Zai is a visual storyteller working at the intersection of cinematography and photography, where images are not simply captured—they are felt, remembered, and lived. Rooted in a black-and-white practice, his work strips away distraction to reveal something more enduring: truth in its most human form.

Guided by a documentary instinct and a cinematic language, Zai builds with his subjects rather than simply photographing them, creating space for honesty to surface and stories to unfold with depth and intention. The result is imagery that feels lived-in and deeply human—resonating across editorial and commercial spaces while maintaining a distinct, timeless point of view.

ZAi

Free, Unrestrained, Comfortable at ease

SONDER

As a I child I recall my younger sister and I hurdling over the back seat of my mom’s 2005 Chevy Tahoe as she sped down I-40 on a summer afternoon. Once in the rear, my sister and I would imagine that we were archeologist who were escaping from dismayed dinosaurs after trespassing onto their territory. For hours we would create fictional worlds filled with stories for every driver and passenger we laid eyes on. At one point my sister would take notes as I went on and on with my detailed discoveries. Can’t say much has changed since then, I’m still the same curious archeologist on the road.