Royal Cakes in Glendale (Los Angeles) designed and produced this tabletop with large floral paper mâchés that crowned the centerpiece. Grace Ormonde of Wedding Style Magazine asked me to capture its essence.

The only test of my skills was making the transparent chairs visible. To do so, I added just a splash of light on their legs.

I had the honor of working with Grace Ormonde in Chelsea Piers, New York for her 2012 Fall / Winter Wedding Style Magazine. This photo was quite a challenge. In order to properly compensate for the background cityscape, I had to light the foreground appropriately. In normal circumstances, that is easy. However, this beautiful white and orange table top has a sheen that reflected artificial lighting in the most unflattering way.

After about two hours of struggling, this centerpiece became a full spread when it was originally supposed to be printed as a vertical single page.

I had to pleasure of returning to the Big Apple to photograph and film for Grace Ormonde of Wedding Style Magazine. Here is the highlight film I produced that documented a weekend with Grace.

Below are screenshot photos from the video.

It was just another Monday in San Francisco when Jane was trying to take an artistic photo of her lemon cake dessert at work – a habit she and I aren’t about to kick. After struggling with poor lighting and impatience, she threw her hands up in the air flustered. Jack, bemused the entire time and enchanted by her chestnut hair, mustered up the courage to walk over and offered his help.

A Beautiful San Francisco Wedding

What started as a shared lemon cake led to this weekend’s beautiful wedding at San Francisco Ritz Carlton … Their engagement photographs can be found here.

Despite the rain, it did not dampent anyone’s spirit. In fact, just like water, tears of joy trickled in equal quantity.

If one picture could epitomize their union, it is this round lemon cake – coming full circle.

The rest of the wedding reception was full of dancing, laughing and more dancing!

Thanks, Ray, for having me as the second shooter.

Cheers,

Lawrence Chan

In a recent trip to Las Vegas for some editorial photo shoots, I Yelped a Thai restaurant and came upon Le Thai. It was a tiny joint that looked like a strip club from the outside.

The place was modest, but the taste was anything but that. I ordered drunken noodles and Julie ordered garlic fried rice with a “Ladyboy Cocktail” to wash everything down.

When asked how spicy, I said four on a scale of five with five being the hottest. The kind server noted that food cannot be returned if inappropriate to taste. I heeded the warning and chose a level three spicy. She smiled in agreement.

A level three spicy was delightful. Any more would have made the searing pain unpleasant. I was so enamored with the flavors that I wolfed down Julie’s bowl as well before returning to Grace Ormonde‘s Las Vegas party.

Lover of food,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Sorry for not posting adequately. I’ve been busy.