Brian Khang | Photographer

Happy Monday All! I hope “Y’All” had a great weekend! I’m saying “Y’All”, because I’m still here in Houston. But this Wednesday I’ll be back in OC after being here for 3 weeks! I can’t wait to get back home! It’s been a great trip here in Houston. I met some awesome friends and photographers and I’ll be sharing some photos soon!

While I was away in Houston, Utterly Engaged launched their 7th Issue, appropriately titled, “Tear Jerker”. I can list so many reasons why I love my job, but one of them that has to be on top of my list, is photographing emotional photos! Although many people say that “All weddings are the same”, I beg to differ. The day might all be structured similar, but when it comes down to making the day unique and different, it’s the random and unexpected moments that really differentiate one wedding from another.

I take so much pride in being emotionally connected to the day and to my couples. It really helps me anticipate when something significant is going to happen. And being significant can just be something small, like a hug from a friend, a look from a family member during the ceremony or when the bride and groom just want to act silly.

And that’s why I am so excited and honored that Utterly Engaged featured several of my photos, from my couples in 2009. Make sure you checkout the complete issue by CLICKING HERE. You don’t want to miss other great moments from other great photographers in this issue! Below is what they featured from the weddings I photographed in 2009 and I’ll tell a little story about the photo below. Thank you again Utterly Engaged for creating such an amazing issue!

As Rachee was getting ready, both of her parents were in the room, helping her put on the finishing touches, like her earrings, veil, etc.  Her parents were so proud of her and you can definitely see that on their faces that day.  As we were preparing to leave the hotel to the ceremony, Rachee’s father picked up the bouquet from the vase on the table, handed them to Rachee and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.  It’s moments like these that you never get back and I was so overjoyed that I was able to capture it on a photo.
On the same evening of Andrew and Rachee’s wedding, during their first dance, I captured this first dance moment that is still up to this day, one of my favorites.  As you all might know, I’ve been shooting with film from time to time at most of my weddings.  There’s just something indescribable about it.  After shooting a few digital images during their first dance, I reached for my film body which had Fuji Neopan 1600 film loaded.  I was shooting the film at 1200 ISO with NO flash, because I wanted to capture a bit of movement.  You can definitely see how in love these two are and how they really enjoyed just being there with each other, during their first dance.
Chendal and Geoffrey had such an amazing multicultural wedding day, which included a morning Cambodian ceremony.  There’s always something so amazing about photographing other wedding traditions and cultures.  At the end of their Cambodian ceremony, I anticipated one of the most important parts of the ceremony, which is throwing of the rice.  But what I couldn’t anticipate, was the joy on all of their faces during this moment.  This photo to me, highlights family and friends celebrating!
On the same evening of Chendal and Geoffrey’s wedding at The Turnip Rose in Newport Beach, it was the end of the evening.  And they had yet to use their photobooth.  As I was standing around with their friends watching them pose for the photobooth, I knew that these two are just so fun and silly together and I was just waiting for them to do something crazy.  And what happens next?  She bites his ear!  Now I’m not sure if this face is genuine, but judging by his ear lobe, I think it was a real bite!  But either way, it’s moments like this when I look back on, that brings a smile to my face!