Hey there !
I’m Jee Eun. (pronounced gee - eun) Or most people call me Esther. I’m an artist, photographer, and educator originally from Seoul and based in NYC.
I used to be an illustrator, but decided to plunge into photography and stole all my dad’s gears. (Nikon F90 camera you see in this picture is his from 1992.)
Did you know that photographs are beautiful as much as the photographer’s love for what’s in front of the lens? Hence, I’m in love with all that I photograph.
My work is driven by love & natural light. My style is candid, unrehearsed, and at ease. I like taking pictures of in between intimate moments as if we’re chatting on the couch or making s’mores by the fire. I live in Queens, NYC (Queens represent!). I travel often, but happiest by the mountains.
This is me
Born in Korea, I then moved to Iran, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, and stayed in NYC ever since. I think that’s why my lens gravitate towards celebrating lives, love, and people.
I’m also a strong advocate of education reform. After spending years researching visual literacy and pedagogy (teaching kids how to read images), I begin my art education program to become a public school art teacher!
I don’t buy the “that’s just the way it is.” I believe in incremental radicalism, mastery of creation, empowerment through education & building healthy and strong selves and communities. If any of what I say resonates, let’s chat!
With much love,
Esther xoxo
In front of Pyramid Gyza, Egypt