Jeanny and Phil have been with me ever since the beginning. And by “beginning,” I really do mean beginning. Many years back, when social blogging site Xanga was alive and kicking, Jeanny and I knew each other because we were among a group of what some have coined “Xanga celebrities.” She was still in nursing school in Texas at that time, while I was in college seemingly spending my time transferring from major to major.
After several years, I eventually graduated (yay!), landed a job with a biotech instrumentation company, and somehow found myself being mentored by The Scott Robert! Jeanny then one day asked me if I could do a (fake) engagement session for her and her boyfriend Phil while she was in town. Let’s see. I had just bought my first SLR, had no idea how to use it, never shot an engagement session before, was barely starting to learn the basics of photography from Scott, so I said … “Sure! Why not?”
Interesting would be an apt word to describe what happened next, because nothing went as planned! We never made it to the locations she had picked, the weather decided to get all thunder-stormy on us, and my equipment got wet from the rain. (Here is what my photography looked like back in December 2006, in case you’re interested.)
But then a funny thing happened. One of the shots from that session actually came out pretty well, and almost a year later, I decided on a whim to submit that now semi-famous picture to a contest that Jesh de Rox–one of America’s hottest wedding photographers–was throwing. And … I actually won! It was a watershed moment for me, a major affirmation of my photography, because at that time, I was still working two jobs, staying up late nights editing photos or reading up on photography, going to bed for 4-5 hours, waking up to go to work for a full day, and then coming home and repeating the cycle over again.
That was two years ago, and so much has changed since then. Phil and Jeanny are now engaged, there is enough work coming in that I have several part-time freelance creatives working under my studio, and in a month, I will have the utmost pleasure of being their wedding photographer … this time, for reals. =P
Here is their pre-wedding/bridal session that we recently shot in Merced. Be sure to check out their slideshow!
This is classic Phil. =P
The road was not as empty as it seems in this picture. How far are you willing to taunt death for the sake of one good picture? =D
Love the purple! Jen dyed it herself.
Don’t forget to check out their slideshow!
aaww, i think you have a fan for life. 🙂
did you say that she is a nurse and she’s from TX? cooooll….. =)
i like the last 2 fotos the most- their clothing is so paradoxical to the background yet it works out nicely. they look so happy. =)
loads of amazing shots here bro. =)
oops.. not the last 2 fotos but the last 2 fotos in the set of “dilapidated shed” fotos.
Junshien, this is a great story lead in to an awesome eSession!
oh snap I meant bridal session! I guess the story on the engagement got stuck in my head! See how awesome that story lead in was?
@Holly: Thank you so much for your kind words, and for the support throughout the years! When I see one of your comments, I still think of your xanga background with the (Japanese?) red-hair girl looking upwards. 🙂
have a lovely Friday!
@Jeanny: For reals! Xanga has done wonders connecting so many of us. And ooops! PA, not nurse!
@Ted, Soapie, Steve: Haha thanks
@Cheri: Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad my photography has been a blessing.
You posted our pictures! woohooooo… i am thankful to xanga for connecting me with wonderful people, especially phil and you, our amazing photog =) Thank you for our slideshow, I really like it, we’ll show it at the wedding. Next step, publication!
BTW – Not nursing school! Physician assistant =)
I can’t believe 2006 was so far away, as I think on it now. Wow. Congrats on the winning pic! I loved that photoshoot, and many of them since and prior. This photoshoot here shows how you really have grown, and *shock*, still have room to grow. Do you yet look forward to the day where you take the “fake” engagement and real engagement pictures of their KIDS? hehe. Love the purple petticoat underneath, and I can only imagine how the drop cloth you put between her dress and that rusty shanty stuff looked afterward.
Junshien, I LOVE the way you shared your story. Biotech hhhhmmmm….funny to go and be gifted in completely an opposite area….art! AND you also have a gift for storytelling. Maybe soon you will also be writing photography books. A collection from blogging!!!!!! I love how you affectionately call SR…”The Scott”. LOL…It is nice to wake up in the morning and smile and laugh 😛 Thanks!
P.S. I love the “squishy face” and the image when they are running…of course they are smiling and having fun! Great job!!!
Junshien, what a great story! And nice pictures! With all that cloud cover, it almost looked like you were going to have a repeat of your first shoot. 🙂
Beautiful work Junshien, your photos are breathless! I still remembering seeing this couple’s shot from way back when! Always amazing to know how far God has brought you in this journey! 🙂
[…] know the difference Auto and Program modes on my camera. (You can read the rest of the story here.) So as you can imagine, it is quite awesome to be able to actually shoot their wedding! Not only […]