Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carol Colombo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carol, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

I actually started in this field when I was just 15 years old. My sister worked at a major camera rental house in Brazil, and I used to go there simply to pass the time. At some point, curiosity turned into genuine interest. I asked if I could help out and that was the first step that set everything in motion.

I ended up working there for six years, eventually becoming part of the largest camera rental company in the country. Those early years were fundamental: I got to handle every kind of camera, lens, and piece of gear imaginable. Being surrounded by equipment and experienced professionals taught me more than any classroom ever could.

One day, I met an incredible Camera Assistant, Keller Dias who offered me an opportunity to work as a DIT on large commercial shoots in São Paulo. That was a turning point, I stepped onto big sets and learned to handle the pressure and precision required at a high level. From that point on, I never stopped.

The next phase was about self-education and persistence. I read every manual I could get my hands on, learned directly on set, and constantly asked questions. I built a reputation for being technically skilled, reliable, and calm no matter the circumstances. Over time, I became recognized as one of the best DITs and Camera Assistants in my market.

Years later, I decided to take a big leap and expand my career internationally. I moved to the United States to keep pushing my craft forward. Here, I’ve been developing my talent, working primarily on narrative projects and continuing to grow my experience and network.

Looking back, there were a few core steps that helped me move from idea to execution:

Starting young and immersing myself in the environment, even before I knew exactly what my role would be.
Learning by doing, handling equipment daily and building hands-on skills.
Seizing opportunities, like the chance to work with Keller on high-profile sets.
Investing in my own expertise, staying up to date with cameras, workflows, and emerging technologies.
Treating this path as a serious career, not just a job—setting up my freelance business, moving countries, and building relationships internationally.
It’s been a journey of curiosity, risk-taking, and constant learning. Every step, from hanging around the rental house as a teenager to working on major productions in the U.S., has taught me that if you show up, stay humble, and do excellent work, opportunities will keep opening up.

Carol, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Carol Colombo and I’m a Camera Assistant and DIT specializing in high-end commercials, narrative films, and branded content. I started in this field at 15 years old, when I began spending time at the camera rental house where my sister worked in Brazil. At first, I was just there to pass the time, but soon I found myself captivated by the craft behind the camera. I asked for a job, and over six years working in what became the largest rental house in the country, I learned the foundation of everything I do today.

From there, I was offered an opportunity by a Camera Assistant, Keller Dias to step onto large commercial sets in São Paulo as a DIT. That was a pivotal turning point: it showed me firsthand how a skilled technician can elevate an entire production and safeguard its creative vision.

My work combines two main areas:

• Camera Assisting – prepping and maintaining camera systems, pulling focus, and supporting the cinematographer so they can stay focused on storytelling.
• DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) – overseeing the look and integrity of the image on set, managing color pipelines, ensuring secure data backups, and delivering footage ready for post-production.

Over the years, I’ve contributed to major campaigns and productions, including projects for brands like Heineken, Netflix, and McDonald’s, as well as narrative work that has screened at respected festivals. My experience ranges from national commercials to international documentaries, and I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with acclaimed cinematographers and directors.

One of the things I’m most proud of is having been recognized with awards for short films I worked on and building a solid reputation among my peers as someone who combines technical skill with a positive spirit.

I believe that the key to success in this industry isn’t just knowing your craft—it’s also being kind and approachable. The camera department is a high-pressure environment, and I’ve seen again and again that treating people with respect and patience is what makes the work truly rewarding.

For a long time, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be. Many people have a clear goal: they want to become a director of photography, or a director, or a producer. For me, it was different—I started to look at my career from another angle. I may not know exactly what I want to be in the future, but I do know what I don’t want—and that was enough to understand and figure it out.

I’m genuinely happy being a DIT and Camera Assistant. I love this role, and I’m excited to bring this passion to productions around the world. My hope is to continue learning, growing, and contributing to many more projects where collaboration, trust, and creativity are at the heart of what we do.

If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients, collaborators, and audiences to know, it’s that I care deeply about every frame we create. I’m here not only to deliver technically flawless work but also to be the kind of teammate who makes the set a more supportive, organized, and enjoyable place to be.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My principal goal guiding my career is to help bring stories to life with technical excellence, creativity, and a collaborative spirit.

As a Camera Assistant and DIT, I see my role as both a guardian of the image and a facilitator for the entire team. My mission is to make sure that directors and cinematographers can fully focus on their vision, knowing that every technical detail is in reliable hands.

Beyond the technical side, I’m committed to creating a respectful, positive atmosphere on set. I truly believe that kindness, patience, and professionalism are just as important as skill.

In the long term, my mission is to keep growing internationally—working on diverse projects across cultures, supporting innovative filmmakers, and contributing to stories that inspire, entertain, and make people feel something real.

Ultimately, I want my career to be defined not only by the quality of the images I help create, but also by the way I treat people and the passion I bring to every production.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that you have to have everything figured out from the start that you need to know exactly where you want to end up in order to build a successful career.

When I began, I often felt insecure because I didn’t have a clear plan to become a DP or a director, like many people around me did. For a while, I thought that not having that single, defined goal meant I was somehow less serious or less driven.

The backstory is that I started very young, working in a camera rental house when I was 15. From there, I moved into major commercial sets, and I quickly discovered how male-dominated and often sexist this industry can be. As a young woman—and a small one—people would look at me carrying camera gear and assume I was less competent or only there to “help out.” They didn’t expect me to know the technical details or to handle the workload.

Over time, though, they saw that I was more prepared, stronger, and more determined than many men on set, including some with master’s degrees. I built my credibility through consistency and skill, not titles.

That experience taught me that clarity doesn’t always come first—sometimes you find it through proving yourself, project after project, until you realize you belong in the room as much as anyone else.

Today, I feel proud to say I don’t have everything mapped out, and that doesn’t make me less capable. I know what I don’t want, and I know that I’m deeply fulfilled working as a DIT and Camera Assistant. That’s enough for me right now, and it leaves space for curiosity and growth.

Unlearning the pressure to define a “final destination,” and rejecting other people’s limiting expectations of me, has been incredibly freeing. It’s allowed me to build a career that feels authentic, resilient, and sustainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/carolinacolombo/projects
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroliscolombo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolina.colombo.378/
• Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/carolina-colombo-b34047222