Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunny Lin.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started exploring cinematography at Florida State Film school and then continued at the UCLA extension program. This was where I fell in love with the art of photography. I then began working as a Director of Photography for film, where I learned how to light in different scenarios and create cinematic looks for diverse scenes.
I believe lighting is one of the most powerful ways to tell a visually interesting story. I had heard over the years that many people avoided featuring darker skin tones, as more nuance is required to do so. This inspired me to lean into that focus in hopes of making a difference. During this process, I learned that film stock was originally designed to take pictures of Caucasian skin, which is insane to consider but indicative of the limitations the industry used to place on itself. In January 2020, I opened my photo studio in Los Angeles. My subjects are often models with darker skin tone, and I now have the confidence and skillset to bring out their best presence with my signature projector lighting.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Before I found my current photo studio, it was hard for me to have a space in which I could utilize projector lighting. Now my studio has a decent size for me to work with; it is also designed to create unlimited lighting setups and therefore looks. The other benefit of my studio is that I have a guest parking. It’s ridiculous how much that actually matters, but it’s definitely a huge plus for my clients. A current challenge I face is obviously the pandemic. I’ve had to cancel a lot of shoots since then. It seems that COVID-19 crisis will continue to affect many small businesses, and photographers are certainly not immune to those challenges. Besides making outdoor sessions available, I now have photography prints and stationery featuring my most popular work available in my online shop. While going virtual is the new trend, I still look forward to spending time in my sacred studio space, where I’m able to meet artists and create with them.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a fashion, portrait, and editorial photographer based in Los Angeles, California. I specialize in projector photography; and my focus is capturing dreamy and soulful portraits that celebrate the beauty of darker skin. My specialty is using mood and light to capture the essence of a character and tell a story with cinematic lighting. What sets me apart from others is that I use all in camera effects to achieve my unique looks without ever touching photoshop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chiayilin.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnycyl
- Other: http://shopsunny.art/
Image Credit:
Sunny
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