Let’s normalize having more Asian people in stock photography as we look at how our Asian contributors showcase their culture and people.
Inclusivity has been one of the major talking points in digital media over the past few years. The lack of diversity and representation is still apparent, and it’s already 2021. Not to mention, the stereotyping and misrepresentation taking place—clearly, there’s a lot more work that needs to be done.
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
As a company that values diversity and inclusivity, Shutterstock takes pride in its contributors from different races and different regions around the globe. The Asian community will always have a space here and we celebrate the character they bring into every submitted photograph. After all, nobody can authentically tell the stories and visually represent the Asian community better than they can.
Let’s check out these Asian photographers elevating the representation of various cultures and diverse lifestyles in stock photography.
Roselynne
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
The Hmong tribe is an ethnic group that used to live in Southeastern China. However, they were never considered residents in that area. So, when China limited their freedom back in the 1600s, they moved to nearby countries like Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. Images of Asian indigenous culture aren’t always present in stock photography and we’re grateful for Roselynne’s contributions in improving Shutterstock’s images of indigenous culture.
Her photography of the Hmong tribe gives us a glimpse not only of how they appear, but also their tribe’s well-known advocacy for nature. Roselynne’s collection of photos also include Vietnamese, Japanese, and other women of Asian descent in local clothing, which helps the general public have more appropriate imagery for commercial use. And, of course, a good number of lifestyle images too.
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
PR Image Factory
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
PR Image Factory is a photography team that has a fairly huge collection of photos available on Shutterstock. And, we love the fact that they focus on Asian people. This team offers a wide array of lifestyle images that feature modern Asian people living their everyday lives.
Too often, Asians are associated with technology, and most images feature them in anything tech-related. PR Image Factory showcases different cultural, religious, and architectural settings. Let’s not forget, Asia is a continent. And, there’s so much beauty to capture here.
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Ryan Wijaya Tan
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Ryan Wijaya Tan is an Indonesia-based photographer and illustrator. His images capture what typical days look like in Indonesia. Images like these play an important role in improving Asian representation in stock photography and across the world of digital media.
People often use images that don’t accurately represent Indonesian people in articles and stories about Indonesia, simply because those images are easier to find. Photographers like Ryan Wijaya Tan allow us to have more appropriate and accurate imagery choices when telling stories of Indonesians. His vibrant shots give the western media a better look at how Indonesian people live day-to-day and what the country’s cultural practices look like.
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Syed Rajeeb
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Based in Bangladesh, Syed Rajeeb is a photographer who has a lot of amazing portrait and candid shots in his collection. His is a balance of cultural representation and lifestyle images that tell stories of Bangladeshis. We particularly love how he also features black and white shots in his collection. This strips the image of color and leaves it with nothing but the subject and the emotions in their eyes. Other black and white shots of his are candid, still-life images that showcase the ordinary and the interesting life in Bangladesh.
Too often, when we hear Bangladesh in the media, we immediately think war, poverty, killings. These photos of Syed Rajeeb remind us there’s so much more in this country. And, that Bangladeshis have their own beauty to flaunt.
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Thananit Suntiviriyanon
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Another wide collection of modern Asian lifestyle photography is this one from Thananit Suntiviriyanon. His shots are quite similar to what you’ll see when you search “lifestyle photos” in stock photography. However, his images feature people of Asian descent, which is something we definitely need. We love how simple and realistic his shots are, and how diverse! His collection has a good balance of men, women, young people, old people—he’s pretty much covered all the basics.
Thananit Suntiviriyanon also has incredible landscape shots that showcase the beautiful greens in Asia, specifically in Thailand. Mountainous areas, vast rice fields, and overlooking views are all equally necessary in advancing the conversation about representation. It’s not all about faces and people. Sometimes, it’s also about the land.
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Rudra Narayan Mitra
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Bright colors, beautiful landscapes, local traditions, and native cuisine—these are only some of the images in Rudra Narayan Mitra’s Shutterstock collection. We particularly love his images that showcase the architectural beauty of India.
India is known for its love for color. From traditional clothing to food and spices displayed in the market, it’s always a feast of color. Through his images, Rudra Narayan Mitra tells us their architecture is no different. His collection is a balance of cultural shots and lifestyle images, highlighting the beautiful landscapes of the country.
Images via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
Photography educates us more than we realize. Today, we continue to push the envelope and recognize this community’s diversity by welcoming their imagery. We don’t just celebrate Asian photography work, we continue to promote inclusion by building a solid community in digital media.
Let’s keep the conversation going:
Image via Shutterstock’s Asian Representation Collection.
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