Laura Chang 2/27/16 Laura Chang 2/27/16

That Time I Went to New Orleans

Back in March of 2015, I went to New Orleans for a long weekend. Why I waited this long to write about it, I don't know, but I still really want to share this memory. Though I speculate that most people probably think of Bourbon Street when I mention going to this city, I actually think of its amazing Cajun cuisine, Jazz music, upbeat atmosphere and the feeling of being in another world.

I have to say that New Orleans is hands down my favorite US city that I have been to so far. I don't think anywhere else will top this place! I would gladly revisit this city whenever I can. I squeezed as much as I could do in two and a half days and that meant trying to have every meal everyday so that I could try as many restaurants as possible. Team No Sleep was ready for maximum impact.

I am no expert of New Orleans, but below are the highlights. Though it was too cold in March for the alligators to come out, the swamp tour was still fascinating. We also went to Oak Alley Plantation, which happens to be where Beyoncé filmed her Deja Vu music video. So, we had to channel Bey and make our own version (see below). I also really enjoyed the Frenchmen Art Market because everything there was so original. I always love buying unique jewelry pieces from local artisans and that was a cute nook in the French Quarter. Of course I did visit Bourbon Street, too, and it was just as good for a nondrinker like me!

Without any more words, please let the pictures speak for themselves and see what were in my visions!

Honey Island Swamp

Oak Alley Plantation

Frenchmen Art Market

Cafe Amelie

This was my favorite restaurant there! It got me at the entrance because it was like walking into a secret garden.

While waiting for a table, we sat on these decorated benches and simply hung out.

We were hungry and I was really into the food so I completely missed my opportunity to take food photos. However, there menu is below. Everything was amazing, but I specifically remember how delicious their meatloaf was! I would go back just for the meatloaf!

More Food! Nom Nom Nom

Bourbon Street

We even made some friends that night...

In Conclusion...

We'll keep some of our activities a secret. But, we had an exquisite time!

I'm a huge foodie, music enthusiast and curious wanderer. New Orleans has its own culture and is unlike any other city in the rest of the US. You don't have to be a drinker to have a good time here. Just stick to virgin daiquiris like the one I'm sipping on up above! I had the time of life.

<3,
Laura

PS: I'll be back.

For more Landscape photos, check out New Orleans under my "Places" tab, or preview below!

Laura Chang 10/25/15 Laura Chang 10/25/15

Portrait Diaries: Light

Today's shoot was all about light: natural daylight, starry LED lights and light from my other new camera toy. This isn't my first time photographing the beautiful Nastassia, and I am sure it won't be the last. Below are just a few of my favorites.

I will forever be infatuated by light. Today's shoot was all about the use of light: natural daylight, starry LED lights and light from my other new camera toy when I lost the sun. This isn't my first time photographing the beautiful Nastassia, and I am sure it won't be the last. Below are just a few of my favorites.

And, remember the Bokeh Kit that I mentioned in my previous blogpost? Nastassia hails from New Orleans so I had to use the fleur-de-lis for this Southern Belle.

See her entire gallery under "people" by clicking here, or scroll through it below.

Laura Chang 10/16/15 Laura Chang 10/16/15

A Moment of Blurry Vision

Have you ever felt empty inside? You're not feeling sad, happy, excited, or any basic emotion. Your vision, unable to focus on what is before. You blankly stare at something insignificant and your foreground becomes the background because this time your mind is controlling a blurry gaze. You could break free of this trance if you had to and gain back the focus, but when you let the mind free, the meter moves further away from center and everything is unclear.

Tonight's post will be short and sweet because it's really just about gazing at sweet nothings.

That's what has been happening to me these last two days. (I hope medically speaking, this doesn't mean I'm dying or that I have a brain tumor that I am unaware of.) I'm not even making it up because I specifically explained my problem to a coworker today. I've been having trouble focusing on what's before me. It is as if my mind wants me to wander away. It feels like when you're about to begin a daydream, but the difference is that the thoughts are blank. My mind is idle.

Playing with the "heart" from my new Bokeh Masters Kit.

Ironically, my latest camera toy also arrived in the mail today, and its sole purpose is to create cute photo effects with the purposefully out-of-focus parts of a photograph (aka what's beyond the depth of field). You must all be thinking, HUH? But, let the photographs demonstrate.

I thought tonight would be the perfect night to share what are In My Visions and the feeling that I can't describe properly. It's when my mind decides to take over the ability to focus, or lack there of.

My toy comes with several shapes, but I only tested out the heart and the star. I can control what it focuses on and the filter distorts the background. It's most effective with lights. It's magical, it's adorable and I can't wait to try it when I take portraits, too!

Halloween is in the air, and I just made the spooky somewhat romantic and magical. Got to love photography. But, that's all folks! Just follow your heart, go with your vision-- even when it gets blurry. I'm not sure what this all means for me today, but I'll eventually find out on one of my tomorrows.

