I’m Soheil Goharipour, a filmmaker, cinematographer, and educator from Iran, now based in the United States. I’m drawn to images that feel honest, shaped by emotional clarity, visual restraint, and a deep respect for story. My work moves between narrative and documentary, and my films and collaborations have screened at festivals across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, including Oscar-qualifying festivals and independent showcases.

I grew up in Tehran and fell in love with cinema as a teenager, long before I really knew how to use a camera. I was first drawn to light, shadow, faces, and the way a frame can quietly hold emotion. I earned my B.A. in Cinematography from the Tehran University of Art and later completed my MFA in Film at Ohio University, where I expanded my practice through directing, editing, sound, and teaching.

My approach to cinematography starts with the emotional core of a scene. Sometimes that means natural light, handheld movement, or a quiet frame that stays a little longer. I’m less interested in spectacle and more interested in atmosphere, tension, intimacy, and moments that feel lived rather than performed.

I’m currently an Assistant Professor of Creative Media at Loras College, where I continue to bring my work as an artist into the classroom. Whether I’m on set or teaching, I value process over perfection, patience over speed, and creative relationships built through trust and honest conversation. As an immigrant artist, I carry a cross-cultural perspective into my work and try to listen closely to people, places, and the quiet rhythms of everyday life.

If you’d like to talk about a project, collaboration, or just compare notes on light and story, I’d be happy to connect.