Flash of Genius: An Interview with Photographer Filbert Diego Kung

From Hollywood purple carpets to Milan reveals and Hamptons vogue shoots, Filbert Kung has photographed the world—however it’s his quiet, unguarded, and attentive nature that reveals the artist behind the lens.

I met Filbert Diego Kung at a Grey/Ven vogue occasion in Amagansett final summer time. He’s a type of uncommon photographers who immediately places you comfy—calm, composed, and naturally good at making anybody really feel like they belong in entrance of his lens. Had I recognized then simply how in-demand Filbert is within the vogue and images world, I in all probability wouldn’t have requested him to snap a number of pictures of me goofing off on the purple carpet. But perhaps that makes me a mannequin? Either approach, it was my first glimpse of how effortlessly he captures folks as they’re. In my case, goofy-but-make-it-chic.

Since then, I’ve seen him popping up across the Hamptons, usually between flights to LA, Miami, or wherever the subsequent huge editorial or marketing campaign takes him. Originally from the Philippines, Filbert has spent over fifteen years constructing a profession that bridges Hollywood purple carpets, high-fashion editorials, and positive artwork portraiture. 

Kung’s current Milan exhibition, Chronology of a Mind, at a non-public showroom on Via Spiga and featured highly effective photographs from throughout his huge portfolio—editorials in New York and Los Angeles, landscapes in Africa, and portraits of names like Lady Gaga, Chris Evans, Brian May, Pia Wurtzbach, and Catriona Gray. 

His work has been likened to Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz for locating emotional depth beneath the glamour—a signature model that’s earned him a loyal following amongst celebrities, designers, and friends throughout the trade. 

Despite a jet-set way of life, he’s deeply grounded in connecting together with his topics—whether or not by way of editorial collaborations or his private creative initiatives. My dialog with Filbert touched on preserving identification, his upcoming exhibition in Milan, discovering stillness in movement, and letting instinct information the lens.

We first met right here within the Hamptons, however let’s rewind a bit—the place did you develop up, and the way do you suppose that formed your imaginative and prescient as a photographer?

I used to be born and raised within the Philippines, with my roots deeply planted within the southern area of Mindanao. Growing up in a small metropolis, life was easy—however it was that very simplicity that made it so wealthy and provoking. The Philippines is a rustic filled with vibrant tradition, numerous traditions, and breathtaking pure magnificence. That richness has at all times formed the best way I see the world.

My father, an avid photographer, sparked my curiosity in capturing moments and telling tales by way of photographs. Watching him work made me interested by expressing myself creatively. Over time, I discovered my very own ardour—not solely in images but in addition in creating art work impressed by nature and tradition.

Nature has at all times introduced me peace, and our traditions have at all times given me a way of belonging. These two issues—magnificence and identification—proceed to encourage my work as we speak.

Was there a defining second whenever you knew images was it for you, or did it sneak up over time?

It was really my father who impressed me to start out images and my mom as my first mannequin. I grew up surrounded by cameras, as images was my father’s pastime, and being round it naturally sparked my very own curiosity.

Did you at all times think about your self on this planet of vogue images, or did that path unfold naturally?

I did, I’ve at all times liked vogue, and I’m tremendously influenced by my mother and father, who actually dressed up properly after they had been youthful. I really like watching folks costume up properly and finally seize it by way of my lens. I’ve at all times liked the artwork of vogue. 

Who had been the early inspirations that made you suppose, ‘This is how I want to capture the world’?

Again, it’s at all times been my mother and father first, and Filipino tradition. It’s a colourful and vibrant tradition. I began by loving my very own and finally noticed myself capturing the world as I noticed it. 

Fashion photographers generally get a repute for being a little bit over-the-top—however you appear to have such a peaceful presence behind the digital camera. What’s your method on set?

I’m often quiet on set, however my thoughts works nonstop. I often play music and focus on the imaginative and prescient with my crew and collaborators. And so, through the shoot, issues simply movement. I’m calm, however my thoughts just isn’t, particularly when concepts maintain coming and I wish to seize all the pieces. 

Portraiture looks like your candy spot—what’s it about capturing an individual’s essence that retains you impressed?

I really like portrait images. I really like seeing folks, staring on the digital camera, feeling folks’s feelings and capturing not simply the individual however the soul.  

On the flip facet, what’s one factor you see in novice images that makes you cringe? And is there a photograph pattern you’re able to shutter for good?

Nothing actually, I at all times imagine that we begin from someplace, then finally evolve.  I began as an novice photographer with an enormous imaginative and prescient. 

You’ve labored with some severe star energy. What’s the important thing to creating celebrities loosen up sufficient for a very nice shot?

I often analysis each character I {photograph}. It’s necessary to see how they work, how they register on digital camera first. I often verify their favourite music, and ensure I’ll play it on set, to ascertain the temper and open up mild conversations.  

Between jet-setting for shoots and your position as Editor-at-Large for NOW Magazine LA, your calendar should be insane. How do these worlds intersect for you creatively?

I’ve been travelling nonstop for the previous few years. Most of the time in Milan and different elements of Europe and Brazil, since I began doing exhibitions. It has at all times been a dream to see the world and seize each scene by way of my lens. It fuels my creativity and motivation.  It is draining at instances as a result of I’ve to take lengthy flights, however each expertise is rewarding. 

Your current exhibit made headlines abroad—are you able to inform us about it? And ought to we be crossing our fingers for a Hamptons exhibition quickly?

It was final June 2024 in Milano, organized by my superb agent and buddy Carlo, it was additionally supported by BI.CI an Italian structure and design studio. I by no means anticipated that tons of of individuals would come, principally from the excessive society of Milan. The honorary President of Camera Moda got here to introduce me and the gracious Daniela Javarone introduced me and opened my exhibition. It was an honor for me to current my work outdoors of the US. 

I might love a Hamptons exhibition; if that occurs, will probably be my first US Exhibition. Last month, my work was introduced on the Monaco Art Fair organized by my buddy David Bitton. Also, a few of my pictures had been a part of the Grey/Ven sales space on the Hamptons Fine Art Fair final July.

I’m excited to current my work once more, this time in collaboration with the Milan-based Jewelry model Maison Antoine, throughout Milan Fashion Week this September.

How usually do you get out right here to the East End, and what first introduced you to the Hamptons?

I got here usually final 12 months since I work with an East Hamptons-based clothes model, Grey/Ven. I used to be nonetheless residing in Los Angeles then, however I made a decision to maneuver again to New York final 12 months, and maybe I can come to the Hamptons extra usually now. 

When you’re not on project, what do you like to {photograph} only for you? Is there a Hamptons second—sunsets, the surf, quiet streets—that at all times catches your lens?

I really like photographing surroundings now; my topic is often nature. I additionally began to experiment on some black and white pictures of various textures and nonetheless life topics. The Hamptons is gorgeous, the ocean, nature, and sundown make me really feel alive, capturing each second.  Even if it will get too quiet at instances, it’s an excellent escape from the noise of town. Stillness usually offers me energy.