Harimao Lee is a freelance photographer based in Hong Kong. His creative take on urban photography sheds a unique perspective on life in Hong Kong and beyond. After starting a photography Instagram account in 2013, Harimao has amassed a following of over 370,000 and has worked with a large range of clients all over the world. Harimao shares his story with us and gives out some invaluable advice for hobbyist/aspiring photographers and travelers alike!

Hello Harimao, we really appreciate you giving us your time to do this interview! How and when did you get into photography and have you always been a creative person?

I originally began experimenting with photography as a hobby in high school. It was only by chance that I was asked to help out with photography at a school event. I had no idea how to operate a camera at the time. I started learning, then persevered as it provided me with a creative outlet. My passion continued to grow and I built a solid technical grounding. I was also lucky to have access to professional equipment,

After I started my Instagram account in 2013, I began developing myself as a ‘photographer’ and exploring my style. Hong Kong is home to a vibrant community of photographers from whom I was able to learn new skills, exchange ideas, and collaborate with on projects.

I owe a lot to those who helped and inspired me in the beginning. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that I have had as a result. I was able to quit my full-time job in 2018 and focus on working as a photographer which has allowed me to balance my commercial and personal projects more evenly.

Although not exclusively, your Instagram feed is dominated by the street/architectural genre photography. Do you think that living in Hong Kong influenced your style of photography? Is photographing your local area a good place to start as a hobbyist photographer?

Hong Kong is my home and I have always been fascinated by the landscape of the city. I look to all sorts of things for creative inspiration, but I often find myself reaching within; Building on past experiences and memories, and coming up with a way of exploring those themes within my work. I am passionate about sharing my side of Hong Kong (beyond the guide books and postcards); The crowded markets, diverse architecture, rolling hills, the concrete, the glass, the neon.

The architectural diversity of the city will never bore me, I am drawn obsessively to the lines and structures of the buildings, the mismatch of new and old. I am always chasing the perfect angle and I don’t think I will ever be satisfied.

I think that Hong Kong photographers are very lucky that we live in such a vibrant environment. We have towering buildings, crowded streets, rolling hills, etc. The landscape caters to multiple styles and it is easy to find inspiration and experiment in this city. That being said, I would encourage anyone interested in photography to explore their local area. Try to picture it as if you were a stranger, and rediscover the environment.

Are there any other photography genres that you are interested in? Which one challenges you the most?

The more challenging aspects of my work usually arise when I’m doing commercial jobs, shooting products, or working with new models in an unfamiliar setting. I try and prioritize building a rapport between me and the client so that I can effectively channel their vision within my work.

Though I usually explore urban environments, I am fascinated by portrait photography. I am used to manipulating the natural environment, seeking out the best angles and lines, and drawing focus to my subjects from a distance. The challenges of portraiture involve interacting with the subject closely, finding the ideal pose, guiding the light, and accentuating the features of your model. I think it is important to continually push the boundaries of your ability, and engaging with new forms and styles is a crucial part of growing as a photographer.

How do you find the right building or skyline view to photograph? How much researching and planning goes into a location before you go there?

If I am shooting a popular skyline, such as Hong Kong or New York (somewhere people are familiar with) then it is crucial that I find an original way to capture that environment.

Planning and research are essential when chasing that perfect shot. I can spend hours getting lost in Google Maps jumping around on Street View, scouring YouTube, and searching on Instagram. Anything I can use to help familiarise myself with the location.

Whether I’m browsing online, with a guide, or exploring the area on foot, I think it is important to explore your environment thoroughly. Doing this allows you to find a unique perspective away from the crowded viewpoints and tourist sites. It also opens up the possibility to notice something that you (or others) may have otherwise overlooked.

How long do you spend at a location usually? Do you have in mind the type of shots that you want to get before heading to the location and do you have a good idea of what gear you will need to use?

It depends on my schedule for the day. If I have a lot of time, then I can spend anywhere between 1-3 hours in one location. I try to remember to tell myself “chance favours the prepared mind”. I always have some basic ideas from my research on what I want to explore. Though, of course, I cannot predict every variable, such as a change of weather or a sudden crowd. I often have to be flexible and adapt to whatever happens in the moment.

My prior research is key to streamlining this process, I should know what gear I need to bring and how long roughly I should be spending in each location. For every shoot, I bring my essential full-frame camera and my three go-to lenses, which usually cover all sizes of images I intend to shoot; the 11mm-24mm, 24mm-70mm, and the 70mm-200mm.

My current gear list includes:

Canon EOS R

Canon EF 11-24mm F/4

Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8 IS

Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8 IS

Canon EF 35mm F/1.4

Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM

What does your editing process look like? How long do you typically spend in post-production to get a result that you are happy with and what programs do you use?

When I sit down to edit my work, I usually use Lightroom Classic and Photoshop CC for most tasks. I start by importing and (crucially) backing up all of the files.

