Angela Kwon

TIFA 2025 Interview with Angela Kwon
Silver prize in Fashion Editorial and Bronze in Portfolio, Non-Professional, “Venus De Milo” and “Play The Game With No Rules”

What drew you to the specific genre of photography you specialize in? Was it a personal experience, a mentor, or something else that sparked your interest?

My interest in fashion photography is probably rooted in my childhood. I grew up in the suburbs of South Korea and spent a lot of time observing nature—different colors, shapes, and textures. That experience naturally led me to fashion, because I see fashion as one of the few ways to bring the beauty of nature into human life. We wear animal prints, we design dresses inspired by trees, and we translate natural elements into something wearable. Fashion, imagery, and visuals have always been part of my life, so getting into fashion photography felt very natural to me.

How do you approach a new photography project? Can you walk us through your creative process, from concept to execution?

Ideas can come from anywhere. Sometimes it starts with a conversation I have with friends, sometimes it’s just a word, or a scene that keeps floating in my head. There’s really no limit to the medium. Once I have a concept that I want to visualize through photography, I start writing it down, then I doodle from my imagination. I usually draw each scene quite precisely and try to capture it exactly as I envisioned it. I rely a lot on my memory—things I’ve seen in daily life or during research—rather than going online and recreating inspiration directly. Using the afterimage in your head helps keep the work original.

As a photographer, how do you balance technical expertise with artistic vision? Do you lean more heavily on one, or do they work hand in hand for you?

They definitely work hand in hand for me. It’s exciting when you realize that certain lighting choices or camera settings can help create a specific emotion or feeling. That connection between technique and art is something I really enjoy.

Winning this award is a significant accomplishment. How do you plan to leverage this recognition to further your career or make a greater impact in the photography world?

I’m very honored to be recognized by professionals in the photography field, and it really feels like my hard work paid off. At the same time, I see this as only the beginning. TIFA opened the first door for me, and I plan to keep pushing forward, continuing to show my vision through my photography, and proving myself over time.

What advice would you give to photographers about finding their unique voice in a crowded industry? How can they stay true to their vision while appealing to a broader audience?

The most important thing is not giving up and staying consistent with your work. You might feel like you’re not unique or get discouraged seeing people copy each other—I feel that way sometimes too. It’s very hard to be completely original today, and creating something entirely new can feel almost impossible. (A lot of people in our generation say they wish they were born back when photography was just being invented, and I honestly relate to that.) However, at the same time, the world is becoming more diverse. There’s more space for minorities to shine, smaller magazines are publishing cooler images, and people are increasingly drawn to independent designers. This gives everyone room to own their creativity and artistic aesthetic. So life goes on, and you might as well keep trying, discovering yourself, and creating consistently.