Below are some photos from last week’s fundraiser dinner benefiting Shine On Sierra Leone & WellBody Alliance. I had the privilege of traveling to Sierra Leone last year with these two organizations. You can see photos from that trip here. 
It was a LOVELY evening filled with smiling faces, ginormous hearts, and yummy lasagna (thanks for cooking Mama Dawson!).
Here are answers to last week’s Q&A on Facebook.
1. Vale C.: What is the most difficult thing while photographing couples and weddings? What would you recommend to pay special attention to?
The most difficult thing about photographing weddings is working with what you have. You have to think fast and there are no re-do’s. Pay special attention to what is important to your client, whether it be posed photos, the details, or specific friends and family members.
2. Teng V.: When shooting weddings, are you using any strobes to help light?
No. If it’s really dark then I will use my attached flash (the Canon 580EX). Having strobes can make photos look a lot better, but I think the production time it takes to set them up (and work around them) takes away from the creativity/organic-ness of the moment.
3. Jessie T.: Do you drink coffee? If so, which is your favorite flavor???
I’m not a coffee drinker but I’m not opposed to it either. Sometimes I’ll have a mocha frapaccino before a wedding, but only because it tastes like dessert in a cup. Often times, caffeine actually makes me sleepy. Someone told me that means I have ADHD. Is this true?
4. Manelle R.: What were your high school years like?
Ahhhh high school, aka my “Fast & Furious” days. I thought I was really cool. I drove a rice rocket. I dated a guy who my dad called “Your ghetto break dancing boyfriend.” I didn’t get good grades. Luckily I whipped myself into shape just in time for college. I did do good in college! Haha.
5. Shayne D.: What lens do you use for portraits?
The 50mmf/1.2.
6. Tanjina C.: Do ever take pro photos of animals? Like cats?
I love taking pictures of animals but the only time I really photograph animals professionally is when my clients bring them to an engagement shoot. Besides that, I take lots of pictures of my dog via Instagram. :) If anyone cares to see more photos of my dog, my Instagram name is: cchangphoto.
7. Adrianna D.: Is there anything else you ever thought you would do besides photography?
Growing up, I thought I would be a chemist because that’s what my parents do. In college I wanted to work for the FBI. I also considered being a dental hygienist. And owning a bakery. And being a talent agent.
8. Tim S.: If you were given $1 for each time someone asked you to photograph their baby, how much $$$ would you have now?
Probably about $10. People don’t really ask me to photograph their babies, maybe because they can tell I don’t like kids. Oops, did I just say that out loud? Just kidding. I like kids. As long as they are well behaved. ;)
9. Jamie G.: What has been the most difficult challenge you have had to overcome in your life? How did you over come it? How did the experience benefit you?
Loving myself, being proud of myself, not being so hard on myself. Personal growth has been a big part of my life for the last 5 years or so (reading, attending seminars, meditation, daily affirmations, etc). Instead of “fixing” my surroundings, I realized that THE solution to having everything I want in life was to learn how to love myself. Once that was in place, everything else would mirror that. I can safely say that IT WORKS! :) Work, relationships, and life in general, flow beautifully. Seriously, loving myself is the reason for my success.
I just re-read that. Gosh, that was a really cheesy answer, but it’s the truth!
10. Eric B.: If you could pick one super power, what would it be??
To fly like Iron Man, but without the suit.
Actually coffee makes me sleepy too, I never thought about it related to ADHD before, i will have to check that later :S
Thanks!
Always love reading your posts and your tips and tutorials!…. I agree… i don’t like strobes either! X
ps: i meant to write this a second ago : Reading this I completely relate to how you speak about self development., ive been involved in a lot of that too, its so comforting to know you have had a similar journey..! .. it is a HUGE thing to learn to love yourself and despite all your imperfections. It is afterall your imperfections which make you unique and amazing. I love how your personality shines through as ever so positive and inspiring … and thats the only way you’ll be the best you can be for others, for youeself and for your work! … woooo! go Christine,
Hi Christine, I discovered your blog like two days ago and I have been scrolling pages after pages ever since. I absolutely love your work and more so your personality towards everything in life. Your Weekly question answers really made me think hard on what I really want to do in life. I have always loved photography but recently discovered it’s been a hidden passion of mine. I got my first DSLR camera D3100 Nikon about a year ago as a Bday gift from my sweet hubby and I have been working that camera since. I am a mother of two beautiful young boys and have been a housewife for 6 years. I was encouraged by my hubby to finish my school so I recently joined college again to finish my Human Services degree but at heart I am still struggling if this is the path I want to take as my career. I would love to hear what you have to say as I feel that you were somewhat in a similar situation as I . Thank you for all your wonderful work. Keep living your dream girl
My son was diagnosed with ADHD – coffee calms him down I don’t give him meds – I’m not about that life – I didn’t like kids either – until I had two – now I’m everyone’s Mom and I LOVE IT! I might come to your workshop in February – I live in the Bay Area!
