Today we’d like to introduce you to Lenne Chai
Hi Lenne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! I’m Lenne, a Singaporean photographer now based in Los Angeles. I began my journey in 2009 with an internship as a photojournalist at The Straits Times, Singapore’s largest English-language newspaper. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible publications and brands like Vogue, Billboard, Gucci, W Magazine, Esquire, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper’s Bazaar.
My work is deeply influenced by my conservative upbringing, and I use the visual language of nostalgia and yearning to create stories of an alternate, queer-friendly Singapore—like queering traditional Chinese wedding banquets or imagining Singaporean schools as safe spaces for LGBTQ discussions. I moved to the US in 2018, and it’s been an exciting journey of self-discovery and exploring what my work looks like away from home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey from photojournalist to fashion photographer wasn’t exactly smooth sailing! One unforgettable moment was when I got the chance to shoot a supermodel at a luxurious villa on a nearby island – and totally blew it. At 21, with barely any experience under my belt, I ended up falling into the sea, and I still have the scar on my hand to prove it. That mishap was a wake-up call – showing me how much I had to learn and how desperately I needed to break out of my sheltered bubble in Singapore. Not long after, I took the leap and moved to Japan, a decision that eventually led me to my current adventure here in Los Angeles.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I launched my career as a fashion photographer in 2010, and since then, I’ve also ventured into commercial and entertainment photography.
I love creating worlds and being very hands-on during my shoots. Growing up in sunny, tropical Singapore has given me a vibrant, colorful perspective, which I think is reflected in my photography.
Now that I live in Los Angeles, I’ve had the exciting opportunity to work closer to Hollywood. One of my most memorable experiences was collaborating with the talented directing duo Daniels to photograph their Tokusatsu-inspired epic featuring Jennifer Coolidge for W Magazine.
How do you think about luck?
I feel extremely fortunate to have had the experiences that I’ve had! I believe success often comes down to luck – being in the right place at the right time. You can work hard to prepare, to have the right skills when that moment arrives, but most of the factors for success are beyond our control.
Contact Info:
- Website: lenne.photography
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lenneigh
Image Credits
Lenne Chai
