Junshien Photography | San Francisco Wedding Photographer

Bay Area wedding photographer | San Jose Municipal Baseball Stadium | Yooly and Darren

Junshien — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:09:29 +0000

Wedding in a baseball stadium? Sign us up! This is what happens when you have a superfun couple who wants a non-traditional wedding that’s as much a blast for their guests as it is for them. Yooly and Darren … you rock!

Assistant photographer: Carol Le
Venue: San Jose Municipal Baseball Stadium
Florist: Fujii Florist
Bakery: HannaH Coffee & Sweets
Makeup and Hair: Tiffany Chiang

{ Check out the wedding slideshow! }

One of Yooly’s bridesmaids spent weeks (months?) decorating these shoes. Comfortable and cute!

Yes, this is how the Reveal actually went down. No, you won’t ever get bored hanging around these two. lol!

mom

Off to the San Jose Municipal Baseball Stadium for the wedding!

Who doesn’t love kettle corn? Who doesn’t love FREE kettle corn??

One last round of shots before the ceremony.

Cute!!!

Flower girls and ring bearer walking down the aisle…

Yooly and her dad. What a way to make an entrance!

Cake by HannaH Coffee & Sweets!

Buckets of fresh strawberries on every table! Nom nom nom…

Inflatable bouncy houses for the kids …

I don’t remember why they were cutting from the top tier…

{ Check out the wedding slideshow! }

* * * * * * *

Current travel schedule
Honolulu, Hawaii: September 7-12
NYC: September 13-17
LA: October 22-28
Mexico (various cities): October 28 – November 2
Malaysia, Singapore: December 21 – January 11

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Pasadena wedding photographer | Pacific Asia Museum | Empress Harbor | Shirley and Carlos

Junshien — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:41:31 +0000

Photographer: Tauran
Assistant photographer: Linda
Ceremony venue: Pacific Asia Museum
Reception venue: Empress Harbor
Makeup artist: Elaine Chou
Coordinator: Cherry Chan, Sweet California Brides

* * * * * * *

Current travel schedule
Honolulu, Hawaii: September 7-12
NYC: September 13-17
LA: October 22-28
Mexico (various cities): October 28 – November 2
Malaysia, Singapore: December 21 – January 11

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Introducing our new website!

Junshien — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:46:02 +0000

Hello everybody! How are you doing today? We just wrapped up several days of shooting in New York, including a beautiful wedding in Tarrytown, as well as a couple editorial sessions around the city. Once we’re back at home base, we’ll have to hit the ground running — the remainder of the week is packed with client meetings, editing, an engagement session (possibly with a fishing theme!), a wedding at an intimate wine cellar up in Napa, etc.

But we have far more exciting news … Today, we’re very happy to announce the (soft) launch of our new website! Portfolio v4 is only going to contain our lifestyle work for now, but our wedding images will be up soon. This new site should be a lot easier to navigate — and it’s also iPhone and iPad ready! Check it out! What do you guys think? :)

Click here for Portfolio v4!

* * * * * * *

Current travel schedule
Honolulu, Hawaii: September 7-12
NYC: September 13-17
LA: October 22-28
Mexico (various cities): October 28 – November 2
Malaysia, Singapore: December 21 – January 11

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

We are published!

Junshien — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:14:37 +0000

Remember when we were hired by HannaH Coffee & Sweets to do the photography for their menu board? In the 12 months since then, this little cafe has caught the attention of local food critics and some prominent newspapers in the San Francisco Bay Area. We also recently found out that Content Magazine featured HannaH and one of our pictures in their newest issue! Check it out here in the 7th page!

If you are in the San Jose area and still haven’t had one of her signature red velvet cupcakes, you are totally missing out! Fair warning — we are not responsible for any sudden or uncontrollable urges, addictions, and impulse cravings you may experience after trying one. =P

Side story: A couple days ago, one of my friends saw the Yelp reviews and went to buy me a box of cupcakes for my birthday (week), not realizing until she got to the store that we do their photography. It’s been a while since I’ve had one of HannaH’s chocolate-espresso cupcakes, and wow, it was sooooo good! I couldn’t help myself and ended up eating a second one immediately after that! This was just before dinner too, so … oops.

