Authentic Candid Wedding Photographer - Joey Cheng Teenadult Productions

Hey all,

First blog here on Wedding Chick. My name is Joey Cheng and I'm a wedding photographer in LA. You may find me on @joeytheteenadult or www.theteenadultprod.com

Many of blogs teach you on asking the right question for your wedding photographers to know their styles, I myself have written that too on my blog. And even sometimes you'd want to know the style of your wedding photographer too! Instead of giving you those generic answers for you today, I want to bring you to a little bit of my BTS when I'm shooting at weddings! 

This photo above is going to be published in a magazine soon, and I might submit a series of photos for competition soon.

Street Photography has always been my hobby since I was 16 or 17. Capturing that moment of special emotion or action from a stranger then the images triggering the audiences to feel a certain way fascinates me. But street photography has taught me to be patient and alert on every senses and things that are happening in front of me. 

So every time when I'm overwhelmed at the schedule on a wedding day, I'd slow down and breath, then remind myself that street photography philosophy I have for myself (especially during ceremony). Then usually I'd start creating the photos that I'll be most proud of on wedding days. 

Sometimes these fantastic candid moments/street photographic moment would appear right in front of our eyes just like the groom giving the bride a dip and a kiss when they're entering for their reception. Sometimes, you have to be creative and know your angle so you can have a picture like the one on top which the photo shows the dynamic and closeness between the bride and the maid-of-honor. Aka, you have to know what you're doing... 

I was hired for a reception shoot. And with the sunlight and the decorations there, the color it created was so pretty on our cameras(me and my 2nd shooter). But the problem was after a while, things start getting messy. So I asked my second to focus on family photos and other detailed shots, while I look for a way to not disturb my couples with guests yet I can still create and get some photos of just the two of them!

I looked through everything to see what I can create out from it! And eventually with some street photography framing, and the use of the backdrop I created some foreground so I can create some depths and separate them from just a plain walls behind them!

*Yes, sometimes I'd hide so I can capture the most genuine, candid, and intimate moments of my couples! And yes, I shoot black and white, film photography, and more!

Street Photography is usually Black and White. Usually on Film. Usually consider as a fine art. When I was waiting for the reception entrance for my couples and their parties, I saw this moment of all of them standing behind door waiting, yet forming different lines. I knew this was my shot. Immediately, the door frame and them being trapped behind there for a minute reminds me of those intense emotions from European Cinema. But of course, since it's a wedding, it will be a super intense-happiness in our photos!

Street photography was started by rebels for the rebels to push beyond studio fine-art photos. And so you have to know the rules to break the rules, right? I've been figuring out how to create blurs in my photos yet still make sense? And here we got this photo for the bride and groom for their dance... 

Last but not least, my cover photo. Street photography is about being genuine, capturing the moments, be candid, be alert, and be opened to the unknowns. And while this adventure session that I had with my couple after their wedding, we were at Malibu Creeks I was happy for the magical backdrop by the nature and the flares, suddenly a family passed by us and the kids were blowing bubbles! And this is how this photo was made!! 

Street photography has taught me a lot, especially to be vulnerable. Being vulnerable allows me to be in checked with my emotions so I have the capacity to enjoy and share our moments of happiness. Street Photography has also taught me how to create and capture the magical moments. Sure, sometimes I would be here capturing, but sometimes I'd bring my couples aside so we could create stunning photos like these above. When we create, nothing was forced, everything was candid, genuine, and private (safe). 

Each photographer has his/her own styles in their work. Pick someone that you trust, you bond with, and like! Sure budget is an important factor that affects your decision, but I know a photographer if he/she cares for you, there must be a solution to everything.

My name is Joey Cheng, and I'm a wedding photographer based in LA(Opened to travelling for sure)! Thank you so much for reading my photo essay! My social existence is @Joeytheteenadult and my website is www.theteenadultprod.com

See you next time!