Meet jialang cai | 摄影师

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

Hi jialang, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Photography can be a powerful medium for exploring and exposing the darker aspects of human nature. Through the lens of a camera, a photographer can capture and reveal hidden spaces and realities that are often overlooked or ignored. By bringing these images to light, the photographer can challenge viewers to confront the unknown and to see the world in new and different ways. This can be a deeply meaningful and rewarding pursuit, as it allows the photographer to use their art to shed light on important issues and to spark conversations and debates. Ultimately, photography can be a tool for social change, helping to raise awareness and promote understanding of the complexities of the human experience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I must say that I am proud and excited to have been able to use photography to help people discover and embrace their unique interests and passions. Through my work, I have been able to help individuals confront and develop their differences, and to celebrate what makes them special. My career has been successful, and after graduating from graduate school in the United States, I have found a highly diverse and open-minded community in the city. Many people are willing to try being my models, pushing my career forward with their fearlessness and willingness to experiment. It is truly an honor to be able to work with such amazing individuals.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Start your trip with a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. Spend the day exploring the behind-the-scenes tour of one of the country’s most prominent working studios, and enjoy their thrilling theme park options. Afterward, take a stroll through Universal CityWalk, a free area that offers dining, shopping, and more attractions to visitors1.

Day 2: Visit The Queen Mary, one of the most famous ships in popular history. Take a tour of the now-haunted ship and learn all about its fascinating exploits. Afterward, head to the Aquarium of the Pacific to explore the marine life of the Los Angeles area and beyond1.

Day 3: Take a Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour to see how the rich and famous live. Then head to Santa Monica Pier Aquarium to learn about local marine life1.

Day 4: Spend the day at the Los Angeles Zoo, home to over 1,100 animals from around the world. In the afternoon, take a Whale Watching Cruise to see these magnificent creatures up close1.

Day 5: Head to Knott’s Berry Farm for a day of family fun. This amusement park has something for everyone, from thrilling roller coasters to kid-friendly rides1.

Day 6: Visit LEGOLAND® California for a day of building and creativity. This theme park is perfect for families with young children1.

Day 7: Spend your last day in LA exploring Hollywood. Take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit the Hollywood Museum and Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and bring out your inner kid at Madame Tussauds or Ripley’s Believe It or Not. In the afternoon, take the Paramount Pictures studio tour to see behind the scenes of your favorite shows and movies2.

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 believe that every person who agrees to be photographed by me is part of a group that I value and want to honor. They are not only offering their physical selves but also their trust, by opening up and revealing their innermost secrets to me, allowing me to capture and preserve them. This is also my greatest contribution to them, as it allows them to confront and embrace their differences, whether it be in their bodies, their interests, or any other aspect of their lives. By documenting these differences, I am able to help them see themselves in a new light and to celebrate the unique qualities that make them who they are.

Website: https://jcai725.wixsite.com/jialang-cai

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