Experience, connections, and great timing
- PhotoED Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
An interview with NIKON Ambassador Lu Chau
As the founder of Photagonist.ca, a visual media agency, Lu Chau has produced visual content for a broad range of celebrities, brands, and festivals. His impressive client list includes Giorgio Armani, Google, the Sundance Film Festival, and personalities including former prime minister Justin Trudeau, astronaut Chris Hadfield, Martha Stewart, Jim Carrey, Natalie Portman, and Keira Knightley.
Lu’s career has spanned over 20 years as a photographer, filmmaker, director, mentor, and Nikon Ambassador. We spoke to Lu about his work and his adventures.
photoED: Your client list over the years is impressive and extensive, and your work involves collaborating with a lot of different people. Does anything still make you nervous? How do you prepare for working with high-profile people or clients?
Lu Chau:
Yes, some assignments and projects still keep me on my toes — especially the ones that involve both photo and video or require more resources, since they mean juggling different skills and coordinating closely with my team. Thankfully, I’ve had plenty of hands-on experience that’s helped me fine-tune my workflow. With high-pressure clients, I lean on the system I’ve built over years — which includes referencing past work, having upfront conversations with my clients and my team members about the workload, and flagging any potential challenges early. I’m also always working on staying mentally flexible as the work world keeps shifting.
photoED: What do you love most about sharing stories through photography?
Lu Chau:
Photography is a means of communication for me. Images convey the textures and emotions that lie between lines of text. From the inception of an idea, to the creation in the field, to sharing it with the world — you grow, you change, you are impacted by the place, the creatures, and the humans you meet along the way. Through creation I experience my own story. I am shaped by it and, frankly, I love the human that I’ve become because of it.
photoED: What do you love most about sharing stories through photography?
Lu Chau:
I just really enjoy sharing experiences through visuals. Photography lets me meet all kinds of interesting people, connect with different environments, and explore places or parts of life I might not have had access to otherwise.
photoED: Whose work has influenced yours? Whom do you follow? How do you keep learning?
Lu Chau:
Joe McNally — a fellow Nikon Ambassador — has always been a meaningful source of inspiration for me. His mentoring style and his willingness to share his creative process and stories really resonates with me. Learning is a continuous organic experience — shaped by visuals, sounds, conversations, and the willingness to experiment. I make it a point to attend seminars and workshops to broaden my perspective, and I often find inspiration in visiting galleries, museums, and photo exhibits with friends.
photoED: What makes a good photograph?
Lu Chau:
A good photograph captures a moment — or even an entire experience. The photograph doesn’t need to be technically perfect all the time, but it should have intention, emotion, or a strong sense of timing.
photoED: How has working in photography influenced you personally?
Lu Chau:
Photography has given me the chance to connect with people from all over the world and appreciate how uniquely everyone moves through life. It’s also been a privilege to collaborate with peers, clients, and so many different personalities along the way.
photoED: What has been your favourite or most personally impactful project or client?
Lu Chau:
Working with the YMCA of Greater Toronto, I’ve seen first-hand how they support diverse communities and individuals — and how those connections help people grow, thrive, and build stronger futures.
photoED: Tell us about your hardest or most challenging day as a photographer. What keeps you going on a hard day?
Lu Chau:
Film festivals are incredibly demanding — you’re managing long hours that run from shooting to editing, often over several days and at multiple locations. You’re on your feet for hours, staying sharp while juggling team coordination and your own creative responsibilities. It’s both physically and mentally exhausting, but what keeps me going is knowing I’m capturing meaningful moments for my clients. The energy, the connections, and the final result always make it worth it.
What drives me is pure determination and a clear understanding of my limits — and how much I can push them, year after year.
photoED: Where do you hope photography will take you in the future? Do you have a dream project or client?
Lu Chau:
I hope photography continues to open doors to meaningful experiences — allowing me to work on projects that resonate, shift perspectives, and create lasting impact. Whether it's capturing international events, crafting interesting portraits, or collaborating on stories that matter, I want every frame to have purpose. A dream client is one who values authenticity, trusts the creative process, and sees visual storytelling as a core part of their message.
photoED: What advice do you have for photographers just getting started?
Lu Chau:
Start with an affordable camera — buying second-hand or an older model is a great option if you're on a limited budget.
Make shooting a regular habit — consistency leads to growth.
Take time to read the camera’s manual and truly understand your camera. Review your work often and keep refining your craft.
GEAR UP
What camera and equipment do you most use now? What’s your favourite lens? Tell us about your experience using NIKON products.
Lu Chau:
I primarily work with the Nikon Z9, Z8, and Z6III — they’re my go-to bodies for all my assignments. My all-time favourite lens is the Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S lens; I don’t own it, but when I get to use it from time to time, it produces incredible images. I got my professional start shooting events with the Nikon D80, and over the years, as I’ve evolved into a hybrid shooter, Nikon has remained a constant and foundational part of my career.
Nikkor lenses are unmatched for sharpness and reliability, and Nikon’s legacy of innovation — from early autofocus systems to full-frame sensors and rugged, weather-sealed bodies — continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in visual storytelling.
To see more of Lu Chau's work, check out his website, photagonist.ca.
Follow on Instagram: @photagonist
