Benjamin Luk Photography | News

PERSPECTIVE: Elias Danner, Our First Intern

2011-12-23T02:21:00.000-08:00

(Elias Danner's studio work. © Elias Danner Productions.)

Back in 2009, I took on an intern from Germany named Elias Danner. He assisted me on a variety of shoots ranging from my model test with Essential Models Inc. to my CD album shoot for Kristina Emmott. Since then, he's made quite a name for himself in Germany. You can see his work at EliasDanner.com and see more about his internship here.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Redco Group Christmas Party

2011-12-23T01:15:00.000-08:00

I struck up a friendship with Epic Polymer CEO Greg Fraser earlier this year shortly after shooting his wedding in October. After delivering some of my favourite wedding shots of all time and doing a quick shoot for his personal Christmas cards, he invited me to photograph his company Christmas party with The Redco Group. Intern Lauren Mulcahy and I set up a photo booth and a 4" x 6" on-site printing service for the event, bringing everything from studio lighting to a white backdrop to a SELPHY CP800 capable of producing quick and easy high-quality prints. We're able to do the same for your event at only $10 per 4" x 6" print.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Ashley & Andrew's Wedding

2011-12-07T01:24:00.000-08:00

I remember the exact moment I knew I'd be able to make things work with Ashley and Andrew's wedding. We were holed up in a casual sushi restaurant not far from my apartment and I'd just given them a great deal on account of their wedding being in the off-season. Their gratitude was immediate. They even bought me lunch right then and there, so I knew they wanted amazing photos and were going to do what it took to get them. Like always, I went into this with 100% and followed it through for the weeks to come.

What came first was the client meeting. I laid out plans for what was to come and planned every facet of the shoot down to the last detail, keeping in mind that unpredictability will always be a factor. Ashley and I went on a location scout around her venue and found the unlikeliest of places to represent her wedding portraits: a parkade. It was under cover, it had great lighting and most of all, it was a place that symbolically represented where she was tying the knot. This wasn't a million-dollar glamour wedding featured in Vogue. This was urban, down-to-earth and humble.

By keeping the location local and accessible, we were able to spend more time focusing on our clients' personalities. One extremely portable Profoto AcuteB 600 and a reflector piloted by assistant Cynthia was all we needed for lighting. We also scheduled plenty of time for creative exploration of each scene. It's easy to get amazing portraits when you're right in front of your subject, but how about environmental portraiture that employs different angles, unconventional perspective and architecture as design?

With each wedding, we're only getting better. Between me and my main wedding assistant Jonathan Evans, we bring over a decade of photography experience to your wedding. If you want wedding photography that evokes the true spirit of your location, come to us. Destination wedding photography is upcoming as well. For the first time, I'll be shooting in Greece for Summer 2012. Booking for 2012 and 2013 now.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Fighting Chance Productions' "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"

2011-10-13T02:18:00.000-07:00

Early in October, I was tasked with shooting the dress rehearsal of Sondheim's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" by Fighting Chance Productions. My job was to provide them with images they could send out in reviews of their show. I took that to mean I got a free show all to myself with the ability to photograph as I pleased. I still can't believe I'm getting paid for this.

Reviews from [Re]View From The House and The Georgia Straight can be seen from the links provided. Fighting Chance Productions will remain a repeat client of mine for the next few months, as they hire me again to shoot their production of "The Temperamentals" and possibly promo work for their 2012/13 season. As a closet theatre nerd, I couldn't be more excited.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: The Best Revenge CD Release

2011-10-07T03:28:00.000-07:00

Young Nihilists' Gun Club from thebestrevenge on Vimeo.

I was a founding member of The Best Revenge before I departed in 2010 to pursue other projects. Many of the drum parts were ones I wrote. They're releasing their first album Young Nihilists' Gun Club at The Railway Club on October 14th, 2011. This is their promo video.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Janell & Aniket's Wedding

2011-09-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

One of the many reasons I love what I do is that I get to meet interesting and lovable people all the time. Janell and Aniket are prime examples of that. As animators based in France, I knew their artistic eye would be tough to please, but I was ready to rise to the challenge. I first met the couple over breakfast with Janell's family and it was immediately obvious that there were real connections between them. Their family was so tight-knit and so caring that sitting elbow-to-elbow with them and asking them to pass the potatoes felt natural. I struggle to recall another time when I felt so welcomed.

