Meet Kelvin Liu of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelvin Liu.

Kelvin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Honestly, I never planned to become a photographer.

I stumbled into photography almost by accident. Back when I was planning my very first trip to Japan in 2023, I bought a basic entry-level camera just to document the vacation. Since I was already a regular attendee at Anime Expo, I brought the camera along to practice and get myself comfortable with the settings.

That was the turning point. I realized my photos weren’t turning out anywhere near how I envisioned them. Instead of getting discouraged, I started attending local photo meetups, diving deep into lighting and composition, and actively seeking opportunities to learn from other photographers.

Which eventually led me to the opportunity to learn directly from Sony Artisan of Imagery Scott Robert Lim. That mentorship completely transformed how I saw the camera, taking me from struggling with basic settings to thinking of photography as a way to build and tell a story, eventually leading me to create the cinematic, storyboarded narrative sets I am known for today.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I started later than most people in a very saturated industry, so finding my place in the community and figuring out what I wanted my work to be wasn’t easy.

At the same time, I’ve been very fortunate. What saved me was my graphic design background, it gave me an eye for composition and color that accelerated my learning, along with great support from friends and family. I am never fully satisfied with my work, but going from not knowing how to use a camera to becoming one of the official photographers for Anime Expo, the biggest anime convention in North America, in just three years is something I am proud of.

And honestly looking back now, I think starting late may be a blessing. If I had started this back when I was in high school or college, I wouldn’t have had the same vision, maturity, or life experience to create the work I do today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in cosplay and portrait photography, approaching my work like a movie director with a focus on cinematic, story-driven images. What I am probably most known for is taking cosplay outside of the studio or convention hall and finding locations that actually fit the character, then building a concept around that environment so the photos feel like a true scene from their world.

A lot of my projects involve months of planning, location scouting, coordinating people, and figuring out logistics as I go. What sets me apart is the level of production and storytelling I bring to my shoots. I am always pushing to make every set feel like more than just a portrait, I want a real reason for the character to be in that environment, and for each image to convey a clear narrative, even if it’s just one single frame of a larger story.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
For me, it’s being a perfectionist while accepting that perfection doesn’t exist. I’ve always held myself to a very high standard, but I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty of imperfection.

Some of the most compelling and genuine moments actually come from those unintended imperfections, a spontaneous reaction, unexpected light, or weather changing the scene. When you see perfection as a moving target, every unplanned variable becomes an opportunity to adapt and give the scene real character.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nevilk.jpg
• Twitter: https://x.com/nevilkdotjpg

Image Credits
in frame:
@areumi.e
@dalkoko
@aokka
@minnymi_
@svns.rival.cos
@cocchiya
@junnie.ji
@starlyusedfly
@voxeon
@li.coser
@alusenz
@captain.leftovers
@anjoupearcosplay
@peachuu.cos
@yubzi
@nagiko.wo
@coser.kae
@alive_alf
@phoenix.soaringg