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May Xiong

@abstract_numbers

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Creating cinematic portraits inspired by light.

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First and foremost, I’m beyond honored to share the new splash screen for Adobe Premiere 2026! Never in a million years did I imagine I’d be part of something like this. From my teenage years through college, I remember opening Adobe products and lingering on those art splash screens, never once thinking that one day, I’d be invited to create one myself. And not just for any product but for Premiere, a tool so deeply woven into the language of cinema and storytelling.

Narrative storytelling has always lived at the core of my DNA. Being given the space to explore and express that through my photography has kept me grounded in my creative practice. Capturing fleeting moments, shaped by light, that hint at something deeper, something emotional, has always been where I feel the most safe and the most me.

To be approached by the incredibly supportive team at Adobe and trusted with an opportunity like this truly means the world to me. I’m getting emotional writing this, because for the first time in a long while, I feel genuinely seen. That my work has found its way into the world and resonated with others enough to quietly lead me here - feels both surreal and deeply affirming.

My deepest thanks to Shannon, Morgan, Zoey, Amelia, and the entire @adobe team for trusting my vision and welcoming me into Adobe’s splash art history. None of this would have been possible without your care for art and for artists who are simply trying to leave an honest mark on the world. Your care for art and artists is felt, and I carry it with me forward.

Thank you to my dear friend, @jcqlineng for trusting my creative vision and for patiently standing in the sun for thirty quiet minutes, allowing me to chase the light until the moment felt just right.

To my soulmate of a partner, @benharthun - you have undoubtedly supported my work for the last fifteen years. You have my deepest thanks and love.

Last but not least, it has come full circle. To my beloved brother Kue, who introduced me to Adobe many moons ago and believed in my photography from the start to the very end of his life;

I did it Kue.
I really did it.

_______________

With all the love,
May taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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9 months ago

To Dream Is To Find You (2024)

After taking a bit of a hiatus, I’ve decided to slowly reopen my doors to creating for myself again. To explore and rediscover what it means to let my creative freedom take me where the music does. Truthfully, I haven’t really been inspired in the way I used to be. There’s so much social and visual noise that can feel overwhelming at times and that unfortunately bleeds into my process of how to create, even through just concept phases. That external but also internal pressure can be hardening. As a perfectionist, I get tend to let my ambitious concepts get the best of me and sometimes it’s easier to let your ideas feel a little more grand when it’s living just within the confines of your mental landscape. Setting intentions is one thing, but to let your intentions flow a little more and being able to experiment, is such a liberating experience.

For this particular shoot, It felt great being able to just trust my intuition and let that carry me through as it always does. I knew I wanted it to feel a bit more surreal, always mixing reality with a dreamlike world, where everything and nothing makes sense. There’s a kind of magic that extends itself to you when you let your imagination bloom. Works like Sandy Skoglund and Michel Gondry are ones to remind me that anything is possible, even if it only makes sense to you.

Thank you @jcqlineng for being a part of my vision and stepping into my world, even just for a bit. For your trust, support and most importantly, your friendship.

Last but not least, the beautiful score for “Pachinko” by @nicomuhly for being my companion and guidance for this edit.

Thank you for looking.

MX by @abstract_numbers

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2 years ago

Reworks of some older frames that didn’t make the original photo series, “In The Byre”. There’s something about revisiting older work and rebuilding a slightly different world, taking your viewer somewhere else completely.

Swipe for a closer look.

Thank you for looking.

MX taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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5 years ago

Thrilled to share a press portrait I photographed of the immensely talented audiovisual artist, Brett Bolton. (@brettbolton) Grateful for the chance to shape this vision with the rich, imaginative world of Brett’s work. As someone who typically shoots with natural light, I knew that I wanted to try something different and more abstract to mirror the fluidness of Brett’s work. Collaborating with Brett was pure joy and so easy, so everything else came naturally.

Thank you for trusting my vision! I’m excited to see the next chapters of your artistic journey unravel my friend!

Press Photography & Creative Direction by @abstract_numbers

If you haven’t yet, please go give Brett’s work your time. Truly mesmerizing visuals.

Thank you for looking.

