Meet Jinjin Li

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

Jinjin, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose through a journey of imitation and discovery. Initially, I was influenced by the people around me—my friends Ningxin and Shuqi, who have had a profound impact on my life decisions. I’ve never been someone with strong opinions or certainty about what I wanted; I’ve always felt a bit apprehensive about the unknown, and I’ve always relied on external cues to guide my decisions.

In high school, when Ningxin got her own camera, I immediately wanted one too. Then I got one, that’s when I fell in love with photography. Later, when Shuqi decided to pursue graduate studies abroad, I followed her lead and came to the U.S. as well. Once I arrived here, I also liked the life here in America. The people I’ve met have been incredibly kind and sincere, offering me a level of support I never imagined before coming.

Photography have given me a new sense of purpose and a passion that I want to turn into a lifelong career. I’m not in a rush to gain recognition from others; my focus is on achieving a level of work that I’m truly proud of. This journey has taught me that it’s okay to start by imitating others, as long as it eventually leads you to discover what you genuinely love and want to pursue.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Jinjin Li, a photographer a photographer who just graduated from SCAD with an MFA in Photography. My journey into photography began when I had my first camera of my own at the age of 18. What started as a simple hobby quickly transformed into a profound passion and a means of self-expression.

My work often revolves around the lives and stories of those around me, particularly focusing on themes of female friendship, cultural identity, and the transitions we experience in life. I’d like to introduce my first solo exhibition, In Her Company, which documented the lives of a group of Chinese female friends I met while studying abroad. This project was not just about capturing moments; it was about exploring the complex relationship between these women and the city we inhabited—a place where we were neither tourists nor fully integrated residents. The exhibition was a way to honor the precious moments of companionship and the bittersweet emotions that come with farewells and transitions.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

There are three qualities that I think are very important to me in my life’s journey: sincerity, bravery and staying happy.

Sincerity is fundamental. For me, sincerity means being true to myself and others in all aspects of my life. In my creative process, it means expressing true emotions and opinions so that the work is a true reflection of my experiences and feelings. When dealing with others, sincerity will allow you to build a foundation of trust and respect with those around you.

Bravery is equally important. It’s about having the courage to embrace the unknown and face challenges head on. Bravery allows you to explore new possibilities and grow in ways you never imagined. The uncertainty of not knowing where my path will lead is initially daunting, but it has also opened up possibilities I never imagined.

Lastly, I believe in the importance of being happy. Life is too short not to find joy in what you do and in the people you surround yourself with. Whether it’s in your daily work or personal relationships, pursuing what makes you happy and staying close to those who bring you joy is key to a fulfilling life.

I think everyone’s journey is unique, so focus on your own path and trust that if you keep moving forward, you will find your way.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

One of the significant challenges I’m currently facing is navigating the transition from student life to professional life. Having recently graduated, I’m at a crossroads, trying to decide whether to return to my home country or pursue opportunities to stay and work in the United States. This decision is made even more difficult by the complexities of visa regulations, which make staying here a challenging process. It’s a moment filled with uncertainty and a lot of emotions, as both options have their own set of opportunities and challenges.

Another challenge I am currently facing is how to strike a balance between creative freedom and the expectations of the art world. As an artist, I want to stay true to my vision and create works that resonate with my personal experiences and emotions. However, sometimes external pressures, such as market trends, audience preferences, or the need for financial stability, can influence creative decisions.

This challenge involves finding ways to remain authentic while also engaging with the broader art community and making my work accessible to a wider audience. It’s a delicate balance between maintaining artistic integrity and adapting to the demands of a competitive industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jinjinlla.com
• Instagram: Auskcye

Image Credits

Jinjin Li