hello My name is Len sanqui! My family immigrated from the Philippines, but I was born in Bowling Green, Ohio and was raised in Boone, North Carolina. I started teaching myself photography in high school as a hobby, while using my mom's DSLR. I developed my practice through online photography & videography classes and then went to college at Appalachian State University and got a B.S. in Commercial Photography, with a minor in New Media & Digital Cultures. despite the "commercial" focus of the photography program, i found myself more drawn to conceptual, experimental, and more personal styles in my photography.
My identity has been really influential to my artwork. As a queer person of color dealing with mental health issues, I have struggled with my identity and how it determined my place in the world. Through photography, I have felt empowered to tell my own story, and turn my personal experiences and feelings into visual art that I can share with the world.
I am inspired to use photography & film to allow others to share their stories and feel beautiful & special in their own ways. I love working with other people of color, queer people, and fellow creatives who see the world in a different way. When I'm not taking photos, I am getting involved in community organizing and non-profit work, watching films, thrifting, making collages, eating sweet treats, and hanging out with my cats.
Thank you for reading this and checking out my website!