Meet Timothy Suh | Photographer

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

Hi Timothy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I originally started drawing and painting early in my art career. I went to an after-school program, which became a nice little break between school and tutoring. It was my mom actually who pushed me to try it! But, after going to the Art Center of College in Design with a focus on illustration, I began to hate it. I did not want to draw and slowly realized illustration wasnt for me. So I left. I tried various things, but I wanted to do art. I dabbled in graphic design, fashion, and sculpture until I finally landed on photography. It was horrible, but I enjoyed it. It didn’t feel like learning; I would play with it, make many new friends, and even get a job! That’s when I decided to return to school for it and dive in.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a documentary and street photographer, and nothing excites me more than capturing life in the streets—whether it’s a portrait, an architectural detail, or a fleeting moment. I experience so many new things just because I have a camera; people invite me into their world! Choosing this path wasn’t easy. I initially tried making a living through product photography, but no matter what, I always found myself wanting to be out in the world, camera in hand.

Taking the leap into street photography was terrifying. I didn’t know if anyone would care about my images or if I could turn this passion into something sustainable. But I couldn’t let a year pass by and be left wondering, what if? So I went for it.

Looking back, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that there’s no single right way to do this. People will tell you how things should be done, but in the end, what works for you is what matters.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One thing’s for sure—one of the days, we’re taking a long drive east with no maps, no set destination, just the open road. The goal? To stumble upon an abandoned building or a breathtaking landscape. It’s not my usual subject matter, but honestly, some of the best conversations happen on long drives. The lack of a map just adds to the adventure—finding something unexpected and taking the time to really take it in. And to top it all off, there’s Young Dong Tofu in Chino Hills, my all-time favorite spot for Sundubu (Korean tofu soup).

As for the rest of the trip, I’d probably lean into some classic tourist spots—The Getty Villa, LACMA, The Broad, Santa Monica. Korean BBQ is a must, either at Park’s or Jeong Yuk Jeom, followed by late-night tacos and, of course, In-N-Out. Wandering through Little Tokyo and Chinatown, stopping by bookstores like Hennessey + Ingalls and Arcana. But honestly? Some of my favorite moments with friends are the simplest—just coming back to my place, playing games, watching a movie, and just hanging out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents— I wouldn’t be where I am without them. They’ve always supported me, even when my dreams weren’t the easiest for any parent to embrace. But they believe in what I do. They’re always willing to offer their thoughts on my art, and that means the world to me. And it’s not just them—every time a friend encourages me, whether it’s a simple “you’re doing great” or a reminder to keep pushing forward, it fuels me to keep going.

Website: https://timothysuh.com/

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

Image Credits
The first image (portrait of me) was taken by my good friend Juan Román.

All the other images are photos that I have taken.