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Today, we’re excited to introduce Yizhen Zhang, a professional in both street fashion and documentary photography. Known for his ability to capture the raw, unfiltered beauty of everyday life, Yizhen’s work goes beyond aesthetics—it tells stories. From bustling city streets to quiet corners of the world, his lens reveals the unique interplay between personal style and human experience. Yizhen brings a fresh perspective to street fashion, showing us that fashion isn’t just about clothes; it’s about attitude, emotion, and the connections that bind us. Let’s dive into his thoughts on street fashion, storytelling, and the inspiration behind his captivating images.
Q: What inspired you to focus on street fashion photography?
A: Street fashion is fascinating because it’s a reflection of life itself—it’s where fashion and reality meet. Unlike high-end fashion that feels distant with its exclusive price tags, street fashion is accessible and relatable. It’s not about labels or status; it’s about attitude and individuality. As a street photographer, my goal is to document these expressions of personal style, capturing the raw, unfiltered emotions behind them. Fashion, to me, has no hierarchy—it’s all about the value it brings, emotionally and culturally.
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Q: How do you approach capturing street fashion through your lens?
A: For me, the camera is a tool to connect with people and tell their stories. I strive to capture moments as authentically as possible, without staging or filters. Every outfit, every pose, and every glance tells a story about the person wearing it and the culture they are part of. My goal is to show how street fashion serves as a form of self-expression and emotional value, making it more than just clothing—it’s an attitude.
Q: Who inspires you the most in this industry?
A: Without a doubt, Alex Webb. His signature multi-layered compositions, combined with bold color contrasts, give his photographs a distinctive personal style—one that almost every photographer admires. What I appreciate most about his work is that while composition and color contrast are common—many photographers achieve them, and colors exist in any environment—the real challenge lies in seamlessly merging the two. The most crucial element is timing: capturing the perfect fusion of a subject’s posture and the street’s colors at the right moment, under the right light, is incredibly difficult.
From my perspective, whether in street photography or street fashion, the “street”; always comes first. Depicting the street environment is essential to a photograph’s success. A good model can certainly enhance an image, but when you cover the model and focus solely on the surrounding details, you begin to appreciate the true value of the image itself. Webb doesn’t just take pictures—he tells stories through his lens, and that’s something I strive to achieve in my own work. His approach has made me realize that photography is not merely about capturing a moment but about revealing the layers of meaning behind it.
Additionally, he was my graduate advisor, and I deeply respect him. His humility and meticulous attention to detail in every photograph reflect a sense of calm and dedication that many photographers lack in today’s fast-paced digital age. Every great photograph is a piece of art, deserving to be discovered and shared.
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Q: What do you think makes street fashion so powerful?
A: Street fashion is pure—it’s style in its most unfiltered form. It’s not controlled by brands or dictated by trends; it’s shaped by the people wearing it. There’s something so real about that. Life inspires street fashion, and street fashion gives life back to those who wear it. It’s powerful because it’s personal. It’s not about having the most expensive outfit; it’s about how you wear it and what it says about you. It’s a way to break down barriers and express individuality, and that’s something high fashion often can’t replicate.
A: Street fashion is pure—style in its most unfiltered form. It isn’t controlled by brands or dictated by trends; it’s shaped by the people who wear it. There’s something profoundly authentic about that. Fashion comes from life, and life shapes fashion—the two are deeply interconnected. Life inspires street fashion, and in turn, street fashion breathes life into those who wear it. Its power lies in its personal nature. It’s not about wearing the most expensive outfit but about how you wear it and what it says about you. It’s a way to break down barriers, embrace individuality, and express identity—something high fashion often struggles to replicate.
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Q: What inspired you to focus on both street fashion and documentary photography?
A: I think they go hand in hand. Street fashion is a raw and honest form of self-expression, while documentary photography is about capturing the truth of a moment. Both are about telling stories—whether it’s through someone’s outfit or the broader scene they’re a part of. For me, street fashion isn’t just about the clothes; it’s about the attitude and emotions people carry. Combining that with documentary photography lets me dive deeper into the human experience, showing how fashion and life are so closely connected.
Q: How does your work connect with these ideas of authenticity and storytelling?
A: My photography focuses on uncovering the stories behind what we see. Whether it’s the vibrant energy of a New York street or the quiet charm of an alleyway in Punta Cana, I focus on capturing moments as they truly are. It’s not about perfect lighting or elaborate setups—it’s about finding beauty in what’s real. Much like street fashion, my work highlights the uniqueness and diversity of individuals, celebrating the beauty that comes from being real and unfiltered. For me, every day brings a new opportunity to discover and document the unique moments and stories that make life so rich and diverse.
Presented by: APG
