Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Peng.
Hi Megan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi, I’m Megan, a portrait and lifestyle photographer based in Arlington/Austin, Texas. Growing up, I always documented things I enjoyed; I remember I kept a binder filled with postcards and national park pamphlets of places my family and I would visit as a kid. In the summer of 2015, I got my first digital camera and took it on my trip to Taiwan. I just fell in love with capturing everyday moments of people just living life, eating good food, and discovering the up-and-coming coffee scene there. This was probably the trip that changed my perspective, and I found a new sense of appreciation of my Taiwanese culture/identity and passion for travel and coffee, all thanks to this small Canon Powershot S110 camera that was 3 years outdated at the time. Since then, not much has changed; capturing and connecting with people in different scenes of life and documenting my coffee shop visits throughout my travels are still the reasons why I take photos now.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m pretty prone to creative ruts, especially during the pandemic when traveling wasn’t really an option, and I was also preoccupied with finishing up my undergrad. I didn’t have a lot of time or motivation to pick up my camera as much, and that time broke my familiarity and flow of things. Recently, though, meeting other creatives, drawing inspiration from old Japanese magazines, flipping through photo books, and following cafe stories has reenergized me in a lot of ways.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a freelance photographer that specializes in portrait, lifestyle, and street. I strive to document and share people’s stories and places authentically that’s simple, easy, and fresh.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up going back to Taiwan every single summer, to a point that I didn’t enjoy going back until I was a lot older haha, but I have to give credit where credit is due; Taiwan is a place filled with incredibly beautiful scenery, amazing food culture, and a simple and intentional lifestyle that’s community-oriented (fun fact: Taiwan was given the title of the most friendly country in the world). And being surrounded by this growing up has really influenced me. I love being in nature, hiking a lot with my grandparents when I was younger, and camping in the mountains with my uncle. The first time I watched Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart was at my grandparents’ house, still remember how mundane and simple this movie was compared to Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle, which is one of the reasons why I loved it and that has always inspired me since. My mom’s side is from Tainan which is known for their street food, this is was how my mom and I would bond, after her afternoon nap we would scooter down to our favorite stalls and eat and grab boba tea afterwards. Taiwan is a very nostalgic place and memory for me, and that’s what I hope to bring to others and a reminder to always be open-minded with new experiences and places.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bymegan.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megancpeng/
Image Credits
Megan Peng
