About Jian
“I am eager to explore our world and culture through a pair of cold eyes and to experience our lives with a warm heart and unceasing footstepts.”
Jian Gao is an award-winning visual storyteller, creative producer, and content strategist with over a decade of experience in e-commerce, media, and tech.
His work has earned more than 50 international honors, including a Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting grant (Washington, D.C.), an Overseas Press Club Foundation scholarship (New York), and support from the National Arts Fund (Beijing). Jian also serves as a juror for leading photography competitions such as the Siena International Photo Awards and the World Water Day Photo Contest on climate change. With a strong foundation in visual editorial production and creative direction, Jian currently leads studio production at HSN. He has held senior roles at ByteDance, Magnum Photos, and News Corp, where he managed cross-functional teams and brought complex ideas to life across platforms and formats. A licensed FAA Part 107 drone pilot, Jian integrates aerial cinematography into his visual storytelling—adding immersive, dynamic perspectives to both commercial and editorial work. When not in the studio, you’ll likely find him on the road, pursuing personal visual projects around the world.
Selected Achievements
National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest — Photo of the Day (May 9, 2014)
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6th Pollux Awards / WPGA Humanitarian Category, 2014
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6th Pollux Awards / WPGA — People Category, 2014
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ONWARD Compé ‘14, 2014
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AI-AP 30 (American Photography 30) The AI-AP Archive, 2014
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Communication Arts Photography Annual 55, 2014
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PhotoWorld 2014, Breaking Photography / NYPH — Documentary Category, Dumbo Arts Festival
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7th Annual Photography Masters Cup (Color Awards), 2014
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PX3 Prix de la Photographie, Paris Press, Feature Story, 2014
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International Photography Awards (IPA) — Editorial: Photo Story, Feature Story & Deeper Perspective, 2013
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The New York Photo Awards Documentary Category, Dumbo Arts Festival, 2013
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PDN – World in Focus, 2013
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Canon / Pixma Professional Awards, 2013
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8th Annual Black and White Spider Awards — Photojournalism Category, 2013
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Black and White Photo Contest — “I Shot It”, 2013
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33rd Annual Spring Photography Photographer's Forum Magazine
3rd International Biennial of Documentary and Fine Art Photography
Municipal Museum, Malaga, Spain, 2014
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ONWARD Compé ‘14 Summit
1305 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, US, 2014
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The Royal Photographic Society – International Print Traveling Exhibition 157
Berkeley Gallery, Greenwich Heritage Centre, Royal Arsenal, London, UK, 2014
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PhotoWorld 2014, Breaking Photography / NYPH
POWERHOUSE Arena, Dumbo Arts Festival, Brooklyn, NY, US, 2014
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See | Exhibition Space, Digital Exhibition
26-19 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens, NY, US, 2014
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World Affairs Council – Global Visions (Permanent Collection)
312 Sutter Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA, US, 2013
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Mezzanine Gallery, POWERHOUSE Arena, Dumbo Arts Festival
20 Jay Street, Suite M01, Brooklyn, NY, US, 2013
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PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo, World in Focus Gallery
New York City, US, 2013
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"IN THE ZONE" Exhibition, 1650 Gallery
1650 Echo Park Ave, Echo Park,
Los Angeles, CA, US, 2013
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Academy of Art University Spring Show
The Palace of Fine Art, 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA, US, 2013
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Academy of Art University Spring Show
The Cannery, 2801 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, CA, US, 2012
Jury Member, World Water Day Photo Contest
Italy, 2020
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Recipient, China National Arts Fund
China, 2019
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Jury Member, Siena International Photo Awards
Siena, Italy, 2018
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Scholarship Finalist, Cortona On The Move
Italy, 2017
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Grantee, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Washington, D.C., US, 2016
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Roy Rowan Fellow, Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarship
Yale Club, New York City, US, 2014
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Nominee, Joop Swart Masterclass (World Press Photo)
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2014
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Shortlisted, RPS International 157 (The Royal Photographic Society)
UK, 2014
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Selected, Magnum Photos AGM 66th Portfolio Review
London, UK, 2013
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Participant, Eddie Adams Workshop XXVI
Jeffersonville, New York, US, 2013
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Shortlisted, APA / Lucie Foundation Scholarship (Pro)
11th Annual Lucie Awards
New York City, US, 2013
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Winner, Canon Photography Award
Listed on PhotoServe by PDN
New York City, US, 2013
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