Christine Chang Photography Blog » Recent work, Photo Tips, & Random Rants by Christine Chang.

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  • Christine Chang

    Destination Wedding Photographer. Adventurer. Ninja.

    Lover of brussel sprouts, chubby dogs, and Disneyland.

    I began taking pictures in middle school when my best friend and I would set up a portrait “studio,” which consisted of hanging up a bed sheet and shining house lamps toward it. Fast forward 20 years and today I am living my dream as a worldwide photographer based in Los Angeles.

    Here you will find some of my recent work along with some personal adventures and useless banter.

Destination Wedding Photography Workshop, Los Angeles

So many people dream about getting paid to travel the world.  YOU CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN!  In this workshop I will share some of the things I did to get people to start hiring me to travel to exotic places such as Thailand, Indonesia, & Bora Bora.  I won’t lie, I kinda love my job.;)

Space is limited to a small number of attendees.  More info and to sign up here:  http://christinechangdestinationwedding.eventbrite.com/

A quick breakdown of the workshop:

Lecture: Becoming A Destination Wedding Photographer

4:00pm – 5:15pm

Learn some steps you can take to become a successful destination wedding photographer!

Destination Wedding / Engagement Shoot at Topanga State Beach

6:00pm – 7:00pm

Bring your cameras.  It’s going to look tropical, and it will be a great opportunity to get new photos for your portfolio!

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Q&A: Modeling School, Adobe LightRoom, Advice For Beginner Photographers

Here are the answers to last week’s Q&A on Facebook!  I am off to Las Vegas to attend WPPI  – the biggest, baddest photo convention of the year.  Time to geek out!

1. Imtisal Y.:  What was the first camera you ever used for photography?

I had a 1980’s 35mm point-and-shoot Nikon (don’t remember the exact model) that I used on field trips when I was in the 5th grade.  I started taking photography more seriously when I got my first dSLR – the Canon Rebel.

2. Sean D.:  Would you rather be a lion or a tuna?

Lion.

3. Trinette R.:   Your poses in pictures are always perfect and stunning!  Have you taken “modeling” lessons or just picked up tricks along the way?

Thanks!  Haha, no modeling school for me.  Looking at people in front of the camera all day, you kind of get a sense of what works and what doesn’t.  For the most part, I’ve learned that if you feel comfortable in front of the camera, you will look good!  That is key.

4. Nicole B.:  Is it important for wedding photographers to have references in case future clients ask for a few?

I don’t think I’ve ever formally been asked for references but I think it’s good to have them just in case.  A good thing to do is have your previous clients review you on sites like Yelp or Wedding Wire.

5. Dian R.:  Zoom or wide angle?

Prime.

6. Jamie G.:  You’ve mentioned that you’ve gone skydiving before.  I’ve always wanted to do that.  Would you like to go skydiving with me whenever I’m in town?

Yes!!!!!!!!!!

7. Pansy M.:  What’s the best advice you can give beginners?

Get ready to work hard! :)

8. Grace K.:  Adobe Lightroom advice please!  What is the top 1 or 2 things you can’t live without that make your photos come to life?

1.) Adjusting exposure  2.) Adjusting contrast.  I like to stick with the basics.  ;)

9. Roi R.:  Do you think pigeons have feelings?

Yes.

10. Hind B.:  What’s the number one thing or person that inspires you?

Happy people inspire me most.  Those who love themselves, love life, and are passionate about what they do!

Sawtelle Little Tokyo Sushi Crawl

In West LA there is a “Little Tokyo” on Sawtelle Blvd., so my friends Mark, Jess, Rob and I came up with the genius idea of doing a sushi crawl.  We stuffed our faces at 8 locations including Bar Hayama, Sushi Stop, Hide Sushi, Nijiya Market, Beard Papa, Yogurtland, The Buttercup, and Coco Boba.

If you’ve never done this before, I highly recommend it!

Kampai.  Let’s get this show on the road.

Mark schooling us on the different options at Beard Papa.

We literally spent 10 minutes deciding what kind of Mochi to get, squeezing them to see how soft they were.  The softer the better.  Like implants.

