We recently connected with Liang Ge and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Liang with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Work ethic comes from passion and inspiration. I’ve always believed that if you are passionate about something, the work ethic would come from that. When I first dived into photography, whether as a hobbyist or getting paid work, I knew I was passionate about it, and that was what drove me. I would obsessively study light and editing all the time and I was always looking for inspiration from movies, magazines, other photographers’ work, etc.. That’s what kept me going as an artist!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a portrait and fashion photographer based in Orange County, CA. In 2008, I became enamored with photography when I saw photo blogs online. From there on, I grabbed my first camera, the Canon Rebel XTI and started shooting randomly, whether it’s flowers, landscapes, cityscapes, friends, animals, street, etc. I moved to Los Angeles in 2015 working in theatrical productions, and had gigs in between for photo projects. I soon found it more interesting to stick with one genre of photography that interested me most, which was people, art, and fashion. Once I gravitated towards that industry, I founded my own company, Liang Ge Photography in 2022. Photography isn’t just about taking photos. It’s the planning, the behind the scenes, the preparation to execute the shoot, the location scouting, and everything in between to make a successful shoot. Of course, there is post production and editing.
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?
I always just say this to people starting out in photography: learn as you go. I don’t necessarily think of three qualities, but if I had to pick it’s that experience matters. You have to go out and hone your craft by shooting more. A person cannot succeed instantly without experiencing some failures/mistakes along the way. It’s only natural that it goes this way. When I first started, I didn’t know a thing about exposures, apertures, etc. and just kept clicking away. As I went out and shot more, I had to adjust to many different conditions outdoors to make sure my settings performed well under those conditions. For aspiring photographers, the only way to advance and get better is to continue to go and shoot as much as you can. Without the exposure to getting out and doing your craft, there would be no growth. Simple as that.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I’d love to work on fashion and swimwear campaigns in locations outside of California. I’m sure photographers in my network know of Triangl, Oneone Swimwear, Gooseberry Seaside, Fashionova, etc. I’m the adventurous type, so I’m always looking forward to shooting for a client in new places, whether it presents a challenge or not. I love shooting photographs that are non-posed, unplanned, and getting the most candid moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.liangge.photo/
- Instagram: @liangge8
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lianggephotos/
Image Credits
Liang Ge Photography
