Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jingyi Zhang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jingyi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve had a strong passion for photography since teenager year, often carrying my camera to capture the world around me. To me, the camera is like a second pair of eyes, allowing me to observe everything from an aesthetic perspective, free from value judgment.
In college, I started exploring portrait photography, creating photo shoots for girls with different personalities and gradually building a solid client base. When I was 21, I traveled to a small village near the Arctic Circle in northern China to shoot a winter portrait series for a friend. That trip was the first time I realized that photography was something I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life. Braving the harsh cold, my friend and I rode a slow green train, sprinted through snow-covered paths with snow as deep as a meter, lit fireworks in the frosty air, and warmed ourselves by a cozy fireplace, bundled up in so many layers that we looked like oversized, puffy balloons. I captured all these whimsical, romantic moments with my 35mm film camera.
A month later, back at school, life returned to its usual dull routine. But when I received the developed film, those joyful memories came rushing back. The images pulled me out of my gray daily life and transported me into a world filled with imagination and creativity. That was the first time I truly felt the power of photography—it created a safe haven where the beauty I cherish could be preserved as still, timeless sculptures tucked away in the corners of my memory.
I made a physical photo book for my friend, and every time I flip through its pages, I feel a deep sense of happiness. It’s not just a collection of pictures; it’s a record of our shared adventure and a testament to our friendship. Since then, I’ve been certain that photography is my lifelong calling. I’ve continued to work on portrait and still-life photography, always eager to explore new possibilities in visual expression.
Jingyi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Jingyi, and I’m a photographer and visual artist based in New York City. I recently graduated from the School of the Arts at Columbia University. My work spans photography, moving images, and interactive installations, focusing on the metaphors found in natural objects and the ways human intuition and the subconscious manifest in everyday life. My work has been exhibited in several art museums.
I believe that photography isn’t about complex techniques—it’s the emotions and the connection to real life that matter most. I run my own photography studio, offering portrait sessions with a focus on creative set design and narrative storytelling. I also provide cinematography support for music videos, short films, and experimental projects.
Currently, I’m working on an installation project exploring the intersections of gaming, meditation, and dreams. I’m always excited to create more engaging visual content and would love to collaborate with other artists and cool people!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist or a creative worker is that it has given me a diverse and inclusive way of seeing the world. In today’s achievement-driven society, we often judge everything based on fixed standards, labeling things as “good,” “bad,” “useful,” or “useless.” But my identity as an artist helps me break these rules and look at everything around me through an aesthetic lens, free from value judgments.
It allows me to see both the smooth and challenging moments in life as part of an alternative symbol of aesthetic that comes from rich, diverse experiences. Through this identity, my understanding of the world has become more open, and I’ve grown more willing to embrace new things—something I truly cherish.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I believe that art and aesthetic concepts should be introduced in childhood. In our society, art is often seen as something extra, beyond the essentials of survival. As a result, it doesn’t receive the same level of structured training, curriculum support, or evaluation systems as core subjects, and it’s often overlooked. That’s why adding more art courses to K-12 education and focusing on the development of well-qualified art teachers would be incredibly beneficial.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jingyizhang145.com/
- Instagram: jingyi_rainmz
Image Credits
all credit to Jingyi Zhang.