Cup 41
Name: Winnie Jeng
Age: 23
Location at the time: Brooklyn, NY
Hometown: Novi, MI
Drink: Water
It's coincidence that Cup 41 also knows Cup 40; they both attended the University of Michigan. Winnie thinks she was a sophomore when she met Gina for the first time at SHEI magazine, which was at the time UoM's student-run fashion/style magazine.
Though she works as a full-time photographer now, she graduated with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She started experimenting with a camera while she was in college. When not working in the lab, one would often find her doing fashion shoots for student groups.
"Working in a lab is really dull to me. I personally can't wait for an experiment for 5 years. I have no interest in writing or going to classes, and that's basically your whole life as a science major."
Studying and working enough to get by with a good grade, she along with her college degree moved out to New York in early 2011 with her high school sweetheart, who have been happily married for nearly a year now.
What is it about photography that you like so much?
"It's a form of expression that I'm comfortable with, capturing a slice in time, a moment that goes by really fast. I do commercial photography, which I'm good at and enjoy, and is as good of a reason as why."
What's your definition of a good photo?
"Something that has a purpose and achieves it. The aesthetics should make you want to buy something, for example. That's kind of a vague question."
Who or what would you really like to get a snapshot of?
"Anybody who's interesting. I don't really have a dream to capture a certain person or object. I could go out west to the national parks, but that's kind of a stereotypical photographer thing.
[In regards to HONY (Humans of New York)], I think it's a really neat idea. Sometimes I think it's more about the stories than the pictures. He's very prolific.
Chicago's a great city, too, but it's more of a business city. It has a great food scene though. Jason, my husband, is a foodie, and works in food. In terms of creativity, fashion, and photography, it's a pretty small community compared to New York."
Is being a photographer what you thought about doing in the future as a young child?
"My parents wanted me to be a doctor but I didn’t want to do all the schooling. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I figured out pretty quickly that that wasn't going to be it. Am I going to get a business degree? Probably not. I don't really like school. The whole academic field is just not for me."
If you could go to any place in the world, where would you go?
"One place I'd like to visit is Iceland. Then again, I've never visited Europe, 90% of Asia, and South America, so I have a lot of places I'd like to go."
If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be? Famous/not famous, real/fictitious, dead/alive, young/old.
"I don't know, I'm pretty happy where I am. It would be interesting to trade places with anyone, as long as it's just for a day.
Actually, I think it'd be interesting to live a day as Doctor Who. He always has adventures and comes out on top (more or less). It always seemed like a ton of fun, which I guess is the whole point of the series.”
If you could meet and have a long conversation with someone over tea/coffee, who would you choose?
“Margaret Cho. She’s a comedian who does stand-up and a lot of activism. She was on 30 Rock somewhat recently. I like that she's not afraid of to be controversial, and yet funny too."
Please describe yourself in 6 words for me.
"Creative, driven, curious, playful, thoughtful, practical."
What's your favorite book?
"I have a hard time picking favorites. Anything by Neil Gaiman - great storyteller. He takes stuff from folklore and uses it respectfully. You should read The Sandman (comic book series) if you don't have time to read a book."
Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction
Favorite TV show: "I'm binging on Fringe right now. I also like Avatar, and I watch my fair share of K-drama and T-drama."
Favorite music: "I'd like to say I have unique music tastes but I don't. Just things like Top 40 - poppy, catchy stuff."
What song would you say is the soundtrack to your life?
"I have no idea..."
Any hidden talents or weird party tricks?
“I think people are more surprised that I don't have any hidden talents or party tricks. Most people have at least one or two, but I really can't do anything interesting like that.”
If you could have any ability or talent, what would it be?
"I've totally always wanted to fly. But if we're discussing reasonable abilities, to be amazingly artistically gifted.
To be the top of the top, it's all about who you know. New York, people think that all you have to do is come here and work hard and then you rise to the top, but it doesn't usually work like that. It would be really nice to just have that handed to you."
Life lessons?
"This got me through college:
Worry about what you want to be happy, instead of living up to other people’s expectations. In order to be happy though, you have to make a minimal amount of money. I went into photography. This is a skill I have and a field that I want to be in. It’s my best niche. There’s no need to make it a big thing, or aim to be the best. It took me a good couple of years to carve out a comfortable lifestyle, and now I'm happy with where I am. Be practical, but aim for what you want."
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Check out some of her fabulous work @ http://winniejeng.viewbook.com/!
-HK