Kyaw Kyaw Winn - Myanmar
Kyaw Kyaw Winn is the only 3-time Myanmar Photographer of the Year and the hardest working pro in Burma. He is brand ambassador for Nikon and Fujifilm , executive editor of Digital Photography (Burmese Edition), recently elected president and lead instructor at the Myanmar Photographic Society . His favorite form of instruction is in-the field , and he absolutely loves leading photo tours!
“K.K.”, is one of the finest all around photographers in Asia with an astoundingly versatile skill-set borne of a great passion for his craft. Among his hundreds of awards, he’s won the International Photography Salons of Japan & South Korea three times each, as well as Smithsonian Magazine’s grand prize for photography. His images have been published widely, with exhibitions from the United States and Australia to the EU, Russia, China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand.
Also notable is KK’s positions as official photographers for UNICEF in Myanmar, and the British Embassy in Yangon. Being in such high demand — “high” enough that The Lady herself, Aung San Suu Kyi, asked him to drop by the little house on the lake to take her portrait — one wonders where he finds the time!
“My Myanmar Luminous Journey in January 2019 with KK Winn was truly a life changing experience on so many levels. The itinerary and photographic opportunities were breathtaking, fascinating, and unique. KK planned every shoot to perfection, to optimize the timing and lighting. He was a patient teacher, helping me improve my shots and use my camera more efficiently. Watching him charm people into being our models was a pure delight. Exploring the remote Chin State looking for the disappearing tattooed women was a treasure hunt and even our driver was enthusiastically a part of the fun and thrill as we found each new treasure, beautiful unique women to document with photos. KK is a passionate photographer who loves the beauty of Myanmar and wants to share it. It was a honor and so much fun to travel with him on this journey.” – Ann Moore, USA
Kyaw Kyaw Winn is one of 30 international photographers chosen to participate in 7 Days in Myanmar, a multi-media production from Paris publishing house EDM. The showcase includes a documentary film and coffee-table book of photographs all taken over the same seven day period. 7 Days in Myanmar was released to great fanfare at the 27th Southeast Asian Games, which also featured many of K.K.’s images displayed around the grand new sports stadium in the capitol of Naypyidaw.
Joining K.K. on the project were the legendary likes of Abbas (France, Magnum), Steve McCurry (USA, Magnum), Bruno Barby (France, Magnum), Michael Yamashita (USA, National Geographic) & Raghu Rai (India).
With the name-dropping out of the way, let’s get back to K.K. and what he brings to the table as concerns you, the travel photographer. First, if you are a relative novice, do not be daunted. K.K. is one the nicest, most humble and joyful people you will ever meet. His first passion is obviously making great images, but his second is teaching others how to make great images. He’s taught the most popular photography course at the Myanmar Photographic Society for many years now, and also conducts several regional weekend intensives as a Nikon representative during the year.
His favorite mode of teaching though – hands down – is the hands-on experience of the traveling photo tour, which he’s been designing and leading for many years. K.K. doesn’t just know the light and locations of his homeland, he knows them like the feel of his command dial. Be prepared to learn how to shoot INTO the light and at all times of the day. On the flipside, if you don’t want or need any help at all, and are just along for the access and beer, he’ll know that too. More importantly, he knows you, or will come to know you as a photographer, in about a frame and half. Maybe two. He’ll know almost innately how to help you become a better photographer. He’s like Yoda, this guy. Only taller.
