Personal Best vol.23 | Joie Koo

Gears:

• FUJIFILM GFX 50S
• FUJIFILM X-T3
• FUJIFILM X-T2
• FUJIFILM X-T1
• GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR
• XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR
• XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
• XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS
• XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

Portrait speaks

I founded Allspire Photography, derived from the idea of “Inspire and get inspire by all”, in 2009 because I wanted to create more creative and meaningful pictures.
I sailed with BACKSTAGE PROFESSIONAL, a leading beauty magazine specialized in personal grooming, working with numerous internationally influential artists, including Amber Chia, the first Asian model featured for GUESS, in creating stunning and ideas provocative cover shots. That was one of the unforgettable moments because I chose FUJIFILM X Series over DSLR full frame system and presented the assignment with my X-T1 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4. It became one of my proudest decisions because I not only got what I wanted but also the confident in Fujifilm.

Since then I totally rely on FUJIFILM system for all my magazine cover shoots and professional works, producing many cover images for Backstage Professional magazine and other fashion magazines in Malaysia.

Arts, the Fuel that Got Me Further

I was trained as a contemporary dancer when I was in my late teen age. I was still the boy fascinated by the clean and intriguing movements by Mikhail Baryshnikov and I didn’t expect myself to be introduced to Ballet, until my mentor put me on barre work and trained me the Ballet positions. Over the years of practice and performance, I gained the insight of body language and expression, that I could instill into my photographs. My company was appointed by George Town Festival (one of the major art festivals in ASEAN) as the preferred media partner for 4 consecutive years to lead a team of photographers to capture the mesmerizing performances by international acclaimed dance companies. My blood rushes in my body every time I pick up the camera trying to breath to the dancers’ rhythm. From rapid changing movements to slow and steadily expanding moments, I have seized the powerful and breathtaking energies by Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi, Shaun Parker, Riki Von Valken, Yuko Kawamoto, and Aida Redza, and brought to BEIJING DANCE FESTIVAL as the sole official photographer for the opening.

Bringing Photography and Arts to Another Level

Photography is a continuously growing, expanding and sometimes an essence fermenting process. The power that still shots hold can go very far and very long. I have, yet again, decided to evolve from where I have achieved initiating a new world of dance photography where dance and photography, together with other elements, become the equally visible and important part of a picture. I initiated The Performers Project. I assemble talents from different dance genres to produce a cause and providing guidance to motivate dance artistes in embracing their passion to express themselves via arts and photography. I present not only still shot but also motion pictures and bring forward the existence of photography supporting the awareness and attention on respecting and promoting fair treatment on dance and photography as a profession.

Moments are split seconds that will not repeat themselves. I dedicate myself to living and believing the cause of spreading positive vibes via captivating visuals with my Fujifilm gears.