HannaH Coffee & Sweets
754 The Alameda Suite #80
San Jose, CA 95126

Mon-Fri. 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

* * * * * * *

Current travel schedule
NYC: August 19-24
Honolulu, Hawaii: September 7-12
NYC: September 13-17
LA: October 22-28
Mexico (various cities): October 28 – November 2
Malaysia, Singapore: December 21 – January 11

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

A birthday wish

Junshien — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:12:34 +0000

Hello friends!

This month, I turn 28.

Less than 3 years ago, I quit my job in the high tech sector to pursue a “foolish dream” that many well-wishers warned me against. That leap of faith into the unknown has since turned my life into one crazy adventure that has me scrambling to keep up. Who could have guessed that one day, clients would be flying me all over the United States, and to places like Laos and South Korea and the Dominican Republic? (Perhaps South Africa or the Amazon one of these days? Yes??) Or that on a semi-regular basis, strangers would approach saying they’ve heard all about me, and that I’ve been a major inspiration? (Flattering and very, very humbling at the same time.) Or that “Junshien Photography” would quickly evolve from a one-man operation, editing late into the night, into “Junshien International Photographers,” with a small but growing team of creatives spread around the nation? (Well, we still edit late into the night, but that’s besides the point. =P)

I’ll be honest. Despite how good things look on the outside, some days I feel like I’m still trying to figure things out as I go, still putting pieces of this plane together while it’s flying a thousand miles an hour. Plenty of mistakes have been made along the way, and I have more than my fair share of “I can’t believe I screwed this up again” moments. Whenever I read about those who have gone out and done great things, I’m always humbled at how much more I still need to learn and grow.

But even with all the blunders and successes of the past few years, I know that the next several years–decades, even–are going to blow everything out of the water. There is a saying by Glade Byron Addams: “Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night.” I fully intend to continue living out that relentless, unflinching pursuit of the extraordinary life, and to help others find and chase their dreams too. My friends, for those of you who have come along for the ride, I’m warning you that this adventure has barely begun, and there are still a great many dreams and goals waiting to be pursued!

And so here is my birthday wish:

Some of you have been my friends for over a decade. Some of you have been following my blog for many years now, even before I knew I wanted to become a photographer. Some of you took the chance with me when I was barely starting out in my craft. Would you please leave a memory in the comments down below? No matter where this crazy journey of life takes me, I never want to forget my roots. I never want to forget where I have come from, the early struggles, my amateurish attempts at trying to find my voice, all those halting, baby steps that need to be made before any leap can occur. It could be a memory of how lousy I was as an engineering student. Or a conversation we had about how scary post-college life would be. Or the time I asked you for advice on how to use Photoshop. Or that one time I was so excited about some picture I took with my point and shoot, but you thought it was just alright. Or … well, pretty much any memory that you think will keep me grounded. =D

After this is done, I’m going to print it out and save it. And years from now, whenever I need to be reminded of where I’ve come from, I’ll have your memories to thank.

So please leave a comment! A sentence, a paragraph or two, whatever. Thank you, my friends! I couldn’t have made it this far without your support.

“I remember when …”

* * * * * * *

Update: Wow, thank you EVERYBODY for all your wonderful messages. I had expected maybe only a couple dozen comments, but you guys blew me away. I’m very touched by what you’ve written, and I’ve read every message at least twice. Thank you so much for being a part of my life! I know I’m better off because of you. :’)

San Francisco Bay Area lifestyle photographer | Tina Hui

Junshien — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:20:34 +0000

When clients contact us for a portrait session or wedding, they usually book within a few days or weeks. With Tina, it took her more than 3 years! She first contacted us back in early 2007 for a portrait session, and then we didn’t hear anything from her until 2008. That was followed by another long silence … until a few months ago. This time, it was for reals. =P

Anyway, pictures below! Tina is fun to hang out with, and intelligent, and successful, multi-talented, and cute, and overall pretty cool. :)

Lifestyle portrait sessions … for fun, for memories, for life.

