The pressure of taking celebrity photos.

Behind the glamour of working with famous artists, celebrity photographers also face a lot of pressure, and passion alone is not enough to stay in the profession long-term.

Challenges in the profession

Kien Can has been passionate about photography since he was 7 or 8 years old. Before venturing into this profession, he was a university lecturer. After his mother passed away and his teaching career became unstable, he decided to challenge himself in his beloved field by joining photographer Pham Hoai Nam's team. Initially doubted by A-list celebrities, Kien Can gradually proved himself in the profession through hard work, gaining collaborators for many major events such as Vietnam International Fashion Week, Miss Cosmo, and shows by designers like Linh San, Adrian Anh Tuan, and Nguyen Minh Cong.

Photographer Kieng Can took photos of model Tu Anh.

Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Kieng Can revealed that photographing celebrities presents him and his colleagues with many challenges, from approaching them creatively to capturing beautiful moments, and ensuring deadlines are met… Especially in an increasingly competitive environment, professionalism is also being emphasized. "We can learn about professional skills and photography knowledge, but few schools teach how to work with partners, especially with celebrities. When I first started, working with famous artists, my approach to creativity was completely wrong, easily causing me to lose the initial connection I had with the subject," he recounted.

Collaborating with numerous large programs and events also means a greater workload and a larger volume of images that Kieng Can and his colleagues handle. Shooting in -8°C weather or creating photos in the rain have become unforgettable memories for him. The photographer recounts that when collaborating with Vietnam International Fashion Week, to ensure image quality and meet deadlines, he and his colleagues had to work through the night for many consecutive days.

According to photographer Anh Tuan (Mr.AT), photographing celebrities differs from regular commercial photography because the product requirements are more stringent. It must not only be aesthetically pleasing but also reflect the individual spirit that the artist is cultivating. Furthermore, celebrities often have packed schedules, so photoshoots must be quick and efficient, requiring the photographer to coordinate and communicate seamlessly with the team, including stylists and makeup artists. "A photo set can appear in newspapers, on social media, and reach millions of people. Therefore, the level of 'responsibility' is greater, and the pressure is also higher," Mr.AT shared.

Mr. AT recently recounted his experience shooting profile photos for the Miss Cosmo contestants. The team started work at 7 AM and continued until 3 AM the following day. Because some contestants arrived in Vietnam later than expected, he and his colleagues had to wait while working, which was exhausting. "But when each contestant stepped onto the set with great enthusiasm and expectations, I and the entire team had to push ourselves, regain our energy, maintain our smiles, and uphold professionalism. It was a very long and stressful shoot, but also very worthwhile. Because when I looked at the final photos, I clearly saw that the efforts of the entire team had paid off. That moment reminded me that sometimes what makes a photographer isn't just technique, but the ability to stand firm and dedicate oneself completely even when energy is almost depleted," Mr. AT said.

Meanwhile, Jinoo Khánh, who has collaborated with many stars such as Lý Nhã Kỳ, Hồ Ngọc Hà, Hương Giang, etc., believes that highlighting the unique beauty of each artist is not a simple task. "A beautiful photograph is a combination of many factors such as lighting, color, background, and the photographer's perception of the subject… This requires careful planning and observation," Jinoo Khánh shared.

Individual identity and personal brand

According to Kieng Can, passion alone is not enough to stay committed to this work. He explains: "With photography, integrating artistic value into a commercial story is a challenge. The most difficult thing is finding a unique identity in the process of commercializing the work." In addition, Kieng Can also emphasizes the importance of creating a distinctive mark through a professional work style and keeping promises to gain customer trust, thereby opening up new opportunities.

Photographer Mr.AT poses for a photo with Miss Xuan Hanh and First Runner-up Hoang Nhung.

Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Photographer Mr.AT stated that the income of young people just starting out in the profession is quite low, mainly for gaining experience and learning. Once they have a name for themselves and a stable client base, their income will improve. He also believes that young people need to constantly learn new technologies and focus on customer experience through efficient, trustworthy work and maximum support for artists. "Build a personal brand so that when people see a photo, they immediately know it's yours. At the same time, maintain a passion for the profession and prioritize quality. Artists are very discerning; they will choose those who work with dedication," he said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ap-luc-chup-anh-nguoi-noi-tieng-185251224222333849.htm