We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful O Zhang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with O below.

O, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission as a portrait photographer isn’t just about making people look good—it’s about helping them be seen, feel powerful, and look extraordinary.

This mission comes from a very personal place. I grew up in a remote village in China, far from the life I live now. In my early years, I didn’t have my parents around or the comfort of friends. I didn’t have toys to play with, and I was surrounded by strangers. As a little girl, I felt utterly powerless.

When I was four, I reunited with my parents, and life began to change. We moved to Guangzhou, a vibrant city near Hong Kong, and from there, my journey took me to Beijing, London, and eventually New York. These moves weren’t just geographic; they were transformative. They shaped how I see the world and how I see people.

For the past 24 years, I’ve been taking photos and creating art. Photography has always been about more than capturing an image for me—it’s about transformation. When I started Shine by O Portraits, I wanted to do more than just take headshots. I wanted to help people see themselves in a new light, especially those who feel camera-shy or unsure about their presence. I wanted to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

There’s something magical about guiding someone through this process. I work with them step by step, making sure they feel supported the entire way. Watching someone go from hesitant to radiant—it’s my favorite part of what I do.

I think this comes from my own experiences. I know what it’s like to feel small, to feel invisible. But I also know how freeing it is to step into your power and see yourself in a new way. That’s why this mission is so meaningful to me. It’s not just about photos; it’s about giving people a pedestal to step up on and claim that piece of power for themselves.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to elevate people, remind them of their extraordinary worth, and ensure they never forget it.

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?

I’m a portrait photographer specializing in business headshots and personal branding portraits. Many people who come to me start by saying they hate being photographed or don’t think they look good in photos. My job is to change that. I aim to make the process joyful and help them look and feel extraordinary. I’m proud to say I’ve achieved that with almost all my clients. If you read my reviews, you’ll see a common theme: people feel at ease with me.

I often say I take photos with my ears. Of course, I use my eyes for the camera, but listening is my superpower. I take the time to truly hear what my clients need, customizing each session to their unique preferences and concerns. This helps them relax, open up, and show their most genuine selves. The result? Confident, natural smiles that shine through in their photos—often better than anything they’ve done before, as they’ve told me.

I named my company Shine by O Portraits because I believe everyone has an inner light, a unique beauty that deserves to be seen. My mission is to help people uncover that light, let it shine, and capture it.

Let me share the story of how Shine by O Portraits came to be. In 2009, I published my autobiography, The Empire Where the Moon Never Sets. Written in Chinese, it made the bestseller list in China for a month. My publisher asked for a portrait for the book cover, but instead of taking it seriously, I submitted a poorly lit selfie. I thought it wouldn’t matter—but it did. Many readers later wrote to me, asking why I chose such an unflattering photo. It didn’t even look like me!

Looking back, I realized I’d missed a huge opportunity. That photo represented me to the world, and I hadn’t treated it with the care it deserved. I’ve often wondered how many more readers I might have reached with a better image. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: never sell yourself short, and never sell your face cheap. A great portrait isn’t just a picture; it’s an investment in how you present yourself to the world.

Years later, I founded Shine by O Portraits to make professional, high-quality headshots accessible to everyone. My mission is simple: to help people shine. Whether they’re building their personal brand or stepping into a new career, I’m here to ensure their light shines through.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish someone had told me the importance of networking earlier. I left China to pursue a master’s degree in photography at the Royal College of Art in London, one of the most prestigious art schools in the world. But at the time, my English was poor, and I struggled to connect with people. When I moved to New York, I still found it difficult to network. It took me 10 years to build the confidence to communicate with others as my true self. Looking back, I wish someone had guided me on how to network, make connections, and maintain those relationships. Building a strong network is one of the most crucial aspects of success in business.

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

I love the process of transformation—helping others find confidence and experience their own power in a single photo session. It’s a powerful feeling to guide someone through that process, especially knowing it took me 10 years to find that confidence in myself. I’m also proud that, through my work, I’m making the world a more beautiful place, one headshot at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shinebyoportraits.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinebyoportraits/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shinebyo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozhang/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ozhang
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shine-by-o-portraits-new-york-2

Image Credits

Shine by O Portraits