Snimateljica

Snimateljica is a Slavic term, primarily used in Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian and other South‑Slavic languages, that refers to a woman who operates a camera or is involved in the visual recording of film, television or other media. The word derives from the verb snimati, meaning “to record,” with the feminine suffix –ica, following the gender‑specific formation patterns of the languages. It is the natural feminine counterpart of snimatelj, the generic or masculine form, so that in contexts where gender is specified, a female operator will be called a snimateljica.

In the film and television industries, the function of a snimateljica covers a broad spectrum of responsibilities, ranging from the hands‑on task of operating a camera to more creative roles such as cinematography, visual design, and sometimes directing or producing. The same term is understood across the media sector to denote a professional who participates in the visual storytelling process, whether in movies, documentaries, news reporting or commercial production.

The use of the specific feminine form has gained particular importance as the numbers of women becoming active in the traditionally male‑dominated field of cinematography increased in the latter half of the twentieth century and beyond. Media outlets and guilds often employ the term snimateljica to highlight gender diversity in camera crews and to honor the contribution of women to visual media.

Prominent examples of snimateljice include renowned Croatian directors and cinematographers such as Jadranka Kovačić and Marijana Šimčević, whose work on international co‑productions has earned critical praise. In academic contexts, studies of gender representation in film crews frequently cite the rise of snimateljice in Eastern European film schools.

Although the term is specific to Slavic languages, it reflects a wider global trend toward acknowledging gender distinctions in job titles. In many contexts, however, the general term snimatelj or the neutral term operator may still be used, underscoring the ongoing evolution of industry language.