Laura Chang 12/2/19 Laura Chang 12/2/19

Family Portraits: The Howards

Introducing to you, The Howards. They’re gorgeous, they’re beautiful inside and out. They’re just like any loving family, but stunning! It was such an honor photographing this fierce family.

FAM·I·LY
/ˈfam(ə)lē/
1) see The Howards
2) a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household

Myiea and Kelly are beautiful people, and of course it is what’s on the inside that counts. BUT, today I am talking attractive is in their DNA! To no surprise, their kids got their looks from both parents! The Howards are gorgeous, loving, humble, but most of all, they are a united front. What an honor to photograph such a Queen and her entire family. I’d run back and forth between oncoming traffic just to shoot them in the middle of the road any day.

Los Angeles wouldn’t be the same without this family, and I’d like to formally be adopted by them-- if I could!

The Howards are FAMILY GOALS.

For more photographs, visit the “People” tab, or click here: http://www.inmyvisions.com/thehowards

Laura Chang 7/7/19 Laura Chang 7/7/19

LA Update & Museum of Dream Space (MODS)

MODS is definitely inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room. Kusama has been one of my faves since I was lining up for 3-hours in the dead of NYC winter just to glimpse for 45-seconds of her inifinity Room. I felt like I was in space and time. Nothing else mattered except me and those lights— galaxies away. This museum brought me those vibes and I would definitely go back again and again because there is no timer on how long you can stay in a room. The best part is, once you pay for your ticket the first time, you can go back again for free as long as you show the front door a photo of your last visit.

Hello, there! Long time no see. Here to show you what’s been In My Visions and to tell you…I’m baaaaack!!!

Girl, does this feel good. I’ve done a lot, grown a lot, changed for sure, but still the same me with the same love to give for the people that have helped me become the woman I am today. I’ve missed you, IMV. I have visions of you every day, but I just haven’t been able to break it down into words and pictures the way I used to.

Recap! Then I’ll Tell You About MODS - I Swear

My last post was in 2017…OUCH! I even deactivate my account for a few months after my noticeable absence from posting, only to then miss it like crazy, so I resurrected it recently to reminiscence the good old posts. It’s safe to say, I clearly used to post a lot more. But, LA has been a beast. It’s been three years out here, and only now do I truly feel like I’ve got this city down.

Ever since I moved to LA, I’ve been hustling to make sure I am making strong career moves, a grounded group of LA friends, all while making this city feel like home. I’m still climbing up a ladder without an end in sight, but when I look down to see how far I’ve come, I catch my breath and get vertigo! I am grateful for every lesson I’ve learned, every advice I’ve been given, every mentor that listened and every hand that has lifted me upward. In this last year alone, I’ve been flying all over the US working on various reality shows, and it’s been such an incredible journey to visit different cities— cities that I definitely would not be visiting if not for the gigs. I still enjoy spontaneity and finding art in whatever town I am in. I lived in Providence, RI for almost 3 months and missed LA so much! So the moment I went back, I visited spots I’ve had on my LA bucket list and looked up the new happenings in the city. And with friends visiting town, that’s even more reason to make things happen!

So, without further ado…

Museum of Dream Space (MODS)

MODS is inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room. Kusama has been one of my faves for years— ever since I was lining up for 3-hours in the dead of NYC winter just to catch a glimpse of her 45-second Infinity Room. Walking in there is like time traveling into another dimension of space. Nothing else matters except me and those lights— galaxies away. This museum brought me those vibes and I will definitely go back again and again because there is no limit on how long you can stay in a room. The best part is, once you pay for your ticket the first time, you can go back again for free as long as you show the front door a photo of your last visit.

With so many “exclusive” pop-up museums— literally appearing left and right every month, I’ve lost interest in going to them. The last pop-up I went to was The Happy Place museum in 2018 and I remember feeling utterly bored and dissatisfied. I vowed never to waste money on a pop-up again, unless it was truly worth it. If you noticed my social media, I didn’t even post a thing about it. It was overpriced and way too crowded. The rooms weren’t intriguing and I was pretty over it immediately. I fell for the advertisement and the trap. I don’t like it when the space is overcrowded with people all trying to take a photo. I know that in the era of Instagram and oversharing, the number of likes have taken over the heart of why you take and share that photo. I wanted to bring back my joy of sharing a photo for the art of it. I didn’t want to share photos for the sake of proving to the world that I was doing “cool” stuff. I just want to share photos of places that I enjoy— a reminder of my original vision and why I created this space for myself to write and post. In My Visions is my personal photo journey and a place for me to post— for me.

