Jen is a dancer and it clearly shows in the way she is able to pose herself and interact with our surroundings. She made my job so easy!

I have to say, the location we found was pretty cool too. It took me a bit of scouting but it’s worth it! We were blessed with cloudless skies!

I had Jen show me her dance moves. She incorporates more feminine elements into her popping style, and she really stands out. This following picture is a more “masculine” dance

Loving her entire look! Her T-shirt says “Ladies First!” And she totally rocks those boots!

Her second outfit was equally awesome. They both really show her personality

Thank you Jen for the amazing time, and the awesome conversation too. I feel so empowered by your energy and presence, keep it up!

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I started the fan page over a year ago as a way for people to be able to connect with my wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photography work through Facebook. Did you know my Facebook ID number (before they switched to usernames) was #81? Yep, I joined Facebook the night it opened to Harvard students. I could not have imagined how fun it is to be able to interact with people and make new connections through the page. When I first started I literally was talking to myself most of the time (awkward!), but now I’m totally loving the interaction and love! This is an arbitrary milestone, but 500 fans is a LOT to someone like me, so I want to give back and show appreciation to you all!

To enter the contest, leave a comment on this post by 12PM EST this Friday, March 12 2010 with the following

1. First name (in the “Name” box, to get past the comment filter)
2. Your email (in the “Email” box, also to get past the comment filter and also so I can get in touch with you. Your email will not be public)
3. Which fan you identify with the most in the “Comment” box. You will be placed in the contest for the prizes associated with the fan type!
4. Make sure you are a current fan of Shang Chen Photography

The reason I’m doing this through the blog is because I’ve had trouble emailing fans through Facebook before. I will do a random drawing and announce the winner on Saturday. Assistants and second shooters are also welcome to enter! The following are the available prizes! There will be one winner in each category!

The Every Day Fan - You could be anyone – a friend, a stranger, doesn’t matter, you like my photos, ergo, you rock!
Prize: $25 gift card to store of your choice (must be a store that allows me to buy the gift card online)

The Client Fan – You may have been a past, present, or maybe even future client? There are some awesome goodies here for you!
Prizes:
- $50 production credit – applicable to prints, albums, canvases, and other products! Expires when your last online gallery expires
- $50 session fee credit – give it to yourself for a future shoot, or give it to a friend! Expires in one year and subject to my availability (Boston through summer of 2010, Chicago starting September 2010)
- $10 Finale Desserts gift card. I love this dessert store and want to share with you something sweet!

The Wedding Industry Fan – You’re a fellow photographer or an aspiring one, or you’re a fellow industry professional, I hope I get to meet each and every one of you guys one day!
Prizes:
- Free headshot session on a weekday in July or August 2010 (Boston only) or after September 2010 (Chicago only) with 5 retouched images to keep
- 50 personalized business cards from Moo.com – use your current design or try something new! Moo allows for up to 50 different photos on one side and one design for the back. I get my business cards here and everybody raves about them!
OR if you love your current cards too much… (tell me where you got them!)
- $25 gift card to a supply store of your choice (e.g., Adorama or B&H or paper stores, store must have the availability to purchase gift cards)

Prize for Every Entry!
Even if you don’t win, you’ll be noted to get $5 print credit! These are valid for clients whose galleries are currently still active or who will have shoots with me, and also valid for new bookings!

Announcing Discounted Weekday Lifestyle Photoshoots!

Shang Chen photography is officially booked out for all weekend slots for lifestyle shoots in 2010! Crazy! Lifestyle photoshoots include maternity / newborn photos, family photos, in(SCP)iration sessions, senior photos, and couples sessions. I am now booking for weekdays in July and August 2010 ONLY for those residing in Boston area, there are no weekday availabilities prior to that, and summer weather is way more awesome anyway! The sessions must be held during the daytime prior to sunset. Starting in September 2010, lifestyle shoots will be placed mostly on hiatus while I attend business school.

Lifestyle session creative fees are now also discounted by 20% for weekdays in July and August 2010. Investments will range between $160 to $300 depending on the type of shoot selected, number of subjects, and production needs (such as digital files, prints, canvases, and others). Lifestyle sessions are perfect for commemorating the big milestones in your life, celebrating anniversaries, and are a very personalized way to gift a special person in your life. Please contact me today by clicking the “Contact” link above to get your dibs on a booking before they’re gone!

