Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Kwak.
Hi Andrew, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In high school, I picked up an intro to photography class and used a 2-megapixel camera off of my flip phone to take photos. I quickly learned that I had a knack for it and enjoyed it very much. That same year I saved up money to buy my first DSLR.
I gained a decent amount of experience all the way through college, and got my first paid gigs for friends and school clubs and realized that I had lots of fun doing it. A mentor of mine asked me one night if I didn’t have to worry about money, what I would want to pursue for a career and naturally I told him photography. At the time I didn’t see that as an option since I was still such an amateur, but the seed was planted in my head since that day.
Right out of college, I decided to follow my heart. By chance, my sister at the time was getting her engagement photos taken, and she told me I should try contacting the company she hired. It was and still is one of the most well-renowned photography firms in Orange County, so I believed I never even had a shot. Somehow I made it in.
Through the years of experience there, I developed my style and really molded myself into the person I am today. Now I run my own photography business, shooting a whole variety of things ranging from weddings, products, constructions, and everything else in between.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I consider myself one of the luckiest people I know in the sense that I have never had a hiccup on the road to my life today. Everything happened exactly when it needed to, I met the right people at the right times, and my progress was very naturally paced.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most confident in my ability to work in any situation that is thrown at me. I’ve gone through some of the toughest photography conditions and was still able to execute and deliver a product I could be proud of. I’ve been complimented by my clients for going above and beyond for them, which is never a bad thing to hear.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My happiness is most important to me. I’m a firm believer in people learning to really love themselves and what they do. I think true happiness comes from within, not from any external factors. So, living my life free of stress and negativity is all that matters in the end.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andrewkwak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewkwakphoto/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/andrew-kwak-photography-irvine?osq=andrew+kwak+photography
Image Credits
Jasmyn B Photography (For my headshot photo) Andrew Kwak Photography (For all other photos)
