CHE H.S. (HERECHE)

Che: Walk Together, Talk Together, Shoot Together

Dreaming of adventure like Goku from Dragon Ball, Che drifted through foreign cities with no connections, until a camera became the one thing that never left. Photography that makes you remember, through your senses, that someone was there in that space. The pride of capturing a moment after it has passed is what drives every shot.

BIO

🇰🇷 Che H.S. (hereche)

Photographer · Commercials & Portraits · Melbourne → Seoul

ARTIST STATEMENT

Dreaming of adventure like Goku from Dragon Ball. After majoring in animation, Che realized drawing was no longer the calling. Drifting through foreign cities with no connections, the only thing that never left was a camera. In the winter of 2015, Che started a photography career in Melbourne, returned to Seoul about two years later, and has been enjoying life with photography ever since. From personal snaps to fashion brand campaigns — nearly every genre covered. With about 10 years in English-speaking countries, Che speaks fluent English.

@hereche @che._.photography @hereche

PORTFOLIO

How did you get into photography?

After spending my teenage years reading manga and doodling, I majored in animation, and then realized I wanted to become someone like Goku from Dragon Ball. The first mindset I needed was a 'spirit of adventure,' so I started living in a foreign city where I had no connections at all.

Living alone abroad at a young age was tough, but the important thing was that deep down, I realized I didn't actually want to draw anymore. Drifting without a dream, going back and forth between countries, I eventually noticed something that never left my side: a camera.

At the time, I didn't think of making photography my career, so I spent years keeping my options open. Then in the winter of 2015, I left Korea with the determination to seriously start my career as a photographer in yet another foreign city with no connections. About two years later, I returned to Korea and have been enjoying life with photography ever since.

Night portrait with city bokeh by Che — City night, time spent with a camera

You've worked with international clients — what kind of people come to you, and do you have any memorable episodes?

Since I took my first steps as a photographer in Melbourne, Australia, I've experienced shooting across nearly every genre with international clients — from personal keepsake snaps to advertising campaigns. And of course, I continue working with many international talents here in Korea through fashion brand projects.

One memorable episode: I was greeting a foreign model right at call time for a shoot, when a brown-haired, blue-eyed Russian model looked at me and said in perfectly fluent Korean, 'Haven't we met before?' I was completely caught off guard.

Two people by a brick building with a scooter, afternoon light in Seongsu — Afternoon sun, sitting on the alley steps

Woman with LA cap and orange headphones standing in a Seongsu crowd — Headphones on, standing in the Seongsu crowd

Portrait in front of INEOS Grenadier building, lit by a streak of sunset between buildings — In front of INEOS Grenadier, a streak of sunset light between the buildings

What is your personal shooting style or concept?

When it comes to snap photography, I try to take photos that make you remember — through your senses — that someone was there in that space. I tend to capture natural expressions that surface while walking and talking together. If looking at the photo later brings back even the air of that space, that's enough for me.

Portrait under railway bridge near Ttukseom by Che — Under the railway bridge near Ttukseom Station

Have you ever felt during a shoot, 'This is the moment I take photos for'?

The pride I feel after a moment has passed, knowing I captured it — that emotion is what drives my photography. When I go through the photos after a shoot, sometimes I find one frame that holds all the light and expression of that day. That's what keeps me picking up the camera.

Full-body portrait under railway bridge by Che — Under the Ttukseom railway bridge — someone was here

What are your personal favorite spots in Seoul?

Two places in Seoul come to mind from my snap photography. The night view of Cheonggyecheon, and the street from Seongsu-dong to Ttukseom Station with the train passing overhead. If I had to add one more, it would be Jamwon Hangang Park. I often go there with friends, and I've always thought about shooting with Seoul's skyline across the river as the backdrop.