By Honorary Reporter Myrtle Iris S. Villaraza from Philippines
Photos = Shea Winter Roggio

Shea Winter Roggio is an American photographer who has shot in many countries including Romania, Guatemala, Jordan, Indonesia, Mongolia and Korea. As a professional in his field, he has worked with numerous companies and media like Warner Brothers Studios, The New York Times, ABC News, Red Cross, and Marriott Hotels and Resorts. His vivid photographs offer a fascinating glimpse into many places, cultures and experiences.

He traveled to Seoul during the pandemic and visited many places apart from Seoul such as Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Busan and Jeju Island, documenting his adventures with photos and videos to share on his social media and websites. 

Last year, 15 of his works were featured on the social media pages of National Geographic Your Shot and National Geographic Traveller UK. 

The following are excerpts from an interview with him.

How did you get into photography?
I went to school in Southern California to study cinematography, but film production requires dozens or even hundreds of people to execute a job perfectly. So I shifted more toward photography, in which I was solely responsible for the final product. 

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment as a photographer?
I've had the opportunity to photograph several U.S. presidents and celebrities like actors Bradley Cooper and Ethan Hawke. Those were incredibly memorable shoots that I'm fond of looking back at today. 

What are your favorite themes?
Cultural places are my favorite. I love the history of Korea and how proud Koreans are, and that makes visiting palaces, temples and historic landmarks such a rewarding experience. 

What is your favorite place in Korea to snap?
Busan is my favorite city in Korea. It was incredible to visit an oceanside Buddhist temple to see the sunrise, wander in a monstrous city and its beaches midday, and hike up a mountain in the evening to capture the perfect sunset. The vibe of Busan was great; it's certainly a place where you'll never get bored.

Which is your favorite photo among those you've taken in Korea?
My favorite photograph taken in Korea was of a sunset overlooking Busan taken atop Hwangnyeongsan Mountain. I just loved the vantage point, the city below, the rolling mountains and even the ocean making a small appearance way off in the distance. I printed this photo to hang in a frame at my office. 

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
Photography isn't an easy profession to make a living from but is incredibly rewarding for those who love visual art and creativity and need unique ways of expressing themselves. I graduated from university with a degree in photography. But if I could do it over again, I might consider just investing my money in equipment and my time in practice to give the field a shot without student loans to repay.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.