Makeup artist: Chris Scott, Makeup Gourmet

{ Check out the slideshow from this lifestyle session! }

{ Missed the slideshow? Check it out here! }

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Pasadena wedding photographer | The Langham Hotel | Stephanie and Davy

Junshien — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:13:27 +0000

Stephanie and Davy were married at the magnificent Langham Huntington in Los Angeles. Stephanie has been following my blog for many years (since my Xanga days!), so it was a great privilege to be chosen as their wedding photographer. Really down-to-earth couple. Check out their wedding day slideshow!

Assistant photographer: Ingrid Liang
Venue: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles
Coordinator: Debbie Liaw, Aquafuzion
Florist: My Wedding Blooms

Apologies to my mentor Scott Robert–the above idea was stolen from him. =P Isn’t Stephanie beautiful??

First Look! Check out the slideshow for the full sequence of their Reveal. I still find their first few moments together really touching even though I’ve gone through these pictures so many times! :’)

The guys looking pimp.Ingrid did a great job setting this one up!
This shot took sooo long to pull together, and we had to move around all the furniture in the hotel hallway. But so glad it turned out well.

I freaking love her dress …

Yup… that’s a SIX tier cake you’re looking at!

Be sure to check out their wedding slideshow!

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Junshien Photography and A-List Makeup in support of the JIA Haiti Relief Project

Junshien — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:40:26 +0000

In conjunction with A-List Makeup, one of the Bay Area’s top makeup and hair studios, we at Junshien Photography are proud to announce our support of the JIA Haiti Relief Project! In a week, “Doctors to Haiti” will be sending a team of 10 doctors, nurses, and volunteers to help with the continuing relief efforts in Haiti.

Come attend the fundraiser tomorrow for a chance to bid on a $1500 makeup + hair + photo session with A-List Makeup and Junshien Photography!

Among other things, the night’s events will also include a diva auction, as well as a raffle for a 10-person, 5-course dinner with wine pairings by the head chef of the Three Seasons Restaurant in Palo Alto, prepared at your home!

For more info, head over to the Doctors to Haiti website, as well as their facebook event page.

Here is the press release from Doctors to Haiti:

Ladies — if you have wanted to take a new set of gorgeous photos, perhaps commemorating your friendships with your closest girlfriends, or need some amazing shots for a portfolio or before turn the big 3-0 or 4-0 — this is your chance.

Gentlemen — if you know you will be asking for your girlfriend’s hand in marriage anytime soon — it’s now standard to have engagement photoshoots. This is your chance to “wow” your fiancee by showing her you only get the VERY BEST for her.

Included in this truly generous package is a photoshoot by the one and only Junshien Lau, one of the most high-in-demand wedding photographers from coast-to-coast.

Not only did Junshien make his own superb talents available — he is making sure the lucky lady who wins this auction looks better than she ever dreamed she could with the inclusion of a makeover session w/ the best makeup and hair studios, A-List Makeup!

Take a look at Junshien’s website. Read the reviews on Yelp. And then consider how awesome this gift donation actually is for the right individual or couple.

The photography is breathtaking; the photographer leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to talent, drive, and ensuring every good moment is captured at its pinnacle.

A good life is simply a collection of wonderful memories; document it all and never, ever forget.

A sincere THANK YOU to Junshien Lau and Ann Ho (A-List Makeup), for your wonderful generosity; this is an amazing package that a single person or a couple will treasure for a lifetime. This package will be auctioned off at the event via silent auction starting at 8:30 PM @ 111 Minna in San Francisco. Retail value: $1500.

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

How to take bridal party pictures (a pictorial guide)

Junshien — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:43:02 +0000

Stick out butt. Like so. (Picture by Julie. Thanks ….. I guess. lol)

Fine, go ahead and laugh at the photographer. (sniff)

Go here to see more from this New England wedding!

