Conversations with Tzu Chen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tzu Chen. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Before I became an architectural photographer, I was a licensed and practicing architect for over 15 at a local architecture firm. I’ve always had a passion for photography and started shooting some of my own work as the lead designer on projects. 

I was fortunate to win a few local and state architecture awards for those projects. Because of it, some of my colleagues at other firms noticed my work and was hired to do photography work. for other companies. It became a side hustle for about 10 years. and about 5 years ago I decided to do architectural photography full time. 

I love the storytelling aspect of the architecture profession through the craft of sketching, digital rendering, diagrams, and models. Photography to me was a natural extension to what I enjoyed as an architect. It was a way to continue to tell the story of a project after completion and most people only get to experience projects only through photos. This is why I believe that documenting a project properly is so important to showcasing the design intent and communicating the sense of place. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not. Early in my photography career, I was juggling between working as a full-time Architect and doing photography on PTO time or on weekends. It was certainly a side hustle. Now that I made the switch to full-time, I can dedicate myself to the craft. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an Architectural Photographer, not to be confused with real estate photographer. The difference being real estate photographers generally shoot extremely wide and focus on volume of shots whereas Architectural photographers focus on details and design intent which lends itself to tighter compositions and fewer shots. The production value is also a lot higher when it comes to architectural photography. Generally, higher-end equipment, additional lighting, and higher-end post-production work comes with the territory. 

With that being said I’m known for my composition and attention to detail. I try to showcase the design intent and how the building owners/users interact with the project. I’m most proud of the way I treat my clients and the building owners. I love being on-site with them and getting to learn more about the design, their stories, and how the building is used. Being an Architect myself, I understand the amount of effort it took to create these projects. So, when I look at a detail or a design decision, I can appreciate it more because I can see from their perspective. I think that makes me unique as an architectural photographer. 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
1) Sun tracker apps: It helps me locate the position of the sun throughout the day  

2) YouTube: Nowadays you can pretty much find tips and tricks online on YouTube and similar platforms 

3)Apalmanac.com: blog for Architectural Photographers 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.tzuchen.com
• Instagram: @tzuchenphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tzu-Chen-Photography-616755745109402