Photojournalism nominee

In the early 20th century, the majority of immigrants to the United States came from Europe. Today, a large number of immigrants are coming from Latin America, Asia, and Africa, giving rise to a distinct group of Americans that I would call the New Americans. This photo series attempt to capture the essence of human beings, the courage and hope of these new Americans who have come to an unfamiliar land to rewrite destinies and weave new lives. It is my hope that when viewers look at the faces in the photos, the colors, the shadows, and the unspoken narratives would resonate within them and they can see their dreams, their struggles, and their triumphs. By recognizing and supporting the contributions of these new Americans, the United States can continue to thrive and uphold its legacy as a land of opportunity for all.

I am a long-time documentary and street photographer. I was shortlisted in 1992 in China for the Top Ten Chinese Young Photographer Award. In 1993 I held my first solo photo exhibition "Impression of the American West" in China and in 2005 the second solo photo exhibition "American Cowboy". From 2006 - 2009, I worked as a photo editor for the US Marine Corps under the contract between Washington Post and the US Department of Defense. In 2007 I won the first place of US Marine Corps Combat Correspondent Association Award and in 2008 the first place of US Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Award. In 2015, I was invited as a guest speaker to the opening ceremony of Beijing International Photography Week in China. In the same year, I was invited as the keynote speaker to the Sino-US Vivian Maire's Photography Symposium in China. In 2020, I held my third solo photo exhibition "Amish's Spring" at the 8th Jinan International Biennale Photography Exhibition in China and won the Outstanding Photographer of the Event Award. In 2024, I served as the executive director as well as the juror for the First Worldwide Overseas Chinese Humanist Photography Award.