Henry Tran is a San Francisco based photographer whose portraits and fashion work explores the emotional resonance of imagery through the distinct artistic properties of Leica cameras and lenses - especially when shot wide-open. For Henry, photography is an opportunity to connect with other artists to find and capture their authentic selves. Henry’s work captures the intersection of each collaborator’s personal journey, their innate emotions and desires with his own through dreamlike images.
Born and raised in York, Pennsylvania to Vietnamese refugee parents, Henry grew up attuned to cultural contrasts. His passion for photography began in adolescence, documenting outdoor scenes and architectural forms. He studied Computer Science and East Asian History at the Pennsylvania State University, which led to a career in the tech industry. Early in his career, Henry learned that his genuine curiosity and desire to help people made him well suited for software support and he developed a collaborative workstyle. Henry carries this collaborative spirit into the art world, where his creative process involves gathering the input of an entire artistic team to create images that drive discussion.
In 2020, Henry’s creative path shifted dramatically after discovering a series of workshops led by Mark de Paola and the Leica Akademie USA. These masterclasses have reshaped his understanding of how imagery can evoke emotional response. He found a compelling intersection between his love of nature and appreciation for fine art nude and fashion photography. His work is also greatly influenced by Paolo Roversi, Sayuri Ichida, and Daido Moriyama.
Mark de Paola’s mentorship and body of work continue to be a profound influence on Henry’s evolving practice, guiding him toward a deeper exploration of intimacy, environment, and the internal narrative we experience when engaging with an image. His photographic studies and passion for building a global perspective have brought him around the world, including Milan, Tokyo, Palm Springs, and New York, to create portraiture and fashion images.
Henry Tran’s fine art monograph is forthcoming in December 2025 in a limited edition run.