Job description: Travel the World and Take Pictures for Samsung

Traveling around the world to take sample photos for about-to-be-released cameras sure sounds like a dream job. But we realized that we actually know someone who has that job, and he happens to be a manager at Samsung Electronics, Seokjun Hong. So, we met and asked him to “tell us some cool stories.”

How it all started

Hong’s journey starts approximately 4 years ago when he was given a mission to promote the Samsung NX camera’s features and functions.

“Despite the great picture quality and handy features, I felt that there were not enough sample photos and videos taken with Samsung cameras to prove these points” says Hong. “I wanted to show them what the NX camera is capable of.”

So instead of simply laying out the numbers of pixels or technology of the image sensor of cameras, he decided to go outside with the camera himself.

His work

The inspiration has always been about curiosity and love of the product. And this deep relationship with the product allowed him to introduce the Samsung NX cameras in the most stunning way possible.

To highlight the performance of the NX1 and NX premium lens, he felt compelled to go to Madagascar, an island of many beautiful natural and forest of baobab trees located to the east of Africa.

“We tell our consumers that ‘this camera(NX1) is capable of 4K/UHD videos’. I needed to show them. I had to make sure we visualized our products’ appeal points.” And hence this video:

He also went to Iceland for the Galaxy NX project and Tanzania for NX 30 camera:

Maybe not as romantic as it sounds?

His job may sound or seem exotic to many, but it often requires sleeping outside in tents without any electricity as there isn’t anything manmade in natural places that are still unexposed. According to Hong, dealing with unpredictable Mother Nature was tougher beyond expectation.

For example, Hong and his team hiked up 5,300 meters in just two days when they were going to Salar de Uyuni, the salt desert in Bolivia. Despite the precautions, this was physically challenging nevertheless and some of his team had to fight altitude sickness.

On another instance, an angry gnu randomly attacked the crew’s car (but no one was injured thanks to the safety bar installed on the car). In Tanzania, to capture the series of shooting stars, the crew had to shoot with Lions and hyenas lurking around them in the pitch-black darkness.*

The real perk

Hong refers every photo and video his crew took as ‘lifetime work.’ He also feels proud that he can contribute to the product development process as well.

“Since we work with cameras that have not been publicly released yet, we sometime need help from the engineers. But on the other hand, I can give feedback about the product as a user. I communicate with the developing team members closely and share my thoughts on the product during and after each trip. They listen to it very carefully,” said Hong excitedly.

Only thing that he wants from his trip is to help users to capture unforgettable moments with Samsung cameras just as he and his crew did at Madagascar, Iceland, or Tanzania.

From product planning to design, development, and production, many Samsung employees have worked hard to develop Samsung NX cameras. That’s another reason why Hong wanted the sample photos and videos to be as sincere as they’re beautiful. “We only want to offer the best.”

What do you think about the photos? Can you feel the performance of the NX cameras and passion of the photographer? Leave us a comment below to let us know what you think.

* Respect for nature was at the heart of each expedition. We take many precautions including but not limited to make sure the sites are conserved and wildlife is protected consulting the authorities before planning the trips, having national park managers/guides with the team, using telephoto lens to photograph herds on the move, etc.