Person
Maria Rusche
Camera
Biography
Maria Rusche is Cuban-American and grew up outside of Boston. They got their start as a gaffer and lighting technician on major feature films and television shows where they developed their eye for lighting and the collaborative skills that are essential to a cinematographer. They are known for their work on Emma Seligman’s feature debut Shiva Baby (SXSW 2020 & TIFF 2020) and Emma’s second film Bottoms, which was produced by MGM Orion and headlined SXSW 2023 before it was released theatrically. Maria also shot Seasons 2 & 3 of the hit Showtime series Couples Therapy. In 2018, Maria was invited to teach Cinematography at NYU Tisch School of the Arts where they were an adjunct professor until 2021. They are based in Brooklyn.
Known for

Roommates
Director of Photography

Bottoms
Director of Photography

A Different Man
"B" Camera Operator

Empire Waist
Director of Photography

Shiva Baby
Director of Photography

Summer of 69
Director of Photography

Night
Director of Photography

August in the City
Director of Photography

Love, Barbara
Director of Photography

10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up
Gaffer
Filmography
- 2026RoommatesDirector of Photography
- 2025Dear Ms.: A Revolution in PrintCinematography
- 2025Summer of 69Director of Photography
- 2024Empire WaistDirector of Photography
- 2024A Different Man"B" Camera Operator
- 2023BottomsDirector of Photography
- 2022Love, BarbaraDirector of Photography
- 2021Dating & New YorkDirector of Photography
- 2021The Lesbian Bar ProjectDirector of Photography
- 2021Shiva BabyDirector of Photography
- 2020Big ExitDirector of Photography
- 202010 Things We Should Do Before We Break UpGaffer
- 2019Nowhere to NunCinematography
- 2019GeorgicaDirector of Photography
- 2019The RatDirector of Photography
- 2018Debbie Does DilatorsDirector of Photography
- 2018Who We Are NowGaffer
- 2017NightDirector of Photography
- 2017August in the CityDirector of Photography
- 2016One Good PitchDirector of Photography
- 2015The Pink DetachmentDirector of Photography
- —Five Song TourCinematography
- —DistanceCinematography
Follow their work on Vescene
Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.