House of Remnants - New Project at Ulsan Art Fair
Last month, I ventured into a new direction, creating a body of work that departs slightly from my usual approach. Centered on a neighborhood in Seoul undergoing transformation, the project began as a photographic exploration but gradually evolved into something more immersive. The result is a new series that I had the pleasure of exhibiting at the Ulsan Art Fair. Here is a presentation
In central Seoul, a neighborhood disappears. Bogwang-dong, once filled with daily activity, is now marked by empty homes, abandoned rooms, and traces of lives once lived. This photographic series documents both the physical demolition and the subtle marks left behind.
Through black-and-white images and recovered materials, the work reflects on what it means for a city to dismantle its past in pursuit of progress. Each photograph acts as an afterimage (잔영) — a trace of something gone, yet still present.
These images will later be transferred onto debris collected from the site — wood, glass, tile — forming objects that carry both visual and physical remnants of the place.
In a city constantly rebuilding, the project asks: what is left behind when everything changes?
The presence of Seoul’s past may not always be visible, but it lingers — in the spaces, the silence, and the structures that once held life.
The project was displayed at the Ulan Art Fair in 2025
Choi Sang-mok - South Korea's acting President for the WSJ
On Tuesday, I had the unique opportunity to photograph Acting President Choi Sang-mok for The Wall Street Journal. Assuming office on December 27, 2024, following the impeachments of President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Choi faces the formidable task of steering South Korea through a period of significant political upheaval.
One of the pressing challenges confronting Acting President Choi is managing the nation's foreign relations amid escalating global trade tensions. Despite President Trump's escalating tariffs on various countries, Choi is striving to maintain strong ties with the U.S. With South Korea running a significant trade surplus with the U.S., concerns arise that Trump may target it next with tariffs. Choi seeks to negotiate directly with Trump but faces challenges due to his temporary status. As Trump accuses South Korea of having unfair trade practices, Choi aims to assure the U.S. of the surplus's temporary nature and offer collaboration in shipbuilding. South Korea's significant investments in the U.S. reflect its commitment to strengthening economic ties, but the uncertainty of Choi's tenure and impending decisions from South Korea's Constitutional Court add to the urgency of stabilizing the U.S.-South Korea relationship.
Domestically, Choi's administration is on high alert as the Constitutional Court prepares to deliver its verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The court's decision, expected in the coming days, could either reinstate Yoon or permanently remove him from office, potentially triggering further political polarization and public unrest. In anticipation, the government has vowed strict measures against any illegal protests to maintain public order.
Navigating these complex issues, Acting President Choi Sang-mok remains committed to upholding South Korea's democratic processes and ensuring stability during this transitional period.
Keum Suk Gendry-Kim for Le Monde
A couple weeks ago, I was assigned to take a portrait of Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, the South Korean coming book artist who explores the themes of war, trauma, North Korea etc… I met her at her home on the Ganghwa island where I photographed her in her studio house. Here are some the photos.
I am a portrait and commercial photographer based out of Seoul - South Korea
Blackpink Jennie and Jeon Yeobin for Chanel
A few portraits shot for Chanel in Seoul South Korea for the release of their new Coco Crush collection. I had the chance to portray Kpop superstar and Blackpink member Jennie as well as South Korean actress 전여빈 [ Jeon Yeobin ] in a super environment.
Jennie from Kpop band Blackpink for Chanel
Actress 전여빈 [ Jeon Yeobin ] for Chanel
Tim Franco is a photographer based in Seoul South Korea and operates in great asia on commercial photographic assignment.
Dior Beauty Korea Travel
In early December 2022, influencer Lily Mac and Tara Milk Tea from Australia came to Seoul to visit the special holiday pop-up store by Dior Beauty. I was hired by Dior and Harper’s Bazaar to follow the pair during their trip in the South Korea Capital. The photos resulted in a story published here. Here are more of the photos
If you are looking for a photographer to shoot fashion, beauty, commercial and editorial portraits in Seoul, South Korea, please get in touch with Tim Franco timfranco@gmail.com
Lee Sung-kyung for Chanel
Lee Sung-kyung is a South Korean model, actress, singer and Chanel Beauty Ambassador. I had the chance to work with her on numerous occasion. Those photos were taken a couple years back. I think it was actually the first time I photographed her.
Tim Franco is a portrait and documentary photographer covering fashion and luxury commercial celebrity photoshoots in South Korea and great Asia. Please get in touch if his services are needed!
