Catherine Tang Photography

Done Baking!

catherinetangphotography — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:07:10 +0000

It’s done!!! Fresh out of the oven!

Please come visit me at my new home at www.catherinetang.com! Don’t forget to update your reader with my new address.

Gone Baking

catherinetangphotography — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:06:19 +0000

1 new photographer

1 talented graphic designer

1 stylish web designer

5 meetings

45 emails

50 hours of research

Put it all together and bake for approximately 6-8 weeks.

I’ve been working on a recipe for my branding for the last 6 weeks and I’m so excited to say that I’m almost done. When I started this adventure of starting my photography business I planned to go slow and steady for 2 reasons: 1) I have a full time job and 2) I’m scared. Saying I want this as my career is one thing, but actually making it into a career is another. I’m still really shy about telling more people outside of my circle of trust about my business, and in fact, only a handful of people know this site exists.

However, the business graduate in me told the scared me to step off because it’s time to get to work and get the word out. So, 6 weeks ago I approached a graphic designer to create a logo & blog for me. I explained to her my vision and my goals and she totally got me. We’ve been working on perfecting the Catherine Tang Photography recipe and we’re baking up something realllll good. I can smell the sweet aroma coming from “the kitchen”. Stay tuned….

Practice Practice Practice

catherinetangphotography — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:40:24 +0000

This is the one piece of advice that many photographers have for newbies like myself. I’ve done a lot of research and reading and have learned a lot this way, but I know ultimately what will make me better is for me to form a stronger bond with my camera. At this moment, I can comfortably say that my camera and I have become more than just acquaintances. In the last few months, we’ve spent a lot more time together and have developed a friendly relationship, but to say we have a strong friendship is perhaps still a little presumptuous. I mean, we like each other well enough, but for me to start developing my photography voice and style, we need to connect and have the kind of bond that childhood friends have. We need to know each other inside and out and everything in between. We need to be able to complete each other’s sentences.

So, I’ve invested in my very first hands-on photography workshop with the talented Augie Chang from the Bay area this summer. I am so excited to learn new things and review old things in order to improve on my skills. When I’m through with this workshop, me and my girl Canon 5D are going to be attached at the hip….or is it the neck, or the eye….you get the point. We’re going to be BFF’s and we’re going to practice, practice, practice.

Accessorizing

catherinetangphotography — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:32:12 +0000

I’m slowly building my collection of gear! Key word is slowly. In March, I bought my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (precisely 1 week afer I set it as my March goal) and 2 weeks ago I finally bought a Shootsac. Tonight, I bought a strap for my camera for a little pop of color and personality to all of my black gear! Not just any camera strap, but a pretty camera strap with padding. Ta-da!

I bought it at Shealynn’s shop on Etsy which I found through Drew B’s blog. It was only $20.50 including shipping. This design is actually only $18.50, but I added the padding for an extra $2. Get one!

Wedding: Jacquie & Jason

catherinetangphotography — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:25:04 +0000

The Estate was quiet for a few moments as excitement was brewing in the air. One by one, each bridesmaid showed up with her dress hanging over her arms still covered in its bag. Hair & make-up was all done and the girls gathered into the guest bedroom to get dressed, waiting for the arrival of the bride. The quiet breaks within seconds as laughter floods the walls of The Estate.

“Eeeeeeeeeee! I’m getting married today!” Jacquie comes floating through the doors with a huge smile on her porcelain face because TODAY is the day she’s been dreaming of her whole life. To make it even sweeter, a bouquet of roses arrives for Jacquie from her admirer. Upon reading Jason’s love note the squealing ensues. “Awwwwwwwww!” She grips the 2×3 card close to her chest against her heart overwhelmed with happiness and joy that today she will celebrate her love for Jason.

These two love birds are so in sync with each other. No one could deny their devotion to one another and the deep love that they share. As they lit the unity candle during the ceremony they stood in front of everyone and stared into each others’ eyes as if nobody was in the room. They giggled, they smiled, they kisssed and they cherished that very moment when they became husband and wife.

