Lord Nez Exclusive Interview with Photographer Ray Rael Yau!! Exclusive!!!

1. Can you tell us little bit of your background. Where are you from? Where did you grow up?

My family comes from Hong Kong. I was born in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. I went to elementary school in Bayside, Queens then New Orleans for a few years, High School in Staten Island and College in Miami. And now I am back in the LES.

2. How did you get into the world of photography? Can you name some photographers you look up to and inspired you.

My boy Kevin Saer was a graphic designer with Phat Farm in '98. I looked at what he was doing for hip-hop and it inspired me to pursue photography. I was also DJing at that time so it just made sense for me to move to Miami to DJ while going to Art School. It was there that I met Playboy photographer Jarmo Pohjaniemi who believed in me and gave me my first break. After college I moved to L.A. and linked up with a D.P. named Eric Larson who later introduced me to Anthony Mandler, Patrick Hoelck, and Jonathan Mannion. I am also a fan of Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier, David La Chappelle, and Richard Avedon. These are the artists who have influenced and inspired me the most.







3. What was your first camera?

My first camera was a Canon Rebel in college, then I moved on to a Pentax 645n, Mamiya RZ67II, and now a Canon 5dII.

4. What was your first gig as a photographer and what was the experience like?

My first gig was shooting CD covers for club DJs in Miami.


5. How did you get your foot in the industry in working with other artists in the entertainment?

It just happened real naturally. Being in Miami Beach and DJing in nightclubs made it easy for me to make friends with celebrities, artists, and models that came down to party. I was also working on Playboy shoots early on so it forced me to be comfortable around beautiful nude women while staying professional. Art college was fun but learning on set was the best education.








6. From all the photoshoots and events that you've covered, what were some of your favorite shoots and awkward shoots?

Some of my favorite shoots probably include shooting Miley Cyrus when she was like 13. Hearing her sing in the studio, you just knew she had something special going on. Shooting Rohan Marley, son of Bob Marley for Current TV was also very special. But what tops it for me was meeting and shooting Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Fabolous.

7. Describe your passion and love for hip hop. What does it mean to you?

Well I started out as a hip-hop DJ so music was always a passion. I've been collecting music since Wu Tang in '92, Biggie in '94 and Jay-Z in '96. I feel like I grew up during an important era in hip-hop. I got my first 1200s in '97 so collecting records and looking at album packaging really got me thinking like who is this guy J. Mannion (Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt) and what do I have to do to get a cover? And that’s what really motivated me to begin shooting music photography.




8. How do you incorporate hip hop into your photography, if you do.

I incorporate hip hop to everything in my life--from photography, to video, to graphic design. It’s hard for me not to incorporate it in my life cause’ I've been so immersed in it for so long.

9. What companies or people have you worked with in the industry?


I've photographed Jay-Z, Fabolous, Miley Cyrus, and DMC, Marc Jacobs, Andre Harrell, and Spike Lee…among others. I've also shot video for Adidas, Current TV, MTV / MTV Korea, Playboy, P. Diddy, and SPIN magazine.







10. What drives you to do what you do? What keeps you on your grind on a daily basis?

I think there are so many amazing and talented photographers working in the game today. I still feel like I have a long way to go before I can compare myself to them… So that’s my drive…to shoot and keep shooting till’ I can't shoot no more...

One day when I’m 50 or 60, I will look back and be like damn I finally made it, but until that time comes I need to keep pushing my work till I reach the top.

11. Where do you see your photography career in the future? Or if you have other means of business that you plan to explore.

My main goal is to develop a collection of work that documents a period of time in my life thats significant to me while staying true and authentic to myself and the subject matter..
(Wait does that make sense...? IDK.. I'm burnt! LOL!!)

No seriously my short-term goals are to put out a photography book on youth culture, shoot a documentary on DJ culture, and produce a narrative film about Chinatown in NYC during the 70s and 80s.. All in that order... I see it visually and its very clear to me...





12. Lastly, what advice can you give to upcoming photographers that are trying to climb their way into the business?

My boy Jarmo Pohjaniemi says “It’s not the camera but the man behind the camera.” I too believe this and with all these amazing digital cameras out there my advice is to just shoot, shoot, and keep shooting!! Life is short, have fun and take great pictures!

I've been lucky and blessed in my life to meet a lot of amazing people who believed in me and really pushed me to be the best I can be as an artist. I've always had the gift and ability to have a vision and figure out a way to make it come true. So if there is one thing I could pass on to another it’s to dream big and stay focused and committed to making it a reality...

Thanks for the interview...

Peace, love, and happiness to all!

Ray Rael Yau

The Abakus www.TheAbakus.com