Because Janell and Aniket were in France leading up to the wedding, most of the planning I did was with Janell's mom, Amandah. In an extensive preproduction phase, we worked out schedules, shot lists, locations, etc. Armed with all the information I needed, this turned into one of the few weddings I've shot that actually ran on time. It's for exactly this reason we now request an information package from our wedding clients to keep as on schedule as possible.

Janell and Aniket were one of my favourite couples to shoot in 2011. Affectionate, playful and goofy, we were able to capture something really special of both their personalities. And unlike most relationships where one person clearly wears the pants, Janell and Aniket came across as real equals, friends before lovers. There is no doubt in my mind they'll be happy together for a very long time. I wish them the best for a bright and hopeful future. Besides, I may need a couch to crash on if I ever wind up in France again.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Amber & Lindsay's Wedding

2011-08-05T01:12:00.000-07:00

Amber and Lindsay are an unconventional couple, not because they were entering into a same-sex union, but because their love of all things weird and geeky led them to throw a wedding with references to Final Fantasy, Charlie the Unicorn, and Lord of the Rings. In one of my first meetings with them, they told me upfront that if I wanted reference images to see what they were going for, I should look up The Tudors. I think it was that moment I knew that I loved these guys, and also that I'd add to the event by coaxing assistant Jonathan Evans and intern Lauren Mulcahy into showing up in full medieval costume.

On the day, as the schedule ran long (as is not uncommon with weddings), we came to face some difficult decisions about the direction of the wedding photography. With the light quickly fading, did we want to capture the conventional wedding portraits, or did we want to embrace an edgier, more Tudors-esque mentality? Did we want more shots of Amber and Lindsay kissing and holding each other, or did we want to bust out the swords? I think we all know what happened here. These aren't your typical wedding shots, but we never intended them to be. With Tyler Branston's expert post-production help as I dive headfirst into the 2011 wedding season, I'm proud to say we can stand behind our work, difficulties and conventionality be damned. I hope you like what you see.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Lauren Mulcahy, Intern

2011-08-01T02:14:00.000-07:00

In the past few months of our wildest wedding season yet, there have been people working behind the scenes to make sure everything at Benjamin Luk Photography runs smoothly. One of those people is our latest intern, Lauren Mulcahy. In addition to putting up with my requests for personal chauffeuring, she's also been involved in promotional work, equipment testing, post-production and photo assisting. In return, I'm helping her along to become a successful professional photographer on her own terms. If you've hired us recently, know that Lauren has been integral in making sure you receive the best product we can provide.

Check Lauren out at her website here and follow her on Twitter at @PandaAteMyFace.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Fighting Chance Productions' "The Awesome 80s Prom"

2011-03-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

Fighting Chance Productions has always been a great supporter of Benjamin Luk Photography and vice versa. You may remember them donating an entire season's worth of tickets to BLP Christmas 2010. Their production of The Awesome 80s Prom was a chance to finally collaborate and create some art together. In the previous two months this has been going on, myself and assistant Colten Warne have been running their photo booth.

The Awesome 80s Prom is an interactive theatre event much like Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding. However, instead of an Italian-American wedding reception, guests are treated to Prom Night 1989 at Wanaget High. Prom characters like spaz Kerrie Kowalski or Asian exchange student Feng Schwey wander amongst the audience, interacting with improvisational gusto. If you haven't been yet, it's quite the experience. Dates left include Friday, April 1st, Saturday, April 2nd, Friday, May 13th and Saturday, May 14th.

All our photo booth shots are photographed on a 21.1 MP Canon EOS 5D Mark II. A disc of all your images can be purchased for $20 CAD and will be sent to you by mail within one to two weeks. I look forward to seeing you at the prom.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: "Talk to the Pro" at Van Tech

2011-03-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Kids have mad talent. In fact, both pictures you see here were shot on my camera by students at Vancouver Technical Secondary School during my guest lecture two Thursdays ago on March 3rd, 2011. Assistant Colten Warne and I showed up with our gear, gave a short presentation, then answered questions from the small but enthusiastic after-school group. Some were keen on me teaching them the basics of composition and settings. Others were interested in internship. It didn't take much to get the students excited about photography as a legitimate career option. All I had to do was mention the possibility of world travel, getting paid thousands at a time to create art, and how fulfilling a life of creativity really is.

