Today we’d like to introduce you to Yixuan Liu.
Yixuan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a Chinese portrait photographer who studied photography for four years in California, USA. Growing up in China, the Asian media have consistently pursued attractive women who have slender shapes, flat tummies, big eyes, narrow faces, and white skin–and they are still doing it today.
It was only after living in Los Angeles that I was able to immerse myself and learn about western cultures which inspired me to find the true meaning of understanding and celebrating a woman’s beauty. Beauty can be celebrated in so many different ways- age, skin tones, body curves, natural lines, unique characteristics, women empowerments and so much more.
In America, I discovered diversity.
-Curvy and skinny.
-Young and old.
-Tall and short.
-Black and Latina.
I also found that all these gorgeous women had one thing in common amongst all their differences in shape, age, ethnicity, and size. Acceptance. I could see that these gorgeous women were beautiful because they accepted who they were inside. This acceptance empowered me to be just as strong, kind, loving and elegant as the women I was connecting with.
From this journey, I was able to find confidence in myself- there is no need to be perfect as long as I stay true to my heart. I have been appreciating women changing the world’s perspectives through brands, schools, careers, sports, design firms, social media, YouTube, and other industries.
As an Asian female photographer, I am proud to witness and be a part of this amazing quest for acceptance and appropriate representation. But I want to push myself even further because I know there’s so much more than I can do to help this world.
My next step is simple. I will work with women Paralympian and share their experiences and stories. In the end, people at every age, every stage of life can respect women more, feel this confidence and love themselves.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There is never a smooth road in life, which is why it makes everything precious and special. I definitely do not enjoy the moment when I realized I could be deported if my school got shut down.
I certainly didn’t like the fact that it’s almost impossible for an International Student who holds a BFA degree in Photography and is in need to find a job in America company, so she can get a working visa to stay after graduating.
But I am trying to stay positive on all of the challenges that I am facing. And I am very appreciated for all of the support and love that my friends and family have given me throughout the whole journey.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the 5301 Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
My photography is mainly for portrait. Therefore, I work with models, athletes, dancers, actors, actresses and almost everyone who ever has a story to tell and whoever can evoke emotions in a split second.
I love surrounding myself with people who are authentic and passionate about what they do. When I work with athletes and dancers, I see how they push themselves to the physical extreme, focused on their goals and completely trusting their body. When I work with everyday people, I will try my best to bring out their confidence, or their “Natural Side” of themselves. I believe this is what I am specialized in.
What sets me apart from others is my use of lighting to tell the story. Through lighting and motion, the body tells a unique story that is both emotional and inspiring. On the other hand, it will be the story that I am telling. It’s that total confidence. I want people at every age, every stage of life, to feel this confidence.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Good Luck:
– I am a female portrait photographer
– I made friends from a variety of fields
– I got to study in America
– I went to both of the Brooks Institute and ArtCenter College of Design
– I am bilingual (Chinese & English)
– I have four cats and 40 succulents/plants
– I am not afraid of changing.
– So much more…
Bad Luck:
– None.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liu-yixuan.com/
- Phone: +1 805.302.7845
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5301studio/
Image Credit:
Erika Gasztonyi, Alice Li, Zoya Yaseka, Zoe Zou, Viktoriya Shumakova, Alexis Capozzi, Susanan Anely
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
