Yizhen(Aaron) Zhang, a storyteller and an image-maker, was born in Hangzhou, China and just graduated with an MFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, under the guidance of Alex Webb, a member of Magnum Photos.
Owing to more than seven years of committed photography experience, his photographs comprise a wide array of genres, such as street fashion, urban landscapes, human portraiture, and documentary. He has been operating as an independent photographer for years, specializing in documentary work and urban street fashion. In Yizhen's photographic work, he predominantly harnesses natural and ambient light sources instead of extra lighting equipment. With a preference for the intricate play of shadows cast by urban structures or the soft, diffuse glow of twilight, his commitment to utilizing natural light stems from his belief that the sun is the supreme light source. This philosophy profoundly influences his creative process and is evident in both his street portraiture and documentary photography. His approach not only defines his unique visual style but also underscores his relentless pursuit of authenticity, capturing the essence of each moment with purity and integrity.
While a substantial portion of his creations are grounded in a documentary or street aesthetic, he discovers ways to incorporate diverse elements to enhance the variety of photo collections, which is achieved by merging traditional documentary narratives with contemporary art's inventiveness in order to delve deeper into theever-changing realm of digital imagery.
2024
BLACK & WHITE EXHIBITION
Praxis Photographic Arts Center, Saint Paul, MN, USA
STORY EXHIBITION
A Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX, USA
2024
RUNNER-UP
WILD Photo Awards
HONORABLE AWARDS
NAT Photo Society: Earth
SEMI - FINALIST
URBAN Photo Awards: Photo Series / Portfolio
HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS
IPA2024 International Photography Awards: Book - People
HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS
IPA2024 International Photography Awards: Photo - Lifestyle
SILVER WINNER
Global Photography Awards: People Photography - Culture
SILVER WINNER
Global Photography Awards: People Photography - Lifestyle