The Man Behind the Picture
Text: Kwok Jia-Xin
Most students from the National University of Singapore have seen full-time photographer Lionel Lin’s work. Pick up a copy of OSAY, the Office of Student Affairs’ quarterly magazine, or look at the NUS Facebook page, and you will probably stumble upon one of his works.
“It’s a means of giving back to my alma mater,” explained Lin, who graduated in 2013 from the communications and new media programme in NUS. “I take my work very passionately and seriously.” The 25-year-old shoots for approximately 50 NUS clients, a diverse group ranging from the Office of the Provost to the NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute.
Tall and well-built, Lin arrived for the interview sporting two large cameras, each attached with an expensive-looking lens. He had just come from a shoot, with another assignment lined up later in the day. “One of the hidden privileges of this line of work is that you get to see how things operate as an unseen observer and historian,” said Lin, whose assignments allow him to interact with staff, students and alumni. “It’s quite an experience.”
From amateur to professional
Lin started photography as a hobby in 2008 and began shooting events for NUS as an amateur photographer in 2010. His career in photography began when a few friends in the events line noticed his works and asked him to shoot for their clients. “That’s when my career took off,” Lin said.
In 2011, he founded his own company, Foto-synthesis, of which he is a partner and the lead photographer, and under which he shoots for NUS. NUS organisations makes up 70 percent of his client base, while the rest comprises public and private sector clients, as well as weddings.
Lin also teaches photography, both at the beginner and advanced level. During his third year of study, he took a leave of absence from NUS to become Canon Singapore’s youngest residential instructor. In the past three years, Lin has shot almost 350 NUS events and taught more than 3,000 students. “I don’t want to brag about it,” Lin said. “To me, it’s just work.”
Most students from the National University of Singapore have seen full-time photographer Lionel Lin’s work. Pick up a copy of OSAY, the Office of Student Affairs’ quarterly magazine, or look at the NUS Facebook page, and you will probably stumble upon one of his works.
“It’s a means of giving back to my alma mater,” explained Lin, who graduated in 2013 from the communications and new media programme in NUS. “I take my work very passionately and seriously.” The 25-year-old shoots for approximately 50 NUS clients, a diverse group ranging from the Office of the Provost to the NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute.
Tall and well-built, Lin arrived for the interview sporting two large cameras, each attached with an expensive-looking lens. He had just come from a shoot, with another assignment lined up later in the day. “One of the hidden privileges of this line of work is that you get to see how things operate as an unseen observer and historian,” said Lin, whose assignments allow him to interact with staff, students and alumni. “It’s quite an experience.”
From amateur to professional
Lin started photography as a hobby in 2008 and began shooting events for NUS as an amateur photographer in 2010. His career in photography began when a few friends in the events line noticed his works and asked him to shoot for their clients. “That’s when my career took off,” Lin said.
In 2011, he founded his own company, Foto-synthesis, of which he is a partner and the lead photographer, and under which he shoots for NUS. NUS organisations makes up 70 percent of his client base, while the rest comprises public and private sector clients, as well as weddings.
Lin also teaches photography, both at the beginner and advanced level. During his third year of study, he took a leave of absence from NUS to become Canon Singapore’s youngest residential instructor. In the past three years, Lin has shot almost 350 NUS events and taught more than 3,000 students. “I don’t want to brag about it,” Lin said. “To me, it’s just work.”
No job is perfect
Even though Lin’s job as a photographer is driven by passion, it is like any other job – less than perfect. Often spending hours on shoots, Lin said that his career has affected his health and social life. “Photography is a very physical profession. I have repetitive strain injury in my right wrist because I’ve been carrying cameras for a number of years,” Lin said, describing the strain as “lightning going through your wrist.” Fortunately, his condition is not serious and does not affect his work.
Lin’s busy schedule also means he has less time to spend with his family, a problem that plagues professional photographers overburdened with assignments. “I’ve had friends who, because of photography, left their partners and even their marriages,” he said. Lin is thankful for a supportive girlfriend who, like him, does not work regular hours. “Because she’s working on weekends and so am I, she’s a lot more forgiving,” Lin said with a laugh.
High standards
Although Lin’s career has stabilised since he founded Foto-synthesis, he knows he cannot be complacent. “The truth is, in my line of work, the notion of stability and security is not very well-promised,” Lin explained. “In our work calendars, we are booked up to three months, but beyond that, it’s all uncertainty.”
