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PHOTOGRAPHY
Connie Zhou, inside Google
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onnie Zhou is an architectural photographer born in Shanghai and grew up in New York City. She studied at La Guardia, a performing arts high school where her interest began in photography. She majored in photography at Parsons School of Design in New York. She grew up with her father, a graphic designer so she was exposed to the creative industry from a very young age. She began her career shooting architecture for small architectural companies. Her big break was being published in New York Magazine while she was still in school for an article about Lincoln Center. Her latest project has made her the first photographer officially allowed into Google’s data centers. The result, beautiful images of a giant warehouse full of electronic equipment. Tell us about life in Shanghai and growing up in New York City? I don’t remember much about living in China. Growing up in New York was a bit crazy, but I loved every moment of it. What was it that got you into photography? My first camera was a Nikon FM2 (film) camera. I’m not sure what really got me into photography, I think maybe in the beginning it was more of the process that really intrigued me. What got you interested in architectual and interior photography? I think what draws me towards architecture is how graphic everything looks when translated onto a photograph. Sometimes I look at buildings or a structure and I imagine them to be spaceships. Do you ever photograph other genres? Yes, mostly lifestyle or product. What kind of equipment do you use? I use a 16-35mm lens and I correct in post. It’s not very traditional, but I think it works for me. I used to shoot 4x5 and it was just too much for me. It’s too heavy. How did you land a client like Google? Getting the Google job was a big deal, it was the biggest project I have ever received. Google approached me earlier last year, they told me about the project. I put in a bid and I got the job! What is your approach to architectual photography? How do you approach each shot? What is it that you’re looking for in a shot? With exteriors it’s mostly about weather and what type of light you want to achieve, I often scout the location and go back to it. Sunrise and sunsets are super important. www.conniezhou.com