TITLE: Everyday People in Downtown LA

This is my love letter to the everyday people in Downtown LA, where different people from different walks and worlds of life collide. Growing up in nearby Chinatown as an immigrant and queer kid, I had my own unique relationship with this ever-expanding and ever-gentrifying part of the city. I had always felt invisible and relegated to the background. My intention with this collection is to highlight and elevate the invisible - the old, the differently-abled, the mundane - and amplify their own sense of extraordinary across this urban sprawl we call home.

AUTHOR: Tommy Lei (United States)

Tommy Lei (b. 1988) is an intuitive fine art photographer who captures the beauty of life through his lens. Coming from Hong Kong to California as an immigrant, he has a special talent for finding beauty and belonging. His photographs reflect his life's journey, influenced by the moments that shaped him. Tommy's images are honest and untouched, capturing the essence of each fleeting moment. He discovers hidden gems in everyday scenes, telling stories that resonate with viewers on a deep level.

Through his work, Tommy explores themes of insecurity, isolation, and vulnerability, but always includes a glimmer of hope, evoking a sense of new beginnings. His artistry extends beyond the digital realm as he prints his images on archival Canson fine art papers, ensuring that each piece captures the emotions it conveys. Tommy's compositions are a form of meditation, capturing the fluidity of time and reminding us to appreciate the present. His photography transports us to a place of calm, harmony, and balance.

Tommy's captivating prints and original works are collected worldwide, including in Canada, France, and South Korea. A majority of his collectors are women who occupy high-power positions across non-profit organizations, media, technology, and literature — most notably, Celeste Ng, who authored Little Fires Everywhere — a riveting novel turned hit Hulu television show. His work has been featured in respected publications such as Architectural Digest, Domino, Chairish, and Saatchi Art.

A Cornell University alumnus in the social sciences and humanities, he is currently a proud member of the Pasadena Society of Artists and a photographer ambassador for Canson Infinity.