Lollipop
Photographer: Hongsheng Jin
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
My background as a model has profoundly shaped my artistic vision. In the modeling world, individuals are often chosen based on their appearance, but I have always viewed models as unique individuals with their own stories, experiences, and inner sparks. I am passionate about capturing the authentic essence of each subject — revealing sides of them that are genuine, personal, and sometimes unexpected. Additionally, participating in iconic fashion weeks — New York, Paris, and Milan — exposed me to a diverse range of aesthetics, styles, and creative excellence, all of which deeply influenced my appreciation for storytelling, visual detail, and composition.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
One memorable example was the "Lollipop" shoot with model Linxuan Lyu, originally planned as a fashion print shoot for a modeling competition. As the session ran long and Linxuan began to tire, I encouraged her to let go of the structured poses and simply express her genuine attitude and natural emotions. That shift led to some of the most authentic and striking images of the day. This experience reinforced the importance of spontaneity and trusting the subject’s natural energy to unlock truly powerful artistic outcomes.
3. Walk us through a specific project that challenged your creative boundaries. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience?
One project that pushed my creative boundaries involved a shoot with plants and flowers. Rather than using them as simple decorations, I envisioned the plants becoming true extensions and expressions of the subject — a natural continuation of their emotions and character. This approach demanded a deeper sensitivity to composition, movement, and the organic interaction between the model and the elements. I carefully selected plants to reflect different moods and guided the model to connect with them intuitively rather than posing formally. This experience taught me the power of subtlety, symbolism, and organic storytelling, deepening my understanding of how to weave natural elements into meaningful visual narratives.
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
What sets my work apart is the fusion of my modeling and fashion design experience with my multicultural background and international exposure. Growing up with an Eastern cultural foundation, receiving a Western education, and participating in major global fashion events have taught me to embrace diversity and appreciate multiple definitions of beauty and aesthetics. This broad perspective allows me to move beyond conventional boundaries, bringing an inclusive and dynamic vision to my creative work. I draw from a wide range of influences and approaches, creating imagery that feels authentic, emotionally resonant, and visually distinctive.
5. As you reflect on your journey, are there any specific goals or milestones you've set for your artistic career in the coming years?
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue capturing the true essence of each subject through my lens — revealing the deeper layers of their beauty, individuality, and emotional world. I want my work to transcend surface appearances, uncovering more aspects of humanity and creating images that carry meaning, depth, and connection. I aspire to bring increasingly creative and purposeful projects into the world, using photography not just to portray beauty, but to tell stories that inspire viewers to see and feel the richness and uniqueness in every individual.
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Wardrobe Stylist/Creative Director/Makeup Artist/Retoucher/Photographer: Hongsheng Jin
Model: Linxuan Lyu