The Meaning Behind Our Name: ZAAN YI

ZAAN YI isn’t just a studio name. It’s our name — in every sense.

It comes from our Chinese characters: Zaan (正) and Yi (翊). Together, they speak to heritage, balance, and support. Values we grew up with. Values that guide everything we do.

When we created this brand, we knew it had to reflect more than aesthetics. It had to reflect who we are — and how we work.

ZAAN YI is about presence. Precision. It’s about knowing when to step in, and when to quietly observe. It’s about the quiet strength of support — for each other, for our clients, for the families we photograph.

As brothers, we’ve built this studio on trust — in each other’s eye, rhythm, and instincts. And as photographers, we bring that same rhythm into every wedding we document.

Whether we’re capturing a private estate wedding in Lake Forest or a multi-day celebration in downtown Chicago, our goal is the same: to create space for real emotion. Real connection. And to preserve it with clarity and care.

The name reminds us of where we come from. The work reminds us why we’re here.

And the families we serve — those are the stories we hope ZAAN YI will be remembered for.