We recently connected with Thomas You and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Thomas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was for my darkroom photography class. I set out to photograph strangers across campus—people waiting for the bus, studying under trees, or simply walking alone. At first, it was just a technical assignment. But as I developed the film in the darkroom, I began to notice something deeper: the quiet beauty in everyday life and fleeting human moments.

Inspired by William Eggleston’s philosophy of elevating the ordinary, I saw my project transform into a visual diary of campus life. Each photo felt like a small portrait of someone’s day, capturing solitude, connection, and routine in a way that felt honest and unfiltered. It taught me to see the poetic in the mundane—and that’s a perspective I carry into every creative project now.

Thomas, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Thomas — a creative content creator and visual storyteller based in North Carolina. I first picked up a camera out of curiosity, but that curiosity quickly evolved into a passion, and then into a profession. Today, I focus on delivering high-quality imagery that captures the quiet poetry of both urban and natural landscapes.

My work is defined by unique composition, strong visual narratives, and expressive color grading. I specialize in translating fleeting moments into lasting impressions, whether for personal projects or brand campaigns. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients including the UNC Asian American Center, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Getty Images, helping them bring their stories to life through compelling visuals.

What sets my work apart is not just the aesthetic quality, but the intention behind each frame — I aim to preserve the authentic atmosphere and emotional resonance of each moment I capture. Whether it’s documenting communities, creating travel-inspired content, or crafting branded visuals, I’m driven by the belief that storytelling can be both beautiful and impactful.

If you’re looking for someone who approaches photography with thoughtfulness, creativity, and a global lens, I’d love to connect.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

NFTs opened up an exciting, if chaotic, chapter in the art world. I think the core idea—allowing artists to sell digital work with verified ownership—is powerful. But it also became saturated with hype and speculation, which at times overshadowed the creative value. Personally, I’m more drawn to long-term storytelling and physical processes like film photography and printmaking, where the medium itself carries meaning. That said, I respect the way NFTs challenged traditional gatekeeping in art and hope future developments bring more sustainability and authenticity to the space.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had discovered creative communities and platforms like Behance, VSCO Spaces, and online portfolio reviews sooner. Early on, I was working in a bubble—shooting, editing, and posting in isolation. But once I started engaging with other creatives and receiving feedback, my growth accelerated. Also, tools like Notion for creative planning and Lightroom presets for developing a consistent visual style made a huge difference in streamlining my workflow and refining my aesthetic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://halcyonyau.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halcyonyau/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halcyon-zhuoran-you/

Image Credits

Thomas You