KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — Zung Ninja sounds like some anime hero but he is no fantasy. Zung is real. In fact, his is a familiar name among those in high society as he is regularly engaged to take their photographs.
At approximately six foot five, with shoulder-length hair, wearing a pair of nerd glasses, black coat and sneakers, Zung could pass off as just another random hipster.
But the journey to becoming Zung “the ninja photographer” — a moniker he earned oweing to his fast ninja-like movements — was not an easy one.
So how did a boy from a poor family in Sekinchan who could not speak English well end up such a sought-after photographer?
“Photography was just my part time job in 1998 ...at that time I was working for a press photographer for a measly RM50 as he was just too lazy to work.
“For one RM50 note I had to work every day from 9pm till 3am. I was a civil engineering major about to fly to the US to complete my degree and build a better life for myself, but the 1998 economic crisis crushed my dreams.
“I dropped out when I was 21 and I cried every other day because my future was gone ...it was painful ...I cried while going to work, while eating ...my dream was basically shattered.”
Many businesses suffered during that period and the livelihoods of the middle- and working-class communities were badly affected.
Broke, dejected, but still dreamt big
He then began working for the press photographer in 1998.
“As a student I had to go to nightclubs to shoot photos to support myself while my college mates were having fun.
“The press photographer basically exploited me by paying me a RM50 token to last for 10 days,” he told Malay Mail Online in a recent interview.
Zung said he then gave himself two options; to throw back the RM50 to this bully or be smart and start making the best of his predicament.
“Life was bad for a 21-year-old me then, so I began to use my hard times as my teacher and learned how to turn things around.”
Despite the frustration of being bullied and going hungry most of the time, Zung never once blamed his parents whom he felt had already given their best for his future.
He then honed his photography skill and developing a sharp eye for details. Zung’s popularity began soaring after his clients recommended him via word of mouth.
So huge was the volume of recommendations that Zung was even hired by American businessman Donald Trump, who is now currently campaigning for the US presidency, as his personal photographer.
The boy who had never set foot anywhere outside of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor soon found himself jet-setting to various parts of the world, including the Antarctica, where he was commissioned to document the expedition of a group of wealthy travellers to the South Pole in 2012.
To date, Zung has photographed the Dalai Lama in Melbourne, Italian classical tenor Andrea Bocelli and is also world-famous motivational speaker Anthony Robbins’ official photographer.
He has also completed a personal challenge: Finishing photography assignments in six cities spanning six continents.
Pushing the 'Made in Malaysia' brand
At 37 now, Zung says he aspires to promote the idea of perseverance and the notion that no dream is too big to be chased.
“I do attract haters and the reality is that you will have haters, but don’t waste time on them …spend more time on those willing to give you a chance.
“People lose confidence in you once they know you are a Malaysian, they deduct some points beforehand, so I can’t just do good job but I have to do an exceptionally good one to prove myself.
“I have to work three times harder to outshine my competitors but this is also what makes one successful. Determination.
“When I showcase my work, I make sure I leave a mark, that this is a 100 per cent Malaysian brand …after all we Malaysians are an extraordinary lot, so we would only be doing ourselves and our country a favour if we put up top-class performance,” he added.
Charity work, motivation seminars keep Zung busy
When Zung is not flying business class to some high-level photography gig, he spends his time giving motivational talks to underprivileged children in schools and orphanages or organising photography camps.
“You must never forget where and how you started and now I want to give back to society and share with them what I have learnt from my hardships... to never, ever, back down.”
He has also travelled to Zambia and Africa to help rebuild schools.
“I am very blessed that I have many mentors to inspire me and now it is my time to give back,” he said.
