Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Ma.
Tim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
If we’re going to split hairs then I really picked up photography when I was about six years old. My dad bought me some cheap point and shoot and a few rolls of film from Walmart and just let me run amok. Realistically though, I only picked up photography in the spring of 2016. I was an active musician then (still am) and I bought a camera with the intent of creating video content. That is until I discovered the joys of taking still images. It became an escape for me and a way to creatively recharge when I hit a block with my music. And from there, it was straight down the rabbit hole.
When the band I was playing in broke up, I just threw myself at it. I shot everything that I could. Landscapes, portraiture, macro, architecture, concerts and events, anything and started building a body of work. I began to gravitate towards portraiture when I would drag my friends with me on “nature walks” and I would grab some snapshots in between all of the landscapes.
I began to take portrait photography more seriously about 11 or so months ago. I started using Instagram to really reach out to other photographers and models in the local community and began to build a portfolio. I’m still a relative newcomer to this whole thing but I think I’ve finally come to develop a style and I hope to grow further from here!
Has it been a smooth road?
There were definitely a number of bumps in the road along the way. But those bumps resulted in growth and learning. The biggest one for me has been reaching out to people. I’m naturally an introvert and meeting new people and being social is sometimes a struggle which is a bit ironic since most of my work is photographs of people.
Photography is also one of those activities that is very gear-centric. Without a camera or a lens, how are you going to take photos? As a result, I get the occasional bout of G.A.S. or gear acquisition syndrome. Money is already kind of tight. Do I really need this shiny new thing that makes me think I’m going to create better work if I buy it? (Hint: the answer is no.)
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a photographer! I specialize in portraiture and editorial. I have an eye for details and always try to look for angles that are unconventional and can create a compelling image. And I like bokeh. The super blurry backgrounds are characteristic of almost all of my portraits.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the diversity of the city. There’s so much to see. On the flip side commuting into the city for anything can be a process sometimes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tmaphotography.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmaphotog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmaphotog/
Image Credit:
Valerie Rose, Katelyn Haggerty, William Mathis, Dorothy Johnson, Hana Kahn, Natalie Smith, Sarah Gabert
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