Just a coincidence that a photo of traffic lights created a heart-shaped "L"

Love,
Laura

Laura Chang 8/26/15 Laura Chang 8/26/15

Wonder Walls at Coney Island

Summer has always seemed like the shortest season to me. It's true that time flies when you're having fun, but I never saw summer vacation months the same way since I've graduated (because they no longer exist). This year, summer flashed by and I haven't had as much time to go on photo-ventures. So, before August is completely over, before Labor Day officially marks the end of summer, I ventured my way out to the one and only Coney Island.

Though Coney Island is not a new place to be, I still find it thought provoking, fun and a place I can find inspiration. I'm not always there for the rides, definitely not there for the beach, nor am I there to see fireworks in the summertime. This year in particular, I went for the art-- walls and walls of ART. Per usual, I went early so I could beat the crowd. Below are just a few of the ones that captivated me, but there are at least 30+ walls to see.

This isn't just "street art." It's beyond that. It's a compilation of work from several artists, some that happen to be graffiti and street artists, but many are contemporary with a voice about this generation. It is lively, and it just happens to be murals in the streets.

And the best part...Smorgasburg is at the center of it all, surrounded by the vibrant work. I circled the area twice and of course because the sun was beaming, I chose a chair under the shady umbrella and entered an inviting conversation with a dear friend, discussing everything that was in our vision before us, and our vision of the future.

This summer has been filled with deep thought about whether destiny exists, and whether I truly have control over the path that I take. Do I choose to go down that road, or do I take that road only to see where it leads me? It's a lot of thinking and overthinking, but I've learned that this is probably every twenty-something. The waters are murkier, but all I can do is let go of the rope and let my life float on. Where to next? I haven't a clue. I didn't know exactly where these murals were located in Coney Island, but I walked the boardwalk, visited the Wonder Wheel and eventually found what I was looking for all along, after a wander down another street.

Forget the map, leave it at home. There's nothing you can do except take life one day at a time. Even when there aren't any more classes to take, life is schooling me year after year.

...and we'll all float on OK.

<3,
Laura

Laura Chang 5/17/15 Laura Chang 5/17/15

Kamri, The Gallery and My Inspirations

Today my work was featured in a gallery where I met some of the most inspirational people.

I thank my parents, my family and friends. Thank you to everyone who came to the gallery today and thank you to all who have inspired me, influenced me, and supported my photography.

Kamri

Today my work was featured in a gallery where I met some of the most inspirational people. And by inspirational, I mean this young and beautiful girl, Kamri Carter.

"Mom...According to Us" shared artwork that ranged from paintings to poetry, photographs and more. 100% of all art proceeds from this gallery went to #StephsGirls. Stephanie Lee is survived by her two beautiful daughters, Kamri and Marchelle. Although the gallery was for them, I realized that it was a beautiful experience that was very much for me, too. I thank Kamri and her family for giving me the chance to explore my work and to share my love and compassion for flowers, nature, and anything that catches my attention. This was a beautiful chance to share what are in my visions.

The Gallery

But before I continue...here's a look at today's gallery. If the title cannot be clear enough, the gallery was all about our definition of "Mom." Vicky Jordan of PureWorks put together such an amazing and well curated gallery.

My work:

Moms are constant gardeners as they shower us with unconditional love. No matter what season, they nurture us so that we bloom into our best selves-- in the heat of summer and in the dead of winter. These photographs were taken during all four … — Moms are constant gardeners as they shower us with unconditional love.
No matter what season, they nurture us so that we bloom into our best selves-- in the heat of summer and in the dead of winter. These photographs were taken during all four seasons of New York City: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. "Love" is the flower that is never out of season.

The turnout was amazing and I am truly grateful for every single person who stopped by-- from all walks of my life. Even though my mom is overseas and she couldn't be here today, I was blessed with all the people who did come through. For that, I thank you all!

My Inspirations

My parents have been an inspiration to me and are truly the biggest supporters. It was after I selected my photos that I realized how often I photograph flowers. Interestingly enough, three out of the five photographs I submitted were taken in my very own backyard.

To others, it is a modestly sized garden, but to me, it was always very large and filled with dreams. I grew up playing in it and occasionally watering the plants. I have summer BBQs there and not to forget...I feed my blood to all the mosquitoes that I can't fend off there, too! My father tends the garden and he is a huge reason why I grew up surrounded by beautiful green grass and flowers that bloom from Spring through the end of Summer.

When I got home today, and right before the sun completely set, I lit a little something to remind myself of how far I've come and to continue to spark my dreams. This garden is not much, but really it is all I need. My father always says that he's sorry he couldn't give me more, but I don't need more. My parents have given me everything that I could have ever imagined and that is already all the more that I need.