Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chawin Piriyagagul. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Chawin, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Normally, I would rather play it safe when it comes to any decisions in my life. But when it comes to what I love, I would rather jump out of my comfort zone and strive for my dreams. The biggest risk I have taken is that I decided to leave my hometown to pursue my degrees in the cinematographic field.  Looking back on that moment, I didn’t know exactly what kind of circumstances I would face, but I know that I must take this opportunity to pursue my dream career. It was even more difficult when it came to the time I graduated, as I decided to move to LA for a while to learn more about the film industry. Having to live overseas without anyone you can depend on is tough, but I can tell it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I am able to understand more about myself and about life, have opportunities to know such inspiring people, and most importantly, I am allowed to do what I love once in my lifetime with no regrets.

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

It was my father who first introduced me to the film industry and helped me embark on this career. Movies somehow connected me and my dad together, and that’s how I can tell I love watching movies. I started to explore more of my interests during my coming-of-age era through my major in photography. During my university life, I explored more about photography and cinematography, including composition, lighting, and storytelling.I chose to concentrate on the cinematography path after graduating and working in the travel sector for a while. I then enrolled for a master of fine art degree, with a cinematography major. Currently, I work as a photographer and cinematographer in the Bay Area.

Life has brought me here and there, ups and downs. I can tell that what differentiates me and develops me the most must come from the places I have been and the experiences I have gained. Being apart from my hometown is one of the biggest challenges I have gone through. Having to face the loneliness and disappointments was so tough; on the other hand, it gave me inspiration to create even better and more sentimental works. I am eager to visualize what surrounds me from my perspective and tend to fully pay attention to my work. I believe that capturing all photos and editing them are no longer just my interests and hobbies; they are my life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I first created my Instagram page with the purpose of creating my personal gallery. Thus, I focus on stories I would like to share rather than on what people are obsessed with at the moment. I am eager to visualise for the audience how I see the world. Some might further imagine the stories of each set like a movie, some might feel related to what’s inside their hearts, or some might be able to see the world completely different from what they usually see. I believe that if we are doing what we love, people who love us will also recognise it. Therefore, if I have to suggest anyone who starts to build their social media, it will be to find what you love, trust the process, and people who love them will definitely come to you.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are so many perks to being an artist, but the most gratifying aspect is that I am able to express who I am through my art. Having to work as a photographer and cinematographer allows me to explore my interests and styles and dig deeper into the emotions I want to share with others. In addition, the arts can heal me in one way or another. They shift my negative feelings into inspiration, and I am more than happy to share it and let people out there who face tough circumstances know that they are not alone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.erk_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Darkweakness/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chawinterk/

Image Credits
Chawin Piriyagagul