Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Liu.
Hi shannon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up surrounded by art, my father is a paper-cutting artist. He has this incredible gift: with just a glance at someone’s face, he can cut their silhouette with perfect precision. As a child, our home was filled with his work, folk art, intricate patterns, and a quiet reverence for creativity. That’s where my love for art first began to grow.
For a long time, however, I didn’t know how to express myself artistically. I ended up studying chemistry in college and graduate school, spending countless hours in the lab, absorbed in writing reports, predicting outcomes, and sometimes being surprised by unexpected results. The process of experimenting, observing, and discovering was deeply fulfilling for me.
After graduation, I became a science and math teacher. One summer, during a camp, I wasn’t just organizing the academic side of the program, but also capturing students’ daily moments. That was the first time I held a DSLR, and I fell in love instantly.
Just as I once experimented with chemicals and lab instruments, I began experimenting with light and shadow. I discovered how different types of lighting, hard lighting, Soft lighting, backlight, Split lighting, Rembrandt lighting, Rim lighting, could shape the human in entirely new and beautiful ways. I’ll never forget photographing a woman’s portrait; she looked at it and said, “Is this me? I’ve never seen myself like this before!” That moment stayed with me.
Wanting to deepen my photography skills, I enrolled in a photography program offered by a publicly listed international school. There, I studied product photography (jewelry, cosmetics, food), portraiture, studio lighting, outdoor shoots, and post-production. By the end of the course, I knew I wanted to focus on portrait and wedding photography. After all, a wedding is one of the most important days in a person’s life， and love doesn’t need to be over designed， it just needs to be gently seen through my lens.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of my biggest challenges was reconciling the shift from science to art. Yet, they share something in common, it’s all about experimentation, one with chemicals, the other with light and shadow. After all, life itself is an experiment. My scientific background gives me precision and attention to detail, while my love for art brings a heart-led approach to storytelling.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With five years of experience in the photography business, I specialize in capturing the essence of special events, weddings, and portraits.
I believe that great photography is not just about the pictures but also about the relationships built along the way. I love getting to know my clients, understanding their visions, and ensuring they feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. This personal approach allows me to capture authentic moments that truly reflect their unique beautiful stories.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Curiosity drives me to constantly experiment with new lighting techniques, camera settings, and storytelling methods. It’s the same curiosity that once kept me in the lab late at night, eager to see what would happen.
Empathy allows me to connect with my subjects on a deeper level. I believe the best portraits emerge when the person in front of the camera feels truly seen and confident, allowing deep emotions to come through a simple image. I strive to create that space for them.
And finally, persistence. Whether learning photography from scratch or navigating a career shift, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes showing up, even on the days you feel uncertain. That consistency has made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cecishann.com/contacts
