HI! THANK YOU FOR SAYING YES TO BE A PART OF OUR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY FEATURE! COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF?
I'm Annice Lyn, I'm currently working as a photojournalist who visually documents stories that resonate with topics of critical importance, represented by an international agency - Getty Images as a Malaysian gaze. Recently, my work includes photographing the cover for TIME Magazine’s April 2021 Issue and was named for Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 22 for my advocacy in bridging the gender gap in visual culture.
Aside from my professional practice, I'm the eldest of 3 siblings, I love being a sister, decorating my sister's room, painting, making others feel special on their special day and cooking.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR STRUGGLES WORKING IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY?
As a photographer/visual storyteller, I see gender equality has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. However, there are still significant shortcomings of gender inequality persisting in the realm of visual culture with the lack of diversity of women's visibility.
Over the years, women (I, myself included) have fought for equality and recognition in both publishing opportunities and pay throughout the world, but many of our shutter sisters still struggle with discrimination and cultural mores that do not allow them to advance as artists and storyteller. This happened based on personal experiences, on certain assignments we are pointed out as a distraction to or being belittled on the field, to some even taken advantage of as an apprentice. Questioning our credibility as well as capabilities.
A COMMON MISPERCEPTION ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU DO VS WHAT YOU REALLY DO!
I would say a common misperception would be me, as a photographer showing up with just a few clicks of a shutter button and charging a significant amount for the rendered photography services. But in reality it was years of trial and error experiences, the time spent in investing and mastering our crafts, gears , softwares, backups, other auxiliary supports and expenses we would need to cover as well as how we carry ourselves as photographers.
What I really do professionally is that I'm incredibly passionate about people's stories, as I believe photography holds no boundaries in anyone's social status and that imagery has a voice, with the ability to narrate the past and to construct the future that is visible and transformative. I would like to do those who shared with me their story justice, and illustrate them in an art of photography.
WHAT DOES GENDER EQUALITY LOOK LIKE TO YOU?
Gender equality is when all photographers are able to shoot alongside, walk alongside and have a seat at the table regardless of our gender. That we women are equally competent in the technicalities of photography as the men.
Overall we should hold conversations, hear each other out and learn how men can become better allies to women in support of what we do and empower fellow women by encouraging them to find strength within in order to start putting themselves forward.
A WORD OF EMPOWERMENT TO ALL THE WOMEN OUT THERE.
The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is, one of my favourite quotes from Jim Carrey. While we are collectively working on championing gender equality especially towards education and opportunity, it is also important that we keep in mind to not step into a reverse gender inequality of oppressing men (or other women in general) just to lift ourselves (women) up.
Love,
Annice
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As a former national figure skater, Annice's transition into documentary sports photography led her to become the first Malaysian female photographer to be accredited for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, Pyeongchang 2018. & has recently covered the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics amidst the global pandemic. Aside from that I'm a creative director for Anntopia Studio and is currently a Canon Malaysia EOS Youth Ambassador. She was also named as a laureate for the Southeast Asia Women of the Future Award 2020 and a co-founder of Women Photographers Malaysia which aims to develop an inclusive culture through visual storytelling.
