My Story
Vina Kao Mahoney
When I was 12 years old in Taiwan, I fell in love with the idea of making images and telling stories. I had no idea where that curiosity would take me.
It took me farther than I could have imagined.
Over the years, I’ve lived and worked in six countries, building a career across animation, VFX, AAA games, and real-time production. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning films, international animated productions, and some of the world’s biggest game franchises.
Through all those changes, one thing has stayed the same: I love telling stories through images.
Lighting became my craft because it sits at the intersection of cinematography, emotion, and technology. It taught me that a single image can guide your eye, change how you feel, and sometimes tell a story without saying a word.
Today, that same 12-year-old curiosity is pulling me somewhere new again.
I’m exploring AI and emerging creative technology—not to leave my past behind, but to build on everything it taught me. I’m curious about new ways to create, new ways for artists and technology to work together, and stories we might not have been able to tell before.
I’m still exploring. And I hope I always will be.
Let’s Connect
Have an idea, an opportunity, or simply want to say hello?
I’m always happy to meet curious people, exchange ideas, and see where a conversation might lead.