Meet photographer from San Francisco, Pei Ketron

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Taiwan and raised on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, which made for a pretty unique and diverse childhood experience. I now live in San Francisco and have been a photographer for twenty years! I’m also on my third career – my first was as an elementary school special education teacher, my second was as a full-time freelance photographer, and my current career is working on the marketing team for Adobe, focused on Lightroom and the community of photographers who use it.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I live in San Francisco and love it for the quick and easy access to delicious and varied foods, Golden Gate Park, and the beach. Where I live is quiet and chill and feels much safer than some of the downtown parts.

I live in San Francisco and love it for the quick and easy access to delicious and varied foods, Golden Gate Park, and the beach. Where I live is quiet and chill and feels much safer than some of the downtown parts.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

Best: Incredible food

Worst: Rising rates of crime and homelessness, as well as lack of diversity 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Supportive/Inspiring/Challenging

How did you start your career in photography?

I started by taking photos of my students when I was a teacher and sending nice portraits of the students home to the parents. The parents then started hiring me to do actual portrait sessions, which evolved into photographing weddings for parents getting remarried and for teacher coworkers. I photographed weddings and portraits as a side gig for about 5 years. I decided that wedding photography wasn’t for me and then was at a bit of a loss as to what path to take with my photography. I focused on travel photography for myself until Instagram was released and I was able to build a following on the platform. Because of Instagram and the following I built, I began to get hired for travel and commercial photography jobs all around the world.

I focused on travel photography for myself until Instagram was released and I was able to build a following on the platform. Because of Instagram and the following I built, I began to get hired for travel and commercial photography jobs all around the world.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

My parents are both artists and they recognized the struggle it takes to make a living as an artist, so they were initially not supportive of me doing solely photography, but obviously were proud when I was able to do it successfully. It’s not easy, though, that’s for sure.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

To be honest, I’ve been distracted from photography by my new full-time day job, my new baby (who is not so new anymore – he just turned one recently!), and the pandemic, so my goal is to start creating more for fun on a more regular basis like I used to.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

At the moment, since I just finished watching The Mandalorian, my interest in Ming-na Wen has been reignited. Growing up in the 80s, I didn’t have many Asian American women to look up to who were in the public eye. Ming-na Wen was one of few actresses I ever saw who looked like me, so it’s incredible to me that she’s still active and so successful. And also that she never ages. I’d love to photograph her.

These days, I’m surrounded by strong, creative, empathetic women.

What are the biggest challenges you face in working as a creative?

One of the hardest things for me is creating something out of nothing instead of just documenting what I see. It’s nuanced, but there’s definitely a difference.

How would you describe the women around you?

These days, I’m surrounded by strong, creative, empathetic women.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

I’m lucky because I grew up with artist parents, so I was able to watch my mother be an artist throughout my life. I also lived on the Navajo Reservation, and the Navajo are traditionally a matriarchal society. Women were not only held in high esteem, they were also creators. They wove rugs and baskets, did sandpaintings, and crafted jewelry, among other things.

My advice is to not only dive head first into creating all the time, but find a way to connect to the community of female photographers around you (in person or online). You’ll find inspiration through the community and it’ll help create some accountability for you.

Do you have any advice for other women who are aspiring to work in your field?

My advice is to not only dive head first into creating all the time, but find a way to connect to the community of female photographers around you (in person or online). You’ll find inspiration through the community and it’ll help create some accountability for you.

What type of music do you like to listen to?

I’m really into female vocalists – softer, quieter songs mostly.

What’s your favorite local food spot?

I love my neighborhood Thai restaurant, Marnee Thai. Fun fact: my husband and I actually met at the restaurant for the first time, unplanned and not on a date. A year later, we ended up moving to the neighborhood so we can go as often as we want.

Jinhwa Jang asks: How do you overcome creative block?

Go to a museum and look at non-social media art and photography. During COVID times, look at work from different artists online. Again, not on social media

Sofie Lee asks: Do you think AI would replace us in the future?

The only jobs that are safe from being replaced by AI are creative roles. You can teach machines how to do just about anything, but creativity is solely a human ability.

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

What do you wish you had learned earlier in your photography journey?

Photos courtesy of Pei Ketron