stick with me. I try not to overcomplicate things. I’d rather keep the process simple and collaborative, creating an environment where people can just be themselves.

Whether I’m shooting portraits, working on stills for a film, or on set as a cinematographer, I care just as much about how something is made as I do about the final image.

More than anything, I just want to keep creating and working with other people who care about making something real. So, don’t be afraid to reach out!