Photographer of The Week: Yubi Lee

The “Photographer of the Week” series is dedicated to highlighting photographers within the SCAD community that demonstrate unique abilities behind the lens. This week, Yubi Lee, a graduate photography student, shares her recent projects and personal insight.

What is the reason that you got started in Photography and what does it mean to you?

As soon as I moved to (the) United States I was only 15, home alone all the time. After getting my first Canon camera I was able to make new friends in the neighborhood and go exploring in nature. It gave me company and courage. I got really seriously into it as I studied fashion photography in a fashion school. I loved styling and treasure hunting for unique clothes and props to tell the narrative or express my diverse inner beauty and uniqueness. Now though, photography still means good company (to me) but beyond that it is the crucial creative vessel to reflect again about what I am seeing. Without the viewfinder, I am not sure how much I could re-think about the things I see every day, for instance, people, nature, the earth, blessings, even myself. I intentionally use photography to capture things that will shift and change my perspective toward truth, life and strength.

How has your passion for painting helped in the field of Photography?

Painting has been my original creative passion ever since I was so young, even before photography. Painting allows me to go beyond the “realistic” state of the photography and I could be emotionally and creatively free by just dabbing rich paint anywhere or changing the narrative by adding different elements such as flowers and different designs of clothing. Actually, most of (the) references that I get as I prepare for a photoshoot – or the dominant inspirations – come from paintings. I believe paintings carry a deeper sense of emotion and vitality, (a) wider range of color palettes and I refer to them all the time to make my photography look like paintings.

What is your thought process when creating an image?

I love reading and writing; I always take notes if anything gave me inspiration from a photoshoot. When it comes to photoshoots that (are) driven by my intentions, I write kind of a scenario and, according to some words and phrases, I imagine the scene and do a quick sketch. To be honest though, repeating the process so much now – just imagining the emotion, location or the model – naturally gives a sketch in my head. Then I usually find reference photos from paintings and fashion magazines. And to be honest, with trial and error, I now more enjoy the happy mistakes or the unexpected revelation of image that happens in the location, so I do not try to create a perfect imagery in the head.

Who or what is your inspiration?

I am really interested in people around me, as everyone has unique dignity. It’s weird how I choose and ask people to become my models, they are sometimes close to me and sometimes just a classmate I might not know very well. I sense something unexplainable from that person, some kind of energy, probably the inner beauty of that person I want to know. So, before I prepare for the photoshoot, I do a pre-hand interview with them to get to know them a bit privately and from that I create my mood board. The personality (and) characteristics trigger the aesthetics and emotions that help me find the reference. As seen in my works, my favorite hobby is to shop at the vintage clothing store or vintage/antique mall. Certain clothing, usually very vintage but formal and modest, really triggers a specific memory from me or the clothing relates to a characteristic that I have and I really want to capture me in that clothing to express that narrative. As clothing was one of the first expressed forms of love from my mother, I believe clothing holds unique trace, history and identity of the person and it could be connected to anyone.

What is the biggest challenge you face with being a photographer?

Currently, I am doing a self-portrait challenge and I have just done my 7th photoshoot. My goal is to do 12! Ironically, as a photographer, I never had much time to really see myself through the viewfinder. And during the challenge I realized this is crucial. If a photographer does not know how to see themselves objectively or honestly, I believe the other things they see through the viewfinder could be skewed at any time in their lives. Not only that, experiencing the photographer, model, set designer, makeup artist, stylist – trying all those at once – really enhances me to become a better art creator, more than just a photographer.

Do you have any advice for photographers or other SCAD students?

I wish there were more unique photographers or artists in general who really challenge and discipline to find their characteristics that only they have and make that input in their work. If you know what you are strong in, push through and repeat until you cannot count how many times you have done it. Do not compromise your art because of realistic reasons such as income, fame and approval. I believe individual unique beauty is the strongest art and power that nobody could take away and will satisfy you eternally, (as) it will for others.

To see more of Yubi’s work, you may visit her Instagram or website.