I have an 8-page feature (8 – That’s the most I’ve ever had!) in Style Me Pretty’s Best Of 2012 Magazine! Hooray!
Thanks to the bride and groom in the photos – Chandra & Tony, for being a super awesome couple with GREAT taste. 
Yaaay! So awesome! Congratulations!!
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. – Mark Twain
I admire individuals who set trends, come up with new ideas, and make a difference on this planet. Those who have the courage who do things based on what they truly believe in.
Normal people go along with the herd and copy what other people are doing in hopes of being accepted. It’s a disastrous recipe for living in fear and being miserable, because your life is based on what other people think.
To anyone reading this (especially if you are currently in high school) – If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to not care so much about fitting in. If others makes fun of you for really liking something, embrace it. If you really believe in a great idea but others tell you that it is stupid, don’t believe them. I’m 12 years out of high school now, and I can safely say that the people who are doing the biggest things with their lives right now, were(and are) the nerds and weirdos. It’s people who were always able to think for themselves.
Those people now are successful entrepreneurs who travel the world and DO amazing things. I love the conversations I have with my weirdo friends. Asking a simple question like, “What are you up to next week?” is never followed by, “Ohhh, you know, the same old….” It’s things like, “I’m taking the month off and bringing the family to go explore all the spiritual places in India,” or “I’m launching a new iPhone App with a guy I met while climbing the Alps.”
My buddy Johnny Earle of Johnny Cupcakes always shares stories of how he was teased in high school. In fact, he still has haters. I can’t imagine what there is to hate about him, other than someone might be jealous that he came up with an original idea, and makes millions of dollars doing what he LOVES. Some of the kids who teased him in high school actually stand in line to buy his products now. Go figure.
Mediocrity attacks excellence. –Michael Beckwith.
I saw a group of high school boys at Yogurtland last week. They were playing some nerdy game that involved playing cards and little robotic Japanimation figurines. They were SO into it! Sitting at an adjacent table, eating my yogurt with strawberry, mochi, and shaved almond toppings (so good), I smiled and watched. I smiled because 10-15 years from now, I know they are going to be up to BIG things in life, not to mention probably acquire some smokin’ hot wives.
Here is a cool little video made by my buddies (and fellow weirdos) at GameChangers 500.
Be weird. Be an outsider. Be a maverick.
Life is more interesting that way.
woah this really just hit home with me. i could cry, but i won’t because i’ll ruin my eyeliner man, i needed to hear this today, thank you!
Julyssa – yeah, don’t ruin the eyeliner. Thanks for reading my blog! Love your name. 
Photographing Heena & Anand’s wedding was my first experience shooting a full-on multi-day Indian wedding.
My biggest takeaway from it? Indian people are crazy. They are MY kind of crazy.
I completely fell in love with the culture after this experience. The family, the prayers, the dancing, the FOOD, the COLORS, the LOVE . . .
Indian husband or not, I am seriously considering having an Indian wedding when I get married. Just look at how cool this is!!!
The wedding took place at the Kempinski Hotel in Jakarta.
Heena with her parents.
Anand with his parents.
Traditionally, the Groom goes to the Bride’s house to do “The First Look.”
Off to the ceremony.
This is a glimpse of the carnival-themed reception. WOW is an understatement.
Speeches.
Friends performing a dance.
I couldn’t imagine Heena & Anand cutting the cake with anything else besides a sword.
Thank you Heena & Anand, for trusting me to take your wedding pictures. It seriously means the world to me! Special thanks to my second shooter Carla Choy for doing a phenomenal job as usual - Love you Carla! And thank you SO, so much to the event planning team at Eventures, who kept two photographers from the states well in the loop. I would have been lost without them!
Ok Indian wedding people – who’s next?
The Indian wedding looks so beautiful.Really this photography is a creative one
Wow! The wedding looks fabulous. It is really important to have a good photographer for wedding. They made the images lively like a picture perfect.
This looks like it was a very fun evening and everyone had a good time. I want to thank all of you for all your works because it is so easy to forget what is happening on the other side of the planet. I hope that someday many will realize that awareness can go a long way in finding solutions to any problem big or small. In the words of the great Rock band The Who, “join together, join together with the band.”
Sincerely, L.
I had a fantastic time. Thank you to Dr. Dan and Tiffany Persons for creating a space for the people of Sierra Leone to become educated and receive medical care. Special thanks to my daughter Rosario, Tara Smith and Ann Kleinhenz my sous chefs, we rocked it ladies…150+ people served! Let’s do it again in March