We recently connected with Luyang Tian and have shared our conversation below.
Luyang, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
At the very beginning of 2020, I got very bad issue with running my previous business. And the pandemic came, all the photography business had been shut down, so I lost almost everything.
At the point, one of my friend, Yuan Hao, who is a local videographer gave me huge help, He and his wife let me drive their spare car to meet new clients, he introduced new friends and new venders to me, and he recommend me to his own clients.
I have to say, without Hao’s kind help, I would never get back on track this fast, or I may even end up my journey in US.
I remember one night at early 2020, When we finished one day work and Hao brought me to his house and had dinner with them. He cooked for me and gave me the car key, said: Get the car, I know now you really need a car to help rebuild yourself. Then he shared many of his experience with me. At that night, I felt I have been blessed.
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?
Hi everyone, my name is Luyang Tian and all my local friend called me T.
I am a SF based fashion and commercial photographer, and I am running my own production company called SERAPHLIA.
The name is adjusted by me from a beautiful word “seraphic”, which means I am using my art works to bring positive energy to the world to make it a better place.
Compare to many other photo production companies, my company not only provide the most competitive print works, but also gave the clients the fastest response and 24/7 online support. At the same time, I respect all the clients who wants to work with us, there will be no minimum requirement, even the client has only one product to shoot with, I am still willing to work with them.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
In my company, the core team is build by me and another director.
We are respond of all the print work and video works. Me and him can do multi-projects at the same time and our position is not just the photographer or the director, but also the producer, the tech and the sales.
At the same time, we need to know who we should connect with for different types of works. This will make our company at the high efficiency track.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I started my photography business as a hobby.
My parent gave me 6000 CNY to buy a computer for my college, but i use the money to buy a camera instead. Then I always keep the camera with me and take photos all the time.
I love sharing, so whenever I have new photos, I will post and share my experience with others, I remembered my first client was my college director, she is going to get married and hired me to be her wedding photographer.
After graduating, I went to different photo studios for intern, I started as an assistant and made all the works done perfectly even they had noting to do with photography.
Then I came to us for my MFA degree, in my staying time in US, I spend all my time to meet people and take photos for them for free. When the clients trust me, they started to give me payed work. So I started my true business.
So my story is super simple, you choose the thing you like, and never give up!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://seraphlia.com
- Instagram: seraphlia1212
