APRIL 22, 2022
ARISA YOON: photographer, yoga instructor, environmentalist
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Arisa Yoon is on a mission to make the world a cleaner, greener, and brighter place. As a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, with a B.S. in Environmental Science, Arisa incorporates an environmental and sustainable ethos in her work, ranging from photography to yoga, blending seamlessly with her creative aesthetic. She runs her own photography business based out of Wilmington, NC, where she resides. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at E-Motion Studio in Wilmington, and is currently working on completing her 300-hour yoga teacher training.
Arisa’s passion for the environment, her artistry, and her mindfulness clearly shines in her work, as she helps to make our world a healthier and better place while simultaneously inspiring others to do the same. Read on to learn more about Arisa’s background, her work’s mission and her perspective from behind the lens, as well as a wise and poignant piece of advice she once received from a friend.
Scroll down for the full interview, and for more information about Arisa’s photography and her environmental work, please visit her website www.arisayoon.com or find her on Instagram @arisa_yoon
Enjoy!
Arisa’s passion for the environment, her artistry, and her mindfulness clearly shines in her work, as she helps to make our world a healthier and better place while simultaneously inspiring others to do the same. Read on to learn more about Arisa’s background, her work’s mission and her perspective from behind the lens, as well as a wise and poignant piece of advice she once received from a friend.
Scroll down for the full interview, and for more information about Arisa’s photography and her environmental work, please visit her website www.arisayoon.com or find her on Instagram @arisa_yoon
Enjoy!
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QUESTION 1:
Mary Catherine (MC): “Why did you decide to pursue photography as a profession?”
Arisa: “My introduction to photography began in high school when I began studying film photography. From there, I always had a camera by my side. I was always fascinated at the power photo and film could have when influencing change, so in my free time I would create small documentaries or work on little projects here about storytelling. But it wasn't until after I graduated university in 2018 that I decided to pursue photography as an actual profession. I had just finished teaching marine science in the Bahamas and decided to move back to Wilmington. I knew I didn't necessarily want to work in an office right out of the gate, so I decided to pursue wedding and portrait photography. From there, I quickly realized I craved more depth within my projects, and I had always had an eye for marketing and branding, thus the birth of my production company that works with mission-based brands. When I first started out, I realized how wasteful the industry was and how much I wanted to control the type of companies I worked with because I didn't want to contribute creatively to brands that send loads of plastic in their packages and so on.”
MC: “I love your story and I think that your work is important and so timely. I especially like the artistic aesthetic of your photography, which incorporates earthy pastel tones with an eye for detail that exudes respect and appreciation for the environment and its subjects, and also raises awareness about sustainable, ethical brands and shopping practices."
Mary Catherine (MC): “Why did you decide to pursue photography as a profession?”
Arisa: “My introduction to photography began in high school when I began studying film photography. From there, I always had a camera by my side. I was always fascinated at the power photo and film could have when influencing change, so in my free time I would create small documentaries or work on little projects here about storytelling. But it wasn't until after I graduated university in 2018 that I decided to pursue photography as an actual profession. I had just finished teaching marine science in the Bahamas and decided to move back to Wilmington. I knew I didn't necessarily want to work in an office right out of the gate, so I decided to pursue wedding and portrait photography. From there, I quickly realized I craved more depth within my projects, and I had always had an eye for marketing and branding, thus the birth of my production company that works with mission-based brands. When I first started out, I realized how wasteful the industry was and how much I wanted to control the type of companies I worked with because I didn't want to contribute creatively to brands that send loads of plastic in their packages and so on.”
MC: “I love your story and I think that your work is important and so timely. I especially like the artistic aesthetic of your photography, which incorporates earthy pastel tones with an eye for detail that exudes respect and appreciation for the environment and its subjects, and also raises awareness about sustainable, ethical brands and shopping practices."
"When I first started out,
I realized how wasteful the industry was...
I didn't want to contribute creatively to brands
that send loads of plastic in their packages...”
I realized how wasteful the industry was...
I didn't want to contribute creatively to brands
that send loads of plastic in their packages...”
QUESTION 2:
MC: “Where did you teach Marine Science in the Bahamas?”
Arisa: “I taught marine science in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean while I was a junior in college with a company called Broadreach, and then I taught marine science in the Bahamas the summer after I graduated from university. “
MC: “Where did you teach Marine Science in the Bahamas?”
Arisa: “I taught marine science in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean while I was a junior in college with a company called Broadreach, and then I taught marine science in the Bahamas the summer after I graduated from university. “
QUESTION 3:
MC: “What brought you to Wilmington and what year did you move here?”
Arisa: “The marine biology program at UNCW [brought me to Wilmington]. Most of my education I would say is in marine biology. It wasn't until my senior year that I switched to Environmental Science. I started my program in the fall of 2014.”
MC: “What brought you to Wilmington and what year did you move here?”
Arisa: “The marine biology program at UNCW [brought me to Wilmington]. Most of my education I would say is in marine biology. It wasn't until my senior year that I switched to Environmental Science. I started my program in the fall of 2014.”
QUESTION 4:
MC: “How did your interest in environmental issues develop?”