I am a boston wedding photographer . be an awesome fan of my work on facebook . follow my daily thoughts on twitter
keep updated! add the RSS feed for this blog to your Google Reader

I’ve driven past this storefront several times and always wanted to photograph it

I thought it would be cool to wrap this garden hose around his neck. Until we realized it was frozen. It was really cold that day!

And THEN… I found this most amazing random assortment of a castaway couch and trash cans. Awesome!

Using a very urban background to complement his outfit

Look at that great smile!

And a special, I have to have a series of Kunle dancing. Click on the photo for a large version!

Annnd… a couple of extras. Here’s Ivy helping us out by watching over our stuff! What a trooper!

This is too cute!!! It happened really quickly, but I really like the spontaneity of the shot

For those of you who haven’t seen the previous posts on what an in(SCP)iration session is or if you want to know more, simply click here for more info

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When I was comparing the edits from David’s in(SCP)iration session with those of Judith, I was pretty intrigued in their contrast, and I think the contrast owes itself to the personalities of the subjects. When I started envisioning my new in(SCP)iration sessions, I hoped to create individualized and unique experiences. With so much attention focused on capturing and being genuine to the subject, each photo session would be customized to reflect that person. Therefore, it shouldn’t be a wonder that these sessions won’t look much like each other in style and energy, at least that is my hope.

David likes to describe his style with one word: comfort. He doesn’t wear socks. He likes his solid T-shirts and hoodies. He likes blue. You won’t see him in flashy colors or out-there patterns. From the moment he approaches you, he puts you at ease with his soft-spoken demeanor. For the purposes of his in(SCP)iration session I sought to use a lot of sun flares to bring out a feeling of being at one with one’s skin and being home. In looking at these photos it’s almost as if David is having an unspoken conversation.

This was the sneak peek image I put up on my Facebook fan page

I juxtaposed his comfort with a little bit of gritty urban background

Played a lot with flares

For those who wonder, when I present images in b&w, I do so deliberately. Not all images work best in color and vice versa. I especially liked the strong lines created by the exhaust here and I turned this one black and white because of the contrast it would provide

Thanks David for such a great time! And thank you to Karman for helping out =)

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What is it? An in(SCP)iration session is a fashion-focused lifestyle photoshoot! What inspires you? Be it a certain detail, object, color, location, vibe, in(SCP)iration clients get extra attention upfront with Shang Chen Photography to visualize, plan, and execute a photo session that truly expresses their creativity and personality at heart. Planning includes location scouting and wardrobe review. An in(SCP)iration session is not a fashion shoot in the sense that there will be tons of lighting setups or sets, it is not meant to be overwhelming or for models. Rather, Shang Chen applies her personal and energetic approach to lifestyle photography to the client’s vision. Men and women who would like to tell a story or encapsulate the definition of their style should consider an in(SCP)iration session. Think of it as a time capsule of your style and personality right now.

You can scroll down past the photos to see more detail. With that being said Judith and I had been planning her in(SCP)iration session for over a month now to launch the line. With this shoot, I was really looking to feature a couple sides of Judith – an extremely fashionable side, a comfortable / cute side, and mix in a little noir / darkness. We had makeup help from the very awesome Ligia of Makeovers by Ligia. And lots of thanks to my assistants Nithya and Emily for helping out! Look out – in the summer we will be reinterpreting Judith’s in(SCP)iration with a summer glow!

I love this damask cube in Judith’s apartment

I don’t know how Judith managed, but she was really fierce in the heels she chose for the outdoor segment

Loving how her hair catches the light here

One last one, with funky edit

Want one of your own? All in(SCP)iration sessions include consultations (in-person, via email, and over the phone) to determine the style of the shoot, up to 2 hours of unlimited photographs at the photoshoot, and a proofing gallery of up to 6 months afterwards. A la carte products include an on-site makeup artist, a disc of photos, individual photo purchases, prints and canvases. Clients are responsible for providing wardrobe and certain props. 2010 Pricing: Sitting fee is $225. Prints, discs, travel, make-up artist, and other considerations are priced separately.

Can’t wait to show you more! I have 3 more in(SCP)iration shoots already planned for this year!

see my website . be an awesome fan . follow my daily thoughts and goings on twitter
keep updated! add the RSS feed for this blog to your Google Reader