Atea Chip Sao photography

Capturing memories

Atea Lee Chip Sao says photography allows him to capture life’s memorable moments while simultaneously making friends

By Xyron Levi Corpuz

The coronavirus pandemic provided Lee Chip Sao with the perfect opportunity to develop his photography skills. Photos by Jeffery Dang.

Atea Lee Chip Sao said a childhood friend first introduced him to photography. During the coronavirus pandemic, he said he decided to develop his photography skills. Those who have been photographed by Lee Chip Sao shared their experience working with him and said his photography has been a great contribution to the community.

Lee Chip Sao, a sophomore from Tahiti majoring in TESOL, said he did not have any experience in photography before he started in May 2020 taking photos of people around campus. “Growing up,” he said, “I had this friend of mine, [Moe], who was my mom’s best friend, who was a photographer. When we would go out with their family she would always take pictures of us, and it was fun.”

One day when he was around 10 years old, he said he borrowed Moe’s DSLR camera. At the time, he said he found the camera to be too complicated to learn. Still, Lee Chip Sao said he loved being behind the camera and described it as fascinating.

He commented, “When I came to BYUH, it was never my plan to be a photographer. … But because of the coronavirus, I decided to start something new and different. The idea of photography came back to my mind.”

Lee Chip Sao said he has a close friend on campus, Isikeli Fehoko, who does landscape photography. One day, he said he asked Fehoko to show him some sample photos.

After seeing Fehoko’s pictures and how passionate he was about what he was doing, Lee Chip Sao said he was inspired and decided to buy his own camera. From there, he started taking photos of people twice a week over the summer break.

Fehoko, a junior from Tonga studying social work, explained, “[Lee Chip Sao] said he likes the way I do photography … the dark style photos, more contrast, black and white. I think I gave him the inspiration, and he came up with his style on his own. He is very brilliant and talented.”

Fehoko said when it comes to photography, there are poses that work well for some people that might not work well for another. He said Lee Chip Sao has a natural eye for what poses will look best. “When he sees a person, he already knows what kind of poses would suit that person.”

For Lee Chip Sao, the best thing about being a photographer is his ability to interact with people. He said, “Whenever I take someone out on a photoshoot, I do not consider them clients. I try to develop a connection with them. ... After all, I am taking pictures of them and so I like to know a little bit about their personalities.”

Lee Chip Sao added he likes his photos to reflect who his clients are. He explained, “I like something that will express not only my personality through the edits, but I want them to express their personalities [too].”

“During my photoshoots,” he further described, “I always talk with my subjects, keeping a conversation [going]. It is really fun to know more about them, and it makes the job easier because you get comfortable with them. It becomes a fun experience, and it feels more like hanging out. … I am creating new friendships.”

Lee Chip Sao said he believes it is the photographers’ job to direct the model, not the model’s job to pose on their own. Tevita Tiki Nuitupuivaha Jr. and Sesika Filikitonga are among the people Lee Chip Sao has directed and had photoshoots with.

“ Whenever I take someone out on a photo shoot I do not consider them clients. I try to develop a connection with them. ... After all, I am taking pictures of them and so I like to know a little bit about their personalities. “

- Atea Lee Chip Sao

Lee Chip Sao said he likes to give people physical memories of their time at BYUH. Photos by Atea Lee Chip Sao.

The coronavirus pandemic provided Lee Chip Sao with the perfect opportunity to develop his photography skills. Photo by Jeffery Dang.

When talking about his photoshoot experience with Lee Chip Sao, Nuitupuivaha, a sophomore from Tonga majoring in applied mathematics, said, “I was the first one he asked to have a photoshoot [with] and to practice his photography. It was a good experience.”

Nuitupuivaha continued, “He told me how to stand and how to pose. It was his first time doing it and I was impressed because I felt like he knew what he was doing the whole time.”

Nuitupuivaha said the lighting of Lee Chip Sao’s photos has improved from when he first started out. “I feel like he is becoming more familiar with his stuff, like with editing and lighting. I think it is a great improvement from the first time he took pictures of me.”

Sesika Faanunu Filikitonga, a senior from Tonga studying accounting, said her husband recommended Lee Chip Sao to take her photos. She said, “My husband told me about him and how comfortable he was. The different thing about Atea is he is really passionate.” Filikitonga said Lee Chip Sao would sometimes sit and even lay down in order to get the perfect photo.

She continued, “He doesn’t care if he gets muddy or dirty. … He even forgot his backpack at one of the places we did a photo shoot but that just tells me he is passionate.”

Filikitonga said Lee Chip Sao made her feel comfortable and said in the future she would ask him to take photos of her again.

“He likes talking a lot, and you can connect to him.”

Filikitonga also said photo shoots with him are affordable for students and said he is quick to edit the photos as well.

Contribution to the community

As the one who inspired Lee Chip Sao to pursue photography, Fehoko said Lee Chip Sao could also be an inspiration for someone else. He explained, “There are some people who are scared to show their talents. … [Lee Chip Sao] is helping people in the BYUH community build and grow their talents.”

Nuitupuivaha said Lee Chip Sao has made a great contribution to the community by capturing the students’ memorable times while attending BYUH.

He shared Lee Chip Sao takes students’ graduation photos and said this gives students something to look back on. By being there as the photographer, taking good photos and devoting his time, Nuitupuivaha said Lee Chip Sao helps make people feel special and recognized for their achievements.

Lee Chip Sao echoed Nuitupuivaha and said, “For those I have done graduation pictures [for], … I helped them save memories they can keep for themselves of their success here at BYUH.

“They already have their knowledge and experiences to keep, but [now] they have something physical, like pictures, to keep and remind them of their times at the school.”