Meet Lining Bao

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lining Bao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lining, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As I progressed in my early career as a photographer, I started receiving requests from clients to expand my services beyond portrait photography into commercial work, covering events like concerts, conferences, and exhibitions. This unexpected demand sparked my interest in a new track that I hadn’t initially considered, and I found it both challenging and rewarding.

As more opportunities came my way, I realized there was a significant demand for high-quality visual content in various sectors, especially in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Boston, and New York. Recognizing the potential to grow, I decided to start my own business, Iris Pictures, with a team of trusted partners. We set out to meet these needs, leveraging our skills and building strong relationships across different regions. By networking and expanding our reach, I aimed to form teams in key locations, ensuring we could deliver excellence no matter where the project took us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is rooted in storytelling, whether it’s through the lens of fashion, concerts, or commercial photography. What sets me apart is my ability to capture the essence of the moment while also incorporating a strategic, narrative-driven approach. Whether it’s a fast-paced concert or a carefully crafted commercial, I aim to evoke emotion and meaning through every frame.

The thing I am most proud of is probably my creative vision. I strive to differentiate both my work and the work of my company from others. We put a lot of effort into making sure our creations are unique. In this era of homogenization, whether it’s art or mainstream commercials, it’s easy for work to be replaced by others or even by AI. We ensure that what we do is unique, creating our own style, which is irreplaceable.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. It’s been a journey filled with challenges, from balancing creative work with the demands of running a business to staying ahead of industry trends. One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of building a strong, reliable team—people who share your vision and can execute with the same level of dedication and passion. I also learned to embrace failures and setbacks as part of the process, understanding that every project is a chance to learn and grow.

Iris Pictures, the production company I founded, reflects my commitment to blending creativity with strategy. We serve clients across major cities like LA, New York, Boston, and more, and our goal is always to craft visually compelling stories that connect with diverse audiences. I want the world to know that my work isn’t just about producing visuals—it’s about bringing ideas to life and creating meaningful connections through art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting LA for a week, I’d definitely take them to some of my favorite spots that reflect the unique vibe of the city. One place we’d absolutely visit is Tea at Shiloh: A Teahouse in the Arts District. It is a peaceful, creative haven—it’s a space where people come to connect with themselves and each other through tea and conversation. It reimagines nightlife with its calm and inspiring atmosphere, perfect for those looking for community, creativity, and reflection. I love going there for a cup of tea, whether it’s to spend time alone or to have a “tea chat” with friends who share the same creative vision. I’m not much of a coffee person—tea gives me a sense of calm, allowing me to think and relax in a way that coffee just doesn’t.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to my team leaders, Elvira and Derek, from my internship at Tesla during my sophomore year at Boston University. As a videographer, working alongside them provided me with invaluable industry insights and sparked my passion for commercial production. At the time, I was an advertising major, but that experience truly opened my eyes to the creative potential in production, which led me to pursue Film & Television as a second major. Their trust and support were pivotal in shaping my career path, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Another major influence in my journey was Professor Sheila Sitomer from Boston University. I took her Real World Productions class, where our team had the opportunity to create a commercial for Urbanity Dance, a local non-profit dance studio. That project went on to be nominated for an Emmy Award, and we won a Student Production Award from the Boston/New England chapter of NATAS. It was the highlight of my undergraduate years and a testament to the power of mentorship and teamwork. I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance and the experience that shaped my creative vision.

Website: https://www.liningbao.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liningbao/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liningbao/

Other: Company’s website: https://www.irispics.net/ Instagram page as a music & concert photographer: https://www.instagram.com/3moless/ 

Image Credits
ICE, Loopy, Re-TROS, Liars, Honkai: Star Rail