Meet Yuding Lin | Photographer

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

Hi Yuding, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
The renowned American photographer Stephen Shore, once said: “A photograph without structure is like a sentence without grammar—it is incomprehensible, even inconceivable.”

This quote has been particularly instructive for me in my photography journey. I pay close attention to structure and composition in my photography. When a photo is well-composed, it looks pleasing, orderly, and professional. I really appreciate this quote because it captures the importance of structure and composition in photography in just a few words—and reminds us of the principles we need to uphold.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My name is Yuding Lin, and I’m a photographer. I was born in Shanghai, and from a very young age—around three years old—I developed a deep interest in art. I remember seeing a train and then drawing it. As I grew older, I became particularly fond of looking at art and photography books. My uncle is a well-known painter whose works have been featured on the cover of American art magazines. His home was filled with art books, and I would spend entire days reading them. This played a decisive role in my decision to pursue photography as a career.

I worked as a photographer for an airline’s inflight magazine, which featured travel topics from around the world, allowing passengers to learn about global cultures and tourism. Because of this job, I’ve traveled to many countries and famous cities worldwide, capturing photographic stories focused on travel and cultural geography. I once held a solo black-and-white photography exhibition called Shanghai Details, featuring dozens of photos capturing the cultural charm of the city, and it received positive reviews.

I have lived in Los Angeles for many years. As a photographer here, I also take on commercial photo shoots, PR event coverage, and portrait sessions. I’m particularly interested in the city’s iconic architecture—such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Crystal Cathedral, Los Angeles Central Library, Getty Museum, UCLA, and the site of the 1984 Olympic Games. I’m also planning a photo series focused on L.A.’s beaches.

Being a photographer is tough—it requires both mental and physical strength. Sometimes unexpected situations and difficulties arise during shoots. I remember one time I was working on a travel feature about Sydney, Australia for the inflight magazine. One of the assignments was to photograph the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Among its tourism programs is a popular activity: climbing to the top of the bridge. Tourists from around the world take pride in reaching the top, where they receive a certificate of achievement. The view of the Sydney Opera House from there is indeed breathtaking.

I received special permission from the Official Tourism Australia to carry professional camera equipment to the top for photography. With the staff’s guidance, I climbed for an hour to reach the summit. Just as I was about to start shooting, my camera suddenly malfunctioned. It was completely unexpected. I had no choice but to switch to a backup compact camera, but the results were far less ideal. The job isn’t always smooth—it comes with real challenges.
One key takeaway from these setbacks is the importance of preparing contingency plans. Photographers often face extreme weather and tough conditions, such as cold, dampness, and heat, all of which can greatly impact our mood and efficiency. For example, I once shot an airshow in San Francisco from a boat. The weather worsened quickly, with fierce winds and a rocking boat making it very difficult to shoot. Despite braving the conditions, the final images didn’t turn out great.

There are also communication challenges in commercial photography. Sometimes clients don’t provide clear requirements beforehand, resulting in many change requests during the shoot, which increases workload and uncertainty. Once, I had a business for taking graduation portraits. Before the shoot, the client didn’t give any clear instructions, but during the session, the client kept interrupting to check the images and give direction—asking for specific angles and expressions. This disrupted my workflow and creative process. As a professional, I have my own working method, and ideally, clients should allow the photographer to shoot freely and then select the images they like afterward—instead of micromanaging the composition and timing.

Another challenge is clients demanding high-quality work with limited time and budget. This creates significant pressure. Some even have unrealistic expectations—like asking for flawless beauty shots in very poor lighting. I’ve also encountered requests to work for free, especially when the other party plans to profit from the images. That’s unacceptable for a professional photographer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
During a one-week trip, I would take visitors to several excellent restaurants in Los Angeles:
Neli’s Restaurant and Catering: A cozy spot known for its whimsical, fairytale-inspired “Penguin Sandwiches.” They serve a variety of egg dishes, fresh salads, and tasty sandwiches—especially the famous Golden Goose Sandwich, which draws inspiration from fairytales and combines juicy roasted turkey, bacon, rich avocado spread, and cheese—simply mouthwatering.
My Little Sister: A Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown LA, offering specialties like red and black fried rice and curry crêpes.
Universal Panda Express: Located inside Universal Studios Hollywood, this fast-food spot is popular for dishes like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef with Broccoli.
République: A long-standing internet-famous restaurant located in a converted 1928 office of Charlie Chaplin. With its sunlit glass ceilings and vintage decor, it’s a hotspot for photos.

For coffee:
Lala Land Kind Cafe near Santa Monica is uniquely decorated and perfect for taking memorable photos. It’s close to the beach, so after coffee, you can take a relaxing seaside stroll.
Stereoscope Coffee: With its industrial minimalist design, this place stands out. Their signature latte is richly flavored and slightly tangy—delicious with milk.

Places I would take them sightseeing include:
Hollywood Walk of Fame: Over 2,600 star plaques featuring the names and handprints of celebrities—an iconic spot for tourists. Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Grand Central Market. In Los Angeles, it’s a must to experience an NBA game—especially the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on February 15. And for book lovers, I would definitely recommend a visit to The Last Bookstore, considered the most beautiful bookstore in the U.S. The interior design is stunning, and it’s not uncommon to find rare or limited-edition books there.

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?
There is a photography book by National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry titled India: McCurry, Steve. With his delicate lens, he captures the diversity and allure of India. His work reveals not only the country’s rich cultural tapestry but also deeper social and cultural phenomena. This book has been a great source of inspiration for my photography and has taught me many useful techniques. I would like to pay special tribute to this book and express my gratitude to the author.

Website: https://starchampsphoto.com

Other: Email: starchampsphoto@gmail.com

Image Credits
Image credits: Photographer Yuding Lin