Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of speaking with some of 2024’s best photographers to learn more about the evolution of their unique work, key career takeaways, and words of wisdom to photographers who are just starting out on their own paths. Check out some of their best tips and advice for building a body of work below.
Table of Contents
Killiii Yuyan
Photographer Kiliii Yuyan tells the stories of lives bound to the land and sea. Informed by ancestry that is both Nanai/Hèzhé (East Asian Indigenous) and Chinese, he searches for human insight through different cultural perspectives. On assignment, he has survived a stalking polar bear, escaped pounding waves diving with sea otters, and found kinship at the edges of the world. Kiliii makes photographic stories for the pages of National Geographic Magazine, TIME, and other major publications.
“My greatest lesson is to trust in the process. You build a good process, a way of working, and you have faith that it will pull you through.
You cannot cut corners, get impatient or try to get away without asking permission to do things. You just have to be there when the right time happens and be ready. That takes time, and the greatest gift to myself as a photographer is to give myself enough time.”
Photos by Kiliii Yuyan
Read Kiliii’s full interview here.
Liam Woods
Liam Woods, a force in the realm of visual storytelling as a Non Binary photographer based in LA, has meticulously crafted a unique style. Their photography breathes life into moments, capturing the pulse of vulnerability within the Queer Black and Brown communities.
“Take time to work on your craft and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! What’s meant for you is meant for you. Failure and rejection is a part of everyone’s process. But, if this is something you’re truly passionate about, the rest will come. It just takes time.”
Read Liam’s full interview here.
Jillian Butolph
Jillian Butolph is a multi-talented creative based in the picturesque coastal town of Eureka, California. Her journey into the creative world started after she served honorably in the United States Air Force, where she later used her GI Bill to pursue higher education. She earned her BA in Studio Arts from Humboldt State University, specializing in Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration in 2017.
“Take your camera with you everywhere, especially when you’re first learning. See what calls to you, and shadow a professional as often as you can.”
Saunak Shah
Saunak Shah (he/him) is an Indian-born, New York City-based artist, photographer and storyteller, self-proclaimed model, graphic designer and creative director. Saunak is the Founder of Pursuit of Portraits, a Brooklyn-based collective that represents diverse global creators via curated experiences, brand activations, shared narratives, content creation and community building. With over 15 years in the advertising industry, Saunak has fueled his professional life as an Art Director using photography as a medium for self-expression.
“The key aspect of any collaboration is to understand what the brand values, campaign objectives and key takeaways are.
It’s less about following the brief verbatim, but more about understanding how I can tell a story that resonates with the audiences.“
Photos by Saunak Shah
Read Saunak’s full interview here.
Cherry Archer
Cherry Archer (she/her) is a Trinidadian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist who resides in Vancouver on the unceded ancestral lands of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Her work explores the relationship between humanity and nature, and is informed by ecopsychology – a field of study fostering ecological thinking and documenting how exposure to nature benefits mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Her formal education includes a Diploma in Fashion Design and Technique and studies in photography.
“Photograph frequently and experiment. Challenge yourself. That will help you discover your style and new ideas.”
Photos by Cherry Archer
Read Cherry’s full interview here.
Interested in joining our community of photographers and contributing to Noun Project? Submit your photos and explore our guide to creating authentic, inclusive images.
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