Jacquie and Jason, I feel so priveleged to have witnessed your love and capturing it for you. You reminded me of what the true meaning of getting married and being married is. It was never about the wedding to you two, but about creating a new life together. I hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon. Congratulations!

{I shot this wedding with Crystal}

Babies: Olivia & Lucy (5 weeks old)

catherinetangphotography — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:51:30 +0000

When we first met at my last job we were both young, unmarried and had so much in common. I remember my first week of work clearly and am amazed at how much has changed in 5 years. I was beeming with excitement heading into work because it was my first “real” job. It was real because I had to dress business casual and was given an office! As I was settling in and organizing things to my liking Sarah came in to say hi and asked me how things were going. We chatted that day and chatted everyday since. Even though we no longer work together, we still chat frequently and remain close. Sarah quickly became more than just a co-worker. She’s now one of my closest friends.

In 5 years, we’ve seen each other through engagements, weddings, marriages and now babies! Sarah & Kevin’s twin girls, Olivia & Lucy are absolutely the cutest babies! I got to hold both girls today and I could have sat on her mom’s couch holding them for hours.

Lucy, on the left, and Olivia on the right in Daddy’s arms.

Olivia is a happy girl after she ate.

And so is her sister, Lucy.

I couldn’t resist these cute little booty pajamas! I want a pair as an adult!

I couldn’t get a good picture of Sarah with the girls since she was busy feeding, changing and calming them. When they were asleep someone else was holding them. I was one of the hogs.

Sarah & Kevin, your girls are to.die.for. I can’t wait to see you guys again!

xoxo

Tailormade Bakery Part 2

catherinetangphotography — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:08:52 +0000

I finally finished going through the cookie shoot. I can use a cookie right now!

Blueberry Brandy

Caramel Pecan

Chocolate Gran Marnier

Smores

Helpful Tips

catherinetangphotography — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:13:23 +0000

In the last few weeks, I’ve met with different people who have inspired me and have given me a ton of helpful tips as I’m in the infant stages of my business.

Start an inspiration book of ideas from magazines, blogs and things that I see anywhere that I want to try.
Get a planner and write down my weekly goals. I started this last week and it’s helping me stay focused on the things that I want to accomplish each day.
Set up any kind of shoot to practice each month.
Get my business license and set things up now while things are slow.
Step away from the computer, take time out to relax and do something fun!

All really great tips that I’ve already started to implement. I feel like now I’m actually taking action instead of just wanting this to happen.

Sedona, AZ

catherinetangphotography — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:52:45 +0000

I snuck away for a short weekend get-away to Arizona with my good friend Tina. I was feeling a bit stressed out with everything in life and needed to relax and clear my head. We left Friday night and drove for 5.5 hours to Avondale where Tina’s cousin lives. The next day we drove 1.5 hours to Sedona to do some hiking. The weather was PERFECT….cool, crisp and clear.

Bell Rock

We did some light hiking and a few of us hiked up to the top. I’m usually up for adventurous hiking, but the height scared me. I knew I could make it up, but coming back down was going to be a problem. The rocks became very steep and almost vertical. Plus, I didn’t want to lug my camera up with me….what a cop out, right? Oh well.

Tina’s cousins, Yumi & Jerry, Tina and Tina’s boyfriend, Veng. Veng was actually coming down with the flu, but he hung in there. I think he ended up getting more sick that night. Oops!

Me & Tina being silly. Tina obviously isn’t as naturally dorky as I am.

And the last one of Tina & Veng. Thanks for letting me tag along. I had a lot of fun catching up and sleeping in!

Mimi

catherinetangphotography — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:31:24 +0000

I was going through my camera and found this picture of Mimi from the day she got her hair cut. I was snapping away and giggled when I saw this one.

"The Baby"