About

Kelly Brinker is the photo editor and a writer for American Cinematographer. Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Kelly escaped the post-apocalyptic Motor City at the age of 17 to attend the University of Southern California (because George Lucas went there). After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing with a minor in Cinema-Television (it wasn’t School of Cinematic Arts back then), Kelly pursued a career in entertainment public relations and event photography—and eventually gave up the public relations path to focus on photojournalism. Wanting to make a difference in the world, Kelly became a commercial photography instructor for Glendale Unified School District and the Glendale Community College Continuing Education program. Realizing it would be easier to deal with members of the entertainment industry than sassy high school students and their parents, Kelly left the world of education and joined the AC staff in 2014. Kelly still works as a freelance event photographer and is co-founder of the Bob Brinker Memorial Veterans Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping U.S. veterans in need. Kelly’s all-time favorite fandom is Star Wars (she has the same birthday as Carrie Fisher) but she is also into all things spooky like paranormal investigation shows/documentaries and anything Dracula related.