Few months ago, one of my friend in brooks institute went back to Korea. He graduated Brooks Institute last year and built porforlio for a year in LA. He is fashion photographer. I wanted to know his step in Korea because I want to go back to Korea after graduate Brooks Institute and become a fashion photographer just like him. His move is very successful. Last month, his photo is published on W Korea magazine. Not many people are able to publish their photo on magazine right after going back to Korea.
His name is Junggeun Kim and people call him JK. Even though he graduated about just 2 year earlier he always has many things that I want to learn from him even when he was in Brooks Institute. I talked to him on the phone few days ago. I asked him some questions how he could be able to achieve such things in short time.
Q. What did you do first after you went back to Korea for your photography business?
A. I visited Hanjoon Kim’s studio who is one of the most successful photographer in Korea from Brooks Institute. I wanted to know him and wanted his advice to start career as fashion photographer. I showed him my portfolio and he have me honest advice.
Q. I love Hanjoon Kim too. What did he say about portfolio?
A. He said my photos are like catalog and it’s not good enough. So I changed photos on my portfolio to editorial photos.
Q. How were you able to publish your photo on W magazine?
A. I already knew someone who is working at there. As you know I worked for David Lachapelle for a while and I have good relationship with him. When he visited Korea for exhibition I helped him in Korea. Fortunately I was able to shoot David Lachapelle. After I shot him, I interviewed him and made video about him. After that I met editor from W magazine and proposed them to publish the photo of David Lachapelle.
Q. How is working in Korea?
A. Everything is very expensive here. Photo studio must be in center of Seoul in order to work and it is very expensive. Photography gears are also very expensive. The worst thing is fashion photography industry is very bad right now. You really have to be ready before you come back to Korea. If you want to be fashion photograper, your photos must look like photos in fashion magazine.
Q. Actually I’m having very hard time to find model. Sometimes I’m not even able to do assignment for fashion class. I’m really worried about my grade right now. How did you do about that?
A. I know it’s very hard. Most works were done after I moved to LA after graduation. I made many friends in LA and they introduced me many models. Model mayhem might be helpful but many people don’t want to work with Asian photographer. Make many friends and use them.
We have talked few hours and above are the most helpful for me. He gave motivation and show what I have to do. I want to start my career like him. I picture to myself my future after 2 years.