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Los Gatos engagement session photographer | Jennie and Jason

Junshien — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:12:36 +0000

Aren’t these two super cute? For Jennie and Jason’s engagement session, we ran around Los Gatos. I especially love the outfits she chose!

Makeup: Charlene, Hello Pretty Me

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Sonoma wedding photographer | Jacuzzi Family Vineyards | Emily and Hodaka

Junshien — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:36:45 +0000

{ Check out Emily and Hodaka’s wedding slideshow! }

{ Check out Emily and Hodaka’s wedding slideshow, or their engagement session in Sonoma.}

Assistant: Carol Le
Venue: Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Makeup and hair: Erica Carr
Coordinator: Brandy Cabral, Bliss Event Productions
Floral Design: Anita Isaza, Wine Country Flowers
Catering: Wine Valley Catering
DJ: Randy Harris, Pacific Entertainment
Cake: Patisserie Angelica

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

San Francisco engagement session photographer | Sylvia and Joel

Junshien — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:29:46 +0000

Junshien’s current travel schedule
Portland, Oregon: July 26-30
LA: August 6-12
NYC: August 19-24
Honolulu, Hawaii: September 7-12
NYC: September 13-17
Mexico (various cities): October 28 – November 2
Malaysia, Singapore, tentatively 1 additional Asian country: December 26 – January 11

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

The Berkshires wedding photographer | Edith Wharton’s Estate | Lynn and Jacob (part 2)

Junshien — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:45:25 +0000

This is Part 2 of Lynn and Jake’s beautiful wedding at the Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts. Check out Part 1, or view their wedding slideshow!

En garde!

Love love love all these details! –>

{ Check out Lynn and Jake’s wedding slideshow! }

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Edith Wharton’s Estate wedding photographer | The Berkshires | Lynn and Jake (part 1)

Junshien — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:58:09 +0000

Such a magical wedding at the Mount, Edith Wharton’s historical estate in Lenox, Massachusetts! Lynn and Jake were simply wonderful, and we had too many bomb diggity pictures so this wedding will be posted in two parts.

Thanks to Julie Lim for driving up all the way from Maryland to shoot with me! Many of the fabulous detail shots were taken by her. New England is such a beautiful place! Would totally love to shoot here again.

{ Check out Lynn and Jake’s wedding slideshow! }

Doesn’t this picture just want to make you squeal? =P

{ Be sure to watch Lynn and Jake’s wedding slideshow! Also, check out Part 2. }

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

San Francisco concert photography | APAHM 2010 | JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, Mike Relm (part 2)

Junshien — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:54:23 +0000

(update: Hello JJ’s facebook fans! Welcome to our photography blog. If you like what you see, feel free to browse around the rest of this blog and check out some of our other international work. Concerts are always fun to shoot, and we also love doing weddings and fashion shoots! You can also follow us on twitter, add us on facebook, or subscribe via email!)

A couple months back, we were hired by Plan C Group to cover the 2010 APAHM concert at the Palace of Fine Arts. Featured were Evonne Hsu and JJ Lin–counted among Asia’s biggest pop stars–as well as San Francisco’s own mashup artist Mike Relm. We finally received approval from the artists to share these pictures, so here is part 2 of the pictures! Thanks David for shooting with me! Also, be sure to check out part 1 if you missed it.

JJ Lin

Evonne Hsu

Super cute. One of the fans in the front was holding out a camera, so she took it and filmed a bit from the stage. Crowd went wild.

At the end of the concert, there was even a surprise proposal! Evonne dragged her best friend on stage as the bf got on his knees in front of a thousand people …

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

San Francisco concert photography | APAHM 2010 | JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, Mike Relm (part 1)

Junshien — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:57:46 +0000

A couple months back, we were hired by Plan C Group to cover the 2010 APAHM concert at the Palace of Fine Arts. Featured were Evonne Hsu and JJ Lin–counted among Asia’s biggest pop stars–as well as San Francisco’s own mashup artist Mike Relm. We finally received approval from the artists to share these pictures, so here they are in two parts! Thanks David for shooting with me! Part 2 here.

