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.

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.

Q&A: LightRoom Presets, Back Button Focusing, Bay Area Photography Workshop

Here are the answers to last week’s Q&A on Facebook!

1. Jackie R.:  Do you mentor aspiring photographers?

Yes.  I do workshops, and I also mentor one-on-one.

2. Nina T.:  Hi Christine!  When will you have another workshop in the bay area?  I came across your beautiful works just because the last one!

I will have one again later this year!  Dates will be announced on my website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

3. Pansy M.:  Do you like to have a blurry background?  Or do you like keeping the image crisp & sharp?

I tend to like a blurry background.  My aperture is usually around f2.8 – 3.5, and I rarely set it higher than 5.6.

4. Deirdre G.:  What equipment essentials do you recommend newbie wedding photographers purchase (ie., body, lenses, speedlites, meters, LR or editing presets, etc.)??

2 camera bodies, 24-70mm f 2.8 lens, 580EX Speedlite, Adobe Photoshop & LightRoom, 2 extra camera batteries.

5. Mawiyah J.:  Do you ever use artificial light?

Rarely.  If the reception at a wedding is too dim, I use my 580EX flash.

6. Christine C.:  Do you ever use Back Button Focusing?  If not, do you have any tips to guarantee such sharp focus especially when there’s a lot of hazy sunlight or movement, for example for a couple laughing or running around?

I do not use back button focusing but I hear great things about it.  When I am photographing a moving subject my camera is set to Al Servo, and I use a quick lens like the 50mm f 1.2 or the 70-200mm f 2.8.  With movement I usually don’t like the photos to be too sharp and crisp.  I think that a little blur really showcases the movement and gives it more character!

7. Mel I:  When you work with PS, do you use actions or do you enhance every picture in any way?

I have some presets that I use in LightRoom.  It makes the workflow a lot faster, but even with the presets, I go through and tweak every individual photo.  When I first started I bought presets from Jules Bianchi, and through the years I customized them based on the adjustments that I made most.  If you use presets, I think that fine tuning them is very important!

Judy - March 4, 2013 - 8:50 pm

Hi Christine!! where can we purchase presets from Jules Bianchi?

Mirla Hernandez - March 11, 2013 - 7:42 am

Hi!! I’m a beginner and also a big fan of your work. Hope I can join one of your workshops soon. My question is: Even with the best equipment, in low light conditions you have to deal with noise. How you deal with noise and how much noise is acceptable? Thanks :)

hey there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked up something new from right here. Jones sabo let alone the way try to pretend that ‘everything could brilliant http://oh-my-code.com/showthread.php?56205-Jones-sabo-let-alone-the-way-try-to-pretend-that-everything-could-br&p=56673#post56673

Letting Go

I watched the movie Celeste and Jesse Forever the other night.  It’s about a divorced couple who tries to remain best friends but realized that although they still love each other, they needed to let go.  It’s a comedy but I was crying like a baby.

I put my old car up for sale on Craigslist and officially sold it a few days ago.  It was hard because I LOVE my Mazda3, aka “Junior” (yes I name my cars).  He has been with me through so much.  Adopting my dog Sam.  Moving down to LA to start my photo career.  Happy times.  Sad times.  Adventurous times.

One of many road trips with the girls.

It didn’t really hit me until it came down to filling out the ‘Bill of Sale’ and handing over the keys.  I WAS SAD.  I literally stood there and watched the new owner drive it away.

Goodbye old buddy, enjoy your new home!  Kim will be Junior’s new owner. :)

Letting go isn’t always fun or easy, but through the years I’ve learned that the faster you let go, the more beneficial it will be for you.  You will continue faster down the path that you are meant to be on, and GREATNESS is waiting for you.

My new car, “Ronin.” :)

Marianne Bush - March 1, 2013 - 9:26 pm

Hey, the guy’s lucky. He’s got a new battery ;-)

Grace - March 2, 2013 - 2:23 am

I totally know what you’re talking about, especially about cars. I got into a bad accident a few years ago an my Corolla S got totaled… I was sooo sad and upset about losing her. She was my baby. When I got a new car at the end of last year, I was originally thinking of getting the latest Corolla to “replace” the one I lost.

But, I figured out that it was easier in the long run to let go and take the best options life could give me. I ended up getting a Hyundai Elantra, which is a waaaay better deal than current Corollas. Im so happy with it, and love driving her!

Enjoy your new baby Christine. Make some good memories with it. :D

Yuwei - March 5, 2013 - 1:28 pm

Isn’t if funny how we get attached to inanimate objects!?! I get the same way even when I’m letting go of an old shirt! But….on to new adventures and even better things!

Cheers~

Brenda B. - March 6, 2013 - 12:55 am

Thanks for the movie recommendation. I loved it! </3

Being A Second Photographer, Wedding Photography, Plaza Hotel NYC

If I could be the second shooter at all my weddings, I would.

Most creative individuals perform better when there is less pressure.  Second shooting allows for that.  You get more “moments in between moments.”

