"Light & Beyond II" by Raying Photography Studio Opened at CCACC Art Gallery
"Light & Beyond II: Raying Photography Exhibition" recently opened with great success at the CCACC Art Gallery. Organized by Raying Photography Studio, the exhibition features representative works from ten outstanding Chinese American photographers from across the United States.
The opening reception was held on July 5 at 2 PM and was co-hosted by Yanny Liu, current president of the CCACC Photo Club, and Ruiqing Yang, former president. Representing the organizing team, the two warmly welcomed all guests. The gallery was filled with an enthusiastic atmosphere, attracting more than a hundred photography professionals and art lovers who gathered to view and exchange ideas.
Rita S. Lewi (CCACC Executive Director & Director of CCACC Art Gallery) delivered remarks at the event. She highly praised the artistic vision and quality of the exhibition and expressed her strong support for integrating art into community life. John Fan, founder of Raying Photography Studio and a renowned photographer, served as the curator for this exhibition. In his speech, he reflected on the studio's founding mission and journey, and introduced each of the ten participating photographers.
"Our original intention in founding Raying was to return to the essence of photography, away from the distractions of social media and commercialism," said John Fan. "The word 'Raying' comes from 'light' — the fundamental element of photography — and 'sharp,' representing clarity and precise focus." He added, "A photographer does not paint with a brush, but with light. We use our cameras to capture the radiance of light and connect with viewers through imagination."
With the theme Light & Beyond II, this exhibition marks another milestone since the founding of Raying Photography Studio in 2019. The 20 large-format photographic artworks on display cover subjects such as landscapes, wildlife, and architecture, showcasing the expressive power of light and shadow. Visitors were deeply engaged, often pausing to appreciate the works and engaging in lively discussions. The interaction between the photographers and viewers added both warmth and depth to the experience.
Many members of Raying Photography Studio come from professional backgrounds in science, business, and technology, united by a shared passion for photography and nature. The group regularly hosts lectures, photo sharing sessions, and organizes creative field trips. They are also active contributors to the photography community, serving as competition judges, guest speakers, and board members of local photography associations and nonprofit organizations, continuing to promote the art of photography.
Dedicated to nonprofit principles, Raying Photography Studio remains focused on the exploration and dissemination of photographic art. The ten photographers featured in this exhibition are:
John Fan, Leah Xu, John Chen, Hanping Xiao, James Cai, Chao Feng, Zhihui Xie, Jianping Yang, Ruiqing Yang, and Yanny Liu.
All artworks are available for purchase. For inquiries, please contact Rayingphoto@gmail.com.
We warmly welcome you to visit the exhibition and invite your friends and family to experience the magic of light and photography!
You are welcome to click here to watch the highlights from the opening ceremony and explore more about the featured photographers and their works on the official website.
Exhibition Information:
Exhibition Period: July 5 – August 29, 2025
Gallery Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: 9318 Gaither Road, Suite 215, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Admission & Parking: Free
(Article by Raying Photography Studio)
Participating photographers and guests pose for a group photo at the CCACC Art Gallery.
Front row: Rita S. Lewi, Director of CCACC Art Gallery; Back row, from left to right: Yanny Liu, Ruiqing Yang, Zhihui Xie.
John Fan, founder of Raying Photography Studio, delivers opening remarks.
Director Rita S. Lewi gives her welcome speech.
Group photo of the ten featured photographers from Raying Photography Studio. From left to right: Yanny Liu, Leah Xu, Hanping Xiao, John Chen, James Cai, John Fan, Chao Feng, Zhihui Xie, Jianping Yang, Ruiqing Yang.
Visitors attentively viewing the exhibition.
