Finding Artistry in Fashion & Dance: Kah Poon Featured in Graphis Journal #373

“He is a master photographer, long honing his craft and developing a particular and unique point of view. Whether it’s an image of a celebrity, a fashion editorial, or a dancer, his photos are immediately recognizable.” -Joshua Williams, President, Fashion Consort

Kah Poon is a New York City-based fashion and dance photographer. A native of Singapore, Kah first came to the United States when he was recruited by the Brigham Young University’s swim team. In 1995, Kah graduated with a BFA in photography, then moved to New York to intern with Annie Leibovitz and Joyce Tenneson. Shortly thereafter, Tenneson hired him as an assistant, and he worked for her for four years until he opened his own photo studio in 2000. Kah has since received awards from Graphis, Polaroid, Communication Arts, the International Photography Awards, FujiFilm, the International Color Awards, Hasselblad, and Adobe, among many others.

Kah Poon shoots a range of subjects and styles, but each photograph embodies the same grace, balance, and sense of movement as the dancers he so admires. With enthusiasm and an innovative eye, Poon centers emotional perspectives to capture human beauty in all its forms. From fashion to dance, publication to advertising, Poon’s clients always trust him to bring every possible idea to the table, wholly confident that he’ll be able to execute each and everyone with a flourish.

Here’s a snippet from Kah Poon’s interview:

What is it about photography that draws you to it?

I have always dreamed of being a painter, but I don’t have the patience for it. I clearly remember my first experience in a photo darkroom. It was a remarkable feeling to see my image emerge in the developer. And later, when I used Polaroid instant film, I had that same sensation of seeing the image develop right in front of my eyes. That is why when digital photography first came out, I embraced it. I could see the image instantly and make real-time adjustments.

What is the most difficult challenge you’ve had to overcome to reach your current position?

When I was just starting out, I attended many portfolio reviews, and many of the experts advised me to change my style if I wanted to fit in here in the US market. Otherwise, they said I should move to Europe where photographers have more freedom to experiment. To this day, I don’t fully understand what they meant. But that was nearly 20 years ago when things were less global. Now, I constantly need to remind myself to stay true to my own point of view and not be too swayed by current trends. Otherwise, I could lose my vision in the process.

Who are your greatest influences, and which contemporaries do you admire most?

Joyce Tenneson and Paolo Roversi are my greatest influences. They are legends. Interestingly enough, they both shot with Polaroid. As for contemporaries, I consider Tim Walker to be an amazing photographer but also an artist. I love his work because he is a great storyteller. I also love the work of old-timers like Patrick Demarchelier and Irving Penn. Their work still stands up so powerfully today. I want to keep working hard and aspire to be like them.

Read more of Kah Poon’s interview and discover other great artists in Graphis Journal #373, which you can purchase online at graphis.com.