From what I saw of them during my brief presentation, it wouldn't surprise me if there were at least one future professional photographer in the group I lectured. If any of them are reading right now, I offer mentorship programs for youth and, in the future, hope to establish a charity foundation to develop photography programs in elementary and secondary schools. I look forward to making that dream a reality.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Kris & Ellen's Wedding

2011-02-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

I first met Ellen and Kris in a coffee shop in New Westminster some months ago. Though they were very casual in demeanour, it became immediately apparent they knew exactly what they wanted and would settle for nothing less. I took that as a challenge. I knew my team and I would be ready to rise to the task.

On a brisk weekend morning in January, my teammates Patrick Leung and Winona Lee piled up our cars with the gear we needed for our shoot. We had five camera bodies, an extensive selection of zooms and primes, a number of Speedlites and a Profoto AcuteB 600 on site. Even though we had three locations to cover, two of them during the same time, our preparation beforehand ensured perfect photojournalistic coverage.

We captured the ceremony from a variety of angles, delivering the standard close-ups and wide shots, but we also got great coverage of the moments a less trained photographer may have missed: reaction shots of the parents, the tears and laughter that only happen once, etc. Over the many weddings we've shot over the past three years, we've managed to hone our craft to become some of the best in the business.

From 2,300+ captures, post-production assistant Tyler Branston brought it down to 528 selected images for delivery. However, because we feel we can stand behind our work, we're also sending them all their other shots at no additional charge. We've also included a small video portion in our delivery for the very first time. The disc is currently en route to Ellen and Kris in Denwood, AB.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Memewar Magazine Issue #12

2011-01-22T22:40:00.000-08:00

I've been featured on the back cover of Memewar Magazine before, back in Issue #8: Gods & Idols with my shot of Canadian musician, Matthew Good. However, I'd never been offered a front cover before for such a reputable literary magazine. It was named "Best Free Literary Magazine" in The Georgia Straight's 2008 Best of Vancouver issue. I immediately took on the project, no questions asked. What followed was a quick photo shoot at an editor's residence with two models; an older gentleman and a toddler, both of them blowing bubbles towards the camera.

The final cover photo was achieved with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens and a Profoto AcuteB 600 with softbox attachment.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: BLP Annual Christmas Party 2010

2010-12-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

Benjamin Luk Photography has been very lucky this year in bringing various sponsors on board to help raise money for BC Children's Hospital Foundation. Our list of raffle prize donors include Lush, Fighting Chance Productions, Build-A-Bear Workshop and Blenz Coffee, and together, we helped raise $1,071 in a four-hour event. Many thanks go out to our sponsors and our team of volunteers. Philanthropy coordinator Jason Bell, event coordinator Sarah Thomas and photographer Tyler Branston all deserve a hand for the effort they put in and the work they've done.

In addition to coffee sales and raffle ticket money, a select few also decided to make direct donations straight from the heart.

Tyler Green - $100
Phileo Luk - $50
D-Rock - $20
Zachary Paradis - $5
Anonymous - $5

Without their help, we wouldn't have been able to reach our goal of $1,000.

I hope to continue this Christmas tradition for many years to come, and also encourage any other photographer who would like to take on a similar project to get in contact with me. I'd like to see Vancouver's photographic community rallying behind a night of charity every year, and more entrepreneurs building philanthropy right into their business model. For more details about this event, please see our previous post here.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Sabrina's Headshot Session

2010-12-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

Months ago, our friend Fighting Chance Productions contacted us to see if we'd be interested in donating a headshot package to them to be raffled off during their 2010/11 season announcement. Since our entire team are big fans of local theatre and the performing arts, it was a natural decision.

Our prize winner turned out to be esteemed actress Sabrina Prada, whose film and TV work has taken her to "Smallville", "Fringe" and the upcoming Zack Snyder project, Sucker Punch. It was a privilege to photograph someone with such a knack for being in front of a camera. The photo above is virtually untouched. With our headshots, we strive to create a natural, accurate representation of who you are. Overdoing post-production can make life difficult for casting directors.

Fighting Chance Productions later went on to donate four tickets to their upcoming presentation of The Wiz to BLP Christmas 2010, also as a raffle prize. Thank them for their generosity by attending one of their shows. It's some of the finest community theatre in Vancouver.

