Hailun Ma (b. 1992, Urumqi, Xinjiang) is a photographer and visual artist working across fashion, editorial, and long-term personal projects. After moving to New York in 2013 to study at the School of Visual Arts, she developed a practice grounded in intimacy, environment, and cultural observation.

Rooted in lived experience, her work examines identity, womanhood, youth culture, and emotional intimacy. Her imagery is poetic yet precise, instinctive yet intentional. She is deeply drawn to photography’s relationship to memory and perception, exploring how images shape reality and create a sense of belonging. Her distinct ability lies in balancing documentary sensitivity with a refined editorial perspective.

Hailun was named by the BoF 500 as an innovator, recognising her as part of a new generation shaping contemporary visual culture. Through commissioned and personal work alike, Ma continues to build a distinct visual language at the intersection of fashion, art, and storytelling.

Hailun MaShanghai, Grand Prix Vanity Fair