Chris Wairegi is a New York based cinematographer, local 600 camera operator, ASC Mentee and creator of 600 Black Women. Chris was born in Cleveland, OH to parents, who are both entrepreneurs, and she has an older brother. A keen student, she enjoyed art and history as well as excelling at a number of sports. During high school she developed an interest in photography and decided to pursue a film career so she chose Rochester Institute of Technology where she would be able to make films in her first year. She already knew that she was destined for the Big Apple so armed with a dual degree to her credit she made her way into the industry. Chris emphasizes the importance of starting at the bottom and learning different roles, which has helped her appreciate the multi-faceted industry now that she is a cinematographer. Chris’ filming experience is cross genre from narrative to documentary, commercial to experimental, and short to long form works for streaming, television, and the big screen. Her credits include Netflix’ Survival of the Fittest, Starz’ Run The World, Black Girl Beauty for VH1, andMTV’s, Women in Rap. In 2021, Chris founded 600 Black Women whose mission is to create a more inclusive industry and for which she was the recipient of the very first Kodak Vanguard Award. She is a member of the ICG Scholarship Committee, a 2021 ICG Generation Next Change Maker and a 2023 ASC Vision Scholar. Chris lives in New York with her husband and their dog. Chris’ links: Website: chriswairegi.com600 Black Women: https://www.600blackwomen.com/IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6384689/Instagram: @blackberryfilms Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramFacebook: AART, the podcastEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.com