In Lin’s view, the ever-changing nature of photographic technology precludes absolute job security. “I can’t say for sure if my job will be relevant five to ten years from now, or how it will change following some kind of technological revolution.”
Lin’s answer to the uncertain nature of his job is intense professionalism. “We deliver the best we can and are sincere about it,” he said. “Our clients notice it, and they appreciate it. From this, we get a lot of support and referrals, not through moral obligations or connections.”
Such a work ethic has won him praise from both employers and students. Associate Professor Tan Teck Koon, NUS Dean of Students, said, “We have engaged Lionel for many events for a number of years, and for very good reasons. The quality of Lionel's works is impressive and well-known. He also has a very pleasant disposition and that makes working with him a pleasure."
Lee Yijiao, communications secretary of the NUS Students’ Arts and Social Sciences Club, said, “I felt that Lionel was very sincere and personal with his approach in teaching participants.” In May 2013, Lee had engaged Lin to conduct a basic photography course for students in the faculty. “I felt that everyone had something to take away at the end, which is most important,” Lee said.
Learning every day
Lin treaded a path that most of his peers did not – starting a career based on passion while schooling. His advice to those planning to do the same is to be both an optimist and pessimist. “By being an optimist, you are forward-looking and acknowledge desired outcomes,” Lin said. “But by being a pessimist, you also acknowledge worst-case scenarios. By being both, you are a realist, prepared not only for risk, but also to enjoy success.”
Indeed, with a loyal client base, a positive reputation and a profit-making company, Lin is satisfied with his situation. But he yearns for more. “Until I’ve covered at least 2,000 events, I won’t stop being an event photographer,” he said. “There are so many things I’m learning every day, at every different shoot.”
Even though Lin’s job as a photographer is driven by passion, it is like any other job – less than perfect. Often spending hours on shoots, Lin said that his career has affected his health and social life. “Photography is a very physical profession. I have repetitive strain injury in my right wrist because I’ve been carrying cameras for a number of years,” Lin said, describing the strain as “lightning going through your wrist.” Fortunately, his condition is not serious and does not affect his work.
Lin’s busy schedule also means he has less time to spend with his family, a problem that plagues professional photographers overburdened with assignments. “I’ve had friends who, because of photography, left their partners and even their marriages,” he said. Lin is thankful for a supportive girlfriend who, like him, does not work regular hours. “Because she’s working on weekends and so am I, she’s a lot more forgiving,” Lin said with a laugh.
High standards
Although Lin’s career has stabilised since he founded Foto-synthesis, he knows he cannot be complacent. “The truth is, in my line of work, the notion of stability and security is not very well-promised,” Lin explained. “In our work calendars, we are booked up to three months, but beyond that, it’s all uncertainty.”
In Lin’s view, the ever-changing nature of photographic technology precludes absolute job security. “I can’t say for sure if my job will be relevant five to ten years from now, or how it will change following some kind of technological revolution.”
Lin’s answer to the uncertain nature of his job is intense professionalism. “We deliver the best we can and are sincere about it,” he said. “Our clients notice it, and they appreciate it. From this, we get a lot of support and referrals, not through moral obligations or connections.”
Such a work ethic has won him praise from both employers and students. Associate Professor Tan Teck Koon, NUS Dean of Students, said, “We have engaged Lionel for many events for a number of years, and for very good reasons. The quality of Lionel's works is impressive and well-known. He also has a very pleasant disposition and that makes working with him a pleasure."
Lee Yijiao, communications secretary of the NUS Students’ Arts and Social Sciences Club, said, “I felt that Lionel was very sincere and personal with his approach in teaching participants.” In May 2013, Lee had engaged Lin to conduct a basic photography course for students in the faculty. “I felt that everyone had something to take away at the end, which is most important,” Lee said.
Learning every day
Lin treaded a path that most of his peers did not – starting a career based on passion while schooling. His advice to those planning to do the same is to be both an optimist and pessimist. “By being an optimist, you are forward-looking and acknowledge desired outcomes,” Lin said. “But by being a pessimist, you also acknowledge worst-case scenarios. By being both, you are a realist, prepared not only for risk, but also to enjoy success.”
Indeed, with a loyal client base, a positive reputation and a profit-making company, Lin is satisfied with his situation. But he yearns for more. “Until I’ve covered at least 2,000 events, I won’t stop being an event photographer,” he said. “There are so many things I’m learning every day, at every different shoot.”
For more about Lionel Lin, head to www.lionellin.com
Tags: profile
Tags: profile