Under the sycamore trees — 60 × 40 in | One-of-One Photograph

Tommy Lei is a fine art photographer based in Los Angeles, working at the intersection of visible and invisible landscapes. Born in Hong Kong and now based in Southern California, he has been creating work in Los Angeles for over a decade. Through both infrared and traditional photography, Lei explores overlooked moments and liminal spaces of everyday life—transforming natural environments and urban scenes into contemplative meditations on perception, resilience, and the unseen. His work is deeply informed by his Chinese heritage and Buddhist upbringing, examining the tensions between rigidity and fluidity, tradition and transformation. Lei’s creative process often involves specialized photographic techniques, including infrared imaging, to reveal hidden textures, tones, and atmospheres that challenge conventional ways of seeing. Rooted in personal experience and a background in psychology, his practice is guided by stillness, observation, and an attunement to natural rhythms. He is drawn to subjects that embody quiet resilience: water in motion, landscapes suspended in time, and urban spaces softened through contemplation. His photographs invite viewers into spaces that are neither fully resolved nor entirely uncertain—asking us to pause, to find beauty in what cannot be immediately named, and to recognize that meaning often exists beneath the surface. Lei’s work is held in private and institutional collections and has been exhibited at the Pasadena Museum of History. He is an ambassador for Canson Infinity, and his photographs have been featured in Architectural Digest, Aesthetica, and The Hollywood Reporter. Recent commissions include work for JP Morgan Chase, Samsung TV, and Delta. For acquisition guidance, commissions, or placement inquiries, please contact curator@saatchiart.com.