Sound check.

Videographer Pete Alexander of Mellange Studio up in Sac. Pretty cool guy.

Annnnnd the doors are opened!

For those not familiar with Mike Relm’s work, he does a lot of audio and video mash-ups. Check out his YouTube station–his stuff is quite fascinating! He was even hired to do an official TV spot for Iron Man 2 a few months back.

This particular clip is from a stop-motion video by Canadian director Patrick Boivin.

O face. Great shot by David. =P

“Imagine all the people…”

Part 2 here

Junshien’s current travel schedule
LA: August 7-12
NYC: August 19-24
Honolulu, Hawaii: September 7-12
NYC: September 13-17
Mexico (various cities): October 28 – November 2
Malaysia, Singapore, tentatively 1 additional Asian country: December 26 – January 11

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

San Francisco pre-wedding photographer | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | San Francisco City Hall | Rebecca and Adrian

Junshien — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:28:23 +0000

Rebecca and Adrian flew all the way from Singapore for their pre-wedding photoshoot. We first started off at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, then headed off to some classic San Francisco spots, including SF City Hall and the Palace of Fine Arts, and then ended the day with some night shots.

* * * * * * *

For booking inquiries worldwide, or for more information about wedding photography in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact form.

Half Moon Bay engagement session photography | downtown Half Moon Bay | Joyce and Dave

Junshien — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:02:57 +0000

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

Napa Valley engagement photographer | Calistoga editorial photography | Crystal and Bao (part 2)

Junshien — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:32:31 +0000

There are a number of things I could say about Crystal and Bao. Like how awesomely fun these two are. Or how, when I first met up with them for their consultation, we hit it off so well that 20 minutes in, Bao abruptly got up and said “Alright we’re done, right? Let’s go grab a beer!” Or how super at ease they are with each other, which made everything flow to incredibly well. But I think it’s best I stop talking and just show you their pictures.

But first! If you missed it, be sure to check out Part 1 of this session. Or better yet: watch the slideshow on full screen! There are many more fabulous images we weren’t able to include in these two blog posts.

Makeup and hair by Christal Saville!

{ Crystal and Bao’s engagement session slideshow }

I love love love love love love open fields. x100000.

It helps to have a convertible. And some stylish threads.

And an absolutely gorgeous fiancé!

Oh, it got quite hot!

{ Check out Crystal and Bao’s engagement session slideshow! }

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

Napa Valley engagement session photographer | Castello di Amorosa | Crystal and Bao (part 1)

Junshien — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:23:37 +0000

Give us a stylish couple with damn good looks, an amazing Napa Valley location, and a fabulous stylist … and we’ll end up with just way too many great images that we have to break the blog post into two sections. Here’s Part 1 of Crystal and Bao’s engagement session! Makeup and hair is by the talented Christal Saville.

{ Crystal and Bao’s engagement session slideshow }

Check out Part 2! Warning: hotness ahead!

If you don’t want to miss any posts, be sure to subscribe via email (use the form in the top right corner of this page) or RSS feed, or add us on facebook!

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

How to be a superhero

Junshien — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:44:51 +0000

A friend recently reminded me of this blog post I wrote back in 2007. Reflecting back, I was a little shocked to realize how much has changed in the world and in our lives since a mere 2 1/2 years ago. But whatever the circumstances, I strongly believe that our internal identities are just as relevant and important in today’s world. Here’s the entry, pull from the archives and dusted off:

How to be a superhero (and my commitment to you)

My hero of the day… is this five year old kid.

A five-year-old boy dressed in a Spider-Man suit became a real superhero in Brazil when he saved a baby girl from her burning home.

While playing in his back garden with a friend, Riquelme Maciel spotted smoke coming out of the wooden house’s windows and ran to tell the baby’s mother, Lucilene dos Santos. But Ms Santos was too afraid to enter the blaze, so it was down to young Maciel to step in and save the day – he rushed into the burning house and grabbed baby Andrieli from her cradle.

