Justin Jun Lee is a New York City-based photographer whose work spans editorial fashion, fine art weddings, and portraiture. His photography has been featured in Vogue, LA Times, New York Times, New York Times Bride, and more. He brings a minimalist style and emotional depth to each unique event he captures. His approach as a photographer is to not only create images that feel honest and interesting, but to document a story.
https://www.justinjunlee.com/
https://www.instagram.com/justinjunlee/
https://www.justinleeweddings.com/
About the episode:
In this episode of innercalling, Dr. Victoria Ranade talks with photographer Justin Jun Lee about learning to trust your inner voice as an artist in a fast paced world full of distractions and algorithms. Justin also reflects on growing up Asian American, navigating family and cultural expectations, and how he built confidence in his creative voice over time. He shares how intuition, personal projects, and tuning out digital distraction helped him stay true to himself—and how the importance of knowing who you are matters more than following trends. Tune in to learn when you really know to trust an innercalling to follow your dream and the difference it can make when you take the leap :)
Quotes:
“I think it was always great that there was this voice that was always there being like, ‘Justin, I think you can do this.’” — Justin Jun Lee
“Growing up, honestly, I really didn't see that many Asian Americans on covers of magazines. And I think now as a photographer, I just wanna see more of my people represented. 'cause it's, it was so rare for me growing up to see anyone that looked like me.” — Justin Jun Lee
“That's the thing about intuition is like when you hear it, listen to it and then follow it, then it gets stronger. 'cause you see where it goes and you begin to trust it more. It's like this trust relationship. It's a faith relationship.” - Dr. Victoria
“To be a true artist is to have a voice and to believe in your art, even when no one else does.” - Dr. Victoria
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction and Justin’s artistic journey
01:52 – Discovering art and photography in childhood
03:41 – Got Milk ads, faces, and falling in love with portraiture
05:14 – Academic pressure, shame, and finding safety in art
08:41 – Favorite artists and creative influences
10:16 – Building confidence through personal projects
11:56 – Portraits, trust, and capturing someone’s essence
13:36 – Celebrity shoots and creating connection quickly
15:21 – Fear, money, and choosing photography anyway
17:04 – Listening to teachers, friends, and inner calling
20:05 – Asian American identity and lack of representation
23:57 – Photographing community and creating change
26:11 – Embracing voice and vision through personal work
28:56 – Advice for young artists: notebooks, intuition, and courage
31:08 – Advice for parents of creative children
34:45 – Authenticity, honesty, and resisting the algorithm
45:09 – The story of neighbors John and Suzie
50:42 – Photographing his father during the pandemic
54:00 – Squid Game editorial, pressure, and preparation
57:56 – Closing reflections on intuition, faith, and self-trust
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PODCAST LINKS:
✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/
✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408
✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354
✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX
SOCIAL LINKS:
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade
✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade
WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS
✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care
👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com
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