Shaina Allen is a bold, visionary Director of Photography focused on stories that bridge perspectives and create impact. She is the co-founder of Evergrain Studios.
Shaina served as the Director, DP, and Editor for her first independent film THE REBOUND. In 2016, THE REBOUND received 8 awards among 20+ film festivals including the Kaiser Permanente Thrive Award, Best Documentary, Audience Choice Award, and more. It has been enjoyed at over 120+ U.S. and international screenings, premiered on NETFLIX (2019), is being utilized as a tool in academic research studies at James Madison University, and is currently featured on Delta Airlines (2020).
Shaina’s latest credits include co-director of a new docu-series in post-production titled MOVING MINDS, Director of Photography on a docu-series titled SUPERMINORITY currently in post-production, and Director/DP of a documentary titled ALANA NICHOLS: FORGED IN THE FIRE featuring 6-time Paralympian Alana Nichols on her road to motherhood. Shaina graduated cum laude from James Madison University with a degree in Media Arts & Design with a Digital Video & Cinema focus and minors in Film Studies and Anthropology. She currently lives in Central Virginia.
Outside of the projects that Shaina spearheads with Evergrain Studios, she is available for collaborations primarily focused on Director of Photography and Camera operator roles.
Independent Filmmakers & Small Production Teams
I love to work with good humans creating projects that align with my values. If I am on your team, I am fully dedicated and go above and beyond to do justice to the story we are telling together. I have experience doing solo-productions, but thrive working side-by-side with a Director or small team.
Production Companies & Studios
My strengths on larger productions include: being a team player, hard worker, having a positive outlook and creative problem-solving. I am available for all camera-department related positions and am seeking opportunities to grow and learn on larger sets.
Entrepreneurs with personal brands
This is not for everyone, but it could be for you if: you are building your own content library for current and future creation and you are building a workflow with an editor who could process the footage and audio we capture together.
Don’t fit into these categories?
I am a creative person with lots of interests! Who knows, your idea may be perfect for where I am right now. Tell me more about what you do, who you are, and the collaboration idea you have in the Contact Form below.
Testimonial from Peabody-award winning Director Hilary Linder
Shaina served as the Director of Photography for Superminority, a documentary series I directed in North Carolina in 2018. Shaina was a joy to work with and I can’t recommend her services enough. She has a true passion for shooting and is constantly looking to capture the story in the most beautiful and effective way possible. In addition to her commitment to her craft, her positive attitude was a huge contributor to the success of the project.
Superminority follows first-time, female candidates for the N.C. House of Representatives and required a dynamic and ever-changing shooting environment. During our three months together in North Carolina, seemingly nothing could dampen Shaina’s enthusiasm for and commitment to this project, not even our grueling shooting schedule, a hurricane, extremely hot and humid weather, or bedbugs. Some days involved 15+ hours of practically non-stop verite shooting, where Shaina performed tirelessly and flawlessly. On days where we could take the time to capture establishing shots and b-roll, Shaina was an endless source of creativity and shooting ideas. She was always game to try new things and more than willing to spend her little time off researching equipment or shooting techniques that could enhance the project. While Shaina takes direction extremely well, she also doesn’t hesitate to make shooting suggestions that she thinks would better serve the project, for which I am grateful.
Very quickly into the shoot, I felt that we had established a strong partnership and I knew I could count on her make our stories truly shine. I am so thankful that Shaina served as DP on this project, and I am always looking for more opportunities to work with her.
Want to collaborate?
Miami New Times
MIFF 2016: The Rebound, a Documentary About a Miami Wheelchair Basketball Team, Makes Its World Premiere
Miami Herald
The Miami Heat Wheels wheelchair basketball team takes the court in ‘The Rebound’