I will then look to work with the best angle on each shot, making basic adjustments, tuning the colour and adjusting the orientation. This is particularly important for architectural photography, as I want to find the best way to accentuate the lines present in the structure and draw focus. I will often do further tweaking in Photoshop when I need to remove unwanted objects, format to HDR, combining shots into a panorama, etc.

Is there a certain image that you are particularly proud of? What was involved in getting the final result?

I wouldn’t say that there is a specific image that I am most proud of. I take pride in all of my work. Though some shots are more challenging than others, I am ultimately concerned with the end product more than the process. My biggest concern is whether I am personally happy with the outcome.

I think it is important not to be too self-critical, especially in the beginning. It is important to understand that you are constantly developing and learning. The more technical or challenging that a shot is or isn’t does not automatically correlate to it being a better photograph. Sometimes the simplest of circumstances produce the most striking evocative images. 

I can happily say I love every photo that I have taken.

How do you approach your photography in regards to your mindset? Have you always approached it with a career/business attitude? What has been your perspective throughout your journey from beginner to a professional photographer?

I didn’t get into photography with any preconceived ideas about one day making it as a professional, or to attract a large following, or to get commercial work. I started the same way as most people, from an initial interest in capturing the way I looked at the world. This is the same thing that drives me to this day. I have always tried to express myself through my work and to provide a lens for my audience to see the subject through my eyes.

Obviously, it is important to be professional and conduct yourself appropriately in a business environment. Though I never expected to be able to do this as a career, I am forever thankful for those who have helped me on this journey and allowed me to realise my passion. It is this passion that I believe is central to keeping myself grounded and humble from the very first time I picked up a camera, to today.

What are your views on using Instagram as a photographer? Is it a viable way to get noticed and find work in 2020? Do you/would you use your Instagram page as a portfolio for prospective clients?

Instagram is definitely a great tool for inspiration and exposure, it is second-to-none as a platform to connect with other photographers/creatives and collaborate on a project. Especially when you are starting out and finding your feet, Instagram can be an excellent place to examine and analyse the work of others. It is important not to become too reliant on it, however, as it is only one of many great platforms to share your work and explore the work of others.

While it can give a great introduction to your work, I think it is essential if you want to stand out from the crowd, and show that you are serious as a professional, to keep an external portfolio of both your commercial and personal work outside of Instagram.

We are also interested in how you work with the models you shoot as a lot of your shots include them. Do you try and control as much of the positioning and posing as possible or does it work better for you in more of a casual setting where you let them walk around and try different poses on location for example?

Different photographers work in different ways with their subjects. Most of the time the models in my pictures are my friends, I will usually give some guidance on clothing, positioning, and posing, but I always try to keep things feeling natural. I will also let them freestyle and express themselves freely, and try to capture their personality in the shot. My role is to capture the best image I can and this can come from either method. Experimenting in this way means that if a shot isn’t turning out as planned, I can switch things up and try a different approach.

As a freelance photographer accustomed to traveling a lot for work, how do you adapt to unforeseen situations such as the current COVID-19 pandemic? Has it affected the amount of work that you are getting for example, and what are you doing to keep up your photography and stay busy in general?

I think it is important to stay grounded in times like these and to evaluate our relationships with social media. I always remind myself that Instagram is not the only thing in my life, it is just the platform that enables me to share my work with my audience. Things change fast in Hong Kong and it is important to be ready for any possibility, so it is inspiring to see the way creative communities have come together to cope with this disruption. 

With the ongoing pandemic, I am currently unable to travel while things remain uncertain. I am lucky that I can still operate locally, as I know this certainly isn’t the case for many around the world. Architectural photography is my strength and there are still some clients requesting interior and exterior shoots for their properties.

What are some of your favourite cities to explore and photograph so far? Have you had any bad experiences when travelling?

I have been fortunate to travel to many countries that I wouldn’t have dreamed of when I first picked up a camera in high school. I am often drawn to places that don’t get as much interest. Most recently Iran is one my favourite places, the Persian domes that sit atop of the great mosques and the intricate detailing on the walls and ceilings make these sites architecturally fascinating to shoot.

When seeking out these exciting new destinations, planning is once again crucial. It is important to err on the side of caution in an unfamiliar environment and to pay close attention to the cultural norms and customs of a new country. There will always be bumps on the road and challenging situations while travelling, but I try to take everything in my stride and keep an open mind.

What advice could you offer to someone wanting to take better images of their local city or take better travel photos?

Set an alarm! Sunrise is undoubtedly the best time to get out and avoid the crowds. Remember that everything else can fall nicely into place but you cannot account for human behaviour. So, if you’re not looking for crowds then it is best to capture an environment at its most restive.

I like to think of photography as an art of subtraction; don’t try to cram everything into the frame, the simplest thing can be the most significant!

Where can people go to follow your journey on social media and what's the best way to contact you for prints? Thank you for your time Harimao and we wish you all the best for the future!

Of course! Thank you for having me!

You can find me on Instagram: @harimaolee

For prints or general enquires send me a message at harimao@ymail.com

Stay creative!