IPA Interviews with Winning Photographers
“As long as the subject relates to you in a certain way and you can justify why you took this shot and if it is important to you, then it is relevant.”
Interview with
Kimi Juan
Travel Photographer and Social Media Influencer
How did you become a photographer?
I’m Kimi Juan and I’m a Travel Photographer and Social Media Influencer. Way back in college I took up Photography out of passion, I really loved it. It definitely runs in my family because my grandfather was also a photographer. It was always a dream of mine to become a photographer and I really pushed through with this in school and now I have found my niche as a Travel Photographer, it’s been 3 years since I’ve been traveling and doing photography work for my Instagram and Tourism Boards around the world.
How do you see Philippine photography as a whole in terms of using it as a language?
Now at the Millennial age, we basically communicate through photographs and it’s very rare for people my age to read long articles about travel and such things because we like to see things for ourselves. We all relate somehow and I think photography brings us all together- whether its documentary, travel, fashion or portrait, we all relate and its one common language.
What makes the woman photographer different in terms of the manner of presentation of a subject/object/content in photography as compared to a male photographer? Is there really a difference?
I don’t think gender has to do with how we take photos. I’ve seen women who are powerful enough as photographers who work with reputable companies such as National Geographic and do amazing work, and men who work in the fashion industry as photographers and are amazing at what they do. I think when we look at a photograph, we see the soul, the feeling of the photographer rather than analyze if the person is male or female.
What do you think are the limitations a woman photographer has in photography. Do you believe that photography is a male-dominated discipline?
Definitely anybody can do photography. I’ve never really been judged as a woman photographer and I think it’s great that in a world full of artists, we are able to express our emotions through photographs and art not based on our gender. I believe if you are a woman in this industry, you are just as powerful as the men are and we can definitely be successful in our chosen niche, because art doesn’t speak gender.
What makes a photograph relevant?
As long as the subject relates to you in a certain way and you can justify why you took this shot and if it is important to you, then it is relevant.
What do you think the government should do so young generations will have a more critical way of understanding photography as a language?
The government should really allow people to take photos in public places. Most of the places around Manila don’t allow photo taking but I think it’s important to be able to always practice and shoot anywhere especially if you feel that the subject you are shooting is valuable but there are a lot of restrictions around Manila that may hinder you from practicing your chosen art.