In the Korean photography community, most photo talks have traditionally centered around well-known figures—often Magnum photographers or similarly established artists. But it’s been quite rare to see events where overseas YouTuber photographers are introduced and invited to share their stories. As far as I know, this event I organized at Muhan Media might have been one of the first attempts of its kind.
Let me start by introducing the interview with Fuji shooter Lisa Portinari.
Her photos have a soft, emotional tone, yet they leave a surprisingly strong impression at the same time. To me, a great photograph is one you want to come back to again—and Lisa’s work is definitely that kind of photography.
The event took place at Muhan Media. We had seven people sign up, and three actually showed up. Maybe because the session was conducted in English, the turnout was a bit lower than usual. Typically, when we open ten spots, we get around thirteen registrations and more than ten attendees. So yes, the attendance rate was a bit disappointing this time. But the energy in the room was amazing.
After the photo talk, the Q&A session continued with a wide range of questions—from what it’s like to live as a travel photographer to the mindset behind street photography. In the end, no one really wanted to leave. We all wrapped up the night with that familiar feeling of wanting just a little more time.
Starting with this event, I’d love to host more “Artlist Talk” sessions where I invite international YouTuber photographers and share stories around photography. Of course, it’s not easy—neither reaching out to guests nor spreading the word about the event. But every beginning starts small, and I truly believe that with consistency, it will grow into something bigger.
There’s something inspiring about seeing the world through a different lens. The way international photographers observe and capture moments can spark new ideas, and their perspectives—sometimes very different from ours—can bring fresh energy into our own photographic journey.
After the event, we went out for dinner together and wrapped up the night with Korean barbecue. It was the perfect way to end the evening.
After three meetups, it was time to say goodbye to Lisa and Jeorge. They’re leaving Korea this Monday. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you know you’ll meet again somewhere down the road.
Maybe next time, I’ll be the one visiting Italy or London to catch up with them again.