We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shaohan Fang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shaohan, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Before 2020, I spent my days as a product manager in internet companies. My undergraduate degree was in computer science and technology, and my first graduate program at the Communication University of China focused on digital media technology, with a minor in photography. With prior experience interning at Microsoft company as a product manager, it was a natural progression for me to become a product manager at an internet company centered around artificial intelligence technology after completing my first master’s in the summer of 2020. While the role came with a handsome salary, the relentless travel and overtime left me with little time for photography, stifling my aspirations as an artist. What hit me the hardest was missing the opening of an exhibition at Beijing’s UCCA Contemporary Art Center, showcasing a documentary I had made. This failure served as a wake-up call, making me realize that my long-desired position wasn’t my ultimate destination. Swiftly resigning from my job, I used my year-end bonus to rent a villa in the outskirts of Beijing, where I began a full-time career as a photographer. Over the next three years, I explored various types of portraiture, from personal portraits to fashion spreads, product photography, movie posters, and stills. I embraced every opportunity that could sustain my expensive rent and living costs in Beijing. However, I found myself yearning for something more. It was a serendipitous day when, sitting on the balcony of my studio in Beijing, I pondered whether photography was limited to serving celebrities and glossy magazines. Could I infuse my own expression into my work? This question lingered until I had the chance to work with a graduate film crew from NYU on a shoot for movie posters and stills. Seeing their unwavering dedication to storytelling struck a chord within me. It was then that I decided to hit the brakes and apply for a second master’s degree. I wanted my photography to resonate with my audience’s experiences. Thus, I made my way to the United States, where I embarked on my first entirely self-owned project, “Portrait of a Family.” This project is based on my personal experience and tells the story of a girl who was raised by her grandparents in the countryside and brought back to the city at the age of ten to live with her parents and younger brother.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m still exploring various avenues, from fashion photography to commercial projects, while also delving into different mediums for artistic expression. Recently, I’ve been working on a project called “Portrait of a Family,” which combines nine photographs with a two-minute none dialogue video. This project is deeply rooted in my own experiences.
In 1990s China, there was a prevalent bias towards sons, leading to unequal distribution of family resources and parental attention, leaving many children with lingering feelings of abandonment. These emotions often persisted into adulthood, shaping their views on love and belonging.
Simultaneously, families with multiple children found it challenging to provide equitable care and attention to each sibling. This hierarchical family structure often left some children feeling neglected or overlooked, fostering a sense of abandonment and lack of love.
Inspired by personal experiences, I extracted visual fragments reflecting the complex experiences of parental neglect from my memory. Through a photography project, I aim to delve into the intersecting narratives of neglect and longing within these families. As I explore the purity, integrity, and authenticity of parental love, my questioning of parental love evolves into self-doubt and skepticism about the world. However, amidst this complexity, my desire for familial connection and love remains steadfast.
Through a series of stage photographs employing dramatic lighting techniques, my goal is to capture the everyday appearance of a family of four living together again, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of family life and expressing a profound longing for genuine familial bonds.
During the preparation phase, numerous intriguing yet challenging stories unfolded. After securing a location in New Jersey for our shoot, complications arose between the town and property owners, forcing us to cancel. Despite exhausting all communication efforts, the host still said they need to cancel our shooting. we quickly shifted to plan B. While en route to Yonkers to scout locations, it was already 7-8 p.m. during the blue hour of the night. As we sat in the car, contemplating adjustments our shooting plan and art direction, my creative director, Shuyao Chen, excitedly motioned towards a patch of grass illuminated by passing car lights. She suggested relocating the family portrait scene to the lawn, setting up furniture and chairs outdoors. Instantly, I recalled the work of Chinese photographer Huang Qingjun’s “Family Stuff” series, where entire household items were moved outside for a shoot. Both my creative director and I were thrilled, yet I couldn’t shake off the anxiety. With only a week until the shoot, what if the weather turned gloomy, or if the car light idea failed? After a sleepless night of deliberation, I informed my producer and crew that we would proceed with the outdoor lawn shoot. We prayed for clear skies during the blue hour and devised alternative lighting plans for the car lights. With budget constraints limiting us to a single day of shooting, I trimmed down two scenes on-site, starting preparations as early as 6 p.m. On the shoot day, despite strong winds, we set up lightweight yet secure lights to simulate car light effects. We waited until 7:45 p.m. when the sun began to set, and the blue hour emerged. In just 20 minutes, with seamless cooperation from the actors, we captured the desired shot.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Entering the field of photography just a few years ago, I can’t claim to have extensive experience. Reflecting on my journey, I attribute my path to a sense of curiosity, bravery, and action. From passing the qualification exam for math teachers to working in internet companies,（Well, I once even took a teaching certificate in math at the behest of my parents.） from assisting for creative in photography studios to running my own studio, I’ve circled back to photography. This constant exploration stems from my curiosity and eagerness to try new things firsthand, to assess their worth through personal experience. Additionally, part of this journey involved realizing my true passion amidst careers I didn’t desire, leading me to discover the expressive power of photography.
Courage is also crucial. Acting without hesitation and believing that anything you desire can be attained through hard work is key. Being brave enough to pursue your aspirations is vital because while you hesitate, you might have already achieved them. When transitioning from the internet to photography, I hesitated. Could I make a living? Could I support myself? Could I prove myself to my family? Despite these doubts, I took the plunge, and the outcome wasn’t as dire as we often imagine.
Lastly, execution is paramount. It might sound similar to courage, but having the courage to execute is crucial. Merely dreaming without action keeps your ideas in a realm of fantasy. By not executing, you’ll never know how you’d handle extreme situations or where your potential lies. During the preparation for “Portrait of a Family,” we encountered numerous challenges. As we progressed, I felt like I was leveling up in a game, eagerly anticipating each obstacle and overcoming them one by one. From last-minute location changes to broken mudguards on our production vehicle, to receiving property insurance just before the shoot—all were resolved within a week. Without executing, we wouldn’t have known our capacity to solve these issues and successfully complete the shoot.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Certainly, I’m eager for collaboration. Previously, I worked with celebrities, magazines, and brands in China. Having recently established connections in New York, I’m excited to collaborate with creative stylists and hair and makeup artists to create compelling work. I’m also planning new projects, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and storytelling through fashion or different mediums. Talented individuals interested in collaboration are welcome to reach out to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: shaohanfang.com
- Instagram: shanefang_
Image Credits
The last two images, Behind the scene (Portrait of A Family）shot by: Dong Deng @abbeyab_68 Headshot shot by :Gabriela Decos @gabbydecos
