Do you live in the San Francisco Bay Area? Do you have an awesome love story? Are you making a difference in the world? Email your story and a photo of you and your other half to be considered for a complimentary Love Story shoot in the spring at shang[at]shangchenphoto.com. All kinds of couples (dating, engaged, married) are welcome!

Shang is a jetsetting wedding photographer for dynamic couples. She captures imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy.
hear the news first - like her work on facebook . follow her thoughts on twitter

Every year I do a retrospective of my favorite images in multiple different categories. Today, we kick it off with my favorite engagement photographs from this year – some of these couples already married, but many of these are my select few and lucky 2012 clients. I really do love the opportunity of using engagement sessions to get to know my clients. Since they are in a more casual setting, we can take more risks and have a lot of fun! Click on each image to go to that post! In chronological order…

Jill and Than’s engagement session by Boston’s waterfront and North End

Nina and Ryan hung out with me on the main campus of the University of Chicago

Stephanie and Riadi and their iconic Chicago engagement session

I traveled to Ann Arbor to spend half a day with Shreya and Anoop at the University of Michigan

Mengmeng and Shawn and their brightly colored engagement session at MIT

Sarah and Ali followed the next day, and brought their dog Bailey!

Next up, Central Park engagement session in New York City with Apurva and Adam

Nicole and Jonathan showed me around New York City’s Gramercy Park and South Street Seaport

Alyson and Allan danced their way into sunset (and mosquitos) in Quincy’s Blue Hills

Charlotte and James gave everyone a treat with this red umbrella

Joanne and Chris in Boston’s Seaport District. Laid back, casual, and sun-filled

Lisa and Jeff and also had their engagement photos out in the Seaport District. For this shot, I loved all the greenery and flowers in the back

I visited Jia and Andrew in Providence, Rhode Island for their engagement session

Russell and Joel and I went to their wedding venue, Turner Hill, as well as one of our favorite beaches in Massachusetts – the Crane Beach in Boston’s North Shore

I flew to San Francisco to spend a day with one of my closest friends, L, and her fiance (now husband) K

Lisa and Seth traveled up for an engagement session on Harvard grounds – we got interrupted by some rain, but it was a good thing

Two sessions followed at Arnold Arborteum. First, Blair and Josh had their post-wedding engagement session

Lynn and Chris brought their love for food to their engagement photos

Another trip down to New York City took me to West Village and Brooklyn for Jade and Jorge’s engagement session

Lisa and Dan also traveled up to Harvard to complete the documentation of their Harvard love story

Last but not least, Angie and Paul and I had a wonderful fall afternoon around Chicago’s Wrigley Field and North Avenue Beach

Shang is a wedding photographer known for imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy. Shang really does have fun on each engagement session and hopes you will too!
hear the news first - like her work on facebook . follow her thoughts on twitter

(This photo is from Amy and Frank’s proposal that I shot earlier this year)

Did you know there’s some etiquette when it comes to engagements and weddings? As a neutral bystander observing all the fun that happens during this time, here are some tips for making this season happy for both you and your friends and loved ones!

1. Don’t spoil the surprise! If you were at an engagement or proposal scene, hold off on posting the photos to Facebook, posting a new status update, or wishing your friends congrats on their wall when they have not made it public. Announcing an engagement is extremely personal (some of my engaged friends keep it private) – so don’t spoil the surprise!

2. If you have nothing nice to say… Don’t say it at all.

3. When’s the wedding? They probably have no idea. Wedding planning is stressful and difficult. Setting a wedding date will take time. Let the engaged couple enjoy their engagement!

4. If you’re a wedding vendor… hold the business part back. I’ve wavered on this, but the lesson is that personal and professional should not mix, it’s really easy to hurt a friendship in that way. If a friend asks me for advice I will give it, but I wait for them to approach first. If a friend asks me to be their photographer, I treat the wedding photography part like I do any other client – there are contracts, mail under my professional letterhead, it is strictly business – and everyone benefits that way.

5. Don’t assume you’re invited. Invite list – oh boy, major drama! Weddings are expensive and personal. Some couples may choose to elope, some will have a small celebration. It’s not an excuse to get drunk, it’s not a dance where you bring your latest and greatest date, and being a bridesmaid is not just about matching dresses and a hand-tied bouquet. If you’re invited, you’ll know – typically, save-the-dates go out ~6 months before the wedding, with invites following at around ~2  months prior.

That being said though, engagement season is a super fun time! Did any of you get to participate in or witness a  proposal this year?

Shang is a wedding photographer known for imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy. Shang is looking forward to hopefully attending some friends’ weddings in 2012!
Learn about mentoring opportunities with Shang
hear the news first - like her work on facebook . follow her thoughts on twitter

And since they are big Cubs fans, we began our session around Wrigley Field

If anything, I want you guys to note just how fun and playful Angie and Paul are with each other. It was so fun photographing them for their engagement session because their energy was so high and it kept me laughing. Do not be afraid to open up in front of your wedding photographer – after all, we want to make sure we capture the real you!

Oh they are too cute

Best friends who can’t wait to be married

During the outfit change I noticed something shiny dangling from Paul’s pocket – a pocket watch! He had received it as a groomsman gift from a wedding they’d recently attended

It was a gorgeous and bright day, all the more reason to keep your engagement outfits super bright as well

Also, little-known fact: Angie and Paul and I play Facebook games with each other. Yes we are THAT awesome

Angie had not just one, but TWO pairs of fabulous shoes for this session – her red heels above, and these super sexy zebra print ones below

And of course, I can’t resist blue skies

Thank you two for such a fun, fun afternoon and for your patience in waiting for these photos! I wish you guys a wonderful holiday season with your families – I can’t wait to meet them next year!

November 4 – 6 – Boston
November 11 – 13 – New York City
November 23 – 27 – Los Angeles
Dec 21 – January 2 – Indiana
January 12 – 15 – Boston

Shang is a wedding photographer known for imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy. Shang believes that couples photograph best when having fun
hear the news first - like her work on facebook . follow her thoughts on twitter

These two seemed a little sleepy at first (it was an early morning shoot)

But they got cute. Very cute

Man, I love the trees at Harvard

Just outside of Winthrop House – where Dan lived his upperclass years

Red door + ivy = perfect

Paying homage to the organization that brought them together

This is a new spot I discovered (I know, you’d think after so many years I’d know my college campus inside out)… love the lighting, the background, everything

I can’t wait for their wedding next summer! Gracie Lou Events has been super awesome in making sure the planning of it has been stress-free so far for this busy New York power couple. I can’t recommend them enough

Oct 22 – 28 – Barcelona, Spain
November 4 – 6 – Boston
Winter holidays – Indiana
January 12 – 15 – Boston

Shang is a wedding photographer known for imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy. Shang’s guilty late-night snack binge during her undergrad years was an order of crab rangoon and scallion pancakes from The Kong
hear the news first - like her work on facebook . follow her thoughts on twitter

We began in West Village. It has European charm – which Jade loves because she has also studied abroad in Europe – and we found this beautiful little garden that was private and colorful

I’m a big fan of wavy long tresses. When my hair grows out I want it to look like what Jade did here. Fun huh? I also love sparkly cute things in hair!

A couple of people have written me lately to ask about just how I achieve my photos. I tell this to everyone – and my clients – light. Let light rule the way you see the world

We drove to the DUMBO region (can someone tell me what that stands for?) and ended with a beautiful sunset at the Brooklyn Bridge Park

I do quite like city views =)

Thank you Jade and Jorge for showing me around and for a great evening! I will see you guys next year!

Many thanks to Amy Bao who assisted at this shoot and the previous shoot. We checked out an exhibit at the MoMA called Talk to Me. If you like gadgets, technology, communication, this is a great one for you!

Sept 23 – 25 – Boston
Oct 8 – 10 – San Francisco / Bay Area
Oct 22 – 28 – Barcelona, Spain
November 4 – 6 – Boston
Winter holidays – Indiana
January 12 – 15 – Boston

Shang is a wedding photographer known for imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy. Shang loves food – don’t be surprised, she eats a lot!
hear the news first - like her work on facebook . follow her thoughts on twitter

Lynn and Chris were visibly nervous at the start of our session, they’re not used to having the spotlight be on them, being the super laid-back couple that they are. My best tip for those first-time professional photo jitters? Talk to me! I will talk a mile a minute and I hope you do the same, it helps take the attention off of the fact that you are being photographed

I LOVED the props that Lynn and Chris brought. First, sunflowers that they picked from Waltham Fields Community Farm. They are part of the CSA there

Many of my 2012 couples are lovers of good food. Yum!

I believe in photographs that show motion and emotion

And sometimes we add more traditional portraits too, because hey, you don’t get professionally photographed often! Lynn’s makeup was done by one of my favorites, Danielle Ross of Advanced On-Site Artistry, and her hair was styled by her hairdresser Laurel at Creative Expressions – I just love the flower clips in her hair. Unless you are quite the expert at hair and makeup, all my brides should invest in professional hair and makeup for their day of

Lynn and Chris are complimentary in their personalities. I giggled at the following facts they revealed to me: Lynn hates carrying the laundry up, Chris hates carrying it down. Lynn likes loading, and Chris likes unloading the dishwasher.

I really, really have a soft spot for nerdy things. Like these super-cute  buttons from etsy that are all about science. Lynn works at a microbiology lab and Chris is pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Sun flaaaaare!

Usually, your best photos from your session happen towards the end, by that time you’re so relaxed and forget about me, these photos just come naturally

We’re making a canvas out of this one!

Thank you two so much for your time – and isn’t the weather we got awesome! I will see you guys next year!

Sept 8 – 12 – Boston
Sept 23 – 25 – Boston
Oct 8 – 10 – San Francisco / Bay Area
Oct 22 – 28 – Barcelona, Spain
November 4 – 6 – Boston

hear the news first - like my work on facebook . follow my thoughts on twitter

We took a trip down memory lane and began photographs in Harvard Yard. Lisa’s hair and makeup were beautifully done by Carolina of From Hair to Eternity

We originally wanted to go to a farmer’s market as well, but the forecast said possible chance of thunderstorms

Literally seconds after the above photo was taken, I heard a rumble. It was so overcast and humid, I shouted, “open those umbrellas!” The sky opened up right afterwards, so we ran inside to hide from the rain

Looks like we got some lipstick on Seth =)

As the rain was slowing down, we thought it’d be fun to do some photos in the rain while the sun shone behind it

Trying out some reflection shots in puddles!

For some other props, Lisa and Seth brought cooking magazines. I also am head-over-heels in love with Lisa’s sparkly Badgley Mischka pumps

My favorite! It’s no secret I’m a big fan of colored doors. These photographs are taken in the yard of Lisa’s undergrad dorm

We aimlessly walked a little bit. I really like this hug

To think that only an hour before this photo it was pouring buckets. New England weather – super strange =)

I feel so calm looking at this photograph

One… more… reflection! Than you Amy Bao for being on the lookout for these awesome shots

Afterwards, Lisa and Seth treated us to a delicious dinner at Henrietta’s Table, one of my favorite restaurants in Cambridge for locally sourced, wholesome and hearty American meals. Thank you two so much! I really look forward to capturing all the wonderful memories and food you have planned for your Boston Public Library wedding next year!

August 19 – 22 – Jamaica
August 23 – 24 – NYC
August 31 – Return to Chicago
Sept 8 – 12 – Boston
Sept 23 – 25 – Boston
Oct 8 – 10 – San Francisco / Bay Area
Oct 22 – 28 – Barcelona, Spain

hear the news first - like my work on facebook . follow my thoughts on twitter

Back to the story of me and L. She’s one year ahead of me, I’ve known her since freshman year of college, and I’ve always looked up to her as my sister. We were both economics majors and worked in management consulting. She has a gift of hospitality, she is always one of the first to offer to host a visitor and cook a friend food. She has passion for social enterprise and living out God’s mission through business. We lived together for a couple years after graduating. We’ve seen each other through victories, failures, one big fight, love, and heartbreaks. L is ambitious, intelligent, well-spoken, and honest, and also feminine, beautiful, compassionate, and loves to travel and have fun. Only the most outstanding of men would deserve her. I updated my Facebook fan page status last night with the following statement: “When the world can be such a dark place, and you have someone who sacrificially supports you in pursuing your craziest, most awesome dreams, that’s so beautiful.” That is exactly what L&K are like. Their relationship did not start out easily – L was working internationally at the time. K moved out to Boston from SF when L was attending grad school here, and they’ve just recently moved back to SF so that L will complete her MBA studies at Stanford. I felt right from my first dinner with him (it was me, L, and our other roommate Christina whose wedding I blogged about 2 years ago) – that I knew this was going to be a marriage where their hearts and priorities are in the right place. The other part of me selfishly did not want to blog this because it means facing the reality that another great-friend-and-roommate is getting married (my roster of fabulous single sisters is getting so sparse!), but I could not be happier for L.

I am extremely saddened I will not be able to witness her wedding – irony of being a wedding photog, you typically miss your friends’ weddings – but I also feel extremely privileged to get to spend nearly an entire day photographing this very epic San Francisco / Norcal / Bay Area based engagement session for them.

Due to the massive scale of this session, I title this my epic Bay Area engagement session. I fell in love with this region when I first interned here in 2006, and I have every intention of making a new life out here as soon as I’m able. (K… think you can introduce me to anyone out there? hahaha) I also want to thank Jenny Tsang Photography for assisting me at night after randomly contacting me upon seeing my call for assistance on Facebook, it’s so tough finding assistance on a weekday shoot, so I really appreciate all that you did!

For its detail and grandeur, we began at the San Francisco City Hall

Love the beautiful light in these hallways

Next stop, Palace of Fine Arts

They are just a classy couple. Very, very classy. L is SO pretty. Oh and did I mention she usually wears no makeup? She had her hair and makeup professionally styled that day, I love how natural it looks

It was just such a beautiful day that day. We picked Baker Beach to get some iconic Golden Gate Bridge photos

I… also had some fun with them. Don’t kill me!

This is one of my favorites. Then again I have many favorites from this shoot

Then it was a mad dash trying to beat the traffic into the peninsula. We were able to get some super creative photos at the Shoreline Ampitheater – one of my favorite areas to photograph when I hung out in Mountain View myself. I really wanted to do another flying balloon photo but it was too windy that day

So we busted out umbrellas instead! Who cares if it wasn’t raining :P

L really likes fruit, so I suggested that after dinner we go for froyo. I’d show you the picture of what they got, except K didn’t really make it very full or fruity-looking. Instead I went for the spoons

Then began my very first night shoot. I’m still learning more creative ways to light people… and night sessions are obviously harder – each shot usually takes a longer time to set up, but I think we got some pretty cool results!

Such as these tree lights on Palo Alto’s University Ave. The light on L&K came from the headlights of a car waiting on the red light. We did a mad dash for this photo!

We ducked into a closing Borders to find some books. L grabbed a cupcake decorating kit instead because she listens to podcasts and isn’t quite a book girl anymore

We ended the session at Stanford, where K already graduated with his MBA, and L will be starting in the fall

Boom. L really wanted a fountain photo, and fountain photo she got

Some behind the scenes photos…

Jenny holding my off-camera strobe

Behind-the-scenes photo Jenny took.. at the froyo place

At Borders

And the University Avenue photo. Yep, it was pretty dark!

L&K, all of my love goes out to the two of you on your wedding day and a part of me will be there in spirit. I will see you soon, God bless!

August 19 – 22 – Jamaica
August 23 – 24 – NYC
August 31 – Return to Chicago
Sept 8 – 12 – Boston
Sept 23 – 25 – Boston
Oct 8 – 10 – San Francisco / Bay Area
Oct 22 – 28 – Barcelona, Spain

hear the news first - like my work on facebook . follow my thoughts on twitter

Is it bright? Is it fun? I’m photographing it!

They are so sweet

We got into the following after we did some more traditional portraits looking up. Too sweet!

We had amazing, amazing weather and light this day. Everything was just golden

A drive later and we were at Crane Beach! On the way we saw so many beautiful houses and estates, Joel and Russell began dreaming of having a house here as well. Imagine how often you could go to the beach

Each of them picked and personalized their engagement ring

Boom

Thank you Amy Bao for assisting!

Random fact – this blog went online at 8:08AM on August 8. Just sayin’ :P

August 19 – 22 – Jamaica
August 23 – 24 – NYC
August 31 – Return to Chicago
Sept 8 – 12 – Boston
Sept 23 – 25 – Boston
Oct 8 – 10 – San Francisco / Bay Area
Oct 22 – 28 – Barcelona, Spain

hear the news first - like my work on facebook . follow my thoughts on twitter