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.

Artist Publications / Exhibitions

2024
BLACK & WHITE EXHIBITION
Praxis Photographic Arts Center, Saint Paul, MN, USA

STORY EXHIBITION
A Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX, USA

Artist Honors / Awards (Sorted by date)

2024
Wild Photo Awards
RUNNER UP - Wildlife

NAT Photo Society
HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS - Earth

Urban Photo Awards
Semi-Finalist - Photo Series / Portfolio

IPA2024 International Photography Awards
HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS - Book - People
HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS - Photo - Lifestyle

Budapest International Foto Awards
BRONZE WINNER - People - Lifestyle

Global Photography Awards
SILVER WINNER - Lifestyle
SILVER WINNER - Cultural

New York Photography Awards
SILVER WINNER - Lifestyle
SILVER WINNER - Cultural
SILVER WINNER - People
SILVER WINNER - Portrait