Curiosity Follows me Wherever I Travel to – Los Angeles Fine Art Photographer

I don’t know if it makes sense – me and curiosity are twins that are not related by blood.  Whenever I travel, far or near, she follows me.  On my recent trip to Taiwan, she found her way to my luggage and felt so in her element poking around after arrival.  When I realized it, my good conscience wouldn’t let me leave her in an unfamiliar land.

So I followed her around, not wanting to let her out of my sight.  And here’s a “teaser” of what we experienced in the historical town of Beipu (北埔) in Hsinchu County:
 
Would you like to join us in our adventure?  I’d share more in my travel blog if you’d like.

We All Like a Little Nature in Our Living Space – Lotus Pond – Los Angeles Fine Art Photographer

If I told you that I made a trip to San Juan Capistrano lately, what would come to your mind?  For a historical town that dates back to 1776, “The Mission” is probably among the most popular answers.

And yes, I did visit the Catholic mission that’s named Mission San Juan Capistrano and I’ve gotten proof below:

Little did I know though that I would bring back this beauty.

You see, I’m crazy (side note: crazy is a strong word, I know) about lotus flowers (see proof here, here and here).  I can’t explain it; not sure if it has to do with my heritage.  I’m always taken by their elegance.  And hey, elegance is very important for a lady, isn’t it?

Now, if you could just sit back and enjoy this art piece as you please …  What do you feel?  Are you in Monet’s garden?  Or do you see a water-color painting?  Can you believe it’s photographic art?

Ever wondered how this piece of art would look in your living room, kitchen, hallway or bedroom… (you name it)?  Simply give me a call or e-mail me to discuss how I can provide a mocked-up view of the “prettied-up” room.

If you are interested in my other fine art photography work, please visit my website or click here. 

Rising from the Fire – Los Angelels Fine Art Photographer

Yes, I have not been around (at least the way it seems) for a while.  In fact, I haven’t posted since the beginning of this year.  ”Where have you been?” You might ask.  ”Hibernation” will be my answer.

As much as I love photography, I equally love the seemingly “idle time”, the time when no one knows the boiling under the surface.  Yes, a lot has been cooking.  And no matter whether you’ve heard from me, I have been creating.  Although, I agree that it’s not fair to not share to my supportive friends.

So, a voice said in my head that “today is the day to ‘wake up from hibernation’”.  Alright, alright.  I thought this piece of my most recent creation would be fit for my “return”.

This is a clear demonstration of having an eye to turn what’s ordinary into the extraordinary.  In case you are curious what’s the origin of this art piece, all I can tell you for now is that I was walking along the side of a street in an old town.  A lot of time, I enjoy the “aimless” process of creation.  But this time, when I saw it, I had a vision.  Let me know how you like it:

Wall Art ©Jean Huang Photography. What's ordinary was turned into the extraordinary. This image was made from one taken while walking along the side of a street.

Isn’t this a beautiful addition to your living space?

I can see some of you might say, “My space is much more modern”.  No sweat, how will this look for you?

Wall Art ©Jean Huang Photography. While this is the same image that was made from one taken while walking along the side of a street, it fits a modern setting just as well.

So, have I redeemed myself?

If you are interested in my other fine art photography work, please visit my website or click here.  Have questions about how this art piece may fit your home?  Go ahead and contact me.

Until next time, enjoy your life! 

An Authentic Japanese Portrait – Los Angeles Custom Portrait Photographer

Many of you know that I’ve just had a trip to Japan.  As exciting as it is to share the experience, it can be overwhelming when you try to tell the stories through photography.  Especially when you visit many unique and vastly different cities, the question that begs to jump out is “where do you start”?

Well, hulling through all images and process and edit to make a 2012 calendar in itself can feel like a paramount project.  And yet, the remaining tasks seem a bigger mountain to climb.  (Side note: for those that know me or will get to know me, I do not like climbing mountains. )  And of course, I never forget my mission in this photographic journey – it’s a beautiful world and I’m here to share the beauty the way I see it.  So, I decide to pick an image from an encounter that leaves the most impression to me on the trip.

This started when we ran into a real beauty while visiting the Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu.

Ritsurin Park is among the many beautiful parks/gardens that we’ve visited in Japan and is one of my favorites.  As I always say, people make part of the scenery anywhere you go.  When you have  great interaction with people at any locale, you end up liking this place for the fond memories.  I won’t digress into too much details of what this Park is about as this will be the subject of my travel blog.  I just feel that it was my lucky day to have met Arisa with her hair dresser/make-up artist Doiko (I hope I didn’t butcher her name. ).

They were so nice to allow me to take portraits of Arisa while they were there for business.  Arisa was a natural and with little directions, she looks really good in this image.  A Japanese girl, in the beautiful kimono, with a real Japanese setting.  What an authentic experience! 

What do you think?

 

The Much Anticipated 2012 Calendar is Here

For those of you that know about a tradition that we’ve carried on for years at Jean Huang Photography, I know you’ve been anxious to see the new year’s calendar.

As a tradition, we make a new calendar with the select few images from our travels during the year.  This is our way of sharing our passion with our beloved clients.  This year, it’s Japan!

The calendar made its début at an event yesterday.  And it’s definitely received lots of “woos” and “aahs”.

Visit this page under the “Holiday Gifts”.  Sit back, watch the slide show and enjoy the colors of Japan unfold in front of your eyes.

If you’ve seen our calendars from previous years, you’d know the quality of paper and images that go into them.  In fact, this year, we’ve made them even better.  They are now 11″x17″ calendars with nice sized images (roughly 8″x10″) guaranteed to impress.

