Meet Jiaci Yan

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

Hi Jiaci, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As a videographer, my passion for my work has always driven me to invest time and energy into perfecting every project I take on. Initially, I believed that simply being a videographer or photographer would be fulfilling enough — being part of something great. However, as I participated in more projects and my reputation grew, I began to notice a shift. My voice started to carry weight, and people began adjusting their plans based on my ideas. It was at this point that I realized my abilities extended beyond just being a videographer; my role was evolving. If I had chosen not to embrace this responsibility, I would have been letting down those who believed in me, avoiding new challenges and the risks that come with them, and ultimately refusing to progress. That’s why I decided to start my own business — because more people began to trust me, and my name started to become a brand. The next step was to take that brand and build it into something meaningful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Although I haven’t always noticed it myself, many people have told me they love my video editing style. They’ve described my work as visually stunning yet logically organized, rich in content, and beautifully composed. What I hear most often is that clients enjoy working with me because I have a knack for understanding their needs and translating their vision into the final product. My work not only has a commercial appeal but also carries a strong artistic touch. One thing I’m particularly proud of is that I often go the extra mile, adding additional footage to the final deliverable so clients have more content for their social media. I don’t mind putting in a bit more effort because I’m genuinely passionate about video production. This enthusiasm is likely why I’ve been able to stand out and maintain long-term relationships with my clients. When it comes to what I’m most proud of, it has to be the incredible projects I’ve been a part of—whether it’s capturing the birth of a stunning fashion show, documenting a company’s milestone as it goes public on Nasdaq, or witnessing the sacrifices an artist makes during the creation of a masterpiece. These moments are what fill me with the greatest sense of pride.

The journey to where I am today hasn’t been easy. Every choice I’ve made has come with its own set of risks. I’ve mentioned before that the COVID-19 pandemic was a major challenge for my career, as it brought almost every industry to a halt. But today, I want to highlight another significant challenge—overthinking. This has been a major barrier for me, and I believe it’s the same for anyone hesitant about pursuing a career in this field. The unknown can be both exciting and terrifying. Choosing video/photography as a career means you get to witness incredible moments, but it also means giving up the security of a stable income, weekends off, and the comfort of a traditional work environment. Overthinking used to be a constant challenge for me. I would often find myself questioning whether the industry was too competitive, whether I could make enough money, and whether my skills were sufficient to succeed. This hesitation made it difficult to make decisions confidently, and even when I did, I struggled to act quickly. My efficiency suffered greatly due to this overthinking and fear of taking risks, leading me to miss out on many opportunities.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that taking risks and dealing with regret often go hand in hand, and they are both essential parts of the growth process. I’ve come to realize that no matter what choice you make, there’s a good chance that the path you didn’t choose will later become a source of regret. This can lead to overthinking and hesitation, where fear starts to consume you. But I’ve also learned that making the first step is always more important than how you make it. What you need to do is press forward, trust in your decisions, and focus on progress, not perfection. I really resonate with something Elon Musk once said: ‘If we don’t take these actions, we won’t have a great future. The riskiest thing is not to do anything. People are too afraid of failure. The fear of failure is magnified too much. If you don’t fail a few times in your life, you’ll miss your chance to push your limits.’

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?
If my best friend were visiting, I’d plan an unforgettable week split between Los Angeles and New York. In LA, we’d start with a visit to Venice Beach and a hike at Runyon Canyon, and we might even venture out to one of the nearby national parks. I have a deep love for nature, and one of my life’s core beliefs is to truly experience the essence of life and living. Escaping into nature allows me to disconnect from the city’s chaos, reflect, and draw inspiration. Of course, we wouldn’t miss the stunning city views either—there’s something unique about observing the hustle and bustle of the city from a distance, almost like viewing the world from a third-person perspective. It’s a completely different experience. And of course, we’d have to stop by In-N-Out Burger, which is one of my all-time favorites. I’d make sure my friend tries it—probably more than once. There’s something so pure and life-affirming about the simple joy of biting into a great burger.

Next, we’d head to New York. We’d definitely take a walk through Central Park, imagining how the entire city is buzzing around us while we’re perfectly insulated from the noise, finding a moment of peace. No trip to New York would be complete without spending a full day exploring its incredible museums, like the Met and MoMA, where we could immerse ourselves in art and culture. This itinerary would be the perfect blend of nature, city life, and cultural exploration, making for a week filled with meaningful and memorable experiences.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Looking back at where I am today, there are so many people I want to thank. Even in my journey as a videographer, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to countless individuals who have helped me along the way. Without the support of my friends, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities to collaborate with such amazing people. But if I had to give a special shoutout, it would be to the owners of TAMEDIA, Ivan Liu and Yvone Chen. I met them when I was just starting out in the video/photography industry, and they’ve been incredibly supportive from day one. They believed in me, appreciated my work, and were patient with my mistakes. A large part of what I’ve achieved today is thanks to their guidance and support. It’s been an honor to know them and to work with them has always been a pleasure. Every project with them has been a learning experience, and through them, I’ve met some of the best in the industry, which has opened up so many doors for me. I truly believe that much of my career success is due to a combination of luck and the amazing people I’ve met along the way, and Ivan and Yvone are definitely at the top of that list.

Website: https://jcyan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcyan24/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcyan94/