Dr. Kah-Wai Lin is a landscape, wildlife, and travel photographer, ocean explorer, documentary film producer, and wildlife conservationist based in New Jersey, USA. His multifaceted career has been marked by a remarkable journey that spans the realms of medicine, research, and the captivating world of professional photography and film production.
Born in Malaysia, Dr. Lin is not only a holder of a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Lviv National Medical University in Lviv, Ukraine, but also possesses a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in medical science from the esteemed Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Following a successful research career at Princeton University in New Jersey, Dr. Lin made a profound shift to follow his passion for visual storytelling through photography and documentary filmmaking. Currently, he is the president of Kah-Wai Lin Photography, specializing in photo tours and workshops, education, and marketing consulting; and the co-director of Wild Camel Protection Foundation USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to endangered Wild Camel conservation in Mongolia.
Today, Dr. Lin has guided over 200 photo workshops, presented at over 300 seminars worldwide, and amassed a collection of more than 200 global awards. Noteworthy achievements include 1st place at the International Photography Award in 2015; 3rd place at the International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2026; and the top 10 world exhibitors at the Photographic Society of America (PSA) in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, Dr. Lin was honored with an appointment as Artist-in-Residence of the US National Park. His contributions have garnered sponsorship from leading brands in the industry, including Phase One, NiSi, Fotopro, f-stop, Summit Creative, FeiyuTech, Spiffy Gear, iwata-Tech, Red River Paper, BenQ, Laowa, Cotton Carrier, and The Heat Company.
Dr. Lin’s commitment to the photographic community extends beyond his artistic endeavors. He served as the former Vice President of the Photographic Society of America (PSA); the founder and former Chairman of the PSA Metropolitan Chapter; and the founder and former president of the Photographic Society of New Jersey. With an influential social media presence boasting over 300,000 followers, Dr. Lin continues to inspire and connect with a global audience.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Lin has received numerous honorary titles from photographic organizations worldwide. In 2015, he was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by a U.S. Member of Congress, honoring his photographic excellence and the positive impact of his work on the broader community. In 2026, he received the Medal of Merit from the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for his contributions to cultural preservation and wildlife conservation in Mongolia, as well as a Medal of Merit from the Governor’s Office of Bayan-Ölgii Province for his role in promoting the province’s culture and tourism.
