Story & Lesson Highlights with Xian Yang (Brian) Lau

Xian Yang (Brian) Lau shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Xian Yang (Brian), really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think the common misconception about the photography industry is that it is easy, we just carry an expensive camera and capture photographs.

When every professional photographers will tell you that there are some many more factors that goes into a successful shoot. A true working professional knows how and what is needed to deliver the final product that matches the needs of the clients.

From location and model scouting to mastering lighting and camera operations, there are many components to executing a successful photoshoot.

A great photographer makes it look easy so that their clients do not see the seams that encompasses a photoshoot and that is what separates the professionals from the average guy with a camera.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Xian Yang but everyone knows me as Brian, I am a freelance photographer working under the name “Still.Brianphotography”. Like many other photographers, what separates my work from the others is me.

I have always worked under the notion that if you want to master a craft, you can do it on your own through practice and experimental, always pushing yourself to the next level. What makes you special and separates you from the other working professionals is you as a brand.

Your work ethics, your personality and how passionate you are is ultimately what gets you hire. I always try to leave an impression with my clients so that they would have me in mind for their next project.

It is important in this day and age that you have a portfolio that is diverse so that you are not boxed into being a niche photographer. I am current under contract with 4 companies with each contract requiring a different aesthetic and subject. I do these while still photographing special events when possible.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I’ve lost a close friend about 6 years ago and that affected me in many ways that I am still learning to this day.

Our journeys in life are finite but the impression you leave behind is forever. I still think about my friend every now and then, I think about the things that she wasn’t able to accomplish before her time was up. I think about the dreams that she have. I think about the many conversations we have about regrets.

Her passing has taught me that I only have this life to pursue all of the things that I’ve always wanted. While I am still blessed with the gift of my heartbeat, I should fight to chase after the sun. The end goal may change over time but the pursuit of happiness will always be the main focus, every day is another day to fight for my dreams.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That you are stronger than you could ever imagine. This career was something that I’ve dream of since I was 11. It was everything that I’ve wanted and at the same time, nothing like I’ve imagined it to be.

There were a lot of lows that nobody will know about: all the rejections, all the maybes and even the backlash from climbing further up in your career. Through it all, you’ll learn to face it all on your own because nobody can prepare you for this.

The life of an artist is beautifully tragic, everyone only sees the glitz and the glam of your successes and every rung on the ladder you climb, the lonelier it gets. This is not a life that everybody understands and they never will but that’s okay because this is all that you’ve wanted and how blessed you are for being able to do this.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That this industry is glamorous, booking photoshoots and finding clients are easy.

I’ve seen a lot of posts on social media from various photographers showing you the glamorous life, taking photo and videos of these spectacular shoots but most of the time, they are all a facade.

A lot of the times, photographers try to appear more busy on their feeds to create an image that they are working, in hopes that it will make potential clients think that they are on demand. When in fact, they are recycling a shoot that did or they assisted for a few years back. Every aspect of making art into your career demands full commitment because you are your brand, you need to be smart about your business, you need to be real about your business.

I like to be an open book when it comes to my career because I do think that it is important to peel back the curtains and humanize the industry.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes because I’ve chosen a career that creates the spotlight that the others stand in. Photographers often do not get recognition nor do they get the attention. When you produce a great image, the subject of the photo gets the spotlight, not you. But you still show up at every job and you still give it your all because you love this industry and you love the art that you get to create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stillbrianphotography.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/still.brianphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lau-055a34244/