If, and that’s an “if”, you are compelled to own one for yourself or give as a gift, call or e-mail or fill out a form for Jean Huang Photography.

New Offerings Just In Time for the Holidays! – Los Angeles Photographer

The holiday season is quickly drawing to an end.  Can you believe it?  Only 11 days to make selections for the important ones in your life (let alone the time needed to package and even mail it).  And your feet are hurting from all the walking and searching.  If you are among the lucky ones, your eyes are red from staring at the computer monitor too long.  And worse, you are at loss for what perfect gifts to pick for the very loved ones.  

No sweat (not easy to sweat in winter ), we have an easy and elegant solution for you – the photography gift card!  All you need is 5 minutes of your time and we will take care of the rest.  Time is limited though if you want to make sure the “beautiful item” arrives before the Christmas dinner.

Go make your purchases here.  And the person that receives it would thank you (I mean, really).  Who wouldn’t love a piece of art on their wall, made out of their family, especially their babies’ portraits?

Hurry before the cards run out.  Just 5 minutes will allow you to chill out for the rest of the “shopping season” and look like a hero (with good taste) on the “big day”.

Here’s the front view of this beautifully designed card:

and the back view:

What are you still waiting for?  Run….!! 

Did I Say I’m Not a Big Sunset Photographer? – Los Angeles Fine Art Photographer

The other day, I was out and about hiking in the park. The weather was perfect, and the light couldn’t be better (photography-wise). That, in combination with the sky, the interesting clouds, and the golden cast on the dirt gives this image, which I named it “Everybody is Running”:

One of the things about nature is that you can’t plan for it.  And as I’ve proclaimed in this article, I’m not a big sunset photographer.  But I’ve also mentioned in the same article that when a scene catches my heart, no one can convince me to not capture it with my heart.

So, on my way home, this sunset stroke me.  And the next thing you know, my portfolio’s gotten another image of sunset:

Let me know if you enjoy the view!  In case you are thinking what I’m thinking, this image will look wonderfully vibrant on a metal print.  Let me know if you’d like to know more.

If you are interested in my other fine art photography work, please click here.   

2011 Halloween Costume Photo Contest – Los Angeles Portrait Photographer

It’s that time of the year again! The spirits are looming in…

Some of you have partied all weekend long in your “special outfits”. Others will show off (in darkness) tonight trick-or-treating. In any case, make sure you have proof that your costume is the most fun/creative/scary…because we at Jean Huang Photography would like to give out a prize for the voted winner.

You’ve got the costumes. And you have the camera ready. Let the fun begin here! Any questions can be posted here.

Photographic skill are not judged, however it may help get a few more “likes” that you’d need to win.

In case I haven’t made it clear, number one rule of the contest is to HAVE FUN!

 

Life is in the Moments, Celebrate It! – Los Angeles Custom Portrait Photographer

Life is in the moments that we live in.  This has been my belief and the exact reason that got me started doing portrait photography.  Now, it may sound biased coming from a photographer.  But people, do whatever it makes sense to you to capture the beautiful moments that we may (most likely) not be able to “go back” and retrieve.

Yesterday, I ran into a gentleman.  Upon learning that I’m a photographer, he shared the thought that he’s been wanting to do a family portraiture now that his parents are not getting any younger.  I love meeting people like this as it shows that they are passionate about their lives and that they are living and breathing the moments.

In the (sort of) modernistic world that we exist in, we tend to get buried in the “busy-ness” and forget why we are doing all the tasks on the to-do list.  The next thing we know, our kids have left the home and our parents are leaving (or have left) this world.  We wonder where our lives went and we have nothing tangible to refer back to.

Life is like water in a river.  It flows right by us whether we pay attention to it or not.  So take a moment out of your life, from time to time, to stop and dip your toes in the water, make a splash or even take a bath, if you’d so feel like it.  As I always say, life won’t wait.  So starting today, smell it, taste it, feel it…

My parents had a big wedding anniversary (to avoid the risk of aging myself, I choose to not disclose the total number of years).  Like any couple of that generation, they’ve been through a lot.  I thought it’d be nice to document this milestone in their lives together with a nice portraiture.  In my mind, it’d be a gift that when they look upon 20 or 30 years from now, it brings them right back to where we are today.  I hope this nice canvas gallery wrap has done just that – simple, elegant and memorable.  It’s sitting beautifully on my parents’ living room wall.

What memory would you capture for your loved ones this holiday season, or anytime of the year?

P.S. Excuse me for putting mosaic on my parents’ eyes.  They are MY parents and, I know, I’m being selfish.
P.P.S. Did you know that this was a typical pose for wedding picture at the time that my parents got married? 

Seal the Deal with Love – Los Angeles Children’s Photographer

Remember the cuttie pie D2 that we got a quick glimpse the other day?  Well, grandma loved the sneak peek.  So, as we creatives would like to make new stuff, I thought why not design a post card that’s stamped with her grandson’s images?

Notice that, contrary to the ever-changing prices of (real) stamps, these limited editions (currently 2011 edition) are “priceless” and each year, you get to update with new portraits of your children or grand-children.

With these specially made cards in hand, you’d have bragging power to send a post card to all your friends, family, and, heck, anybody that you have a mailing address for.

Before long, you’d have a collection to savor the beloved child’s growth over the years.

About the post card, the design can be tweaked and will change from year to year.  Of course we can make it perfectly clean.  But would it be as interesting as this rustic-looking design?

All my clients of 2011 get to have this specially made for them.  Are you one of them?  Christmas is 67 days away and these cards make perfect gifts.  Just saying…

P.S. The watermark at the bottom will not show in the final product.
P.P.S. Post cards come with envelopes.