Reflection Of Who I am

FASHIONONLINEOTP COURTESY OF FLMAG

Jun 12

Written By FOREIGN LOOK MAGAZINE

STYLE EDIT

PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION BY: Lee Deokjun @deokjun.lee, @boldmovecreative

MODEL: Sara Won @sarah._.won

WARDROBE STYLING & FASHION DESIGNER: Audrey @feat.audrey_moore

Deokjun lee

Creative Director & Photographer

My name is Deokjun Lee, and I am from South Korea. My journey into the creative industry began with a passion for visual storytelling that led me from Indiana to the bustling streets of New York City. Originally traveling to the United States to pursue film studies, I immersed myself in the world of cinematography at Taylor University in Indiana, where I developed my skills as a director and producer. During my college years, I created short films, music videos, and documentaries, discovering that my true calling lay in the art of crafting compelling narratives through visual media.

What captivated me most during this formative period was documentary filmmaking. There’s something profound about capturing authentic, unguarded moments and weaving them into a cohesive story that resonates with audiences. This experience taught me the fundamentals of emotional storytelling and the technical precision required to translate raw human experiences into powerful visual narratives. These skills would later become the foundation of everything I do professionally. In my senior year, I discovered photography and decided to take a bold leap by booking a flight to New York Fashion Week. This spontaneous decision marked a pivotal moment in my career trajectory. New York proved to be exactly what I had hoped – a melting pot of ambitious creatives and dreamers, all converging in what I consider the epicenter of the arts industry.

The energy and creative possibilities of the city were immediately apparent, and I knew this was where I needed to be to grow as an artist and professional. After graduating from Taylor University, I made the decisive move to New York City to pursue fashion photography while continuing commercial videography work. Armed with just three months’ rent and an unwavering determination to succeed, I began building my career in one of the world’s most competitive creative markets. The transition wasn’t without its challenges – the financial reality of working in commercial photography and videography quickly became apparent. Despite my passion and growing skills, I found myself barely able to cover basic living expenses, let alone thrive in the expensive New York market.

This financial pressure became a catalyst for innovation and adaptation. Rather than abandon my creative pursuits, I began exploring the emerging world of brand content creation. I discovered that my unique combination of cinematographic storytelling skills and fashion photography aesthetics positioned me perfectly for the growing demand for authentic, engaging brand content. I learned to create organic viral content for iOS platforms, understanding how to blend artistic vision with strategic marketing objectives.

This pivot proved transformative. By combining my film background’s emphasis on emotional connection and narrative structure with the aesthetic sensibility and trend awareness I’d developed through fashion photography, I found my niche in the content creation space. The skills I’d cultivated as a cinematographer – understanding pacing, visual composition, and audience engagement – translated seamlessly into creating compelling brand stories. Meanwhile, my fashion photography experience had sharpened my eye for aesthetics and given me an intuitive understanding of emerging visual trends. Today, I am the founder and creative director of Bold Move Creative LLC, my own content agency that serves brands looking to create authentic, impactful content. My role encompasses strategic creative direction, hands-on content production, and building long-term brand narratives that resonate with target audiences. The agency represents the culmination of my diverse creative background – we don’t just create content, we craft stories that forge genuine connections between brands and their communities.

Our success speaks for itself through our work with notable clients, including Bulldog, the popular spicy ramen brand, fashion brand Sundae School, and Mesh Grip. Through strategic content creation for these partners, we’ve generated millions of views across social media platforms, demonstrating our deep understanding of social media algorithms, audience engagement, and viral content mechanics. These collaborations showcase our ability to translate brand values into compelling visual narratives that not only capture attention but drive meaningful engagement and business results.

What sets my approach apart is the integration of traditional filmmaking principles with contemporary digital marketing strategies. Every piece of content we create is grounded in solid storytelling fundamentals while being optimized for current platform algorithms and audience behaviors. My background allows me to see beyond surface-level engagement metrics to focus on creating content that builds lasting emotional connections.

The journey from film student in Indiana to agency founder in New York has been anything but linear, but each step has contributed essential skills to my current success. The documentary work taught me to find authentic stories in unexpected places. Fashion photography developed my aesthetic sensibility and trend awareness. Commercial videography provided technical expertise and client management skills. Together with strategic marketing knowledge, these experiences have compounded to create a unique professional toolkit.

I’m grateful for every challenge and pivot along the way. They’ve all contributed to building not just a career, but a creative practice that allows me to help brands tell their stories in ways that truly matter to their audiences.