Kevin Wong Photography

Two years ago, before any of this “business” stuff started, my friends and I gathered to take photos of random things. You name it, flowers, clouds, windows, puddles and kittens. On one of those ocassions, Linda showed us how we could have fun with changing the shape of bokeh. Bokeh is a Japanese term that describes the “blurred background” effect you commonly find in SLR cameras. Using a modified hood, you can shape points of light to whatever you want! Flash forward to this past weekend, we all got together to try it out ourselves as part of a reunion.

Well, sort of.

You see, it rained once sunset hit Gasworks, which caused us to retreat to Shultzy’s for a little happy hour. BUT! I did manage to sneak a couple shots for you just because I liked my cut out of….

…butterflies!

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. It was the first time in a long time that both families, Lailey and Wong, gathered together to enjoy good food and good company. We tackled PJ’s “graduation” breakfast, shared stories and watched the kids bounce off the walls from their sugar high. Mimosas in one hand, and my camera in the other, I was able to capture a few funnier moments as the kids ran around searching for colorful eggs filled with cavity inducing amazingness.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Sunday with loved ones. =)

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any images here. With the Haiti fundraising and the amount of planning to organize the sessions and weddings for the next several months, there has been little time to share. An apology is in order. Sorry =(

It comes with great pleasure that you will soon see some of the work that has been going on lately. It has been a busy couple of months. There has been some explorations with new equipment, different scenarios and artistic treatment. All of which, I have my friends to thank for being wonderful people who let me photograph them. You are my clients, my partners and also my inspiration.

Just a quick update about the support received the past couple of days for Billy’s Birthday Mission. He is just $520 and 28 people away from reaching his goal of $15,000 and 100 people participating. There is no way to express how amazing this has been for all of us. Thank you, thank you all for being such wonderful people!

I also wanted to thank everyone who has taken up my offer for 2 hour photography sessions, a wedding package and also to my couples who have been asking their friends and family members for donations. You’ve helped me beat my personal goal of $2,000 and I know that there is going to be more coming in before January 31st. Your contributions are deeply appreciated and I am so happy to be able to help you with photography.

Everything that we’ve done together in the past 14 days truly has made a difference. Not only are we helping Doctors Without Borders provide aid to survivors, but we are also creating awareness about issues greater than what we typically hear about day to day. Just telling others what we’re doing and letting them know anyone can help deserves a special thank you too. We hope this spirit will continue on.

I’ll leave you for now with one last message from Billy:

Do you have $18.57 to spare? If 28 people donate $18.57 my birthday mission will have reached my goals of 100 donors and $15,000! I’m sure you or someone you know wants to do some good and make a difference. Please help! 3 days left and we will have achieved two HUGE milestones. http://billysbirthday.tumblr.com

If you’re on Facebook, you can follow my updates here too!

I just wanted to quickly share the news that a group of photographers, including Lane Harthwell, have designed and published a fundraising magazine titled Haiti: One Respe. It’s an amazing project that was a result of cross collaboration with different groups and a desire to help. Magcloud has agreed to pay for the printing and distribution allowing for all funds to go directly towards the Red Cross International Response Fund.

The magazine costs $12 and are available for shipping now.

Link

Photographs by: Chet Gordon, Kari Hartmann, Mary Ellen Mark, Peter Pereira, Lindsay Stark

Let’s make a difference together. A difference bigger than either of us could have done individually. In hopes of providing additional, immediate support for Haiti Relief, I will be trading my time in order help my friend Billy to reach his goal of $5,000 $10,000 towards Doctors Without Borders. If you were looking forward to helping Haiti and were also in need of photographic services, this is your opportunity to do both!

Every little bit helps, so here’s the deal:

Help me reach my goal of $2,000 by January 31st!

I will photograph your wedding for FREE!
Yes! My time is free! If you’re the first person or couple to donate at least $1,000 towards Haiti Relief by January 31st, you can choose my Standard Package* ($2,400 value) for your upcoming wedding! Or if you’re the wedding party, you can pool money together and gift the package for the lovely couple too. More details:

• The wedding date must be in 2010
• The wedding date doesn’t conflict with a previous booking
• The couple receives the Standard package*
• I’m open for travel
• *Promotion does not include expenses such as any rentals, travel, hotel or prints and printing credit.

I will photograph whatever you want for FREE!
If you’re one of the first 5 people to donate at least $100 towards Haiti Relief, you can have me do any kind of photography you want for up to 2 hours. Valentine’s day is coming up for some couples portrait action, or if you want your engagement photos taken, just let me know and we can plan to make it happen. The ideas are endless! A couple restrictions:

• Location is within the Greater Seattle area
• Can be done before April 2010
• Within reason (which we can discuss)

What do you need to do?
Send me an email with a receipt of your donation to any organization that supports the Haiti Relief fund by email. I trust you that the receipts are for real. It’s as simple as that! Please also share this news with friends and family members. Even if you’re donating $1, please let me know! Email me your receipt and I will send  you something pretty just as a thank you for supporting.

But what if you don’t want photos taken?
If photography isn’t your thing, check out Billy Shih’s birthday mission campaign. He’s willing to do ANYTHING within reason to reach his goal of $5,000 by the end of the month. He’a already reached well over $2,000 with a couple weeks in January to spare! Examples include video work, consulting on online marketing or training you to be the ultimate Settler’s of Catan player.

Thanks everyone! I’ll keep you posted on any progress and hope to hear from you soon! If you have other ideas or want to help out in other ways, let me know!