koi: into the pond

koi fish have intrigued and inspired for centuries. they are rich with symbolic significance, especially in japanese and chinese culture and history. in chinese culture, the koi represents fame, prosperity, harmony, and vitality — but overall, it’s a symbol of abundance. in some traditional chinese folklore, the koi even has the mythical potential to transform into a dragon. 🐉

in this shoot, the vision was to incorporate koi fish both drawn on my back and in the mirror i was gazing into. the reflective, mulan-esque photos encapsulate the characteristics of the koi.

shot for: @kiemcollective
creative director/photographer: @nitakiem
makeup artists: @neathkim and @lsahng
model: @maiqiqin