The draw with MODS was definitely the lights and because this one is of the digital age. Best part is, this is actually not a pop-up and they do plan on updating and changing some of their rooms from time to time. No one was fighting to get their time at MODS. Yes, people were there for the Gram. But, everyone there was there for the photos, no doubt! No judgement on how many photos you take. In fact, they welcome you take photos from every angle! Everyone was there to enjoy it for themselves. Art and light like this is meant to be shared, because no one photo will come out the same as before. There’s resilience in that snap and it’s all worth it.

Usually my posts contain photos that I took. But, this time, they are taken by a photographer from MODS. Yes, I totally paid more for someone else to take these photos, and they were especially worth it because if you’re my friend, you know how particular I can get if the framing ain’t right. :) Love you, mean it. But above all, your cellphone just can’t get quality photos with lighting like this! I also wanted both Lorie and I to enjoy the space without pressure of getting a good photo for each other. We didn’t even carry our purses in when we had our photography session. Leave it to the experts! And, we walked through the rooms to experience them 3 times! This was Lorie & Laura Taking LA.

I can’t speak for Lorie, but I really enjoyed this museum! Ok, I know she really enjoyed it, too! I’ll be sure to go back again!

Get your timed ticket the next time you’re in LA: https://modsla.com/

It was worth it for me!

Until next time! Hopefully sooner rather than two years later.

<3,
Laura

Laura Chang 11/22/17 Laura Chang 11/22/17

"The One" and Only Me

I used to romanticize the idea of traveling. At the old age of 6, I believed that the only way I could travel and see far away places was if I went with loved ones or eventually a husband. That when I reached double-digits, I'll be an adult. Then in my twenties, I'll truly grow up, meet my lover, my partner, my soulmate and travel the world with him.

Clearly my definition of travel and love was skewed. And if you know me now, that's not how I operate. :)

I blame Papa Chang in the most endearing way though because he made me believe that traveling was a romantic activity only. Why, you ask? I grew up envious that my parents took my brother to both Disney World and Hawaii long before I was born. As a kid flipping through photo albums, I'd see pictures of the bro with Mickey and Magic Castle in the background, pictures of the bro with a lei, pictures of me in hula skirt-- no wait that's toddler brother in a hula skirt! Where was Laura during these family vacations? Why don't I have photos like that? I was not yet born, merely stardust, and just a dream not yet reality. At age 12, I stopped holding a grudge when we finally went to Disney World as a family. It was a dream come true, but on that trip was when father said I'd have to save Hawaii for my husband because he won't be able to afford a family trip there anytime soon. So save Hawaii I did for all those years, only to realize...wait, so I have to wait to find a guy, so I can marry him and THEN travel??

It's safe to say that I learned quickly that waiting for "the one" just to travel is silly and I'd never see this world if I had listened. All the love I need is right here already. I am "the one" and only me and I can take myself there! My life has been decided that I will travel whenever, wherever, with whoever I want. I most definitely don't need a man just to wander this earth. I've got amazing friends for that, too! But, I also had another dream and that was to move out West. I paused and I panicked that I wouldn't be able to pull both off-- travel and start over as a full fledged adult in a new city.

I knew the person I was in NY, but wanted to meet the person I would become in LA. I knew that the only way I could grow was to step outside my comfort zone and figure it out sans a romantic lead in my life to lean on. When I decided to move, I made it my goal to spend my entire first year discovering myself and focusing on friendships rather than romantic relationships. I got a little worried that I wouldn't be able to travel the way I imagined and the way that I fortunately was able to when I lived back home under my parents' roof. That rent money you save is real people. Enjoy that luxury for as long as you can! I even did a 10-day Euro Trip in between NY and the official LA move because I thought it'd be my last hurrah. Bills and rent all weren't things I thought about before. Plus, vacation days were now used to fly back home during the holidays. Again, something I didn't have to do living local. I wondered, will I have enough days off to fly home and visit new cities?