I was the second shooter at a recent wedding for Jana Williams.  Jana is my colleague and she was hesitant to make the suggestion (because she knows I haven’t been a second shooter for years!), but I’m so glad she did!  She asked if I wanted to shoot a wedding with her in NYC and I gave a big fat YES!!

Some of my photos from Annie & Chung’s wedding at The Plaza Hotel.  It was a classy affair, and my creative juices told me to go B&W, all the way. :)

Benefits of this experience:

1.  I got to travel to one of my favorite cities on this planet.  No brainer!

2.  I got to be super creative and experience shooting a wedding with less pressure.

3.  I saw things from a different perspective.  It was great to put myself in the shoes of my second shooters, so I know what might be helpful to them in the future when they work with me.

Being a second shooter was a great opportunity and it really helped me learn and grow.  No matter where you are in your career, you can never run out of things to learn!

KristinaG - February 28, 2013 - 7:14 am

Crhistine, I adore this wedding, I saw some early posts in JAna’s blog and I couldn’t wait to see your pictures! I love them! It was amazing! so glam! Do you have any shots of the bride’s first dress? I loved it I need to know more about it lol

Sarah O Scoma - February 28, 2013 - 11:16 am

Christine,
You are so blessed to be able to take photos of all these amazing moments!

Q&A: Being Professional, Bucket List Travel Destination, & Auto White Balance

Here are the answers to last weekend’s Q&A on Facebook!  Thanks to everyone for your wonderful questions!

1. Len B.:  Do you have a virtual workshop available for www.eBriter.com?

Not right now, but I am going to start having my workshops filmed.  Great site!

2. Sunny B.:  What is the #1 destination on your travel bucket list?

Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.  I want to see 4-foot tall penguins!

3. Brenda B.:  Fully Manual or….?

Yes I shoot in Manual, except I use Auto Focus.

4. Raaj B.:  How important is it to actually be Professional while being a Professional?  Do you keep personal terms with the people you shoot or strictly don’t mix work and personal stuff?

It depends how you define professional and who your clientele are.  I think that when you are running a business it is VERY important to remain professional when it comes to things like being reliable, contracts, delivering product, etc., but as far as personality and self expression, I like to keep it authentic and personal.  I think that being authentic in all aspects of life is VERY important.  Being phony sucks!

5. Jessie T.:  Auto white balance, Yes or No?

Yes, I shoot using AWB.

6. Mawiyah J.:  I am interested in doing actors head shots.  I am still building my portfolio.  When you 1st STARTED – how did you handle the make up situation?

I teamed up with MUAs on ModelMayhem who were looking to build their portfolios too.

7. Pansy M.:  Did you ever in the past feel “jealous” when someone liked the persons photo calling them beautiful when you made the image of beauty pop out in life?  Or do you take it as a compliment?

If a person is beautiful then they are beautiful, and I’m not taking credit for that!  It’s a compliment all the way!!!

8. Jay P.:  What’s your sign?  Do you and your camera bond on vacation?  Because judging by your pictures, it sure looks like you have a stellar connection.

What kind of hippie questions are these? ;)  Taurus.  And yes, my camera and I definitely “click.”  Har har har.

9. Christina K.:  Do you mentor other photographers one on one?  And are you going to have another workshop in SF?

Yes, and yes.  I’m originally from the Bay Area so I venture up there often.

10. Grace K.:  Who makes you the happiest and shows you how much he/she loves you?  How often do you show them you love them back?

This is a GREAT question.  Sometimes you don’t stop to think about these things.  Thanks for asking!  My answer is Carla Choy.  The other day I was G-R-U-M-P-Y.  Carla asked if I wanted to go on a hike.  I wasn’t very excited about it but as soon as she got in my car, I felt better.  She has a calm energy.  She can tell whenever I’m on edge but never lets it phase her.  She just goes about her day, asks me the usual questions that she asks (i.e. how was your day?), and I feel better.  It’s very…easy.  Carla always does lots of nice things, like she’ll pick me up a pastry if she happens to be at the bakery, but the quality she has that makes me feel the most loved is her reliability.  She is one of the most reliable people I have ever met in my life.  She is also very generous with her time.  And a great listener.  That makes me feel loved.

As for how often I show love back – I’m not sure.  I know that I show it in a different way than she does.  I know I give her things.  Carla Choy – can you answer this part? :)

Brenda B. - February 26, 2013 - 12:35 pm

Aw, I love Carla! Aren’t girl friends the greatest???

Carla - February 26, 2013 - 6:24 pm

Thanks CC! I actually think you have a very calming energy too. Probably because you are less emotional and more logical. You do lots of things. You listen to me when I’m sad about a break up and you give me practical, no-nonsense advice. You send me nice notes in the mail. You pick me up from the airport. You feed me brussels sprouts with fried eggs. You also gave me that cool clock/scale yesterday and it looks great on my shelves :) That just scratches the surface. Thanks for being a loving friend CC!

Christine C. - February 27, 2013 - 2:57 pm

Thanks Carla Choy! Yes, girl friends are the greatest, and Carla Choy is the best!