Passport Photos from an Unlikely Artist Have Captivated Millions on the Internet
Bolton Brown's gym bag was stolen a few months ago, leaving him without his keys and passport. But in a strange twist of fate, he still managed to snag a new photo – this time from Eliz Digital, a small, cash-only film shop in Chinatown, New York. For $25, he got a quick portrait that quickly went viral on the internet.
The shop's owner, Chunika Kesh, is a petite woman with a soft-spoken demeanor, but her portraits have captured the hearts of over 1.1 million people online. Brown's post about his experience led to a surge in interest for Eliz Digital, but it has been a quiet favorite among New York's analog enthusiasts.
Kesh's setup may be modest – a small white chair and a plain white wall – but her talent for taking portraits is undeniable. She uses an older DSLR camera with a diffuser to soften the light and gives her subjects small cues like "tilt your head" or "roll your shoulders back." After a few shots, she reviews them with the customer and makes adjustments as needed.
What sets Kesh's images apart? According to Emma Hartsfield, who got her passport photo taken from Eliz Digital, it's the simplicity of her approach. "She doesn't want you to look too pretty or try too hard," Hartsfield said. "Just be yourself, and she'll take a great shot."
Kesh's shop has long been a staple in Chinatown's Asian community, but recently, it's attracted a more diverse clientele. Ryan Kost, who got his photo taken from Eliz Digital, thinks it's because of the care she brings to her work. "You feel like you're modeling," he said. "She just really seems to enjoy trying to take a nice shot of you."
The resurgence of film photography has played a significant role in Kesh's shop attracting new customers. As people look for more authentic and personal ways to capture their lives, Eliz Digital is at the forefront. With over 20 million rolls sold globally in 2023, it's clear that film photography is making a comeback.
Kesh may not consider herself a professional photographer, but her talent has been recognized by millions. She's seen people fall for her portraits, and she just lines up each shot the same way she always has – with a white wall, a steady hand, and a flash of light.
Bolton Brown's gym bag was stolen a few months ago, leaving him without his keys and passport. But in a strange twist of fate, he still managed to snag a new photo – this time from Eliz Digital, a small, cash-only film shop in Chinatown, New York. For $25, he got a quick portrait that quickly went viral on the internet.
The shop's owner, Chunika Kesh, is a petite woman with a soft-spoken demeanor, but her portraits have captured the hearts of over 1.1 million people online. Brown's post about his experience led to a surge in interest for Eliz Digital, but it has been a quiet favorite among New York's analog enthusiasts.
Kesh's setup may be modest – a small white chair and a plain white wall – but her talent for taking portraits is undeniable. She uses an older DSLR camera with a diffuser to soften the light and gives her subjects small cues like "tilt your head" or "roll your shoulders back." After a few shots, she reviews them with the customer and makes adjustments as needed.
What sets Kesh's images apart? According to Emma Hartsfield, who got her passport photo taken from Eliz Digital, it's the simplicity of her approach. "She doesn't want you to look too pretty or try too hard," Hartsfield said. "Just be yourself, and she'll take a great shot."
Kesh's shop has long been a staple in Chinatown's Asian community, but recently, it's attracted a more diverse clientele. Ryan Kost, who got his photo taken from Eliz Digital, thinks it's because of the care she brings to her work. "You feel like you're modeling," he said. "She just really seems to enjoy trying to take a nice shot of you."
The resurgence of film photography has played a significant role in Kesh's shop attracting new customers. As people look for more authentic and personal ways to capture their lives, Eliz Digital is at the forefront. With over 20 million rolls sold globally in 2023, it's clear that film photography is making a comeback.
Kesh may not consider herself a professional photographer, but her talent has been recognized by millions. She's seen people fall for her portraits, and she just lines up each shot the same way she always has – with a white wall, a steady hand, and a flash of light.
. And can we talk about how this resurgence of film photography is awesome? it's like, the more authentic way to capture life, you know? 
i mean, think about it... our faces are the first things we show to the world, and we've all been conditioned to look a certain way in passport photos 
. and i love how kesh doesn't try to make her subjects look perfect or polished... she just lets their quirks shine through 
. it's like she's saying, "hey, you don't have to conform to societal standards to be beautiful." anyway, this whole thing has me thinking about the power of imperfection and authenticity 
People don't care how beautiful you are, they want to know if you can solve problems with beauty - Buckminster Fuller 
i mean can you believe ppl are paying $25 for a passport photo that's actually fire?! 
i think it's because Kesh is all about keepin' it real and authentic - no fancy posing or editing needed, just genuine vibes 
and i love how she uses that diffuser to give the pics this soft, dreamy quality 
anyone else seen these pics?!?! 
but at least he got a great photo out of it! 
and kesh's customers seem to appreciate the care she puts into each shot... it's like they're getting a mini-vacation from their daily lives 
I went to get my ID pic done last year and the photographer was like "smile" but Kesh is all about subtlety - "tilt your head" lol. 20 million rolls sold in 2023, that's some serious film love! I guess you could say Eliz Digital's got a 'picture perfect' spot in Chinatown