Fast forward a year and a half later...and as I anticipate my next trip tomorrow headed to Cuba, I've thought about the places I've been able to see since I've moved out West. I am so lucky! So far, I've flown to Iceland, the city of Seattle and Savannah, all for the first time-- in addition to the five trips back to NYC for some personal commitments. I plan on flying home as often as I can, but even I admit that I was not expecting 5 times this first round, so I don't anticipate it being as many times in the coming years. (But who knows!) With the help of budgeting, travel deals and my Chase Sapphire Reserve points, I continue my travel dreams, and now believe that I can still do both just fine. I am practical and try to save up whenever I can, but spending money to see places for a worthwhile deal will never bring me buyer's remorse. This is an activity that I will never come out of regretting I spent money on, especially when I get to see loved ones, too.

Traveling is a commitment I take seriously, and will always be a goal. I want to see as many new places this world has to offer in this lifetime. I want to meet people from all walks of life and eventually explore the depths of the ocean, too. So with the help of timing, opportunities and kick-ass friends who decide to travel with me, I found it easier and easier to just do it alone. Most of the time I'm not alone because I'll fly there solo, but meet up with friends on location. And the most exciting part is when you make unexpected friendships abroad. New friends in a new city.

Although I'm sure traveling with my husband would bring an entirely different meaning to these trips, but trips you take with friends and yourself should be equally as important. So all that pressure we put on ourselves to meet someone is really just pressure we need to try to ignore. I'm guilty of thinking about it from time to time, especially when Grandma is asking if I've made any friends out here-- specifically a boyfriend. I felt as though I was letting the OG down when I had no romantic update for her. And do yourself a favor! Don't get your fortune read because no one should tell you what lies ahead in your future. Sometimes it's just better left unknown. So after a few pinches and slaps, I'll snap back to reality and remember the whole purpose of moving out and finding myself.

That husband, that soulmate, that lover that I imagined at single-digit age is out there somewhere right now living his dream and traveling the world, too, I am sure. So let life play out as it is meant to play and enjoy all that free time you get in your 20s to just become the person you're meant to become. I think that's what I'd tell my younger self now. This world is filled with a lot of great people, and I never had to wait for someone else to take me anywhere, or fill the role as travel companion because I found ways to fill it up myself. And for that reason alone, all my trips have been rewarding.

I also just realized that I actually still haven't been to Hawaii yet, but not intentionally! I've attempted to try to fly there twice already, but timing just wasn't there. It's on my list and perhaps life is secretly reserving that Hawaiian vacation for my next serious relationship. Who knows? I've got some other countries up top that I'd like to see first, so c'est la vie. I'll see it when I see it!

So there you have it! My deepest thoughts this past year alone. 2017-- we're almost at the end and I can't believe how quickly time flies. I've been living my transplant Angelino life for 1.5 years now, and some days I still feel like I'm just a traveler visiting this city for an extended period of time. It's been an awesome year that will end wonderfully and I know that I will explore the heck out of 2018! But, I've never been more excited for what's to come than ever before.

"Do all that you can and all you thought you could not." I thought I couldn't move out and travel at the same time, but I can and I will. This life is an adventure, and you'll always find a way to do what you love. Just remember your priorities and believe that you can accomplish what you truly desire. Life is the experience, the encounters-- everything in between destinations-- and traveling just takes you there. I can do it myself and so can you! I can travel anytime with "the one" and only me.

With Love to this Universe,
Laura

Laura Chang 10/1/17 Laura Chang 10/1/17

Alley Art Arun

Tucked away in alleyways, art work graffiti and Arun.

Tucked away in alleyways are art and Arun. The grunginess reminded me of the streets of New York City, 5 Pointz and Queens. Check out just a few of the spots hidden around this gem in Los Angeles.

Heartthrob over here...ladies, he's single.

Altogether, there are three main alleys. Also known as the "Animal Alley," the easiest way to find them is by starting at the Gabba Gallery: 3126 Beverly Blvd.

And shoutout to Arun aka Astoic Sound. Check out his music! See more pics under the PEOPLE section ARUN.

xo,
Laura

Laura Chang 9/10/17 Laura Chang 9/10/17

SoCal Summers in September

Once a muse, always a muse! When these two Rams moved out West, the photoshoots didn't stop. Reunited with my Brazilian Beauty and the pictures say the rest! Here's to SoCal summers in September.