Passion has long served as the fuel behind countless people’s relentless drive to make a mark and establish a name. Given the long string of challenges that often come hand in hand with the journey toward a realization of a dream, it’s critical that go-getters can draw strength from what inspired them in the first place. For Timothy Hwang, a chemist with a lot of aces up his sleeves, his deep-seated interest in photography has pushed him forward over the years. Today, the filmmaker and photographer is building an academic career while pursuing his passion behind the lens.
Since he was young, Timothy Hwang has always had an affinity toward cameras. His fascination with it evolved into something much deeper, solidified by his time at a summer academy at a church in Korea, where he learned how to make videos.
“The academy was built so that missionaries can go out about their mission fields and use their newly learned skill to tell their stories,” recalled Timothy Hwang. “I think that’s when I fell in love with the art of storytelling via the lens.”
Throughout high school, the current graduate student honed his skills by taking on projects that would deepen his understanding of the craft and help him find his own style. Gifted a full mirrorless DSLR camera by his parents after he finished high school, he continued to make videos and would eventually start uploading some of his creations on YouTube. Aside from his creative endeavors, he’s a dedicated scholar, currently working to get his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Purdue University.
College and the workload it entailed prevented Timothy Hwang from taking and piecing shots together, a hiccup that led to his transition into photography. Soon enough, the multi-faceted personality began building an impressive portfolio that showcased his keen eye for incredible photos and his promising potential.
Since dipping his toes in photography, Timothy Hwang has captured many moments, immortalizing them in photos. Right now, the freelance photographer is finding the balance between his pursuit of a graduate degree and his passion. All the while, he is also setting an example for others to follow by demonstrating that one can always reach great heights in their professional career without sacrificing the hobbies and interests that helped them keep going from the beginning.
You can find him on Instagram at @timothyishyc where he showcases his works, as well as linktr.ee/timothyishyc.
