Chris “Stanley” Li

Chris Li is the Founder of TAN ZONE, a photographer, aviation journalist, and Dean’s List undergraduate at NYU, where he is majoring in Media, Culture, and Communication with a minor in Economics on an accelerated three-year track.

 

An award-winning photographer and cinematographer, Chris is best known for Urban Frames, an internationally exhibited photography series featuring images captured during his travels and time living in cities around the world. His photographs have received recognition from Vogue magazine and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

 

A journalist, avgeek, and technophile, Chris founded TAN ZONE in 2023, a bilingual media producing content on both aviation and trendy-tech products. Drawing on firsthand experiences and interviews, Chris breaks down industry knowledge for readers who are new to these fields. His newsletter and podcast, “Flying with Chris by TAN ZONE,” connects industry insight with firsthand experience.

 

At NYU, Chris is building a strong foundation in communications through both coursework and extracurricular activities, including the Run Club and Aviation Club. He previously interned at Caltta Technologies, where he supported international brand communications across English and Spanish-speaking markets.

 

Beyond his professional work, Chris is an avid marathon runner who transitioned from sprinting to long-distance running. Chris is also an individual investor. He earned the Young Investment Analyst certification through YIS at 16, and currently manages a portfolio focused on growth-driven equities.

 

Born in Beijing, raised in California, and based in New York City, Chris has lived and studied across the U.S., China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He is fluent in English and Mandarin, conversational in Cantonese and Spanish.