We recently met New York-based fashion and lifestyle photographer Jane Kim at our first annual Dumpling Crawl – she was one of three photographers that led our community through Chinatown and downtown NYC last January. Drawing inspiration from the city and her peers, Jane takes a photojournalistic approach that brings authenticity and life to her photographs. Below, we highlight some of Jane's most recent fashion work and she shares her go-to gear, dream project and goal for 2017.
Name: Jane Kim
Hometown: The good old Jersey Shore.
Photo by Austin Rhee
Describe your aesthetic in five words or less: Cinematic, dreamy, likely foggy.
Go-to gear: Sony a7r ii and the Sony 55mm f/1.8 lens.
Favorite place to travel to: LA - it's my second home and the city I feel most comfortable in.
Biggest creative influence: All my fellow NYC photographers. I love seeing the different ways we are all able to capture the same city!
Thing you can’t live without: Netflix and Friends reruns.
Jane carries the Black Leather Clifton Backpack
What motivates you: The idea that you're never done learning as a photographer... You can always create something new and different every day.
Time of day are you most creative: Mornings, surprisingly. I'm half awake but super motivated, and that's where the good work starts forming.
Biggest challenge: Being too critical of my own work.
One piece of advice that stuck with you: All the time you spend comparing yourself to others is time that you could be spending to get better at what you do.
Mistake you’ve learned from: Not bringing enough memory cards to gigs. Always bring extras!
Project you are most proud of: I love shooting for J.Crew and recently got to shoot for their blog, which was such a fun collaboration.
Most used phrase: "I can't even"
Earliest memory: Getting separated from my mom on an elevator which was pretty traumatizing.
Hidden talent: I love to bake! I make a mean apple cake.
Dream project: Shooting on tour with Beyonce. I'd probably melt.
Most recent “a-ha” moment: There's only a few more weeks til warm weather! Thank goodness...
Goal for 2017: To see my work in print!
Lightning round -
Sweet or savory: Savory.
Childhood celebrity crush: Leonardo DiCaprio (hasn't changed).
Cats or dogs: Both!
Favorite album: Still haven't gotten tired of Lemonade.
Favorite book: Recently loved Yes Please by Amy Poehler. A must read for any old school SNL fans and creatives!
Biggest fear: Wasting my time.
CONNECT WITH JANE