We recently connected with Yuna Jo and have shared our conversation below.

Yuna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I picked up my first DSLR camera in 2013, fresh into junior high, full of curiosity and excitement at the thought of exploring an unfamiliar world. My interest in photography and film came naturally at a young age, and I let that passion fuel me to absorb anything and everything I could possibly access online (YouTube videos, photography blogs, Google search). By teaching myself foundational skills and practicing in between academic and extracurricular responsibilities, I gradually developed my style over time.

I developed a strong belief that quantity leads to quality; consistently executing ideas, regardless of the outcome, helped me grow faster and expand my potential. I was often impatient and frustrated about feeling that my work didn’t stand out, but in retrospect, I realized that creative niche and style reveal themselves with time. In my case, for example, my background as a dancer played a big role in influencing what kind of photos and videos I both excelled at and personally enjoyed. I had the eye to photograph the energy of a live concert and the musical sensitivity to direct and film choreography videos that complemented the movement.

Working in the camera world requires a lot of hard skills, like the technical knowledge of efficiently operating your gear, but I would argue that the soft skills are just as important. Being able to navigate and adapt to stressful moments, tight schedules, and unforeseen circumstances is crucial in the production world. From there, new connections naturally form, leading to more opportunities to grow your portfolio.

Looking back, I might have accelerated my growth by seeking out mentors or hands-on experiences earlier. I started out in the industry with a blank slate, so it took longer to understand how the industry works. Still, I don’t regret how my journey unfolded – learning everything on my own gave me a deep sense of confidence in my current abilities and future potential.

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! I’m Yuna, a 23-year-old freelance photographer and DP/camera operator based in Los Angeles. I specialize in the music and fashion industries, working on everything from choreography-based visuals and K-pop tours to editorials and creative portraits. My background in dance and my Korean-American identity naturally shape how I see the world—I’m drawn to movement, aesthetics, and stories that blend energy with emotion.

I focus on creating work that feels thoughtful and alive. Whether it’s press photos, concert content, or visuals for a full rollout, I approach each project with care and intention, especially when it comes to color, composition, and pacing. I value collaboration and am passionate about helping artists and teams tell stories that feel true to them. My style balances artistic expression with quality, and I’m proud to offer a perspective rooted in both my culture and creative instincts.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

In my creative career, I’ve found the most fulfillment in breaking through my own limits and seeing people genuinely resonate with my work. I recently talked with my mom about how I’ve had a competitive spirit ever since I was a kid, and I think that drive still fuels me today. The thrill of creating something I’m proud of – and having it connect with others – never gets old, especially when the message or feeling I wanted to express actually lands. It’s always an ongoing battle between past me and present me to outdo my last project and keep growing in my craft.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I bring a healthy balance of work ethic, technical knowledge, social awareness, and good energy to every work environment. It’s also important to deliver consistent, high quality results over time to build mutual trust and respect. This approach has helped me build a strong, reliable reputation within my industry. In practice, that looks like being timely, greeting the crew with a smile, staying alert to potential issues, offering solutions, and keeping a calm head even under pressure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yunajo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuna.photos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yunajo/