Arisa: “When I was 15, I somehow convinced my mother to let me take scuba diving lessons (mind you, we lived in Charlotte, NC) and seldom made trips to the beach. But I saw this ad in the newspaper and thought, "That sounds neat." From there, I was hooked. I took my first underwater breath in a backyard pool with Jimmy Buffet blaring in the background - I can remember it like it was yesterday, ha! But as soon as I went underneath the surface, I felt this sense of peace I had never experienced. From there on out, I craved that feeling. I was so obsessed with scuba diving and the underwater world that I began reading about marine science and watching countless documentaries about our planet. It was that experience that then led me to pursue a degree in marine and environmental science at college. I knew it was going to be my life's mission to raise awareness about our global climate problems + help push us in a greener direction.”
MC: “It’s so cool that you took scuba diving lessons, which in turn propelled you to study marine/environmental science, and that you got to teach in the Bahamas. That sounds like a dream!”
MC: “How did your interest in environmental issues develop?”
Arisa: “When I was 15, I somehow convinced my mother to let me take scuba diving lessons (mind you, we lived in Charlotte, NC) and seldom made trips to the beach. But I saw this ad in the newspaper and thought, "That sounds neat." From there, I was hooked. I took my first underwater breath in a backyard pool with Jimmy Buffet blaring in the background - I can remember it like it was yesterday, ha! But as soon as I went underneath the surface, I felt this sense of peace I had never experienced. From there on out, I craved that feeling. I was so obsessed with scuba diving and the underwater world that I began reading about marine science and watching countless documentaries about our planet. It was that experience that then led me to pursue a degree in marine and environmental science at college. I knew it was going to be my life's mission to raise awareness about our global climate problems + help push us in a greener direction.”
MC: “It’s so cool that you took scuba diving lessons, which in turn propelled you to study marine/environmental science, and that you got to teach in the Bahamas. That sounds like a dream!”
"I knew it was going to be my life's
mission to raise awareness about our
global climate problems + help push us
in a greener direction.”
mission to raise awareness about our
global climate problems + help push us
in a greener direction.”
QUESTION 5:
MC: “How does your concern for the environment motivate your photography?”
Arisa: “When working with clients, I really enjoy seeking out those who have deep core values in sustainability and the outdoors. I also try very hard to [have a] very low-waste production - ensuring that we are utilizing very little waste as possible.”
MC: “How does your concern for the environment motivate your photography?”
Arisa: “When working with clients, I really enjoy seeking out those who have deep core values in sustainability and the outdoors. I also try very hard to [have a] very low-waste production - ensuring that we are utilizing very little waste as possible.”
QUESTION 6:
MC: “What is one or two of your favorite ways to incorporate environmental sustainability into your everyday life?”
Arisa: “My favorite easy ways to incorporate sustainability into my everyday life is to bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug wherever I go. I also really enjoy supporting our local farmers by shopping locally and sustainably.”
MC: “What is one or two of your favorite ways to incorporate environmental sustainability into your everyday life?”
Arisa: “My favorite easy ways to incorporate sustainability into my everyday life is to bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug wherever I go. I also really enjoy supporting our local farmers by shopping locally and sustainably.”
QUESTION 7:
MC: “Are you currently teaching yoga anywhere or have plans to teach anywhere soon? And what certification did you receive (and from where)?
Arisa: “I am not currently teaching as I’m pursuing my 300-hour but I have my RYT 200 from E•Motion where I will hopefully be teaching there again sometime this summer!”
MC: “Are you currently teaching yoga anywhere or have plans to teach anywhere soon? And what certification did you receive (and from where)?
Arisa: “I am not currently teaching as I’m pursuing my 300-hour but I have my RYT 200 from E•Motion where I will hopefully be teaching there again sometime this summer!”
QUESTION 8:
MC: “Does your yoga practice influence your photographic and/or environmental pursuits (or vice versa)? And if so, how?”
Arisa: “I think there is a lot of parallelism within yoga, sustainability, and photography. All require balance, whether that's physically on the yoga mat, consuming mindfully within your everyday lifestyle, or artistic design through the camera lens. Yoga provides me with the physical and mental clarity I need in order to show up for myself, the planet, and others.”
MC: “You explain the connection between yoga, photography, and sustainability beautifully, and it totally makes sense.”
MC: “Does your yoga practice influence your photographic and/or environmental pursuits (or vice versa)? And if so, how?”
Arisa: “I think there is a lot of parallelism within yoga, sustainability, and photography. All require balance, whether that's physically on the yoga mat, consuming mindfully within your everyday lifestyle, or artistic design through the camera lens. Yoga provides me with the physical and mental clarity I need in order to show up for myself, the planet, and others.”
MC: “You explain the connection between yoga, photography, and sustainability beautifully, and it totally makes sense.”
"Yoga provides me with
the physical and mental clarity I need
in order to show up
for myself, the planet, and others.”
the physical and mental clarity I need
in order to show up
for myself, the planet, and others.”
QUESTION 9:
MC: “What’s one of the best pieces of advice shared with you?”
Arisa: “A friend once told me that success is having more of what you can never get back than what you can make again.”
MC: “Thank you for sharing that piece of advice - that’s beautiful and so true!”
MC: “What’s one of the best pieces of advice shared with you?”
Arisa: “A friend once told me that success is having more of what you can never get back than what you can make again.”
MC: “Thank you for sharing that piece of advice - that’s beautiful and so true!”
THANKS SO MUCH ARISA, AND THANK YOU TO THE READERS!
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