Connie Zhou’s credentials are pretty darn impressive, especially when taking into account that she is the first photographer, ever, to be called up by Google to photograph their massive Data Centers.What most people won’t know about Connie is that besides being a super successful architectural photographer is that she’s also an air hockey champ! (albeit against her friends)
Cats, Cocktails and Adele
Connie and her dad, whom she considers her greatest influence, moved from Shanghai to NYC when she was 6. There she grew up in a city she loves and still calls home. Besides being a super successful architectural photographer, she is also a girl who loves cats, cocktails and the sweet sounds of Adele.
In love with photographing architecture
I asked her where her love of big buildings originate from and although unsure, she believes it stems from growing up in New York City. “Large grand structures are just so impressive to me, how can photographing something so huge not be exciting!” The way she talks about her love of architecture and photography is so inspiring; almost infectious. When it comes to gear, she uses a Canon 5DsR with a Canon EF 11-24mm and 70-200mm among others.
From New York City to Iceland
Being that she’s such a city girl at heart, I was curious to know where her ideal holiday destination would be and her answer was unexpected to say the least – Iceland! “It’s beautiful in every direction you look. The total opposite of the busy city of New York where I’m often not even at home.” Her shooting schedule can get rather hectic at times, so the isolation of Iceland, where she can relax and be the only person in a vast open space is alluring and peaceful.
Networking – Logistics – Organization
Connie works really well with people. “It just comes naturally, which comes in handy when considering that networking and keeping relationships is very important.” On the other hand, she had to force herself into the business side of things, which she believes is about 70% of photography. “It was really hard at first, but assisting other photographers and learning about the logistic-side of photography helped a lot.” So her advice to photographers out there will be to network, learn the logistics of the business such as scheduling and pricing and last but not least, be extremely organized!
Today the Shanghai Tower, tomorrow, the world!
She recently went on a trip to China with her assistant to photograph the Shanghai Tower. She goes on to describe the experience as an honour and that it would be great if her career would take a turn into photographing skyscrapers and big production buildings for large vehicles such as Boeing and NASA.
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