Please introduce and tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! My name is Mandy Lei. I’ve grown up in many corners of the world—from living in Shanghai, China until I was eleven, to moving around the mainland U.S., and now residing on the island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. This nomadic lifestyle has shaped my core values and outlook on life. After spending my Gap Year backpacking through Europe and traveling across Australia, I decided to pursue a college degree at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, which brought me to O‘ahu. Outside of shooting film photography, I spend most of my free time outdoors. Whether I’m freediving, climbing, hiking, or surfing, I find peace of mind when I’m immersed in nature.
You started out shooting film on your grandpa’s Canon A‑1 and spent a lot of time in the darkroom—how did those early days shape how you see and shoot things?
The process of shooting, developing, printing, and scanning my own film has been incredibly rewarding—it gave me a deep appreciation for the chemical magic behind film photography. Working with film taught me to be much more intentional with each shot. With only 36 frames per roll, every click of the shutter carries more weight, and I’ve learned to value the quality and meaning of each image.
Spending time in the darkroom also opened up a level of creative control that digital tools like Adobe Lightroom simply can’t replicate. There’s something really special about physically manipulating light and contrast by hand. That hands-on experience has sharpened the way I see light and shadow, both when I’m shooting and when I’m editing. I truly believe every film photographer should explore the darkroom at least once. It’s a completely different creative experience that brings you even closer to your work.
What kind of topics/subjects did you start out photographing?
When I first started shooting creatively, I was drawn to landscapes—mostly because of my active lifestyle and deep love for the outdoors. Nature was always right in front of me, so capturing it felt like a natural starting point. Over time, especially in 2023, my work began to shift toward portrait photography and the incorporation of people into my images. I’ve found that working with human subjects gives me more creative control over composition, lighting, and the use of props. Unlike landscapes, where you adapt to the environment, portraits allow for more intention and direction, which has really expanded the way I express ideas through photography.
What are your favorite topics to photograph now?
Since the fall of 2024, I’ve shifted from mainly shooting portrait sessions to doing more product shoots with brands. This transition has allowed me to not only work with people as models but also think more intentionally about product placement and styling. It’s opened up a new world of fashion and photography for me. Directing larger productions with companies and models has been super fun and refreshing. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of international brands, primarily in swimwear, activewear, and jewelry. I’ve also been collaborating with some of my favorite dive and surf companies, which has been especially meaningful, tying together my love for the water and photography
What are a couple things about photography that kept you coming back to it?
I really view photography as a creative outlet. I’m a firm believer that when life gets boring and congested with all of society’s standards and responsibilities, creativity is a vessel to free the mind from stress. As humans, we’re born to be curious about the world and to create. I think the conventional lifestyle often stunts our ability to stay creative and curious. Our brains have become dull from the day-to-day 9-to-5 routine. Photography has helped me reignite my sense of wonder. So it’s really not an exaggeration when I say that the creative flow of photography has kept my mind alive.
On your website you describe your work as a kind of visual diary—that’s a cool way to put it. Is there a recent photo or shoot that really felt like a page from that diary?
Thank you! I try to use photography not just as a way to capture memories for my clients, but also as a way to document my own creative growth. Every time I look back at a shoot, I can clearly remember all the preparation, energy, and intention that went into it. So in that sense, it really does feel like a visual diary—both professionally and personally. One shoot that definitely felt like a memorable page in that diary was a set I posted on May 5th on my Instagram. I was using the underwater Nikonos film camera, and we had the chance to take out a sailboat and capture some diving shots of the girls. I especially loved the storytelling aspect—it really captured the feeling of sailing and playing in the ocean on a stormy afternoon. That day felt like such a blend of adventure, creativity, and emotion.
Where do you find inspiration, and what are some things that influence your work?
A lot of my inspiration comes from my background in traveling and spending time in nature. Being exposed to different cultures around the world has definitely taught me to stay open-minded when it comes to styling and framing my shoots. And since I spend most of my time outdoors, I naturally incorporate a lot of organic elements into my work—whether it’s flowers, rocks, leaves, or anything else I find in the environment around me. One of my biggest inspirations is the photographer Cece Alana, who I believe is based on Maui and works in film. I really admire how she’s not afraid to use vibrant colors in her work. A lot of film photography tends to lean toward muted tones—which is beautiful in its own way—but I’m drawn to the boldness and emotion in her use of color. Lately, I’ve been challenging myself to embrace that as well—and not be afraid to use the saturation setting when I’m editing. Haha.
How does living in Hawaii shape your photography style or does it?
Living in Hawai‘i has definitely had a huge influence on my photography style. Most of my work incorporates core elements of the islands—whether it’s the beach, the ocean, or the jungle. Even though I live in Honolulu, I’m not much of a city person, and I rarely shoot indoors or in urban settings. Hawai‘i really allows me to lean into the natural side of my photography. The ocean and mountains are constant sources of inspiration, and I truly feel like the magic of these islands brings a kind of magic to my shoots as well.
What's the best thing about being a photographer based in Hawaii?
The best thing about being a photographer in Hawai‘i is definitely the creative community. Because of the nature and location of the islands, you tend to meet a lot of adventurous, go-getter types—at least that’s been the case for me. Everyone is really open to meeting new people and exchanging ideas, which creates so many opportunities for collaboration. That sense of community has been one of the biggest factors in both my personal and creative growth. Whether it's photographers, models, videographers, or stylists, I’ve had so much fun connecting with people and hearing their stories. And since people are always coming and going, it almost feels like I’m still traveling the world, even when I’m staying in one place.
In closing, what are your favourite film camera and film stock?
Haha I’m sure you’ve heard this one before but I’m definitely a loyal fan of the Portra 400. It just captures skin tones so well. I rarely shoot underwater film anymore but when I do, I’ll usually pick up the Tri-X 400TX. My current favorite film camera is the Nikon FE. It’s classic and simple but it really just gets the job done.
