Wish You Were Here With... Peter Ash Lee

Sailing in the Hamptons? Partying in Ibiza? Lounging in Morocco?
Photographer, Peter Ash Lee is kicking off our vacation selfie series and stirring some serious FOMO...

Where are you?
I'm in Okinawa eating good sushi.

How would you sum up what you do in a sentence?
I play with cameras for a living.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Everything.  I think it changed daily.  Basketball player, florist, musician...

How do you waste time, when your schedule is clear?
I play basketball, go to the botanical gardens and I recently learned backgammon so I’ve been playing that on my phone.

What did you do on your last day off?
Took naps and binge watched Atlanta.

What's your greatest ambition?
To be inspired and keep learning.

Do you have any phobias?
Fear of failing.

Who do you most admire?
My mom.

What do you talk about when you get your hair cut?
I cut my own hair so not much.

What's the last dream that you can remember having?
I have a recurring dream where I’m driving but sitting in the backseat of the car reaching forward trying not to crash.  I’m sure there’s something to psychoanalyze there.

What would you most like to change about the world?
I dream of a day where everyone is equal.

What would you most like to change about yourself?
Be more present instead of focusing on the future.

Have you ever pretended to be someone else in the mirror?
Maybe not in the mirror, but I’m sure I’ve pretended to be someone else out in the world.

If you could do anything without fear of repercussion, what would you do?
I can’t think of anything I’d want to do that I’m already not doing.

If you could ask anyone a question, who would you ask, and what?
I’d ask a really cute puppy if I could hug it and then hug it.

Describe yourself in three words...
Chill, considerate, open.

What’s the most surprising thing we’d find out if we looked at your phone?
I’ve got a lot of smart-device apps that control various things in my home and studio. I love gadgets.

Favourite song?
I don’t think I have a favourite, but I love music from the 60's.

Favourite colour?
Navy blue.

The perfect night out?
A night in.

The funniest person you know?
My best friend Robin.  Maybe because we’re not actually funny but find each other hilarious.

The funniest thing you’ve ever read about yourself?
It’s not something I’ve read, but I think it’s funny that people always tell me I’m very “zen.”  I’m like, thanks but should I be offended?  Is it because I’m Asian?  Lol.

One thing you can’t live without?
Family.

Favourite thing to eat?
Good sushi.

Least favourite thing to eat?
Bad sushi.

What was your first job?
Delivering newspapers door to door.

The best advice you've ever been given?
The best revenge is success.

Why did you become a photographer?
I tried painting, but could never finish what I started.

Who or what inspires you?
Flowers, plants, animals.

What drives your creativity?
Desire to keep learning and trying to outdo myself.

If you could shoot anyone, who would it be?
Barack Obama.

Who do you consider to be the true creatives in the world?
I don’t know. I just think it’s a privilege to be doing something you love so I try to stay grateful.

Who's the coolest person you know?
The Obamas.

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