With an aunt and uncle really into bird photography, Cassidy Chen first picked up a camera on a family vacation at around age 12, but it wasn’t until grade 9 that she fell in love with photography—thanks to a teacher (Mr. Sharma, a former concert photographer himself) who saw something in her. “Once I realized I could make that into a career, that was cool,” she says.
Inspired by the Barbie dolls she loved as a kid, Chen started doing fashion photography during COVID, adapting to social distancing by using long lenses at outdoor shoots. She built up a portfolio that would eventually take her to all the major European fashion weeks, including Paris, Milan and London. She’s since shot with major brands including Lululemon and Duer, and her work has appeared in international publications including Harper’s Bazaar China and Elle Japan. Working with London-based designer Feng Chen Wang was an early career highlight: “The team really trusted my vision.”
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Chen admits she is sometimes underestimated because of her age, but says that can actually be a superpower. “You can feel vulnerable, but being young is an asset because it makes people feel more comfortable so they can relate to you.”
Quadrupling her clientele and income in the past year and just named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Chen is on a meteoric rise. She’s planning extended stints working in Europe, with plenty of travel to connect with new brands. Her five-year plan is opening a studio under her name with a roster of artists so she take on both more clients and meaningful projects.
On the best way to market yourself and get new clients
“Just put yourself out there, the answer is always no until you try.”
See the full list of our 2026 30 Under 30 winners here.
