THE LIGHT & LO BLOG

Announcement, Life, Photography, Travel, Weddings

September 10, 2023

AN INTRODUCTION

Light & Lo Head Photographer smiling in front of the grand canyon

I’m a husband and new father! Natalie & I have been married for almost 9 year now (as of 2024).

I speak three languages and when I’m really tired I get them jumbled up a bit as Natalie can attest. I have trouble answering the question “where are you from”. I am Taiwanese-American, born in the US and raised across two continents and in half a dozen cities. I can make anywhere a home, and I’m used to missing home and feeling perfectly at home at the same time.

I’m the chef of our household. Food is a huge part of my identity and culture. If I weren’t a photographer, I’d probably have a pop up restaurant featuring Taiwanese cuisine. Nat jokes that food is my love language. It’s my favorite way to care for family and friends, and sharing my creations is a way that I feel known and loved. More than anything, I love the way it brings people together. 

I do love learning & trying new things. I think part of it is just me being curious and wanting to know how things work. I like to think I’m pretty handy as well. I’m much more inclined to tackle house projects and renovations myself mostly because I think it’s fun…for the most part.

I’ve watched Parks & Rec and The Office so many times I don’t know how to not speak in quotes. Anyone else also obsessed with The Office Ladies podcast? Ted Lasso and Severance is fighting for our affection right now.

I’m always up for a good adventure. I love traveling! Sometimes spontaneously. One time, with a surprise gap in our schedules, Nat and I drove out West and camped out of our SUV for a couple weeks, exploring from Yellowstone to Moab however we saw fit. I think it’s good for the soul to experience new places and cultures.

I believe that all people are equal with the same inherent humanity, love is meant to be celebrated, and life is beautiful.

Light & Lo Head Photographer smiling in front of the grand canyon

Life, Photography, Travel

September 28, 2022

MISSING TAIWAN

woman free diving in tropical waters

Winter in Ohio is Nature’s way of saying: ‘Hey, remember that sun-drenched paradise you once called home? Yeah, about that…’

It randomly (or maybe not so randomly) hits me that I miss Taiwan. It’s hard to sum up all that I feel given it was once (and still?) home, it’s where my parents will reside and retire, where there’s national healthcare (lol). I guess missing something doesn’t mean that I’m not grateful for what’s in front of me.

Here are some photos from recent trips we took to Taiwan. I wanted to caption the photos but I got lazy.

Reminisce with me.

THE LIGHT & LO BLOG

Equipment, Gear, Life, Photography, Portrait, Travel, Weddings

September 28, 2022

FUJIFILM: My Wedding BFF

Let me tell you a tale of wedding bells, confetti explosions, and the dynamic duo who capture it all: yours truly and my trusty Fujifilm fam. Forget those clunky behemoths that make you look like a paparazzi panda – my cameras are pocket-sized superheroes, ready to tango with the wildest dance moves and document every hilarious (and heartwarming) hiccup along the way.

Picture this: I’m ninja-ing through the ceremony, my Fuji whispering sweet nothings about shutter speeds while the bride’s veil catches the sunset like a golden dream. No click-clack symphony here, just smooth, silent clicks that let the tears flow and the vows resonate without interruption. I capture the groom’s tear sparkling like a rogue disco ball in a guest’s eye, then bam! I’m whisking away to catch the flower girl tripping over her own adorable feet, a giggle erupting like a champagne toast. Talk about candid!

And the reception? Let’s just say things get…lively. Between the tequila-fueled toasts and dance moves that defy gravity, I need a camera that’s faster than a runaway bouquet. Luckily, my Fujifilm crew is lightning on a lens, locking onto every tearful hug, every air guitar solo, and every stolen glance between the newlyweds like a love hawk with laser vision. No blurry blurs or missed moments – just crystal-clear proof that love can make you do some wacky (and wonderful) things.

But here’s the secret sauce: it’s not just about the tech. My Fujifilms feel like old friends, their dials begging to be twiddled, their buttons whispering, “Hey, slow down, smell the roses (and capture the cake smash!).” They remind me to breathe, to soak in the love bubbling around me, and to tell the story with more than just megapixels. It’s about the quiet moments, the stolen kisses under the twinkle lights, the grandpa doing the robot like nobody’s watching. It’s about capturing the soul of a wedding, the messy, beautiful, goofy, magical soul that makes you wanna raise a glass and cheer.

You’re more than just cameras; you’re my partners in crime, my silent cheerleaders, the secret sauce that makes my wedding photos sing. You let me tell love stories with laughter lines and goosebumps, with epic cake fights and sparkler symphonies. You let me be the fly on the wall, the invisible witness to moments that deserve to be frozen in time forever. Thanks for making me not just a wedding photographer, but a storyteller, a memory-maker, a goofy-grinning witness to the greatest adventure of all: love.

So, if you’re looking for a photographer who can capture the chaos and the calm, the tears and the tequila shots, with a camera that’s smaller than your ego (hopefully!), hit me up! We’ll paint your wedding day with magic, and trust me, the photos will be the kind you’ll show off even after your grandkids roll their eyes at your questionable dance moves.

Cheers,
Stephen

If you’re curious as to what other gear I use, check out this Blog Post.

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