Have you ever noticed how where you live can help cultivate your artistic spirit?
Today ZZ is bringing you a story from a Chinese photographer who is based in the Netherlands. She brings us a piece of her hometown Xia Men, where she grew up and got her inspiration from.
Today ZZ is bringing you a story from a Chinese photographer who is based in the Netherlands. She brings us a piece of her hometown Xia Men, where she grew up and got her inspiration from.
Nancy, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. How old are you? Where were you born and where do you live now? What is your profession and do you have other than photography?
你好！ Hello, I am Nancy, I was born in a very vibrant city in the southeast of China called Xiamen. It is home to dozens of creators and artists.
Gulangyu island, the core of the city, is a popular tourist destination with splendid natural scenery, colonial architecture, and numerous museums. It is known as a town of music, when you wander around and get lost among the exquisite villas, you will get enchanted by the melodies of pianos. There are also well-known art schools. Many people with a big interest in painting or music, pursue their dreams on this island.
The pace of city life in my hometown is at ease and comfortable compared to other Chinese cities and it is quite common for residents to have their own hobbies in addition to their work. This was a great place for me to grow up and there developed my own artistic spirit!
I’m currently living in the Netherlands. I am a full-time photographer (registered KVK). KVK is Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, which is a public service provider that helps small business owners/start-up run their businesses successfully.
你好！ Hello, I am Nancy, I was born in a very vibrant city in the southeast of China called Xiamen. It is home to dozens of creators and artists.
Gulangyu island, the core of the city, is a popular tourist destination with splendid natural scenery, colonial architecture, and numerous museums. It is known as a town of music, when you wander around and get lost among the exquisite villas, you will get enchanted by the melodies of pianos. There are also well-known art schools. Many people with a big interest in painting or music, pursue their dreams on this island.
The pace of city life in my hometown is at ease and comfortable compared to other Chinese cities and it is quite common for residents to have their own hobbies in addition to their work. This was a great place for me to grow up and there developed my own artistic spirit!
I’m currently living in the Netherlands. I am a full-time photographer (registered KVK). KVK is Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, which is a public service provider that helps small business owners/start-up run their businesses successfully.
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Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
Photography is my passion, but I am also interested in many art forms. I try my hand at sketching and oil painting in my free time. I have a strong drive to express my creativity and find enjoyment in these activities as well as visiting galleries etc. |
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Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
My creativity comes from deep within, I have always felt the need to express myself through art. Much of my inspiration comes from observing life around me, people and nature. I always carry a camera with me, in case I come upon something that touches me. I want to be sure to capture the image at that moment. I am also inspired by the works of other artists and frequently view their work online, in books and at galleries. And I had been to art gallery in Doesburg. I also visited The National Gallery in London and Galleri Magnus Karlsson in Stockholm.
My creativity comes from deep within, I have always felt the need to express myself through art. Much of my inspiration comes from observing life around me, people and nature. I always carry a camera with me, in case I come upon something that touches me. I want to be sure to capture the image at that moment. I am also inspired by the works of other artists and frequently view their work online, in books and at galleries. And I had been to art gallery in Doesburg. I also visited The National Gallery in London and Galleri Magnus Karlsson in Stockholm.
Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
When I was a teenager in China, I was always the person in my group of friends who took the most photos with my cell phone. It got to the point where my friends would frequently ask me to share my photos, and my love of photography really took off from there.
I got my first Canon camera when I started my first job in China. I didn’t know much about how to operate the camera. I just knew that this would allow me to really begin to learn and be able to express my creative vision more and more.
After moving to the Netherlands 2017, I began to invest in higher quality equipment and took on my first professional assignment with DDM Entertainment and Events. I got to photograph the Chinese Lantern festival in Thoiry Safari Park, near Paris, and that really launched my professional career.
When I was a teenager in China, I was always the person in my group of friends who took the most photos with my cell phone. It got to the point where my friends would frequently ask me to share my photos, and my love of photography really took off from there.
I got my first Canon camera when I started my first job in China. I didn’t know much about how to operate the camera. I just knew that this would allow me to really begin to learn and be able to express my creative vision more and more.
After moving to the Netherlands 2017, I began to invest in higher quality equipment and took on my first professional assignment with DDM Entertainment and Events. I got to photograph the Chinese Lantern festival in Thoiry Safari Park, near Paris, and that really launched my professional career.
What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started?
I am using the Canon 6 D mark II now. This camera gives me the options I need both to satisfy my creativity and also to deliver high quality results to my clients.
My favorite lens is 85 mm portrait lens, which is a great focal length for portraits because it's in the short telephoto range, which means that I can stand further away from the subject and capture more candid moments. On top of all that, it has gorgeous compression and beautiful bokeh.
I am using the Canon 6 D mark II now. This camera gives me the options I need both to satisfy my creativity and also to deliver high quality results to my clients.
My favorite lens is 85 mm portrait lens, which is a great focal length for portraits because it's in the short telephoto range, which means that I can stand further away from the subject and capture more candid moments. On top of all that, it has gorgeous compression and beautiful bokeh.
What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
My photography is very personal and intimate, I am inspired by my subjects and want to reflect them as who they are, not how I want them to be but a true reflection of themselves. I want to reveal their true self and have the images stand the test of time. Of course, I want to show their true inner beauty and by doing that, their physical beauty comes through as well. I depend on an excellent communication level with my models because I want to capture who they are, not just how they appear! This is a very personal process for me and models, which makes my signature.
My photography is very personal and intimate, I am inspired by my subjects and want to reflect them as who they are, not how I want them to be but a true reflection of themselves. I want to reveal their true self and have the images stand the test of time. Of course, I want to show their true inner beauty and by doing that, their physical beauty comes through as well. I depend on an excellent communication level with my models because I want to capture who they are, not just how they appear! This is a very personal process for me and models, which makes my signature.
Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
Hard to say which one is my favourite, but if I have to choose, then I would say family portraits. I love to capture genuine interaction between parents and their children. It is heart-warming and full of love.
Hard to say which one is my favourite, but if I have to choose, then I would say family portraits. I love to capture genuine interaction between parents and their children. It is heart-warming and full of love.
What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
Take photographs! Don’t worry too much about the results at the beginning, study the work of others and compare them to your creations and keep learning. I think even the most experienced and advanced leveled photographers keep learning and studying the work of other artists and we all have to start somewhere! Try all sorts of styles, all types of photography, you never know where your creativity and interest will bloom!
Take photographs! Don’t worry too much about the results at the beginning, study the work of others and compare them to your creations and keep learning. I think even the most experienced and advanced leveled photographers keep learning and studying the work of other artists and we all have to start somewhere! Try all sorts of styles, all types of photography, you never know where your creativity and interest will bloom!
