Interview with Photographer and Visual Artist Ping Wang

Lifestyle - Interview

by Melisa Kaya

Ping Wang graduated from School of Visual Arts with a Master’s Degree in Digital Photography. He is combining fashion and fine art on his works. Ping’s surreal and metaphysical inspired artworks have exhibited in New York, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and Beijing. And also, his fashion photography works have appeared on notable fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Cosmo, Elle, L’Officiel, Vice, Schon!, and Vision. I asked Ping Wang about his career, works, and fashion photography.

Caesar’s Room - Photo by Ping Wang

Ping, please tell us about yourself. When did you get your first camera, and how did you decide to pursue a career in photography?

I was born in Beijing, a military family. I have never studied art systematically until I came to New York in 2013, which year I got my first camera. However, I like literature and love poetry since I was a child. I used to be a writer. I chose photography because I found that the visual gives me a lot of possibilities, Sometimes the power of an image is stronger than a lot of words.

What was the first fashion brand that you photographed? How did your interest in fashion photography begin? What is the most special aspect of fashion for you?

The very first fashion brand that I shot is a designer brand from Beijing. At the beginning, I was very curious about fashion. I saw lots for fashion photographs and also get inspirited from some legend photographers such as Tim Walker, Irving Penn, Sarah Moon, etc. So I was very eager to know what happens if my vision and aesthetics are applied for fashion. The most special aspect of fashion for me currently, I think it’s “mood or space”. Most of the time I love to create an interesting space, put my objects into it to see what happens. I never think about re-shooting something, I try my best for each time shoot. So It’s just like an experience that helps me to understand more clearly what I want for the next shoot.

The Nostalgia of the Infiinte

What type of services do you offer to your clients? Is it possible for abroad clients to work with you for their products' photo shots?

I have my own studio in New York, also another shooting team in Beijing, China. Out service is very verity which are included fashion editorial and commercial campaign, most of them are still and we also do short films for some clients.

Most of our clients are from the US and China, sometimes we also have collaborations with European clients such as France, Ukraine, and Italy.

Which factors determine the project budget?

I think it’s how big for the clients and the usage of photographs as well.

Blue Bayou - Photo by Ping Wang

Could you briefly explain the fashion photography project process for an ad campaign?

Basically, the whole process is around 15 -20 days.

At the very beginning, there are lots of discussion with clients, we offer a storyboard and budget plan for them. Then our producer starts to contact the photography crews: makeup, stylist, model agency, etc. Also, we plan the shooting location and other equipment stuff. We call all of these “ Pre-Production”. When everything is ready, I will be in charge of the shooting part. The shooting time really depends on how big the project is. After that, we usually take a week for post-production, like retouching images and deliver the final work to our clients.

How do you protect the rights of your photographs in this online era? Could your clients use the photographs in any publication, catalog, website, ad or other platforms in the future?

I always credit everyone carefully and carefully in social media. Plus, I am very pleased that there is a relatively good legal protection of copyright for creators in the US. So that’s why I don’t think they have 100% right for the usage. They must tell us the usage very clearly before the shooting.

The Happy Ending - Photo by Ping Wang

What advice would you give to photographers who want to pursue a career in fashion photography?

I highly recommend learning some art history and fashion history. It takes time but really helpful for future creation. Learning and studying from some famous photographers is another critical way. Not only the technique but also think about how they interpret fashion and beauty with their own aesthetics. Last, I think a very unique style will help you stand out from thousands of photographer in the future.

What is your favorite photograph that you have ever taken?

Blue Bayou L’OFFICIEL INDIA | MARCH 2017

Blue Bayou - Photo by Ping Wang

Caesar’s Room L’OFFICIEL INDIA | MARCH 2017

Caesar’s Room - Photo by Ping Wang

The Happy Ending SCHÖN! MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2017

The Happy Ending - Photo by Ping Wang

What do you think about social media? How can our readers follow you?

Never underestimate the power of social media nowadays.

Instagram: @pingwangstudio @pingwangxin

Thank you Ping for this enjoyable interview.

For more information, please visit website of Ping Wang

This interview was conducted in a Question-and-Answer format. The answers were checked for grammar and punctuation and published without any additional editing. Tuesday, September 11, 2018. All photos are the property of their respective owners.