MX by @abstract_numbers

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a year ago

It’s truly a privilege to photograph someone as inspiring as my dear friend, Aoi Yamaguchi. You are a radiant force of life, embodying a light that brings out the goodness in this world. Witnessing your growth over the past decade has been nothing short of incredible.

I’m deeply grateful for your unwavering support of my work, it means more to me than words can express sweet friend.

Thank you for letting me document this chapter of your life.

Swipe to see full frames.

__

Words by @aoi_gm

無常 (Mujō) - impermanence -

水の引力。

時は常に流れている、
とどまることを知らない川の流れのように。

その流れの中で、引き合う力がある、
ひとはそれを出逢いと呼ぶ。

わたしたちが生きる日々の流れは、
出逢いに溢れている。

川の流れの中で何度もぶつかりあい、
角が取れ、丸み帯びて、
かたちを変えていく石ころのように、

いくつもの出逢いを重ねていく、
その出逢いが私を変えていく、
歳月とともに、
私というかたちを創っていく。

全ての出逢いは偶然で必然、
惹かれ合う心は国境を越える。

変幻自在な水は、
山々を、
この大地を、
駆け巡り
海へと流れ、
大陸を渡る。
空へ登り、
雨となり、
大地をまた潤す。

ひとの心もまた、
流れる水のように、
うつろうもの

満ちて、
溢れて、
昇華して、
また満ちる

水のように、しなやかに、
光を包みこみ、澄んだ心で、
無数の出逢いをその懐に抱いて、
命を育む、水のように

そんな想いを巡らせながら
みつめる、我が身を映す水鏡。

-

Mujō (Mujō) - impermanence -

The gravitational force of water.

Time is always flowing,
like the never-ending flow of a river.

In that flow, there is a force that pulls each other,
which people call ‘encounters’.

The flow of our days is full of encounters.

Like stones that collide countless times in the flow of a river,
which lose their edges, become rounded,
and change shape,

I have many encounters,
and these encounters change me,
and over the years,
they create the shape of who I am.

All encounters are coincidental and inevitable,
and hearts that are attracted to each other transcend borders.

The ever-changing water runs through the mountains,
across this land,
flows into the sea,
and crosses the continent.
It rises into the sky,
turns into rain,
and moistens the land again.

The human heart,
like flowing water,
is also ever-changing.

It fills,
overflows,
yearns,
cries,
sublimates,
and fills again.

Like water, gracefully,
embracing light, and with a transparent heart,
holding countless encounters in its bosom,
nurturing lives within, like water

While such thoughts flowing in my mind,
I gaze upon the water mirror reflecting me.

•

Photographed by: @abstract_numbers by @abstract_numbers

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2 years ago

無常 (Mujō) - impermanence -

全てのものは、時の流れとともに、常に変化し続ける。

故郷日本を飛び出し海外生活20年目、
そして「不惑」の40歳を記念する今年2024年。
この20年間の歩みを振り返りながら、
これからの道を見据え歩み始めた
今の自分を憶えておきたくて、
過去12年間、人生のマイルストーンを共有し、撮してくれてきた心の友 @abstract_numbers & @seabirrd とこの7月、森へ向かった。

灼熱の夏の午後の木漏れ日の中で、
乾いたカリフォルニアの山間を流れる小川の心潤うような音に包まれ、
空に向かって高く枝を張り巡らす巨木に出逢った。

自ら『無常』と書いた布を纏い、
この木の懐で空を仰ぐ。

上へ上へと腕を伸ばすには、
下へ下へと深く伸びる、太くて強い根が必要。

その根はひとりでは張れない。
自分を支えてくれるしっかりした大地があって、
大自然の恵みの全ての要素があって、
その年輪を刻むことができる。

どんな時代を生き、どんな道を選ぼうとも
変化し続ける無常の時の中で、自分らしくありたいと願う自分が求めるものー

美しいものを美しいと素直に思える心を。
そしてそれが見えないとき、時を急かずに時間をかけてやること、
そう思える瞬間に出逢ったときそのひとつひとつを大切にすること、
それがきっと自分らしくいられるということ。
それが自分らしく生きるということ。

-
Photo by @abstract_numbers
いつも素敵な時間をありがとう。 taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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2 years ago

Had the honors to do wardrobe styling for two incredibly talented DP duo, Spencer Mann and Tim Toda alongside a wonderfully talented team. Thank you for having me and for your trust. It’s always refreshing and rewarding when you get to work with hardworking, kind and supportive folks who make you feel at home.

