In the heart of Brooklyn, Bronx-born film photographer Shaylene Karisma makes every frame count. Since picking up a camera in 2016 and diving into film photography in 2020, Shaylene has embraced the intentionality and patience that analog photography demands. For her, it’s more than just a creative outlet — it’s a meditative process, a way to be fully present.

*A Walk Through Chelsea by Shaylene Karisma*

“I shoot because it brings me joy,” she shares. “Film forces you to slow down. With only 15 shots per roll on my Bronica ETRS, I have to lock in and make it count.”

*Shannon Hitch “Flee” by Shaylene Karisma*

Shaylene’s work is deeply rooted in human connection, something that shines through in her portrait photography. She sees each subject as part of a larger, interconnected world, which inspired her most recent "Six Degrees of Separation" series. The project visually explores the idea that any two people are linked by six or fewer acquaintances.

“I was going to parties, dating, and realizing how small New York City actually is. Everyone knows everyone,” she says. “I wanted to showcase that interconnectedness, having each subject recommend the next.”

While she doesn’t have a set project in motion, Shaylene is focused on expanding her creative vision, incorporating spirituality into her work, and eventually shooting outside the U.S. “I’m making the conscious decision to lock all the way in this year,” she says.

*NOLA (New Orleans) by Shaylene Karisma*

For Shaylene, photography isn’t just about images — it’s about storytelling, energy, and the importance of human connection.

Shaylene Karisma

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