My name is Daniel Ceng, a multi-award-winning Asian photojournalist with a camera in hand and a heart for the world. At 19, I embarked on this journey in India, documenting protests against discriminatory laws. Two weeks after the Ukrainian invasion, at the age of 22, I found myself in the war zone, witnessing the apocalyptical impact on Ukrainian lives and the resilience of freedom-loving people.

From Delhi to Kyiv, my lens has captured regional and international events across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Earthquakes in Turkey, social conflicts in India, the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, the Philippines, and beyond – I've been there, telling stories not just with images, but with empathy and understanding.

As a member of the Photojournalists’ Center of The Philippines (PCP) and the International Federation of Journalists, I believe in giving space to Asian photographers to showcase our perspectives and the stories we see through our lenses. My 60+ awards, including prestigious titles such as 2nd and 3rd place at the International Photography Awards, are a testament to this mission.

In essence, I am a citizen of the world, documenting its realities with a global perspective and hoping to inspire others to see the world through a different lens.

I'm an autodidact photojournalist, backed up by Ritchie Tongo, a Filipino news photographer, with his unwavering support, wisdom, tips, and collaboration.

For a long time, I have been championing the voices and values of the Asian photography community, especially photojournalism. My dream is to see the world of photography evolve into a truly global space where Asian, Western, and all other photographers from every corner of the globe can share their stories and visions on an equal footing.

Shortly after turning 22, on March 9, 2022, I found myself not blowing out candles, but boarding a plane to France, then Poland, then Ukraine. My mission: is to penetrate the sanitized narratives of mainstream media and propaganda, to show the raw, unfiltered terror and truth of war. Witnessing the indomitable spirit of Ukrainians resisting authoritarianism and terrorism ignited a fire within me. I needed to capture their stories, their courage, their resilience in the face of unimaginable oppression. So I ventured to the front lines: Donbass, Kharkiv, Kherson, and countless other battlegrounds scarred by Russian attacks. My lens became a weapon, not against flesh and blood, but against the silencing of truth. Through it, I hoped to inspire the world to understand the power of unshakable bravery, and the unshakable need to stand tall in the face of darkness.

For me, the gold mine of advice I would shout at any budding photographer. Keep it real, keep it raw. Less is more, trust me. Patience and a dash of persistence are the secret sources to nailing your vision.

When it comes to achieving your goals, it's essential to keep things simple and minimize distractions. This means focusing on the essential tasks at hand, staying patient, and keeping your persistence strong. By following these principles, you'll be well on your way to success.