The Fire Department Chief Jose de Macedo praised the boy’s bravery, and much like his hero Spider-Man, Maciel became the talk of the town. His face made it to the cover of all the local newspapers and he no longer needs the red and blue costume to be recognised.

Maciel said he is now dreaming of becoming a fire-fighter so he can save more lives.

News Source

How did this kid end up doing such a brave thing, with no thought of his own safety? “Don’t cry, don’t scream,” he told the mother before dashing in, “Because I’m going to save Andrieli.” I wonder, if I were only five, would I have done the same thing? Would you have done it? Do five-year-old boys have a less developed sense of danger compared to most adults? But less developed or not, do not most children inherently know the dangers of fire?

Perhaps part of the reason why he was able to step in to save the day was because that’s who he is, that’s what he does. When children play–when they put on a pirate hat and sword, lay out the tea set, put on a stethoscope, pick up a toy gun–they immediately become a pirate, a lady, a nurse, a soldier. They enter another world, and their actions and words reflect their internal understanding of who they are. (Many of us adults have thankfully never lost that childlike imagination!) So when Riquelme dashed into that burning house, he was simply carrying out his identity: he’s Spider-Man, and Spider-Man saves people. Don’t cry, don’t scream, because I’m going to save Andrieli.

The rest of us are much the same way. No, we don’t go around wearing superhero costumes, and we don’t really think we’re Spider-Man, but we do live out our lives acting upon our internal identity. The dreams we end up chasing or putting aside, our attitude towards our boss, the way we treat the waiter and bellboy, our decisions to live life on the edge or to stay with what is “safe,” how we handle trials in our lives–we are really just acting out who we view ourselves to be.

I recently read an article that said pessimists are actually more objective and realistic. Chances are, the project really will fall through, that girl really is not that into you, good things in life really don’t last forever, traffic really is going to make you arrive late. On the flip side, optimists live under some degree of self-delusion. We optimists often think things will get better regardless of external evidence. Yet it is often the optimists who are the most successful in life. Why? Because they possess a certain internal reality, and they live their lives based on that. It is the law of attraction at work–we are, in a sense, able to bend reality around us according to what we believe to be true about ourselves and about the world.

I think many aren’t living a victorious life because they don’t see themselves as winners. Many have acquiesced to mediocrity punctuated by occasional moments of happiness because they have accepted that as the way life is–and who is to argue with that? Yet look at the story of this little boy dressed in a Spider-Man costume. As the fire chief said, the boy shouldn’t have done that because saving people from fires requires a trained crew and special equipment. Fair enough, but if Riquelme had waited around for the fire crew to arrive, the story would have ended with the death of a 1-year-old baby and a heartbroken mother. I’m not recommending 5-year-olds go dashing into fires, but the truth is this: We first have to be a hero on the inside–or a winner, or a leader, or a maker of friends, or a fillintheblank–before we can be a hero on the outside. So: what kind of person do you want to become? And is that who you are on the inside? What is stopping you?

In other news, here is my commitment to you: I have always wanted to fly, but I’m not going to become a superhero–I’m going to become one of the best.

The other day Hanson Fong–one of the best and last remaining Classical Photographers–asked me, “How old are you?” Twenty-five, I told him at that time. “Good,” he said. “Try to get old fast.” He didn’t explain much, but I knew what he meant. Since early last year I have been trying to absorb as much as I can, learn as much as I can. I can’t really explain it except to say that I feel like there is this strong-flowing river in me, rushing through me, pulling me to a destination I know I’m eventually going to get to, and so I’m trying to get there as soon as I can. The journey has only started, but it’s been the most incredible experience so far. A few years ago, I never thought that any of this would have been possible.

What I especially find encouraging is that every single one of the photographers I have studied under–all of them among the very best–are still taking workshops. They are still learning new things, still honing their craft, still seeking to become even better. I want to always be like that. I don’t want to ever be so satisfied with my work that I’ll say, “I have learned everything there is to learn. I can kick back now.”

