Chris “Stanley” Li

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

 

An award-winning photographer and cinematographer, Chris is best known for Urban Frames, a photography series exhibited internationally and selected for PhotoVogue. 

 

A journalist, avgeek, and technophile, Chris founded TAN ZONE in 2023, a bilingual media producing essays 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.

 

In college, Chris builds his strong interest in communications through both coursework and activities. At NYU, he is a member of the Run Club and the Aviation Club. He previously interned at Caltta Technologies, supporting international brand communications across English and Spanish-speaking markets.

 

Beyond the office and classroom, Chris is an avid marathon runner who progressed 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.