We were lucky to catch up with Siqin Bian recently and have shared our conversation below.

Siqin, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

The idea didn’t come as a sudden business decision. It evolved naturally over time.

As a dear friend once said, “We are here to leave traces of our existence.” That thought resonated deeply with me. I’ve always been drawn to visual storytelling—photography, film, and the emotional atmosphere an image can hold. At first, creating was something I did purely for myself. I was exploring moments and the feeling of a place or a person—something that touched me or resonated with me on a deeper level. I wanted to create something meaningful so that those moments and emotions could be remembered. For me, the process is deeply sensory and emotional.

Over time, people around me began reaching out. Friends who were designers, artists, or small brands would ask if I could photograph their work, direct a fashion film, or help shape a visual idea. Through those collaborations, I realized that what I enjoyed most was not only creating images or directing films, but helping others translate their ideas into an emotional visual language.

That’s when the idea of building a creative services practice began to take shape. I saw real value in combining artistic sensitivity with the ability to understand someone’s vision and bring it to life.

The reason I felt I could succeed was because I approach each project with heart. A designer may spend a year or more creating a meaningful collection, and when they trust me to present it visually, I feel a deep responsibility to honor that trust. I want each project to become something special—because behind every project, there is a story.

So the business grew organically from that point—through collaboration, trust, and a shared desire to tell stories visually.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a photographer and filmmaker based in New York, working primarily in visual storytelling across photography, fashion film, and creative direction.

My path into this field was not a traditional one. The creative journey began when I felt the need to do something more artistic after work—I also work in the banking industry. I later applied to a Master’s program in Fashion Photography, and after being accepted, life gradually became more eventful and creatively fulfilling. From there, things unfolded quite naturally. Creating images started as something very personal to me—a way to capture moments, emotions, and atmospheres that felt meaningful or deeply connected. I was drawn to the idea that images could hold a feeling: the quiet presence of a place, the energy between people, or a moment that might otherwise disappear with time.

Over time, friends and collaborators began reaching out. Designers, artists, and small brands would ask if I could photograph their work, direct short films, or help shape the visual language of their projects. Through these collaborations, I realized that what I enjoyed most was not only creating images and directing films, but also helping others translate their ideas and emotions into visual form.

Today my work focuses on photography, fashion films, music videos, short documentaries, and visual storytelling for designers, creative brands, and artists. I often work closely with clients to develop visual concepts that feel authentic to their identity and narrative. Rather than simply producing images, my goal is to create work that captures the spirit of a project and explores the deeper essence of a brand, a piece of music, or a person—the story, the atmosphere, and the intention behind it.

What sets my approach apart is the importance I place on connection. I treat each project with heart. Often a deeper connection emerges after seeing a collection, spending time in conversation, or understanding what the subject truly wants to express. I’m always aware that behind every project there is a deeper story. A designer may spend a year or more developing a meaningful collection, and when they trust me to present it visually, I feel a strong responsibility to honor that trust and translate their vision into something poetic and memorable.

What I’m most proud of are the collaborative relationships that have grown from this process. Many of the projects I’ve worked on began through friendship, trust, and shared curiosity. For me, the most meaningful outcome is when the final work resonates emotionally—not only with the client, but also with the audience. Through these collaborations, I feel that we leave something meaningful behind and preserve the feelings that existed in that particular moment.

My goal is to “write” poems through photography and film. At its core, my work is about creating images and films that hold feeling, memory, and presence. It’s about leaving traces of moments that matter.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to capture and preserve something that would otherwise disappear with time.

Many moments, emotions, and atmospheres exist only briefly. Through photography and film, I feel that I’m able to hold onto those fleeting moments and transform them into something lasting. In that sense, creating becomes a way of leaving traces of a moment, a person, or a story.

Another deeply rewarding part is the connection that happens through the creative process. When collaborating with designers, musicians, or other artists, there is often a moment when everyone feels that the work truly reflects what they had imagined—or even something deeper that they couldn’t fully articulate before. Those moments of shared understanding are incredibly meaningful to me.

And finally, it’s when the work resonates with others. When someone sees an image or a film and feels something—whether it’s nostalgia, curiosity, or quiet reflection—that connection across time and experience feels very special.

For me, that is the most rewarding part of creating: knowing that an image or a film can hold feeling, memory, and presence, long after the moment itself has passed.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Two people who have significantly influenced the way I think about creativity and life are Axel Vervoordt and André Chiang.

I’ve always been deeply inspired by Axel Vervoordt’s philosophy around art, space, and simplicity. His approach to beauty—finding harmony in imperfection, silence, and timelessness—has shaped the way I see images and storytelling. What moves me most is how he brings together art, architecture, light, and space in such a thoughtful and quiet way.

Last year I visited the Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Antwerp, and I was deeply touched by the way the artworks interacted with the space and natural light. The level of attention to detail was remarkable. It reminded me that when something is created with genuine care and intention, you can truly feel it.

I’m also very interested in the philosophy of André Chiang. His approach to cuisine goes beyond food—it’s about storytelling, memory, and the experience of a moment. I’ve heard him describe dining as something almost cinematic, like watching a film unfold through different courses. I haven’t had the chance to experience it yet, but it’s definitely something I would love to do one day.

Both of their philosophies remind me that meaningful work often comes from patience, depth, and a deep respect for craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.siqinbian.com
• Instagram: @siqinbian
• Other: See more video works here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/11709155

Image Credits

From Left to Right

1&2:

Photo by Siqin Bian
Garments designed by Tong Gu
Produced by Linda Lin
Dancers in the photo: Erin Masher & Emma Mary
Choreographed by Holly Laroche
Lighting by Josh Sheehan
Set by Leah Ying Lin

3:

Photo by Siqin Bian
Model/Fashion/Retouched by Hui Gao
Special thanks to Stefy Lin & Ziqi Xu

4:

Photo by Siqin Bian
Fashion Designed by Ying Liu
Produced by Joyce Xing (Osmanthus Studios)
Model: Zhongmei Zheng
Photo Assistant: Richard Saralertsophon
Hair by Risako Itamochi
MUA: Shu Zhang
Stylist: Yi Wu
Set Designer: Joseph Lin
Line Producer: Jacob Chung
Retouched by Ying Xu

5&6:

Photo by Siqin Bian
Producer/Creative Direction/Model: Wawa Li
Styled by Elanur Erdogan
MUA: Willie Huang
Hair by Keita Higashi
Chador jumpsuit designed by Haus of Milad
Location Manager: Cari Swanson
Photo Assistant: Richard Saralertsophon
Styling Assistant: Stevie Leigh
Special thanks to Joey Wang & Lily