Chenxue Xia on Capturing the Mysteries of The Land of No One

BY Maizura July 31, 2025

Chenxue Xia | MUSE Photography Awards

Chenxue Xia

Chenxue Xia is a fashion and commercial photographer from Shanghai studying at SCAD. Inspired by the studio’s energy and teamwork, she captures fleeting moments that freeze emotion and texture in time.

Thank you! I'm a fashion and commercial photographer from Shanghai, currently studying photography at SCAD. I was drawn to photography because of the energy and creativity in the studio—working with stylists, models, designers, and the rhythm of the flash going off—it all felt magical to me.

I was really nervous during my first shoot, afraid I wouldn’t get it right. But over time, I developed my own workflow and confidence. Now I feel completely at home in the studio.

The award-winning piece came from my recent exploration of the boundary between reality and artificiality. I used photography and AI-generated imagery to reflect on identity, gender, and perception. Winning this award feels incredibly validating—it’s a sign that the ideas I care about can resonate with others. It makes me feel hopeful and encouraged to keep pushing forward.

I chose based on concept clarity, technical execution, and emotional impact.

I have always been fascinated by the idea of capturing moments that would otherwise disappear. Photography gives me a way to freeze emotions, textures, and energy in time.

Fashion photography. It blends storytelling, aesthetics, and collaboration. I love how every shoot is a creative conversation between people with different talents.

I use a Canon R5 with a 24–70mm lens for its flexibility in the studio. The real-time eye-tracking autofocus is my favorite feature—it helps me stay in the moment and focus on creative direction.

I want them to feel a mix of beauty and tension—like something is visually striking, but there’s also a deeper thought underneath.

Balancing control and unpredictability was key. Since I was using AI-generated elements, I had to constantly negotiate between what I imagined and what the tool gave me.

Urban environments inspire me—the contrasts, the lights, the people, and the layered emotions found in public spaces.

I’m deeply influenced by artists like Ai Weiwei and photographers like Chen Man. I admire work that combines strong visual style with cultural or political commentary.

Don’t wait until you think your work is “perfect.” Submit when it feels meaningful to you. Competitions are less about winning and more about reflection and connection. My advice: Be bold, be clear, and be yourself.

Shoot often, fail fast, and keep learning. Don’t be afraid to try everything—you’ll eventually find your voice.

Editing is where I finalize the mood and message. I see it as the second half of the storytelling—just as important as the shoot itself.

AI is changing the game. It opens up new ways of seeing, imagining, and producing. I use it as a tool, but I still believe in the photographer’s vision—AI can support, not replace, that.

I’d love to shoot a surreal fashion series in an abandoned industrial space with dancers—it would combine movement, structure, and beauty in unexpected ways.

Winning Entry

The Land of No One

This project, titled "The Land of No One," combines fashion photography with AI-generated surreal backgrounds...

VIEW ENTRY

VIEW WINNERS

Explore the journey of Grace Fieselman, the Platinum Winner of the 2025 MUSE Photography Awards. She captures the fleeting joy of dogs in motion, turning a passion sparked in 2011 and inspired by her dog into striking pet photography.