Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna So.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion has always been preserving the moment. Before I became a photographer, I was a painter. As a painter, I looked into the past and studied artists like Vincent Van Gogh and other impressionists for inspiration. In doing so, I was missing out on what was in front of me. The passing of a dear friend made me realize that the moment I need to share is now, not in the past. I picked up my first SLR camera and discovered a whole new world through the lens. Through the years I came to realize how important photography is when it comes to preserving a piece of history of my family.
I am originally from Cambodia. I came to America many years ago with my mother and three siblings as refugees of The Cambodian Genocide. We were forced to leave our home by the Khmer Rouge under the leadership of Communist Party of Kampuchea, General Secretary Pol Pot in 1975 with only what we could carry. My mother only packed the essentials such as food, some clothes, medicine and some photo negatives. My mother knew that these negatives were so important that she risked her life to preserve them for four years during the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot occupation. She lost her parents, nine siblings, and my father during the four years. The only thing she has to remember them by are the negatives. The negatives are now in my possession and I am so grateful that she kept them with her all these years. With these negatives, I was able to scan them into digitals and made books to share with my siblings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Artistically, I knew I had in me but financially, it was a struggle. It is one of those catch-22 situations. If I quit my day job to do photography full time, I won’t have money to pay bills. If I don’t quit my job, I won’t have time to do photography. Photography is very expensive to get into, such as paying for equipment, editing tools, software, advertising, the list goes on. I didn’t get to where I am until just a few years ago. I started pursuing my passion as a photographer over 13 years ago. My passion and determination helped me push over the hump. I knew I wasn’t going to give up and will be doing this for a long time.
Since painting is my first love, I wanted to tie painting to photography. To me, impressionist painting is about painting the light that is reflected on an object. When I pick up my camera and look through the lens, I am looking for the light that is reflecting on my subject. The most important thing is to understand light. Once you understand light, the artistic part should fall in line. My signature photography style is Vibrant & Airy. I have always been obsessed with colors. I want my photography work to be as colorful as my paintings. Looking back, I am grateful that I can apply my painting skills to my photography.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today I am focusing on capturing the love that people share. To me, photography is about living in the moment and preserving that moment. It is likened to the feeling of the first kiss you shared. Nothing else exists except for that other person in front of you. It is the feeling you have when you fall in love, so full of joy you want to share it with the world. It is the feeling that you have when you say “hello” to your newborn for the fist time. Photography is a way of sharing those feelings. Now that you have found your soulmate or looking at the apple of your eye for the first time, you want someone who will use a camera and paint with light to capture a reflection of the love you feel for each other.
I have been a wedding and lifestyle photographer for over a decade now. I want my clients to have timeless photographs that they can cherish. I have always dreamed about having a home studio for photographer or art. I am prune to say I am actually building one. It should be done by this fall.
What makes you happy?
Capturing memories makes my heart sing. I love it when I get those emails from my clients telling me that they are crying while they are viewing their wedding photos for the first time and reliving their “big day.” Cries of the joy of course. I am honored and happy that I can preserve those special moments for anyone who will give me the opportunity. I look forward to vibrantly capturing the love, story and legacy of many families.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@annaso.com
- Website: https://annaso.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annasophotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annasophotography
