Tell us about your business.
I started my photography business 10 years ago after working in marketing and advertising for about 12 years. Most of my income now is from commercial photography and headshots. I started my personal project, “Artists at Work”, in 2018. The first collaboration in the series was with Douglas Montague, who is an executive creative director at Microsoft. Since then, I’ve worked with many local artists, as well as traveled Sapporo Japan to work with Kyoto University. The series was shortlisted in Communication Arts magazine in 2024 (alongside legends like Annie Leibovitz), featured in UW’s alumni magazine and a Korean language newspaper, included in solo exhibitions at Seattle’s Nino Studio, Fogue Gallery, and won 1st place at the Edmonds Arts Festival.
I’m proud I successfully pivoted from corporate life to building a photography career and feel that I’m in a way living the dreams of my parents. My father, Park Won Jin, was an avid photographer and entrepreneur, and even had a small camera store in Seoul before we immigrated to the US. My mother, Park Bok Hee, was a talented artist and musician, and she always inspired me to find the same creative spark in myself.
What are you currently working on?
I’ve started a new series with figurative artists, making huge portraits of iconic Seattle figures. The first took place at the Amazon Spheres Understory with their resident artist, Perry Porter, who painted musician Tina Bell (dubbed the “Queen of Grunge”) and Quincy Jones. I will have a gallery show later in the year for this series.
How do you invest in your passion project?
With time, money, and sweat - because I truly love doing it. These collaborations have helped me knit together a network of some of the best artists, from a range of different backgrounds and styles. Building a stronger community is a rising tide that lifts all ships, and the positive word of mouth helps drive awareness of my business.