Our original plan was to get free samples at Yogurtland and bail, but I ended up buying a little something.  There was no one else in the store to distract the employees.  Boo.

On our way out of Hide Sushi, I really wanted the sushi chefs to look up, so I asked my friends to do something to make them look up.  I’m not going to say what they did. Haha.

These macaroons are actually fake, but I still wanted to eat them.

Trendy chocolate.  The ramen one is really good.  Komforte Chockolates makes some really interesting flavors!

Last stop.  Boba!!!!

THE END.

Jessica - March 8, 2013 - 12:58 pm

I LOVE these pictures! What fun! I think my stomach only hurt because of the mochi, otherwise, all is great in the world! Mark was right, next time you need to be in a lot photos. You’re so animated and we’re missing out on great photo ops of my beautiful Twinny…

Kristina G - March 8, 2013 - 1:27 pm

I love these adventures! the story telling through the pics is so funny!

I love it

Lydia - March 8, 2013 - 5:05 pm

Ooooooh where can I get the ramen chocolate!?!?

m ! ss Y - March 8, 2013 - 6:21 pm

christine, you have cool friends :)

im a sucker for romantic shots so i love the 2nd one from the bottom… and the last one of his stomach cracked me up.

yay to yummy food adventures!

Christine C. - March 10, 2013 - 7:45 pm

Lydia – The ramen chocolate is from ButtercupLA, right next door to the Coco Boba place.

Bridesmaids Dresses: To Match, Or Not To Match?

Bridesmaids dresses – To matchy match, or not to matchy match?

On one hand there’s the tradition of having bridesmaids look the same, from the dress to the shoes to the hair to the flowers.  In high school, my bestfriends and I would plan our outfits and match allllll the time.  Even now, if I show up to party and my girlfriend is coincidentally wearing something similar, I get a kick out of it.  It’s fun to be all matchy matchy.

At the same time, I’m quite the rebellious artistic type, and totally dig the concept of individuality.

What are your thoughts?  Do you prefer matchy-matchy or different looks for bridesmaids?

Maria - March 7, 2013 - 6:52 pm

No match. Not the same style will flatter the same body type. I’d want my ladies looking like perfection! The perfect dress for each of them, with coordinating colors.

Sarah Scoma - March 8, 2013 - 3:14 am

How great is it to be a bridesmaid & LOVE your dress!? Not everyone gets the opportunity to wear them again… So I Agree, coordinated with the wedding but in the bridesmaid own style.

Btw, that photo totally makes me smile:)

Los Angeles Baby Photography: Jay, Amy, & Max

I’ve had the privilege of being with Jay & Amy through some pretty cool milestones in their lives.  From their engagement session, to their Cook Islands wedding, to their LA Reception, to the birth of their first child Max.

This was my first baby shoot!  I haven’t done them up until now because to be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how to photograph newborns.  It’s not exactly the same as posing a bride, but what I realized is that all I have to do is what I usually do – have fun and document what I see. ;)

Thanks Jay & Amy, for trusting me to take these photos!

Grandmas.  <3  During Jay & Amy’s wedding, they were already talking about how excited they were about their future grandchildren.  Pure JOY on their faces!

This photo cracks me up!

First piano lesson.  I love how he’s sleeping.

Don’t worry Max, I used to do the same thing when my mom made me take piano lessons.

Amy & Jay’s friend knitted this little football outfit for them!

Absolutely ridiculous. :)

Time to get fed and put down for bed.

The view from their condo.  It was a gorgeous day!

If you are interested in having fun pictures taken with your little one, I think I got the hang of this baby photography thing. ;)

packingrainbows - March 5, 2013 - 3:42 pm

I luv babies (although I aint birthin’ no more! LOL)

I love these pics – especially the football one – so cute

candice - March 5, 2013 - 9:19 pm

I didn’t know you did baby photography – Judah’s not a newborn anymore but maybe we’ll call you for his first birthday!

Sarah O Scoma - March 7, 2013 - 2:37 pm

LOVE.