We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chawin Piriyagagul. Check out our conversation below.
Chawin, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I feel intelligence is most important since it is the foundation of who we are. It influences how we think, see the world, and react to it. To me, intelligence is more than just logic and information. It also encompasses emotional intelligence, empathy, and comprehension. With actual intellect, we understand how to direct our energy in meaningful ways and why integrity is important. Without intelligence, energy can be directionless, and integrity can be shallow. Intelligence enables us to grow, make conscious decisions, and develop into people capable of living with purpose and awareness.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Chawin, a freelance photographer and filmmaker from Thailand who is passionate about creating meaningful and emotive cinematic pictures. I work in commercials, real estate, events, streets, travel, and weddings.
What motivates me the most is a desire to tell stories that actually resonate. I believe that every frame should convey emotion, allowing the audience to connect and feel a part of the moment. When a visual can move someone or evoke a sensation they’ve had, I know I’ve done my job. For me, the greatest wonder of art is how it affects people’s feelings.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The people who see me clearly before I can see myself are my mom and dad. They believe in me even before I fully believe in myself, encouraging me to chase my dreams all the way to the U.S. They never doubt me or look down on me instead, they fill every moment with love, kindness, and unwavering support. They invest their time, energy, and resources to help me become the person I need to be. I’m endlessly grateful to them, and I love my mom and dad dearly.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I arrived in San Francisco to study film in 2020, just as COVID-19 broke out. Everything was shut down, and I found myself confined to my apartment, feeling desolate and contemplating whether I should give up and return to Thailand. I lost time and motivation, and for a while, the pain consumed me. Then one day, I understood that being sad wouldn’t alter anything, so I picked up my camera and resumed creating. There was no single turning point, only a quiet voice inside instructing me to channel my grief into power. That decision prompted me to develop short films, travel across the United States, and eventually display my photographs in New York. My work was then included in multiple photo magazines and interviews on several website platforms, including Canvas Rebels, BoldJourney, and so on. Looking back, I realized that pain can either consume or motivate you. It all depends on how you want to use it.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
As a photographer and cinematographer, I am completely committed to any project I work on, no matter how large or small. This is more than just a job for me; it is something I genuinely like and devote my entire life to. I recently got the pleasure to work with a well-known Thai streetwear company called KODANGS on a project in Seattle. The idea was “New Home, New Neighborhood,” which commemorated the brand’s new store opening in the United States. I spent months recording, documenting, and editing every aspect to make that idea a reality. Seeing the finished product and how everyone involved felt proud and connected to it reminded me why I do what I do.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at ease when I’m behind the camera, whether taking photos or filming. Whether I’m surrounded by friends, relatives, or complete strangers, it doesn’t matter. Everything feels calm and present at that point. It’s like a type of self-healing, allowing me to slow down, breathe, and connect with myself. The peaceful focus, where inspiration and peace emerge from inside, is the feeling I cherish the most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.erk_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chawinterk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Darkweakness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chawin.Piriyagagul
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