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A former university lecturer, Kieng Can has been pursuing photography for the past 10 years, becoming a famous photographer with a unique and distinctive fashion photography style, highly trusted by many designers, artists, and art program producers. He received the Photographer of the Year Award at Harper's Bazaar Star Award 2022. In addition, Kieng Can and his students also created photo series honoring traditional cultural beauty such as Ao Dai and regional cultural heritage.
Photography is destiny
* What brought you to photography and what does photography mean to you?
- Since I was a 7-8 year old boy, I loved images, spending my Tet lucky money to go to a photo studio simply because I liked seeing the flash. When my relatives gave me my first camera, I started taking pictures of everything around me: portraits of my mother, sister and nieces, photos of relatives' weddings, everyday scenes of the countryside, photo albums of memories of students, school...
10 years ago, I decided to turn to photography, spend time studying systematically, and work with a serious and disciplined spirit, because I understood that: if I have chosen a path, I must walk it worthily and live it to the fullest.
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| Le Hoang Phuong (Miss Grand Vietnam 2023) and Luong Thuy Linh (Miss World Vietnam 2019) through the lens of Kien Can. |
For me, photography is more than just a job or a visual art. It is my destiny, my salvation. My first years as a professional photographer were also the years when my mother fell seriously ill and passed away. The last photos I took of my mother became the most sacred connection between me and her - a gift of time that only photography can give you.
* Where did the idea of founding and developing an event photography agency (service provider) like Kiengcan Team come from?
- I founded the “house” Kiengcan Team to accompany young photographers with a support, a passion for the profession, the right orientation and a suitable environment to devote, develop, and live fully with photography. We share the same vision, together creating long-term value for the profession. The journey has now been exactly 10 years (2015-2025).
Behind the brilliant images at cultural and artistic events and fashion shows is a journey full of pressure, sometimes "suffocating". We work professionally, setting out clear processes to properly implement the quality committed to customers, trying to balance art, commerce and communication - a difficult problem to face every day.
“I see photography as a close friend - the longer I have it, the more I have to be kind to it,” said photographer Kien Can.
Press with your heart
* Nowadays, everyone can take photos with their personal phones, does this have an impact on professional photography?
- I still take photos with my mobile phone when I go out or travel , because it is convenient and fast. But with professional photography, especially in environments such as fashion, events, high-end wedding photography, the camera is not just a device, but a tool to convey emotions, a place where the photographer puts his soul and responsibility into each frame.
I believe that the value of professional photography lies in the vision, the sophistication, the skill of handling emotions in the frame. No matter how much technology develops, it still needs a person behind the lens, putting his heart into every shot.
So in the commercial photography industry, I focus on training young photographers how to observe people, how to behave in a cultural environment, how to maintain their creative ego but still blend into the general spirit, including details such as: polite clothes, neat shoes, fragrance in formal events...
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| Models performing at Vietnam International Fashion Week 2025. Photo: Kien Can |
* Your experience to take beautiful photos of artists?
- For professional photographers, the biggest difference is connection. A photo only truly “comes to life” when the photographer and the subject can meet at a common point of energy, trust, or empathy in the moment. Connection helps the spirit, light, and shape to naturally sublimate.
I really appreciate the stars, A-list artists, and famous people who have accompanied me for many years. When the relationship between photographer and subject is built on professionalism and trust, the image is not just a product but a deep artistic game.
* How to become a photographer and make a living from this profession?
- Photography today has countless opportunities: From art, commercial, wedding photography, portrait photography, advertising photography, to the fashion field, there are countless genres for you to pursue. With social networks and technology platforms, you can completely turn your work into a manifesto - if you know how to do the job in a civilized and serious manner.
The most important thing is to know what you love, what you are good at, and where you want to go with it. Then, learn, experience, and seize opportunities properly - no jostling, no rushing, no ambition, no illusions.
I believe that any profession has value if the person doing it loves and respects it enough. Photography is no exception. The greatest happiness for a creative person is not being famous, but when you work with passion and create value in life from that passion.
* Thank you!
Loyalty
Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202508/nhiep-anh-gia-kieng-can-chup-anh-la-nghe-hanh-phuc-2fa25a3/
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