RAYMA 2021 // RED

 

At this point, it’s an annual tradition for Rayma and I to collaborate on some kind of a shoot together. This one is no different from that ! Except with the difference that this shoot was something we’d been planning for a MUCH much longer time than normal…almost a whole year !!! Normally it wouldn’t take that long but y’know….intense things happening in the world. Uploading this from our 2021 shoot just because I was taking a little trip down the archives this weekend.

This project is a dedication to the color red. Or at least, it was supposed to be. We assembled a mood board, collected inspiration, made a plan. But as soon as we got to the studio to shoot, we literally took 1 test photo and realized that it just wasn’t gonna work haha! And so a hard pivot was the next move.

Shot on Sony A7iii, with the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8, Sony 85mm f/1.8, Sony 24-70mm GM f/2.8.
Lit with one 32” Octa on a Flashpoint strobe.

Interested in working together on something? Holler at me via the contact page!

 

Portraits: Liam "NIM" Greaves

 

It feels so crazy for me to be writing this, but somehow here we are. One of my best friends from college is launching his music career with his first official single!

Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to be in his orbit, and to have been able to make some portraits with him too. And so when he told me that he had finally made plans to officially make his entrance into his career it felt appropriate that we link up one more time to make some promotional material for him.

Listen to NIM’s debut single, “Silky” on Youtube, Spotify, or any other major music streaming platform.
Find him on instagram at: nimsmusiq.

 

Portraits: Dr. Jasmine Lee

 

At its very core, photography has always been a way for me to connect with people, and helping them see themselves as complex, competent, and deliciously confident individuals. After having to contend with so many events and weddings being postponed (or worse, cancelled), this was honestly a much appreciated chance for me to

Several months ago I had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Jasmine Lee, about shooting some simple portraits to update her website, and I jumped on that SO quick. The goal of these photos was obviously so that she could use them for her website, but also so that they could properly encapsulate who she was now, as opposed to who she was several years ago when her previous portraits had been taken. We discussed that one of her biggest hopes for these new photos would be that they’d show her as an experienced professional (check that Dr. in the name), but also as someone who is just as laid back as she is professionally qualified.

Dr. Jasmine Lee is a highly motivated, passion driven individual who considers herself a scholar, practitioner and activist. She is proud of her Lansing, MI roots, where she started her college career at Lansing Community College.

Through customized training and consultation, Dr. Jasmine Lee helps universities, non-profit organizations, and faith-based communities build capacity for diversity, inclusion and equity based leadership. With personal and professional values of social justice, community, integrity, grace, authenticity, and faith, Dr. Lee seeks to inspire, educate, and equip tomorrow's community leaders and higher education scholars.

To learn more about Dr. Lee, visit her site at drjaslee.com

 

Fresh Beginnings

Hey there! You're here!

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to check out my new site! Some of you might be wondering why it took me so long to finally make this, or maybe some of you don't even know who I am. I'll get to that, don't worry. 

So who am I?

My name is Winston Zhou and I’m a Maryland native (born and raised) attending the University of Maryland in Baltimore County, where I study photography as well as biology, music, and entrepreneurship. I love cozy spaces, finding new music, eSports, spicy food, and a good runny egg. My photography is similarly varied – I push my limits further every day by challenging myself to tackle new subjects and styles.

To me, the best photographs are ones that are truly candid, when you can tell that someone is fully living in the moment. The style I gravitate toward is candid portraiture, where I capture a fleeting moment and transform it into something eternal. However, I also enjoy shooting more formal portraits, sports, and landscapes.   

Why did this take so long?

Haha honestly, up until about 6 months ago I wasn't even sure I wanted to be a photographer! Even though I've since changed paths from Pre-Dental to just Biology, somewhere in my mind I wasn't confident in my own abilities as a photographer to be able to do this as a profession. But after months of weighing pros and cons, prayer and marinating in my thoughts, I've decided that I only have this one life, one try to do what I love. And so with that decision, I'm putting all my chips into this basket. All this to say: I've made my choice, and now I'm committing to it. 

What's my setup and what do I shoot? 

My current main setup is a Nikon D810 and an 85mm f/1.8. I'm sort of a one-trick pony when it comes to full-frame. I also shoot on a Nikon D7000 and use a 18-105 f/3.5-5.6. Funnily enough, 90% of the work you'll see on this site today will have been shot on the crop-frame D7000. Hence the age old adage: "It's not the camera, it's the photographer."

I'd like to be able to give the "anything and everything" answer but the fact is that's not completely true. My specialty is candid portraiture. Capturing natural, organic moments and preserving those precious memories. I like to say I "proactively wait" for these moments in time. Weddings, landscape, formal portraits, headshots, architecture and sports are also fun things I love shooting! If you need any of that work done, I'd be more than happy to work with you. 

As always, don't hesitate to reach out! You can reach me through the contact page,

Email: winston@wzhouphoto.com
Instagram: @wzhouphoto
Call/text anytime: (240) 401-1288

 

Best,

Winston