This year I have spent over $6k in education. I’m going to continue doing that every year, putting aside a portion of my income for exploration and self-development programs. Why? Because I’m going to be one of the best. And I know that on the inside.

Who are you on the inside?

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

Destination day after session | Maya Riviera, Mexico | Hotel Excellence | Katrina and Edward

Junshien — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:39:57 +0000

Day after session, aftershoot, bridal session, trash the dress, engagement session — I love them all, especially when you give me an entire resort in a tropical paradise to play with. Here’s the 3rd post with Katrina and Edward. Does the weather look hot and humid in the pictures? No? Good. :D

Cancun, Mexico destination wedding photography | Hotel Excellence Playa Mujeres | Katrina and Edward (part 2)

Junshien — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:47:14 +0000

Part 2 of Katrina and Edward’s wedding. See Part 1 here.

[ Check out their wedding slideshow! ]

[ Don't forget to watch their wedding slideshow! ]

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

Cancun, Mexico destination wedding photographer | Hotel Excellence Playa Mujeres | Katrina and Edward (part 1)

Junshien — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:15:24 +0000

Katrina and Edward were married at Hotel Excellence Playa Mujeres in Puerto Juarez, a few minutes outside of Cancún, Mexico. It was a small, intimate ceremony on white sandy beaches, with the sea breeze blowing in and palm trees in the background. The wedding was simply lovely, in a magazine-worthy setting.

There are just too many pictures to share in one post, so we’ll be splitting this up. I’m sure you won’t mind.

[ Check out their wedding slideshow! ]

Check back tomorrow for Part 2!

[ Don't forget to watch their wedding slideshow! ]

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

New York City baby portrait photographer | Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Junshien — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:55:10 +0000

Hands-down one of the most adorable babies ever!!! My editor Megan had SUCH a hard time narrowing down the images, which meant that when she was done editing and passed the files to me, my job was *that much harder*. Cuteness overload!!!

(This portrait session was done in New York a couple weeks back. If you’re one of those who weren’t able to book me last time around due to my shooting schedule–sorry! I’ll be back again in August and September. Limited openings.)

Submit bookings inquiries via our contact form.

San Francisco engagement session photographer | Legion of Honor | Baker Beach | Susan and Daniel

Junshien — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:00:11 +0000

]]>

Los Angeles engagement session photographer | Chinatown | Olvera Street | Shirley and Carlos

Junshien — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:57:30 +0000

]]>

Santa Cruz engagement session photographer | Natural Bridges bridal session | Jean and Du

Junshien — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:43:17 +0000

I love this couple! We had a lot of fun running around for this pre-wedding shoot, climbing up on trees, parking illegally, ignoring signs that demanded we stay off the lifeguard tower, shivering in the wind ….

(Aside: It seems like every year, I’ve getting more and more clients who met their significant other online. Jean and Du are one wonderful example, and in a few weeks I have the privilege of shooting their wedding. From some recent statistics of nationwide weddings, the percentage of couples who met online is around 20%. I’m convinced that within the next 5 years, we’ll see that number rise to at least 40%. This thing works, folks!)

Makeup artist / hair stylist: Aimee Lam, Beauty UpClose

[ Check out their pre-wedding session slideshow! ]

We had to reschedule this session soooo many times due to rain. And then even on the drive over to Santa Cruz, the sky was looking rather iffy. I think everything turned out all right, yes? =P

Sorry, I can’t read. I just take pictures.

[ Check out their pre-wedding session slideshow! ]

Monterey engagement session photographer | Carmel Beach | Shuyin and Dave

Junshien — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:19:11 +0000

Fun couple? Check.
Beautiful coast? Check.
Cute downtown? Check.
Bubbles? Check.
Sunset? Check.

I think I like this engagement session much.

Makeup: Charlene Wong, Hello Pretty Me

[ Check out their engagement session slideshow! ]

San Francisco engagement session photographer | Flora and Kevin

Junshien — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:55:55 +0000

Makeup/hair stylist: Van Pham, A-List Makeup