Korean Bear Farms
In 1981, South Korea started importing bears to farm them for their bile. The liquid located in their gallbladder is very popular in traditional Asian medicine and has been used for multiple purposes.
In 1985, South Korea banned importation but the farms continued their breeding to provide the growing demand. In 2014, a deal was reached with the government to stop the exploitation of the bears.
There are about 24 bear farms still existing in South Korea with about 360 bears kept in small and old cages. Some of them are still trying to evade the laws. Since 2018, Tae Gyu Choi founded an organization to help the bears and eventually move them to a Sanctuary where they can be treated better.
If you are interested to publish that story get in touch at timfranco@gmail.com
Feature in Figaro Madame
Portraits of South Korean Women for Madame Figaro.
Last month, I followed fellow journalist and friend Sebastien Falletti for a story about status of Women in South Korea. I portrayed a KPOP singer ( Kim Yerim aka Lim Kim ), as well as brand owners and activist. The story was published in Figaro madame in December.
Tim Franco is Seoul based photographer available for editorial assignment in South Korea and Asia.
Testing the Hasselblad X1d2
I finally invested in a medium format digital camera. I have been using the Fuji GFX for some campaign shoot but my choice finally went towards the Hasselblad X1d2 as I found the quality of the colors amazing and the size was much smaller. I went on a small testing tour with it as I soon as I received it with neighbour and model Jin. Please see some of the photos here.
Tim Franco is available for commercial portrait & photography work in Seoul & South Korea.
Dior Retail | South Korea Photographer
For the past year, Dior has been working in partnership with me to photograph their new store in South Korea. I have been shooting architecture, interior and retail photography professionally for the past 10 years and I was glad to work with one of the best name in the luxury industry. Here are some of the photos.
Tim Franco is a Seoul based architecture photographer who specialises in high end luxury retail photography. He is available in South Korea and greater Asia ( China / Japan / Taiwan & Hong Kong ) for retail and architecture assignments.
Floods in Seoul | Heavy Rain in South Korea
The rain has been insane for the past month in South Korea. While there is serious damage and casualties in the South, the capital has only seen his main river, the Han river, raised by more than 8 meters and the different parks and roads on its banks have been completely flooded. I went down and documented a few of those strange new landscapes formed by this downpour.
Tim Franco is available for editorial and commercial photography assignment in Seoul and South Korea.
Chanel | Korea, Japan & China Photographer
Chanel has been working with me for the last 2 years in the Asia region for their digital content. Most of the shoot are with local and international celebrities who are wearing or using Chanel products. I had the chance to work in 3 different countries , Japan, South Korea and China to cover those assignments. Its always a pleasure to work with such a great name in the industry, a luxury and fashion brands that still bring sparkles in people’s yes. Here are some of those photos:
Pharrell Williams performing in Tokyo
Nana Komatsu
Lee Dong-wook
shin min ah
Kristen Stewart
Soo Joo Park
Chanel Flagship Store in Seoul South Korea
Gangwon | South Korea Photographer
A couple weeks back, I felt stuck in the city. I usually travel all over Asia every month for commercial and personal shoots and since the beginning of the pandemic I am stuck at home in Seoul. I packed my large format camera in my car and drove the South Korean east coast. I traveled there a few times in the past on assignment and personal trips and slowly felt in love with the vintage look of the coastal cities with their motels and beaches. I started to document those without any particular project in my mind. On the first trip I shot only one evening and 3 frames - here they are:
Tim Franco is a photographer currently based in South Korea and available for assignment all over the country. Please get in touch : timfranco@gmail.com
Covid 19 - Dispatch from Seoul | Portraits 1
This post is dedicated to those people in the serving industry who continue to work and interact with a large number of people every day in Seoul South Korea.
8 new cases as per yesterday feels like a small victory in South Korea. The curve is flat, people are working, student are starting to use online schooling and life goes on! On the front line, in the serve industry, people wear masks everywhere, in coffee shops, convenient stores, markets etc. This post is dedicated to those people in the serving industry who continue to work and interact with a large number of people every day!
Cho Ju Ok is welcoming customer in her coffee shop in downtown Seoul.
Lim Yung Ok, 7/11 owner is using gloves for every customer and washing his hands with sanitizer between every sale.
Kim Jina is preparing coffee in her shop in Jamsil downtown Seoul.
