Having worked with Shaun on several fashion events, I had a sense of what to expect in our recent shoot for SOLZ.  Whether at San Francisco Fashion Week 2011, The 2011 SF Fashion Awards or the countless SFFAMA panels and events we have done, the experience is somewhat the same.  Shaun shows up with equipment.  He does not rely on available light, choosing to help create the perfect environment.  Yet once the shot begins, he basically moves into the background, allowing the emotion to unfold naturally.  Maybe it’s his experience working with runway models where direction is not possible, or maybe he just trusts himself to catch real moments.   

Only once in a while will Shaun poke his head out from behind the camera to make a suggestion.  Perhaps just “how about an epic shot facing the sun?”, “how about a happy one?”, or more often than not  … “I think we’re all good for this.”  The most consistent thing about working with Shaun, however, is the result.  He works fast, and you can expect to receive a folder of selected photos, enough to give you a fair amount choice but still be manageable. Don’t expect the choice to be easy though, because they are probably all fantastic.  After our shoot, we had a chance to sit down so that I could get a better idea of what makes Shaun Tiangsing … click.

  • SOLZ: Nature vs Nurture.  How much of photography is talent and how much is learned?  For the “learned” part did you study photography in school?  
Shaun:  Wow. Starting off with the touqh questions first I see. Talent is more important by far. Anybody can learn all the technical stuff but you can’t be taught your vision and ideas. I hate to say this because I meet so many photographers going to school for photography - but you do not need to.  I do understand, though, that everybody is different and some people really need a school environment to learn and benefit. I learned the technical stuff through books and online videos.  I often browse through magazines for the ads as well, but I’ve learned the most just by shooting.  Shoot, go home and look at the pics, analyze what I like and don’t like, go out and shoot again.   
  • SOLZ: Did you always know you wanted to do fashion photography?
Shaun::  No. Oddly enough, it just kind of found me.  Before this I was taking pictures of my dog.
  • SOLZ:  How does your background contribute to your concept of fashion?
Shaun:  I have no background in fashion. I often wonder to myself what am I doing here but somehow I fit in.  My wish for designers is to always try to take it to the next level.  Be a leader and innovate!
  • SOLZ:  How does your background contribute to your concept of fashion?
Shaun:  I have no background in fashion. I often wonder to myself what am I doing here but somehow I fit in.  My wish for designers is to always try to take it to the next level.  Be a leader and innovate!

  • Brad Carrick is the owner and founder of SOLZ Shoes and business developer for SFFAMA. SOLZ Shoes combines a lifestyle shoe company with an extendable microbranding platform.  It has designed and patented a unique, lightweight casual shoe that folds up in a small “capsule” that can be clipped on to bags or clothing. It has also launched “The Walk Street Movement” and “The Sneak In Artist” as additional lifestyle brands. SOLZ is the name of the company and also the flagship brand. SOLZ shoes is marketed as the “Ultimate Beach Shoes” and a platform for self-branding, sponsorship opportunities enabling working with clients to license or franchise any of their brands.