Meet Trailblazer Lauren Hyun

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hyun.

Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Los Angeles, CA. I grew up in a family surrounded by the arts and creative industries. My maternal grandmother was a hairstylist, my mom graduated from FIDM, and my paternal grandparents owned a dress shop that sold designs from my aunt. Other members of my extended family were in the photography or tech industries. My parents have always been supportive of what I wanted to do — quite the opposite of stereotypical “tiger parents.”

I moved to Colorado Springs when I was six. I didn’t know it then, but as I grew up, I found that I was quite the outlier in the suburban city. Between traveling and going back to visit my family in LA every year, I gained experiences different from those of my peers. While most did not understand the flourishing creativity in other cities, I tried my best to hold onto as much of the city’s essence as I could.

I really started to invest in photography in my sophomore year of high school when I had to quit dancing to pursue academics. Without dance, I needed another outlet to really explore and exert my creative energy. Photography is probably the only hobby that I can say I gained expertise in.

After much investment into this hobby, I expanded into taking photos of myself, modeling for others, and developing a personal brand. I spent years working towards the point I am now. I am proud to say that I have many exciting opportunities unfolding for me in the near future and that this is just the beginning. I am also proud to be part of the rising Asian American representation in media and to represent an entire generation of children born from immigrants.

Has it been a smooth road?
My journey has definitely not been a smooth road. I had many moments of self-doubt and self-criticism in comparing myself to others. I constantly felt like I was not good enough for success and felt like I was behind. Even though invested great amounts of effort into a project, my work was not recognized by others around me because they did not understand the process behind the scenes. All others saw was the final product and it was hard to explain just how much thought goes into one project. Moreover, I understood that follower count does not always reflect the quality of work displayed on a page. However, it was difficult when the numbers did not follow along with the progression of my skills.

I definitely still experience plateaus and blocks in my creative process, especially being in a city where everything is so formal and professional. It’s hard to be inspired when most of the community wears black and navy suits all the time. I’m surrounded by future bankers and politicians rather than marketers and content creators. Often, people look down upon individuality. As the creative industries are distinct from the set paths Georgetown feeds into, these industries are often looked upon as trivial, despite the shift in emphasizing marketing and advertising.

My advice for other women and young women, in particular, would be to find a group in real life or online who support your passions and encourage your personal growth. Take as many opportunities as you can to broaden your horizons and explore a new community that you’ve never encountered before. Research successful people and analyze what they are doing that works. For me, travel and networking were the best ways to push me out of my comfort zone and become more knowledgeable about different kinds of people. There are so many realms just inside the creative world to explore. It would be a waste to not take advantage.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a social media content creator and professional photographer. I create original content to promote various products and services from businesses. I also provide the content for brands and companies can use for their own media platforms, including Instagram accounts and websites. As I am a professional photographer, I can direct my own photoshoots and edit my own photos in a consistent manner for the highest quality achievable. I feel that this aspect distinguishes me from other content creators who do not have expertise in photography and post-processing photographs. It gives me an edge that others may not have. Furthermore, I am currently pursuing a Marketing major at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, which allows me to have a technical insight when it comes to marketing and business.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
The women in my family have inspired me the most in my life with their resilience, determination, encouragement, and unconditional love. My grandmother became a hairstylist to cover living expenses for her sisters when their mother passed away. Even though my grandmother did not speak a word of English, she continued to be the breadwinner for her family when they immigrated to the United States with her optimism and radiant energy. My mother had to work from the age of thirteen to support the family business. Although the labor and hours were grueling, she never let that slow her down or prevent her from pursuing her passions in fashion later on. She never made excuses and, instead, took action to pave her own path.

Contact Info:

• Website: lauren-hyun.format.com
• Email: hyunlaur@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenjih/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/hyunlaur/

Image Credit:
All photos are edited by Lauren Hyun

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