Meet Momo Li

We were lucky to catch up with Momo Li recently and have shared our conversation below.

Momo , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience comes from a deep-rooted passion for storytelling and capturing genuine emotions. Growing up, I was greatly inspired by my grandmother, who was a full-time photographer with 50 years of experience. Watching her dedication taught me the importance of patience, adaptability, and always finding beauty in every situation. Her influence, along with my own journey, has given me the strength to keep going even during challenging times.

In my grandmother’s era, technological limitations meant that she not only took the photographs but also developed the film and even hand-colored the photos. This process added a unique charm and depth to her work, making each piece truly captivating. Her dedication to each step of the craft has deeply inspired me to bring a similar attention to detail and artistry to my photography.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a photographer based in New York. My journey into photography began when my husband gifted me a camera as a push gift after the birth of our first child. What started as capturing my child’s growth gradually became a exploration of life itself. To me, photography is not just about recording events; it’s about touching the soul, reflecting, and making moments eternal.

I love telling stories with a documentary approach, while also immersing myself in the beauty and emotion of editorial style. My work often shows a blend of these two worlds, creating a unique collision of reality and artistry. This year, I began photographing weddings—a new and inspiring journey. There is something profoundly romantic and precious about capturing a couple’s most significant day, being trusted as a stranger to tell their story.

In 2025, I’ll embark on global destination photography, connecting with people around the world to create stories in various locations. I look forward to witnessing and capturing light and love in new places, as a part of these intimate, extraordinary moments in people’s lives.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities have had the most profound impact: resilience, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to connect with people.

Resilience: Photography is filled with challenges, from tough shoots to unpredictable circumstances. My resilience has helped me face each challenge with patience and a positive attitude. For those starting, I recommend building resilience by embracing each setback as a learning experience. Every challenge is a chance to grow stronger and improve.

Keen Eye for Detail: Capturing the essence of a moment often lies in the smallest details—the way light falls, a subtle expression, or a fleeting gesture. Developing an eye for detail takes practice. Spend time studying great photographs, and observe what makes them powerful. As you practice, pay attention to the small things, as they often make the biggest impact.

Connection with People: Whether it’s a wedding or a family shoot, being able to connect with clients on a personal level is essential. This connection makes people feel comfortable and brings out genuine emotions in the images. My advice is to always listen and engage with your clients, learning their stories and personalities. It adds a layer of depth to your work that is invaluable.

In short, embrace challenges, pay attention to details, and focus on connecting with people genuinely. These qualities will help you create work that not only captures moments but also tells meaningful stories.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

When I was in elementary school, my father gifted me my first camera. It was a pivotal moment, as it introduced me to the world of capturing images and expressing myself through photography. My mother also played a key role in nurturing my artistic side. She once saw my drawings on scrap paper and, calling me a genius, decided to enroll me in six years of art classes. This foundation in art has greatly influenced my creative approach as a photographer. Additionally, I began learning drums in middle school, and this passion has remained strong despite academic pressures over the years. These early experiences shaped my creative journey, instilling in me a love for the arts and the resilience to keep pursuing what I love.

My parents came from traditional backgrounds, yet they didn’t push me to study things I wasn’t naturally inclined towards. Instead, they encouraged me to explore and find what truly inspired me. However, they always emphasized one core principle: persistence. They believed that no matter what I chose, I had to commit and see it through. This value of dedication has become foundational in my journey as an artist, helping me stay focused and resilient even when things get challenging.

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Image Credits

Momo Li

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