Shang Chen Photography, jetsetting wedding photographer based in San Francisco

“You will throw a fabulous wedding!”
“Who’s going to be your wedding photographer?”

I have received so many beautiful notes over the last week congratulating me on my engagement and I am so overwhelmed with love, thank you, thank you, thank you! Now I can finally reveal that a big reason behind why I’d been so adamant about taking a hiatus from full-time photography – it was so that I can build a beautiful life with him. Photographing other people’s weddings was proving to be an obstacle to my own love story, since we were a long distance couple and could only see each other during the weekends. In America all too often the culture is work first, family second. I wanted my life to be family first, work second. I have been profoundly impacted by this article of the regrets of the dying and many others, and decided I would live life to the fullest.

A wise blogger told me, never blog something you wouldn’t want your mother to read.  When I began dating my fiance, he taught me the value of keeping the most precious things in your life private. Now, the photographer behind Shang Chen Photography that you all see, it’s not a fake persona. It’s a part of me, but it’s not all of me.  I know thousands of people read my blog, as I still every now and then meet someone randomly who’s been a fan for a long time.

I couldn’t bring myself to blog about my proposal. Why? It’s too beautiful. It’s the best engagement proposal I could have wished for, and I only want the people who truly understand us to know what happened. In addition, when I shared my decision to not have a diamond-focused ring, the reaction was mainly supportive, but I could tell that some people took issue to it. When I have thousands of people following me, I need to separate what I think as a wedding professional from what I personally think as a bride-to-be. I’m not saying that people actually listen to what I say, but I do want to be responsible for my professional presence.

My wedding is about me and him. It is personal. The choices I’ve made in planning were choices made by a couple who want their wedding to be meaningful and special to everyone in attendance, not professional choices made by a wedding photographer. Of course, I will be hiring some pretty awesome photographers I am also lucky enough to call my friends, so don’t you worry about that one ;)

For those who wanted to learn about wedding planning, I really only have two points to make:
1) Don’t get into debt throwing a wedding. This is your first big financial decision together, it will set the tone for how you two approach money in the future
2) Your wedding isn’t a show for others. It’s not something you plan so you can get it into a magazine. Your wedding is about you and your future spouse, so make it personal, because that’s how it is beautiful

I don’t want the world looking to my wedding for some sort of trend or statement. Hence, I won’t be blogging actively about it. Nevertheless, thank you all so much for being so supportive of me, I really appreciate it! In addition, much appreciation and thanks goes out to all my clients who were willing to let their love stories be featured on my blog.

This blog post also serves as an official announcement that there will be an end to my hiatus, with some modifications. I will be strictly observing a religious sabbath on Saturdays. Unfortunately this kills off a bulk of wedding celebrations, but I have the faith that in making God and my family first priority, everything else will work itself out. So, if you’re getting married on a Sunday in 2014… please get in touch =)

Shang is a wedding photographer for dynamic couples who are in love and see a world bursting with color and possibility. She now adds “engaged” to her relationship status
be the first to see new work - like Shang Chen Photography on facebook

This spring I have had the privilege of backing several projects that I felt were meaningful and changing the world. Some of these are ongoing so I hope that you guys, if moved, would support them.

Divided Families Film Project – Kickstarter - $7,696 needed and 10 days to go

My friend Jieun is one of the creators of the Divided Families Film Project. The project will raise enough money to document the stories of Korean Americans separated from their families in North Korea by the Korean War.

Project 1040 - $35,000 still needed, 11 days to go

I personally know several of the incredible individuals behind Project1040 and for years they have dedicated efforts each year to provide basic needs around the world. This year during the 40 days of Lent, they are raising money to build 10 wells which would provide lasting clean water for 5,000 people, every day. Join me in providing the most basic human need.

Telling the greatest story ever told… to the world – Kickstarter - $5,255 raised, 12 days to go

My friend Lusi is the creator of 4Soils. 4Soils create biblically accurate stories and activities for children, with a focus on iPads. I like this project because it provides the resources to translate the app into different languages. The most unreached parts of the world when it comes to the Christian faith are abroad. Translating this fun and engaging app would reach youngsters all over the world with the beautiful story of the Gospel.

Operation Smile

I have donated to Operation Smile since I first had income back in college. Cleft lip and palate is a medical issue that hits close to home for me. It is such an easy surgery to perform, but without it, children are ostracized from society.

Heifer International

Last year during my birthday giveaway, one of my loyal readers alerted me to this amazing organization that aims to end hunger and poverty through gifts of livestock and training. I believe in gifts that give themselves, and gifts of livestock are incredible ways to allow people lift themselves up. This month, they are running a matching campaign for Guatemala and Honduras, visit this link to see your contribution have double impact.

Are there any other amazing organizations – particularly with a focus on international missions, justice, women, education, and poverty/hunger alleviation that I should be aware of? Tell me in the comments!

Shang is a San Francisco-based wedding photographer for dynamic couples who are in love and see a world bursting with color and possibility
be the first to see new work - like Shang Chen Photography on facebook