1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?

I am a conscious creator, wellness advocate and obssessed with Quantum Physics. I believe our creativity and authentic power come from our souls, and our quest is to find alignment to our trueself so we can realise our full potential and contribute to the world. Photography is part of my creative expression, I love capturing children portraiture because their mind and connection to self and nature intrigue me.

2 Where did you study photography?

I am self taught.

3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?

Yes the first shot that changed everything was captured in 2009, which was my daughter Nyah's portraits! She was 6 months old at the time and I had received a Nikon D80 DSLR as a gift from my partner a few months earlier. I had been using the auto function to capture her images, then one random day we were by a big window with beautiful light streaming through the sheer curtain. I took a series of shots but the auto flash didn't fire. I noticed the difference in the lighting from the images and was super intrigued by it. This started my interest in learning the technical aspect of photography and I hadn't looked back since.

4 What equipment do you use?

I am using Nikon D800 and mostly shoot with Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 lens when I am outdoor. I also have a Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. I love to keep my gear simple and challenge myself to shoot with one lens so I can get more creative.

5 What do you hope to achieve?

I love to create beautiful fine art of children and teen portraiture to showcase their soul connection, beauty and authencity. My goal is to continue to hone my craft and create legacy images that convey stories so they can become heirloom pieces.

6 What compliment inspired/touched you the most?

My heart swell whenever I receive feedback from my clients about how my images captured their heart and soul or moved them. It is my ultimate goal to capture the true essence of my subjects and an absolute honour to create images that convey feelings and emotions to tell a story.

7 What inspires your unique storytelling?

Connection from the heart, vision, engagment and communication.

8 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?

Authentic, Candid, Emotive.

9 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?

Thank you! I am super honoured to have won 10 awards this year, it is a huge encouragement for me to keep honing my craft and hopefully also inspire others to do the same :)

10 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

This year entries are the combination my personal creative project and some of my client's images. The portraits of characters are my personal project where I followed my subject's interests on who they would like to portray and worked to find the inner connection to shine through the imagery. The entries are selected based on how evocative they are to me personally.

11 How has winning an award developed your career?

An award has definitely developed my career in the way that the professional recognition validate the skills level of my artistry. It has also provided confidence to my clients when they engage my service.

12 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.

Sue Bryce, Elena Shumilova, Iwona Podlasi?ska

13 What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?

Set a goal on what you want to achieve and take a step towards it everyday, you will only get better and better.

14 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?

Start today! Learn and master your craft, then find your style and voice in your imagery.

15 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Understand that there is no failure, every "failure" is a stepping stone to success and an invitation learn and to do things better.

16 How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?

Always be intrigued, curious and opened minded. Everyone has wisdom and there is always something or someone to learn from.

17 Anything else you would like to add to the interview?

Thank you Muse International Awards for providing this wonderful platform for photographers around the world to share our artistry, this is truly a space of co-creation.

WINNING ENTRY

Professional
2024
Miss N

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Black & White Photography - Portrait

Professional
2024
Miss N

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Fine Art Photography - Portrait

Professional
2024
MIss N

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Portrait

Professional
2024
Master L

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong Photography

Category

Mobile Photography - Documentary

Professional
2024
MIss N

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Black & White Photography - B&W / Others

Professional
2023

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Nature Photography - Nature / Other

Professional
2023

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Nature Photography - Plants and Fungi

Professional
2023

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Nature Photography - Nature / Other

Professional
2023

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Nature Photography - Plants and Fungi

Professional
2023
Miss N

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Fine Art

Professional
2022

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Black & White Photography - Wildlife

Professional
2022
Miss N

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Fine Art

Professional
2022
Miss N

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Children

Professional
2022
Lucius

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Portrait

Professional
2022

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Children

Professional
2022

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Portrait

Professional
2022

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Portrait

Professional
2022
Miss K

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Children

Professional
2022
Nyah

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

People Photography - Portrait

Professional
2022

Photographer / Company

Eetane Yong

Category

Black & White Photography - Children