Some ideas live in your head long before they make it onto film — and sometimes, the world adds a little extra magic you couldn’t plan for.

A while back, I had the chance to shoot a campaign for my friend and longtime collaborator Melynda Choothesa, the founder of Quirk — a vibrant, Southeast Asian and female-owned vintage and contemporary shop in Downtown Los Angeles. We’ve known each other since 2016, when a mutual friend introduced us during the early days of my fashion photography career. Melynda believed in my potential before I even fully believed in it myself, and we’ve been working together ever since.

The campaign was everything you’d expect from a brand called Quirk: colorful, playful, and filled with a mix of statement pieces — like a Louis Vuitton bag and Gucci accessories — and everyday vintage finds with character and soul. We shot outdoors, right outside of Quirk’s storefront in the heart of Downtown LA, and also captured some indoor moments in the shop’s eclectic lobby space. Our creative team that day included Amanda Bourne on hair, Joyce HS Kim on makeup, Melynda styling, and our model, Clementine Callaway, who brought so much personality to every frame.

One of my favorite images from the day was actually something I had been envisioning for a long time. I had this idea — a model crossing a Downtown LA street, framed cinematically against the real city — and decided to finally try it out during this shoot.

We didn’t have walkie-talkies to coordinate across the street, so I quickly called my friend and photo assistant, Lionel Tyler Perinchief (Tyler), who was down on the sidewalk with the crew. I shouted “Action!” into the phone, and he gave Clem the cue to start walking.

The frame I originally imagined was simple: just Clem crossing the street solo, framed cleanly against the lines of the crosswalk. And we captured it — exactly how I had pictured it.

But sometimes the real world gives you something even better. Just as Clem turned her head mid-crossing, two pedestrians — a young woman and her grandmother — entered the frame. They were wearing shades of blue, which perfectly set off Clem’s bright red hair and outfit. It felt almost choreographed, but it was completely spontaneous.

When it came time to decide which image to submit to PhotoVogue, it wasn’t an easy call. I loved the simplicity of the original shot — it was the frame I had carried in my head for years. But there was something about the version with the pedestrians that told a fuller story. It felt alive.

I submitted the image with the pedestrians — and a few days later, I woke up to a congratulations text from Tyler. Vogue.com had selected it — not just for publication, but as their PhotoVogue Pic of the Day.

I was shocked, excited, and honestly proud. In an industry where it’s easy to feel invisible, moments like this feel like little reminders that you’re moving in the right direction. Having this photo featured alongside my other credits with ELLE Kazakhstan, Marie Claire Nigeria, and Cosmopolitan.com was deeply rewarding — not just for the accolade, but for the story behind it.

Creative collaborations like this are why I do what I do. Every member of the team — from hair and makeup to styling and assisting — poured their artistry into making that day happen. I’m grateful that we could create something together that resonated beyond just our circle.

If you’re looking for photography that captures both the planned and the unexpected, I’d love to help tell your story — whether for a brand campaign, editorial, or creative project.

photographer and creative direction Ty Chen @tychenphotography
model Clementine Callaway @clemmycallaway
fashion stylist and client Melynda Choothesa @couturezen
hair Amanda Bourne @hair_bourne
makeup Joyce SH Kim @joycehskim_makeup
photographer’s assistant Lionel Tyler Perinchief @lioneltylerperinchief

Some moments live in your head — others find you when you least expect it.
This one was a little bit of both.

contact@ty-chen.com