Boston Wedding Photographer | Nicole Chan Photography

Lots of the photography conferences and workshops I attend emphasize identity branding – Who are you?  What’s your style?  What about you makes you, you?

I’ve tried to describe myself.  I mention a bit about my love for dark chocolate and my dog.  I frequently blog about my boyfriend, Jason, and our crazy adventures together.  Sometimes, I read my wedding photographer friends’ blogs and sometimes, it starts sounding like the same story.  We’ve switched into a career we love.  We seem to have perfect relationships with our boyfriends/husbands (some who are in business with us) and our dogs (also an integral part of the business).  Err… well – a dose of obvious honesty:  I’m not perfect.   My life isn’t perfect.  My relationships aren’t perfect.

and that’s okay.  This is what makes me who I am.

This whole photography thing has really done a lot for me - It gives me a way to express myself in a way that I never thought possible.  It allows me to speak, when I don’t have the words.    It’s funny – a simple movement of an index finger allows me to make an impact on the world, or at least a few dozen couples per year.   It forces me to be honest with myself, evaluating life and how to I want to live it.

I made a resolution for 2012.  I’m going to quit trying to take perfect pictures, and instead, focus on capturing reflective ones.  

Photojournalists have it right.  The objective is to produce “direct, truthful and bold images that tell the stories for those who have no voice.”  Again, life isn’t perfect.  How does this relate to my weddings?  One of the most speeches I heard this year was from a bride’s brother.  He talked about two imperfect people making one perfect bond.   I was moved.  That’s really what love is all about.  Seeing someone in all of their entirety and loving them for every bit of their being, inclusive of their faults of imperfections.

I get to know my couples and their families in depth, and I’d like to share a bit about me.  Growing up was different for me.  My little brother has Autism, the extremely low-function / high-aggression type.  I’m also not a 2.5 children + dog + white picket fence sort of scenario.  My parents came to the States as teenagers and worked harder than I could ever imagine.  Watching how my mother carries herself is motivational.  She’s the strongest person I know and she inspires me in every way possible.  She knows my shortcomings (patience, mostly!) and only spouts out her hyper-critical-ness in small doses.  :)  My family has shaped me into who I am, imperfections and all, and I could not be more grateful.

Earlier this year, she hosted a party for my brother, all of the staff at his program and all of his resident buddies as a thank you for all of their efforts.  Individuals in this special needs industry really need to be hugged on a daily basis.  They’ve made such an impact on my family.  I captured the following images, and I absolutely love them.