Sebastian Kim: Photographer, DJ and all-around rad guy!

One of our favorite and most talented photographers around, Sebastian Kim, takes a second out of his busy schedule to give us some highlights on what he’s been working on and shares a list of his favorite tunes at the moment!

Born in Vietnam, Sebastian found his way to Brooklyn, New York via Tehran, Paris and California. Aside from his undeniable visual talent, he is also gifted with an ear for music along with some killer dance moves, and an appreciation for food embraced by his partnership with the New York Vietnamese restaurant, An Choi. On top of all that, Sebastian is probably one of the nicest and happiest guys you’ll ever meet making this all-around rad guy super easy to love!



Before Sebastian began making a name for himself, he assisted renowned and iconic American photographers, Richard Avedon and Steven Meisel. His recent editorial client list includes Numero, Numero Tokyo, German Vogue, Muse, Vogue Homme International and Teen Vogue. Many of his portraits appear in Vogue and Interview and he shares his enthusiasm for his work in those publications:

Portraits for Vogue tend to be more fun and upbeat. In contrast, shooting portrait for Interview tends to be more serious and more classic as it tends to more black and white. I recently shot Julie Taymor and Olivier Theyskens, which I was pretty excited about. I actually enjoy the portrait commissions from Interview as it's usually artists, musicians, designers and actors whose work I appreciate and relate to.

Also Sebastian joins a class of famous photographers in The New Yorker magazine with a recent commission featuring Bruno Mars who was up for seven Grammys this year and secured Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.



Beyond his impressive list of editorial work, Sebastian’s advertising clients also span global mass appeal with names such as Calvin Klein and H&M. Having shot a swimsuit ad and jeans accessories line for Calvin Klein, he is also responsible for their campaign last season. For H&M, be on the lookout for an upcoming ad featuring young celebrities and musicians!

Given Sebastian’s extensive list of current projects, we were thrilled to even get in this little exchange with him. He mentions that “between shooting magazines and commercial work, it hardly leaves time for any personal projects but [he is] actually happy shuffling between the two.” It’s hard to believe he doesn’t make time for personal projects because on any given day, you might get a glimpse of him scooting around downtown NYC on his way to a DJ gig with a party-in-a-box of fun party favors (laser light gloves, sunglasses, etc.) and records probably including one or a few of his current favorite tracks below:

1. Only Music Survives - Alba

*Awesome '84 Italo track that has heart pounding beats, heavenly melodies, and a voice to die for.

2. Shooting Stars (Kris Menace remix) - Bag Raiders

*Kris Menace's version is just epic.

3. You Got My Soul - Domina

*Another pounding Italo track.

4. Without Lies - Aeroplane

*Great Pop track with Sky Ferreira on vocals. I think she's the next big one.

5. Roshi - Wolfram

*Wolfram is this under rated producer out of Austria. This is one amazing track of his. His album comes out next month.

6. Souvenir (Moby Remix)- OMD

*It's an old remix and the original is just perfect enough and my favorite OMD track, somehow, Moby made it a bit more magical.

7. Sad Song - Au Revoir Simone

*My all time favorite Au Revoir Simone sad happy track.

8. Anorak Christmas - Sally Shapiro

*I think this track was on repeat like 100 times when I first heard it.

9. Get Closer - Valery Dore

*I just can't get enough of slow beat Italo.

10. Cucurrucucu Paloma- Caetano Veloso

*Must be the most beautiful Spanish song.