Meet Houa Vang from Houa Vang Photography
Where did you draw your inspiration from for this personal project?
This series is dedicated to the Hmong community it is called the “Hmong Beauty Project”. Over the past few years it seems like its people have forgotten how beautiful their culture can be and more people refuse to wear its traditional gowns to the Hmong New Year (a gathering to celebrate the upcoming new year usually happens around Thanksgiving). In this series I wanted people to look at the dresses in a different way, and photograph the dresses in their natural and unnatural environment. I want to share the beauty of my culture and encourage others to learn more about their roots regardless of where you come from, it is important to know your roots.
Would you say that your personal project changed you as a photographer? If so, how?
Yes this project has changed me, it is quite embarrassing but I myself do not know much of the Hmong culture that is because my people do not have a system of writing or documenting their history so all was lost in time. We are scattered out all through Asia a long time ago, but with this project, I get to interact with my models and learn about them and the different things they do. There are many types of Hmong people, just to name a few, Hmong Chinese, Black, Green, Long Horn, Stripes etc.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given in your career or that you would like to give to others?
Just believe in yourself, if you strongly love what you do, it will come through for you.
Houa Vang
Houa Vang Photography
Visit Houa Vang on her website or Facebook