We were lucky to catch up with Francis Wong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Francis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

In my earlier years, I dedicated myself to diligent work and ascended the ranks within the corporate world. Amid the various challenges, advancements, and farewells, I came to understand that the journey itself holds greater significance than the ultimate destination.

Throughout this expedition, I encountered numerous mentors who played a pivotal role in my learning, personal growth, and professional excellence. I came to appreciate that “paying it forward” is the core of collaborating with others and demonstrating leadership. It involves understanding how to inspire and motivate individuals to reach their full potential.

As I embarked on my journey as a photographic artist, I made it my steadfast mission to pay it forward and support others on their path to success. In my role as an editor-in-chief, my aspiration is to empower deserving talents to gain the recognition and visibility they deserve. The greatest achievement I could ever hope for is to be able to lead someone to success, witnessing their growth and excellence.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My passion for architecture ignited in my early years, as I found myself captivated by the stunning skyscrapers that grace the skyline of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. To me, these towering structures resembled colossal dresses adorning the harbor’s front.

I began mentally cataloging their shapes and colors, then attempting to recreate them on paper. Chinese pop culture, beauty standards, and music were significant influences during my youth, with Chinese celebrity photos shaping my early notions of beauty.

As I matured, I realized that beauty is a highly individual concept, found in humanity, nature, architecture, and various art forms. Surprisingly, photography was not my initial choice for artistic expression.

Throughout high school and college, I pursued my passion for art, delving into life and figure drawing, fashion design, illustration, rendering, and product design. In my youth, I aspired to become a fashion or graphic designer, but my career took a different path into business management. However, art remained a core part of my life, and I integrated my artistic vision into visual merchandising and marketing materials.

After nearly two decades of managing businesses, I took a leap of faith in 2020, choosing photography as my profession. My first job at a restaurant marked the beginning of this journey, coinciding with my purchase of my first film camera.

While working part-time and attending college, I lugged my camera everywhere, capturing distinctive objects and exploring unique shapes and angles to create diverse compositions. Photography soon became a daily documentation of my life, and I recall the exhilaration of collecting my developed prints from a local shop each time.

Though my first photographic subject remains elusive, it likely featured a unique shape or captivating color that drew my attention.

Several influential artists have inspired and motivated me throughout my artistic journey. In the realm of photography, masters like Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino, Annie Leibovitz, and Helmut Newton have made a profound impact through their storytelling. Fashion designers Alexander McQueen and Jason Wu demonstrated how art can manifest in various forms, reinforcing the boundless nature of creativity.

Each day brings new opportunities for growth and learning, as well as the inevitable highs and lows that accompany any profession. Embracing the unknown and experimenting with fresh ideas is essential for personal and artistic development. While reaching a destination is satisfying, the true joy lies in the journey, replete with successes and learning from mistakes.

Art is inherently subjective, and I refrain from comparing my work to others. We each possess our unique visions, illustrated aptly by the scenario of ten people capturing the same architectural design at Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles—each resulting photograph would undoubtedly reflect an individual perspective.

Along my journey, I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with remarkable individuals. Childhood friends from Hong Kong, classmates in San Francisco, cherished friends in Los Angeles, and the creative souls I’ve encountered in Salt Lake City have all played diverse roles in my growth. Some have offered modest contributions, while others have provided immense support and encouragement, shaping me into the person I am today.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the year that seemed to stand still, 2020, uncertainty hung in the air, leaving everyone wondering about the future. Lockdowns brought our lives to a standstill. It was during this time that I confronted a crucial question: “Will I let these circumstances paralyze me, or will I turn them into an opportunity?” I knew that if I took action, I could at least say I gave it my all. With unwavering determination, I made the decision to bid farewell to the retail industry and venture into the world of photography, an artistic realm I had long yearned to be a part of.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During my time in the retail industry, I encountered numerous situations that led me to make the difficult choice of leaving well-paying positions. Some departures were driven by issues within corporate leadership, while with others, it simply became evident that the company wasn’t the right fit for me. In my younger years, I had a tendency to quit jobs without concrete plans in place. However, as I matured and shouldered more responsibilities, I realized this approach was no longer feasible. I dedicated my efforts wholeheartedly until I recognized that it was time to move on. I embraced the philosophy that “when one door closes, another door opens.” Life is too fleeting to persist in roles we don’t love or in environments that cause us stress and unhappiness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.franciationphotography.com
• Instagram: Franciationphotography
• Facebook: Francis Wong
• Linkedin: Francis Wong
• Other: https://www.vesselmagazine.net

Image Credits
My main photo: Photographed by Spencer Oliphant My 8 photos: Rae Serbeck Sovrenne Brady Hamilton Ari Schwartz Ethan Ingle Anne Heath Noah Viray Juliana Cassiano