You may not have heard about Eva Chan yet, but you will soon. This young Hong Kong photographer has been jet-setting all over the world for different projects for NGOs including the United Nations and Wokai, capturing beautiful portraits of people wherever she goes.
Now that she's finally settled back in Hong Kong, we caught up with the talented photographer to talk about her work, inspiration and photography tips we could all use.
Gillian Chu: How did you first get into photography?
Eva Chan: It all began in a darkroom photography club back in high school. During my university years in New York, I took a few more photography courses, which eventually led to some paid photo shoots.
I love using my camera to capture treasured moments and relate to people. It also feels much more natural for me to grab hold of a camera instead of smiling in front of one, which is why I rarely get my own portraits taken.
GC: Why are you drawn into travel photography?
EC: Having grown up globally in Asia, North America and Europe, I naturally developed an itch for travel. My favourite part about travel photography is how I get to meet new people all the time.
One of my most memorable photography trips was to Laos, which happened to be the turning point of my career. We had to go into the jungles for photo shoots, and it was then that I first started to let the stories of others make an impact through my lense. It really was a sense of fulfillment nothing else can ever measure up to.
GC: Your specialty is in portrait photography. How do you capture spontaneous moments with your subjects?
EC: I love to photograph people rather than landscapes because everyone has an unique story. This is why portraiture is such a great way for me to express myself as well as interact with others.
I usually like to chat with my subjects prior to the shooting, so that we both get to know a bit more about each other. This gives them a chance to understand what my work is about, which makes the experience less intrusive.
GC: Where do you get ideas for your fine art pieces, and do you ever run out of ideas?
EC: Actually, I have the opposite dilemma of having too many ideas and too little time! Many of my ideas stem from my interest in children's novels as well as black and white movies. Setting up a scene is relatively easy since I usually have a pretty good idea of what I want before I get on set. It also helps to have models who understand me and my concepts.
GC: Lastly, do you have any tips on taking photos and, on the flip side, getting photos taken?
EC: When taking photos, don’t rush in and snap away. Instead, communicate with your subjects, think about the effects you want to achieve and learn to use the manual settings of your camera!
When posing for a photo, be confident and happy with yourself, because a good photographer can always bring out the best in you.
To see more photographs by Eva or to book a private session, visit her website or send her an email.
Guest contributor Gillian Chu is a Hong Kong-based Canadian who loves going to the latest parties, fashion and cultural events in town. See what else she's been up to lately on her blog.
