We recently had the chance to connect with Ssam Sungun Kim and have shared our conversation below.
Ssam Sungun, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I do a quick sweep of my inbox and DMs to see what’s landing. Then, move straight to the kitchen for a fresh lemon tea- it’s my favorite way to hydrate. I’ll take 10 minutes to just vibe on my mat with my tea before flowing through 30 minutes of yoga. It’s my non-negotiable for keeping my head on straight.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a South Korean-born, LA based fashion and celebrity photographer drawn to images that feel sensual, cinematic, and emotionally charged. I studied fashion photography at the London College of Fashion and began my career in London, contributing to publications including Glass Magazine before expanding my work internationally.
Today, I work across fashion editorials and celebrity portraiture, creating images that balance strength and vulnerability with a sense of modern luxury. My approach is intuitive and mood-driven, shaped by a cross-cultural perspective and a deep love for visual storytelling.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I’ve taught myself the most through the act of working- in every moment, especially through my mistakes. Each challenge has pushed me to grow, refine my instincts, and understand my craft more deeply. At the same time, every person I’ve met along the way has shaped how I communicate and collaborate, teaching me how to be better at what I do. In that sense, my education has come from experience itself and from the people I’ve encountered through my work.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me humility in a way success never could. When I don’t get a project I deeply believed in-especially when I felt confident in my work- the disappointment is real. But those moments force me to step back, grow thicker skin, and push myself to evolve rather than rely on confidence alone. They remind me that being ‘good enough’ isn’t really the point, and that rejection is often about perspective and taste, not just ability. It has taught me to work harder, stay humble, and keep refining my voice while accepting that not everyone will see the same vision I do.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that AI will replace photographers and filmmakers. Tools may change, but vision cannot be automated. What will actually happen is a shift- only those with a strong point of view, real creative depth, and a distinct voice will stand out. In that sense, AI won’t weaken the industry; it will expose who truly has something to say. The result will be a smaller, stronger field led by artists whose work comes from human instinct, emotion, and experience- things no technology can replicate.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m definitely doing what I was born to do. Not just photography, but creating. I’ve always been drawn to art, color, and visuals that can move people or shift how they see something. I’m energized by imagination and by being around other creative minds, where ideas evolve into something unexpected. For me, it’s less about a specific medium and more about the instinct to create and to bring powerful visual experiences into the world. By the way, I’m Pisces. 😉
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ssamkim.com
- Instagram: ssam_kim
Image Credits
1.Billboard_ Stray Kids
2.Billboard_ New Jeans
3.Marie Claire Korea_ G-Dragon
4.Rolling Stone Korea_ NE-YO
5.The Hollywood Reporter_ Kristen Stewart
6.Glass Men_ Chase Stokes
7.L’officiele Singapore_ Arden Cho
8.PEOPLE Magazine_Andie Madowell and Rainey Qualley
