Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Soohyun Kim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Soohyun, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Thank you for having me; I’m both honored and excited to be here. When it comes to resilience, a significant source for me is my religious beliefs. They provide a foundation of strength and perspective that helps me navigate through challenges. Additionally, I find inspiration in the stories of others—seeing how people overcome their obstacles fuels my own resilience and reminds me that perseverance can lead to meaningful outcomes.
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?
Absolutely, I’d love to share a bit about my background. Leading gugwa, a luxury portrait photography studio that serves the vibrant communities of Chicago and Glenview, Illinois, has been an incredible journey of exploration and growth for me. This adventure in the world of photography and art is something I’ve been passionately pursuing, leading me to earn two Master of Fine Arts degrees in photography—one from my home country, Korea, and the other from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). My dedication to contemporary art photography has not only been a personal fulfillment but has also been recognized in ways I never imagined, such as receiving a green card in 2017 for my artistic contributions. This path has been both challenging and rewarding, shaping the artist and individual I am today.
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 path, three foundational elements have profoundly impacted my journey: grit, communication skills, and theological knowledge.
Grit: My passion for photography ignited at 14, and over the last 30 years, I’ve continuously explored, learned, practiced, and educated others in this art form. This journey expanded my interests into visual art, culture, and storytelling, including film. Grit for me has meant a lifelong commitment to my craft, persisting through challenges and evolving my approach with each new learning. For those early in their journey, I suggest embracing your passions with a long-term perspective, understanding that growth and expertise are cultivated through consistent effort and resilience.
Communication Skills: Relationships are pivotal in all aspects of life—family, business, and society. Recognizing the value of effective communication has been a key factor in my success. I’ve learned that understanding and improving communication skills are crucial, and thankfully, there are abundant resources available online and in books for those looking to enhance this skill. My journey has taught me the importance of meta-recognition in communication—being aware of how we communicate and the impact it has, which I believe is essential for building meaningful connections.
Theological Knowledge: My advice for delving into theological or philosophical inquiries isn’t to start with specific texts, but rather to foster an open-minded exploration about the meaning of life, happiness, and the pursuit of truth. My own reflections have been guided by questions rather than answers, encouraging a journey of discovery that influences not only my personal worldview but also my professional ethics and approach to leadership and service.
For those just starting out, I encourage you to lean into these areas with curiosity and openness. Allow your passion to drive your perseverance, invest in developing robust communication abilities, and engage with the big questions of life and existence. These pillars have not only supported my growth as a professional but have also enriched my life in immeasurable ways.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I am actively seeking partnerships and collaborations with individuals who are as passionate about the gugwa brand and the work we do. My goal is to introduce our unique approach to blending photography and film as mediums for storytelling into local communities everywhere. Through the years, I’ve expanded into various video projects, leveraging film to capture and convey powerful narratives alongside our photography. Collaborating with local Korean artist Sung Jang, chair of the industrial design department at UIC, and graphic designer Taek Hyun, we’ve created a distinctive brand that truly stands out.
I’m looking for partners who share our enthusiasm for creativity, diversity, and storytelling—this includes artists, designers, community organizers, investors, and businessmen. If you’re drawn to our mission of celebrating life’s moments through art and are interested in helping gugwa grow and reach more communities, I welcome the opportunity to connect.
For those interested in collaboration or wanting to learn more about our work, please visit my personal website at www.soohyunkim.com and our studio’s site at www.gugwa.com. You’ll find contact information to get in touch, and I look forward to exploring the possibilities of bringing gugwa’s vision and storytelling through photography and film to new audiences and locations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gugwa.com
- Instagram: gugwa_portraits
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gugwachicago/about/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekimsoohyun/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chicagostudiosoo
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/studio-soo-chicago-baby-chicago?osq=studio+soo&override_cta=Get+pricing+%26+availability
Image Credits
Soohyun Kim
