I first met Junshien (@Junshien) a few years ago (in 2004?) on Xanga (seriously), before he was a world renowned wedding photographer. Junshien, who hails from the Bay Area, always had beautiful photos on his Xanga and was so nice and easy to get along with. I met him in person once, when he made a trip to Vancouver. I picked him up at the airport and we met up with another friend from Xanga. The three of us went for lunch and after I introduced them to London Fogs. Before meeting, Junshien and I had only ever spoken via Xanga and even then, Junshien had the ability to make you feel super comfortable – which is the perfect trait for a wedding photographer.

If you haven’t seen his work, you should, it’s amazing. In fact, I’ve already put my request in for his services for my eventual nuptials.

How did you get involved in photography and why weddings?

Back in college, I used to have a little 3-megapixel Canon Powershot that I would bring with me everywhere. It didn’t matter whether the subjects were flowers, food, people, whatever – I would take pictures of anything and everything I would see. Of course, being a complete n00b, I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I kept at it because it was so much fun! Eventually, friends started noticing my work – and so did a few other photographers whom I admired. This only inspired me to continue learning and improving. Then in 2006, I was connected with an amazing photographer- Scott Robert Lim – who helped guide me into wedding photography and laid the foundation of my success today.

Why weddings? Because it’s one of the few sectors of photography in which you can actually earn a living. Very few photographers can pay the bills doing purely landscapes, or travel photography, or non-wedding photojournalism.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Wow, where do I start? I love meeting people, love making new friends. Probably one of the best parts of my job is finding that many of my clients end up becoming regular friends. I’ve been invited to birthday parties, road trips, baby showers, home-cooked dinners, house parties, nights on the town, etc. Being included in one of the happiest days of a couple’s new life together is definitely also an incredibly satisfying part of my job. I would sometimes get asked, “Wouldn’t you rather come as a guest and enjoy yourself?” Definitely not, because I usually have more fun than the guests, and sometimes even more than the couple themselves! As the photographer, I get to hang out with the couple for the entire day, from the start til the end. I’m there for the behind-the-scenes drama, the spontaneous moments of celebration, the happy tears that come unbidden. During the ceremony and reception, I’m generally free to roam around instead of having to stay in my seat, and the photo session with the entire bridal party is almost always a total blast! I could probably go on an on about the other “best” things about my job, like being able to travel, and having a flexible schedule, and learning to become a successful entrepreneur. But I’ll stop for now.

Where do you find your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from the most random places. Certain songs I’ll hear will evoke a mood, which will translate into an image, which will in turn trickle down into my wedding work. Current favorites include the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, the haunting melodies of A Fine Frenzy, and the honest lyrics of the defunct rock group Moses Mayfield. Spending time in nature can also be a very transcendent experience for me – while standing in open fields and taking in the endless skies and the mountains all around, I can’t help but feel my spirit soar. A lot of my work is an attempt to recapture that feeling. Movies are also a great source of inspiration. The set pieces, the lighting, the framing, the pacing  – all these contribute to create a believable and truthful atmosphere, when in reality, not too far from the actors, there are dozens of lighting and sound assistants, and directors shouting instructions, and a whole slew of equipment. In photography, we often have to create a story out of nothing. Can I make this drab hotel room look like the prettiest place ever? Can I pull out something romantic from a mere parking lot? With the right lighting, framing, and direction, it becomes possible to create a believable and beautiful story in the most ordinary places.

Who are your favourite tweeps?

@scottrobertlim: This is my mentor. If it were not for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He now teaches students from around the world! Photographers, check him out!
@kellyoxford: I love her irreverent humor!
@pixelatedimage: He’s an amazing travel photographer, and I’m jealous of all the incredible places he gets to visit – for “work”!
@TSAgov: I’m not sure how it is up in Canada, but over here in the States, our civil liberties and privacy is continually being taken away by our government. Their latest brilliant plan in finding terrorists is to grope everybody who gets on a plane. This novelty account is sad and ridiculously hilarious at the same time.

What is the holiday season in California missing?

Sometime in the future, I’d love to live in a place with real seasons – where entire hillsides turn gold and red and yellow from the changing foliage, and snow falls on Christmas day. Here in California, we get maybe one and a half seasons!

Are you a romantic?

Being around people in love has paradoxically made me hyper-aware of the reality that many love stories don’t work out. I’ve known couples who seem perfect together, who seem like they have that rare and beautiful partnership we all long for – only to find them breaking up after 5, 10, 15 years together. After seeing so many failed relationships, and more than a good handful of broken engagements and divorces, there’s that risk of disillusionment. But one thing I believe with all my heart is that anything that’s worth gaining comes with great risk. And in this life, what is more worthwhile, what is more fulfilling, what is more beautiful, than risking it all for the sake of love?

All images provided by Junshien.

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