Kang Hye Ryeong has placed protecting glass to implement safety in her pharmacy
Park Gwan Woo works with a mask at the fish market in downtown Seoul
A large selection of photos on the Covid 19 are available upon request - all photos by Tim Franco - get in touch at timfranco@gmail.com
Covid 19 - Dispatch from Seoul | Cherry Blossom
The cherry blossom season and rising temperatures in Seoul have pushed a lot of people outside of their homes. How Korea is dealing with spring crowds under the COVID 19.
This week signals the coming of springs -with temperature finally rising and most importantly, cherry trees blossoming, it is the big come back of the beautiful days. The local government is advising strong social distancing policies but it is impossible to keep people, especially young ones, away from the beautiful white trees and the relaxing banks of the Han river. For this occasion, a big number of volunteer are walking around the crowds with panels reminding to wear masks and to keep a safety distance of 2 meters between groups of people. As most of of people are doing their best to respect those rules, younger people don’t hesitate to take off the mask for a quick selfie or while enjoying the sun on the grass.
For the past two month, most of the urban population of the peninsula is following the regulations of masks. But with numbers of cases falling down again in Seoul, the population is starting to relax without worrying much about the so called second or third wave. Here are some images around the “officially canceled” cherry blossom festival.
A couple enjoy the Cherry Trees in Yeouido, downtown Seoul. Part of the street has been closed to the public but people are still free to stroll around. In between trees, numerous signs are reminding visitors to keep wearing masks and observe a safety distance between groups.
At every entrance of the Hangang park , hand sanitizers and volunteers are here to remind the visitors of the dangers of the Covid 19
A volunteer with a sign reminding visitor to wear masks stroll up and down the main alley in between the cherry trees.
A group of young people playing in the the Hangang park. Young people have less tendencies to wear masks at all time.
The park is crowded but groups are sitting spaced from each others. Young people take off their masks for selfies and snacks.
A group of young people posing for a photo in front of one of the many cherry tree of Yeouido.
A volunteer offers some hand sanitizer to visitors arriving at the park/
All photos by Tim Franco | get in touch : timfranco@gmail.com
North Korea's life
A story from North Korea by Asia photographer Tim Franco.
In June 2019, I got the chance to get to travel to North Korea. During 10 days, I was able to shoot with my medium format analog camera around Pyeongyang, Hamhung, Wonsan, Sariwon, Kaesong and lot of other places. I produced a mini series now available on the site, here are a few of the phots as well!
check the full series and text here: The Democracy of the people’s dictatorship
Illicit Ink at KLPA | Korea Photographer
My series Illicit Ink will be exhibited as part of the Kuala Lumpur Portrait Awards and one of the photograph from the series was selected for the poster of the exhibition. Illicit ink is a series of intimate portraits of the underground tattooist community in South Korea shot on paper negatives.
The photos will be exhibited as part of a group exhibition from the 14th of september to the 27th at the ILHAM gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
Amore Pacific | Seoul Photographer
Seoul photographer documenting the Amore Pacific Building in South Korea.
Last july, I was assigned by Monocle magazine to document the work life of Amore Pacific new headquarter in Seoul. For those who are not familiar with it, Amore Pacific is a South Korea conglomerate focusing on cosmetics and beauty, its hugely popular on the Asian market and its making its debut in the west. I got the chance to hang out and photograph their amazing building design by David Chipperfield. I have also photographed their CEO Suh Kyon-bae and followed some staff during their daily schedule. Here are some of the photos.
Tim Franco is a Seoul Photographer available for commercial and editorial assignment in South Korea.
Seoul Watch Fashion | South Korea Photographer
On my latest assignment for the New York Times, I have been asked to photographs Seoul watch owners for a story. It was a great opportunity to shoot street portraits with natural lighting the way I was doing it long time ago when I started shooting bands in Shanhgai. I really enjoyed the locations in the backstreet of the Gangnam district. You can see the full stories and photos here : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/fashion/watches-seoul-street-style.html
Tim Franco is a Seoul, South Korea based photographer who travels for assignment all around the Asia region. He works on commercial and editorial assignments.
Seo Ji-hyun for Time Magazine
Tim Magazine assigned me to portray Seo Ji-hyun in South Korea. Miss Seo is a prosecutor who was the first woman to speak out about the #MeToo movement in South Korea. Her courage inspired thousands of women in the country. It was a last minute assignment and we had very little to work with but I am pretty happy with the final photo!
Tim Franco is available for editorial portrait assignments in Asia.