We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jie Deng a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I manage my own social media.
I think people want to know you authentically
Be authentic and consistent. Share your story, engage with your audience, and don’t worry about being perfect—people connect with the real you.

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?

Jie is a portrait photographer specializing in storytelling through the lens of her camera. With a unique ability to connect with her subjects, she creates images that reveal the essence of their personalities and passions. Her work bridges art and narrative, weaving together emotion, identity, and connection in every frame.

A self-taught artist, Jie’s love for photography began with her childhood fascination with drawing portraits in southwest China. Over the years, she has honed her craft to capture not just faces but stories, evoking depth and intimacy in her work. Whether working on editorial photography, fashion shoots, or personal projects, Jie approaches every subject with a focus on authenticity and emotion.

The Artist is Jie’s photography project, featuring the stories of female artists and promoting their work. Through intimate portraits paired with each artist’s creations, the project explores the relationship between the artist and her art, highlighting personal narratives and creative journeys. Jie is also curating an art show as part of this project, bringing together these portraits and the artists’ original works to create a cohesive and inspiring narrative that celebrates the talent, diversity, and voices of contemporary female artists.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The Artist is a creative project that shines a light on local female artists and their work. My goal is to share their stories, celebrate their talent, and create a space where their voices and art can be seen and appreciated. I believe in supporting women in the arts and inspiring others through their creativity.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding parts of being creative is the sense of self-expression and freedom—being able to turn your thoughts, emotions, and ideas into something meaningful. Creativity can also lead to deep personal fulfillment, connection with others, and the joy of inspiring or impacting someone through your work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intheeyephotography.com
• Instagram: @intheeye @agardenofherown
• Facebook: In The Eye Photography

Image Credits

The artists appearing in the photos are: Katee Boyle, Rebecca Adler, Samara Weaver, C.C.Czerwinski, Yingmay Tu, Lauren.E.Peters, Jill Beech, Rhea Cutillo