Shelly Johnson Elected President of American Society of Cinematographers

Shelly Johnson Elected President of American Society of Cinematographers

Brie Clayton May 20, 2026

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The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Board of Governors has announced a new slate of officers, with Shelly Johnson elected to lead as president. Johnson, who takes the reigns from incumbent President Mandy Walker, previously served as the org's president from 2023-25. The Board also voted in Vice Presidents Charlie Lieberman, Alice Brooks and John Simmons; Treasurer Charles Minsky; Secretary Scott Cunningham; and Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Chomyn.

It has been an honor and absolute pleasure to have served as the first female president of the ASC, said Walker, who termed out after four years on the Board, including one as president. Over the last year, I have had amazing support from my board and the ASC staff. Our membership and the committees we now have in place create a socially vibrant and educational service for our members and the filmmaking community. I'm proud to hand over to Shelly who had served me in this role and has helped make the society what it is today.

The new ASC Board, elected by the organization's active membership, includes Natasha Braier, Russell Carpenter, Richard Crudo, Steven Fierberg, Michael Goi, Tommy Maddox-Upshaw, Erik Messerschmidt, M. David Mullen, Cynthia Pusheck, Nancy Schreiber, and Amy Vincent. Alternate Board Membersinclude Ernest Dickerson, Dejan Georgevich, Suki Mendencevic, Lowell Peterson and Rodney Taylor.

Johnson recently completed principal photography on the World War II drama Greyhound 2: The Good Shepherd, starring Tom Hanks, which is slated for release later this year. He has a long running collaboration with director Joe Johnston that began with Jurassic Park III and continued across five additional features, including Hidalgo, The Wolfman, Lumen and Captain America: The First Avenger. His other feature credits include Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, The Last Castle, Honest Thief, Blacklight, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Sky High, Simon West's Wild Card, Boundless, Elevation and the upcoming Summerhouse.

Johnson's television work earned him four ASC Award nominations and includes Training Day, Falling Water, Smash, The Others and The Shining.

The ASC has been instrumental in shaping cinematography since its earliest days, notes Johnson. At its core, great cinematography is rooted in a deeply human point of view-where every image reflects the cinematographer's personal vision shaped by sensitivity, intuition and intent. That perspective is developed through dialogue with peers, and sustained through a tradition of mentorship, linking one generation of image-makers to the next.

The ASC will continue to foster this exchange, creating a space where artistry and innovation meet-balancing rapid technological change with the application of tools that serve expression, rather than define it, he adds.

Through a wide range of industry programs and initiatives, the ASC advances its mission to inspire the next generation of cinematographers and elevate the art of filmmaking. More than 20 committees guide the Society's work, including the award winning Motion Imaging Technology Council (MITC), established in 2003 to examine how emerging technologies impact the imaging chain in support of filmmakers' creative goals. The Vision Committee champions the advancement of underrepresented cinematographers, their crews and other filmmakers. The Society also offers regional and international Master Classes led by ASC members, hosts Clubhouse Conversations with filmmakers discussing acclaimed work, and supports film school engagement through the Education & Outreach Committee.

One of the ASC's most significant connections to the global filmmaking community is the award winning American Cinematographer magazine, which has published more than 1,200 issues across a century of cinematic history.

ASC was founded in 1919. There are 459 members today who have national roots in some 20 countries. There are also 277 associate members from ancillary segments of the industry.

For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com.

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