Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Daniel Sun @sunxjin

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

My name is Daniel, and I am an urban photographer based in Edinburgh. I am still very much learning the art of photography, only purchasing my first camera a year back, and I think my followers like this: seeing my progression of style and subjects. It really lets out my creative side and I study Medicine to fulfill my more scientific (read Asian) side.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I’m based in Edinburgh but I grew up in rural England. Growing up in a village means citylife is so fascinating to me. I shoot streets, rooftops, girls, anything pretty really, and though I may have a very typical ‘Instagram’-esque feed, I feel like the subject of Edinburgh makes it unique. Noone else is really doing it like this in Edinburgh.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

My Chinese name is ‘Sun Jin’; I threw an X in there because I wanted to be more edgy. Sun X Jin.
It’s nice knowing that people know your name, even if they don’t know they know.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

So for all my pictures I primarily use Lightroom (VSCO 02 is love, VSCO 02 is life), and for Instagram posts, I apply a bit of VSCOcam and Instagram editing, to get that signature IG look.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I like Instagrammers who do what I can’t yet do. I look up to street photographers like @tobyziff, @monaris, @joshkjack, @sixstreetunder who have such a good eye for capturing real-life in its natural but pleasing essence.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

If you don’t shoot people, try it. I was always shooting architecture and landscapes but a few months back, I got bored of it and just forcing a few friends in front of the camera has made me fall in love with photography all over again.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

THE ACCLAIM
jk, there’s not much acclaim haha
Meeting people is my favourite part. Instagram means I have a worldwide database of like-minded creatives who are normally super friendly and happy to take me around their home city.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

‘Less is more.’ In the sea of white noise that is social media, minimalism can be the loudest thing. A clean minimalist shot focusing on the product means maximum usage of the two seconds where the user scroll pasts your post.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Be honest with yourself and put out your best work only. Act like you’re being judged on the lowest-quality work you put out, and it’ll really make you more cautious about maintaining a standard of creative output.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I like the challenge. A challenge of creativity. What can I do with this product, that’s different to what everyone else would do? How do I apply my individual style, without overshadowing the product’s ethos?

Topics:

• Architecture
• Fashion
• Hair & Beauty
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland