Shang Chen Photography, jetsetting wedding photographer of dynamic couples » 02. Engagements

Christina and Dave, Engaged! Picnic Engagement Session at Morris Arboretum in Philly

Shang — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:14 +0000

Christina and I go way back to freshman year of college. Though we did not attend the same school, we often bumped into each other at church-related events. Christina and Dave’s engagement had been long-anticipated by many people. Dave is a resident in emergency medicine, which means pretty crazy work hours, so… I actually never met him until this session. I always joked to Christina that he was a ghost boyfriend. After college, Christina and I frequently went out for food or hung out at friends’ parties.

Christina and Dave love the outdoors and the four seasons. Originally, we had an idea to do four engagement shoots – one in each season – but once I moved away from Boston, it was pretty much impossible what with our three schedules being too hard to match up. With my move to the Bay Area, there are many things in Boston that I could not commit to, one of them including attending Christina’s wedding. However, we were so, so fortunate to all be free this past weekend. Christina and Dave took extraordinary measures to drive down at 6AM with a snack-filled car from Boston to meet me in Philadelphia while I was attending a friend’s wedding. Christina has always been a super creative girl with a love for beautiful, cute things, and flowers. In fact, she has even assisted me in the past on some shoots, so she knows how I work! However, it’s always a little different to be in front of my camera. [grins]

Their engagement story is amazing and there is absolutely no way for me to recount it here. However, I will let you know that it involves snow, post-its, two teddy bears, fresh flowers, and their first “I love you”. The first things Christina actually replied with was “I WIN” because they had a running bet that she would cry, but she did not. Haha! Anyway, I burned midnight oil to get this post up given that they are marrying soon and I’m flying out to San Francisco today.

We started with a picnic at Morris Arboretum because, if there’s one thing you should know about both Christina is that she is hungry. All the time. And macarons and cupcakes are awesome

In fact, when I asked them what their most memorable date was from recent memory, both mentioned dates involving food! For Christina’s birthday, they went to O Ya in Boston. Last October, Christina and Dave took a road trip down the east coast that basically involved eating and visiting friends. I totally want to do that

Yummy yummy. And thank you for getting me a red velvet! What a beautiful, beautiful ring

They were so comfortable and laid back with me

We had incredible luck with flowers. With the recent cold snap and rain and wind, Chicago pretty much has no more flowers, but spring flowers abounded in Philly. This was probably my number one goal (and Dave’s too) – to make sure Christina was 100% happy with these photos, we did a lot of digging and researching to come up with a location that wasn’t too far from the city and would have the greatest chance for all these colors. By the way, I tied that green sash :D

Their faiths are very important to them. We actually took a little time in the middle of the session for a little prayer. And a couple more cute kisses

Christina knows my love for shoes all too well. These J. Crew pumps have such lovely detail, I want a pair now..

This was a cool plant that looked autumn-like. I have no idea what it is. Anyone, anyone?

One of my favorite things: awesome trees

One thing I really like about Dave is how genuinely nice he is and how he is always looking for other people’s happiness

This sums up the engagement proposal: post-it notes, teddy bears, and “I love you”

Thank you Christina and Dave so much for being incredible to work with and Christina, for your years of friendship, for seeing me through all these different changes the last several years. A true friend indeed!

For photographers: I continue to receive a lot of questions about whether I use special actions or tricks to achieve my photographic style. Honestly, if you have to rely on editing tricks to get great photos, I think you’re making things too hard on yourself. Sure, I do edit the photos a little in Lightroom because not everything turns out perfect, but it’s all about finding good light and getting it as correct as possible in the camera. Every day, I’m looking for better light

April 24 – 27 – San Francisco, CA
May 1 – 4 – San Francisco, CA
May 22 – 24 – San Francisco, CA
May 25 – 28 – Boston, MA
June 1 – 3 – Boston, MA
June 9 – Graduation, Chicago, IL
June 11 – 30 – Boston, MA
June 19 – 21 – San Francisco, CA
June 22 – 24 – Kiawah Island, SC
July 1 and on – Living full-time in San Francisco, CA
July 14 – 15 – Seattle, WA
July 21 – 22 – Los Angeles, CA
August 10 – 19 – Boston, MA
September 1 – 9 – Boston, MA
October 5 – 10 – Boston, MA
October 11 – 14 – Chicago, IL

Shang is a jetsetting wedding photographer for dynamic couples. She captures imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy.
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Meg and Greg, Engaged | San Francisco Engagement Session at Land’s End

Shang — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:00:30 +0000

From library study buddies to dating to now engaged, Meg and Greg fit together so well, you wonder if they’ve been in love all their lives! Meg will be starting a residency in anesthesia this summer while Greg is completing an MD/PhD. These two smarties are very committed to their families and to pursuing their dreams in medicine. One of their most memorable dates this past year was going on a flying lesson as an engagement gift from Meg’s sisters, that just sounds amazing. Greg is completely devoted to Meg – on Valentine’s Day, Meg had to work at night, so he hung around the hospital to watch her in action, and he admitted to me that he thought it was pretty fun.

I’m not available for Meg’s wedding, but I was very happy to be able to do this Love Story engagement session for them during the week when I was interviewing in SF. We picked the natural (and windy) location of Land’s End. The weather could not be any more perfect, and even though it was quite cold, I don’t think you can tell from these photos at all.

Meg and Greg quickly fell into a beautiful groove and I felt like I was just interacting with two very genuine friends

I really felta sense of openness and honesty when I’m around Meg and Greg, they were all too happy to share their love story and lives with me

My goodness, these trees are amazing!

YAY blue skies!

This is one of my favorite photos from the day

Snuggling up close!

Greg makes Meg super happy. Can you tell? =)

This picture is special to me – you may have noticed that Greg is quite tall, so even with her adorable heels, Meg has to stand on tip toes to kiss him. I can totally relate with my tall boyfriend ;)

Meg and Greg, thanks so much for such a fantastic time for me to shoot in SF, my new home!

April 20 – 22 – Philadelphia, PA
April 24 – 27 – San Francisco, CA
May 1 – 4 – San Francisco, CA
May 22 – 24 – San Francisco, CA
May 25 – 28 – Boston, MA
June 1 – 3 – Boston, MA
June 9 – Graduation, Chicago, IL
June 11 – 30 – Boston, MA
June 19 – 21 – San Francisco, CA
June 22 – 24 – Kiawah Island, SC
July 1 and on – Living full-time in San Francisco, CA
July 14 – 15 – Seattle, WA
July 21 – 22 – Los Angeles, CA
August 10 – 19 – Boston, MA
September 1 – 9 – Boston, MA
October 5 – 10 – Boston, MA
October 11 – 14 – Chicago, IL

Stephanie and Amman, Engaged! | Chicago Engagement Session at Lightology

Shang — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:05 +0000

Under the guise of pretending that he was still in India, Amman surprised my friend and classmate Stephanie last month in New York City with an extravagant proposal. She thought she was grabbing lunch with her brother, but Amman showed up with flowers instead! Stephanie wasn’t aware that it was a proposal, because Amman likes to surprise her often (aww). He took her to places that were meaningful to them. He also gave her a history book that documented their relationship (he commissioned an artist to draw all the stories – it looked really cool). Then when she flipped to the page where he was going to propose, he dropped to one knee and popped the question with a gorgeous ring. Seriously, I don’t make this stuff up, Amman knows how to propose in style. They celebrated that night with many dear friends who flew in from all over the world – India, Taiwan, California, just to name some of the places. Shortly afterwards, they came to Chicago. Well, Stephanie came back here, Amman had to fly back here from India. We squeezed in a short engagement session at Chicago’s Lightology – a super cool, modern lighting store, before their Chicago engagement party that night with Stephanie’s Chicago Booth friends. Kudos again to another long distance couple, who will be reunited shortly after Stephanie graduates!

Typical of Chicago winters, it was cold and windy. And Amman had just gotten off a super long plane ride, so I really applaud them for toughing it out for this shoot!

We took some time to go inside Lightology as well. These are some really cool light displays. Yes, those are Christian Louboutin platform pumps, too cute!

We found the coolest place to show off her bling

I really loved the light up on the roof terrace though, so back we go. Stephanie likes to give back hugs, she says =)

There is one word to describe these two: Silly. They oscillate between making funny faces and laughing at each other. In fact, you will often find Stephanie squeezing our friends’ faces

Amman told me that he really likes Stephanie’s beautiful eyes. I completely agree

Sometimes.. they might break into dance

My favorite

Thank you guys so much for spending your afternoon laughing with me!

Jennifer and JP, Engaged! | A Chicago Engagement Session in the Snow

Shang — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:15 +0000

Jennifer and JP’s story came to me last year when I conducted my first in(SCP)ire me contest for couples who have really unique love stories who would like to be considered for wedding photography from me. While Jen and JP did not win, they were the only couple who lived in Chicago. Naturally, when it snowed in Chicago a couple of weeks ago (and it hasn’t snowed since then), I jumped on the chance to grab some super fun, COLD, photos in a snowstorm with them!

Jennifer and JP met in Costa Rica when they were exchange students in 2006. Their international long distance love story spanned from Switzerland to Arizona. From Jennifer: “In order to keep close, we continually stayed in contact via text message and Skype, and we always made plans for when we would next see each other in person, which was typically every 2-3 months. Additionally, in 2008, I spent a semester studying German at the Universität Konstanz in a German city above the northern border of Switzerland. With this six month stay, during which we spent every weekend together in Switzerland (or traveling), we had the opportunity to become even closer and had a great time exploring Europe together. When I returned to the US to finish my bachelor’s studies in Arizona, I applied for several post-graduate internships in Switzerland. In due course, I found a traineeship position at a pharmaceutical company in Basel”. So, recap: Girl from Arizona and boy from Switzerland meet in Costa Rica. Begin long distance relationship, see each other every 2-3 months. Girl gets chance to study and work in Switzerland.

Eventually, Jennifer decided to continue doctoral studies at Northwestern University right here in Chicago. JP proposed to her during holiday season, 2010, and is now living and working (!) in Chicago with Jennifer. I really admire this couple’s ability to balance their career aspirations with their desire to be with each other, even if it means making really big changes.

When it snows.. well, everything is white. So I love how Jennifer’s jacket pops!

One of Jennifer’s favorite quotes, from Francois de la Rouchefoucauld: ”Absence diminishes small loves and increases great ones, as the wind blows out the candle and blows up the bonfire.”

They are super adorable together

Snuggle tight when it gets cold!

JP looked forward this part the most: an all out snowfight!

They will be married later this year in Switzerland, and I cannot be happier for these two. Though I won’t be available for their wedding, I am incredibly blessed to be able to keep in touch with them and call them as friends.

For those who have asked me whether I will run an in(SCP)ire me contest again, it is very unlikely I can run another one until I find a new job and a new city to settle down in. However, if you live in the bay area.. 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. While snow is fun, Shang loves summer and fall more. She can’t wait until it’s warmer!
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Love just kind of happens

Shang — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:09 +0000

“When [love] happens, it just kind of happens… All the notions and stories from rom-coms and fairytales kind of fly out of the window and all the everyday, what would be considered mundane activities suddenly take on a new light” – Lisa

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!

2011 Best of Engagements

Shang — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:43 +0000

This post is part 1 of 5 posts highlighting some of my favorite images from my 2011 season. Keep updated with this blog from now until Christmas for more posts with photojournalistic highlights, gorgeous portraiture, all in honor of the best clients in the whole world – mine. As always, click on the individual images to see more from that wedding. Other posts: Best details, Best Wedding Parties

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!
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Your friends got engaged: the Do’s and Don’ts

Shang — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:32:13 +0000

It’s holiday season, and engagement announcements are pouring in!

(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!
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Angie and Paul, Engaged! | Chicago Fall Engagement Session

Shang — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:05 +0000

Of all my couples, the weekend is probably the most significant for Angie and Paul. Given that they live on opposite sides of Chicago and lead busy lives, they are only able to see each other on the weekends. I can always count on my Facebook newsfeed with super-cute status messages of them spending laidback weekends together, be it watching TV or hanging out with their friends.If there is anything Paul was able, that was to convert Angie into a Cubs fan. Angie brings a world of delicious Italian cuisine and creative cookies to Paul. Together, they will be wed fall of 2012 in the church where Angie grew up all her life, with a ceremony presided by both a Catholic priest and Jewish rabbi as they combine their backgrounds. I am especially looking forward to her getting ready, which will be right at her home!

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
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Lisa and Dan, Engaged! | A Harvard Love Story

Shang — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:36:36 +0000

It began with a letter. He was the outgoing president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Chinese Students Association, and she was his successor. She was not to open it until she was on the plane for winter break. “All I really want for Christmas is you,” he wrote, and thus begins their love story. Lisa and Dan, one of my youngest clients for 2012, are full of energy, laughter, and natural love for each other. Sure, it doesn’t hurt that I know Lisa through a sisterhood we both belonged to in college, or that Dan actually had attended my high school as well (but we just missed each other). We all met up in Boston – they came up from New York, and I was in town for a wedding. We explored Harvard, where it all began.

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
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Jade and Jorge, Engaged! | West Village and Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York

Shang — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:00:02 +0000

Jade and Jorge got engaged the midnight before Valentine’s Day on the top of the Eiffel Tower. Swoon. These two met in New York City – where they both currently live and work. Food and style are their loves, and they are having a wedding reception next fall in Boston, as this is where Jade grew up, and a couple weeks before that, they are officially getting married in Spain, where Jorge was born, at a location that I’m sure is going to wow all their guests. I had the pleasure of traveling to NYC right after Jamaica to create this beautiful session that shows off the city they love.

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!
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