Head over to @spencermanndp to watch the full spec ✨

Uniqlo Lifewear - “For All of Life’s Moments”
Sony Venice + Signature Primes
Commercial spec starring: @stacypanchu @alecnnw
Dir/DPs: @tim_toda @spencermanndp
Producer: @carolinecolee
Wardrobe: @abstract_numbers
Cam Op/Steadi: @steadistanke
1st ACs: kaihlgil @philiphoangx
Gaffer: @thebowenimage @therealgracegiffune
Edit: @_zach_edwards
Color: @cameronmarygold @ethos_studio
VFX: @jomurayama
PA: @benharthun
Camera Services: @eastsidecamera
.
.
.
.
#narrative #commercial #ad #cinematography #filmmaking #sony #uniqlo #wardrobe #lifewear taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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2 years ago

KATE (2023)

Last but not least, the last pair from my shoot with Kate in this dreamy set by @ourhomestudios ❤️

A lovely way to ease back in and close out the year with a session I feel happy with and to have given someone who was new to it, an experience that felt comfortable. Thank you Kate for your trust, your support and openness to let me place you into a world that was equally yours as it was mine.

Photography/ Art Direction/ Wardrobe: @abstract_numbers
Light Tech: @haley_minyoung_kreofsky
MUA: @makeupbysofiarose
Location: @ourhomestudios

Swipe for a closer look.

MX taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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3 years ago

KATE (2023)

Another set from my shoot with Kate in this dreamy set by @ourhomestudios ❤️

Photography/ Art Direction/ Wardrobe: @abstract_numbers
Light Tech: @haley_minyoung_kreofsky
MUA: @makeupbysofiarose
Location: @ourhomestudios

Swipe for a closer look.

MX taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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3 years ago

KATE (2023)

Not often do I get approach to take personal portraits in my style of work, but when I do, I always feel validated in my vision. Kate originally reached out to me earlier this year, wanting a portrait set as a gift for herself in celebration of turning 30 during the pandemic. She wanted a set that would best encapsulate her and her identity. She wanted a sense of mystery, contemplation, and a darker mood so we decided we were going to use that as the foundation.

I was lucky enough to have found the amazing @ourhomestudios for our location. The space being inspired by Wong Kar Wai’s “In The Mood For Love” and vintage Hong Kong’s apartments in 1960s, made it an easy choice and it set the tone for the overall atmosphere of the world we were aiming for. Not to mention the wonderful hospitality by @minnienguyenofficial 🙏🏼

Big thanks to Haley for being amazing and helping me light this space. To Sofia who did a beautiful job in making the beauty magic in Kate shine. Wouldn’t have been possible without you both.

Photography/ Art Direction/ Wardrobe: @abstract_numbers
Light Tech: @haley_minyoung_kreofsky
MUA: @makeupbysofiarose

Swipe for a closer look.

MX taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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3 years ago

We Were Once Here (2023) | 05.06.23

Here are the last frames from this set with @laurenwithrow this past weekend. Big thanks again to you Lauren and @taraviolet for finding a space that encapsulated the feeling of dusk so perfectly.

For better quality & size, head over to:

mayxiong.com

Swipe for a closer look.

Thanks for looking.

MX taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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3 years ago

We Were Once Here (2023) | 05.06.23

I want to say thank you to the continued support on this platform and outside of it. Sometimes when you don’t bloom often, you wonder if anyone is even paying attention. But when you realize that people still do, you feel that tenfold.

Photography has truly been a gateway for my sense of self and how I want to be seen. Whether it’s through these characters that I create or the places I choose to photograph, creates those characters for me — photography is all about how you see the world in your own unique way, the choices you make in framing your storytelling and how vulnerable you want to be through each layer of that. I love that it gives me the space to breathe in a way I can’t elsewhere.

Thank you again for taking the time to look a little deeper.

Much appreciation to @laurenwithrow in sharing this quiet space together.

Swipe for a closer look.

MX taken in Los Angeles, California by @abstract_numbers

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3 years ago