Special thanks to team members Sarah Thomas and Tyler Branston.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PROSPECTIVE: BLP Annual Christmas Party 2010

2010-11-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

At 6 PM on Saturday, December 18th, 2010, the Blenz Coffee location at 599 6th Street, New Westminster, BC is going to be packed with friends of Benjamin Luk Photography looking to give something back to their community. In an annual charity event we put on each holiday season, BLP will be needing your help to fundraise for BC Children's Hospital Foundation. There will be live entertainment, raffle prizes and numerous opportunities to donate however you wish. If you would like to contribute, simply get in touch with either myself, event coordinator Sarah Thomas, or philanthropy coordinator Jason Bell.

Donations will be collected in three ways:

1) Simply show up and buy coffee! Every dollar you spend on coffee, tea, etc. adds up to a final tab I will then match in a donation to BC Children's Hospital Foundation.

2) Come out and buy raffle tickets! Tickets are on sale for $2 each, 3 for $5, or 10 for $10. Prizes include gift baskets from Build-A-Bear Workshop and Save-On-Foods, gift cards from Blenz Coffee, and the jackpot from a 50/50 draw. All proceeds go to BCCHF.

3) Donate directly from the BCCHF website! We'll have a computer and assistants standing by for you to make credit card donations directly to BC Children's Hospital Foundation. Donors will be credited on the BLP blog in three categories: <$50, $50-100 and $100+. Donors will also receive an automatic 10% discount on a future BLP photo session! Some limitations apply.

There will also be an additional $10 Blenz Coffee gift card prize for Best Tweet about the event! The winner will be announced at the end of the night and all you need to qualify is to hashtag your tweet with #blpchristmas. Also, please consider following our sponsor @BlenzCoffee and yours truly, @benjaminluk.

With your help, we can keep providing a spectacular event and in the process, raise some money for children in need. This is our seventh year holding this event and our third year doing it for charity. Please bring your family and friends, and please give generously. RSVP on Facebook here.

For additional details, please see our Facebook page or contact me directly at (604) 649-5635. I look forward to seeing you at our event, and I wish you all a happy holiday season.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Maria & Nathan's Wedding

2010-08-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

Maria and I go way back, which is why it was such a pleasure to photograph her wedding. If you can believe it, I've known her since I was in Grade 9 and she was my Math teacher. Now, years later, she's a student again and I'm a professional photographer. How time flies.

We were hired to cover the ceremony and reception with a portrait session in between, but we arrived early to capture Maria and her bridesmaids getting ready. The ceremony was an intimate backyard gathering and though we had to contend with harsh sunlight, the photos turned out great thanks to my second shooters, Jason Kazuta and Winona Lee. Covered from three angles, we didn't miss a moment.

From there, we went to 1000 Parker Street, a favourite shooting location of ours. Maria made it clear that she wanted her wedding photos to reflect East Van culture, and this particular building, with its graffiti and characteristic grunginess, was the perfect fit. Lucky for us, Maria and Nathan were a playful couple open to ideas, so we came back with some of our best wedding shots yet.

With over 2,200 images from the day, we pared it down to 515 high-quality images for delivery, our highest number ever. We meet again with the couple next week to drop off our CD of images, along with a couple of bonus surprises as a wedding gift from me to them. Maria and Nathan, you were a delight. We wish you the very best for a happy and hopeful future.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

RETROSPECTIVE: Montecristo Jewellers' Chinese New Year for Montecristo Magazine

2010-08-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

Back in February, Benjamin Luk Photography was brought onboard by Montecristo Magazine to photograph Montecristo Jewellers' Chinese New Year event. I was asked to photograph a number of their distinguished guests and take note of their names for later publication. I also shot for them an elaborate Chinese fan dance and numerous product shots for their sponsors, which included Burmester, Hennessy and Voss. In total, seven shots were published on page 70 of their Summer 2010 issue, which is available now at any Chapters location in Greater Vancouver.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: 2010 Surrey Canada Day

2010-07-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

On July 1st, Benjamin Luk Photography was hired to cover the 2010 Surrey Canada Day festivities at Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre. Much like the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site in February, the city of Surrey was offering a family-friendly environment for both young and old to be out celebrating in the community.

Multicultural entertainment as well as many popular bands were performing, and it was my job to capture both the performers and the celebration attendees. It wasn't as difficult to wrangle up families for group shots as I initially thought, and I came back with many images that would look great in a City of Surrey brochure.

I was more selective this time in what I was shooting, so I came back with 500+ high-quality images, which I then edited down to the 134 I ended up delivering. Each selected photo underwent standard colour correction and tonal adjustments to make each image as eye-catching as possible.

Special thanks to Jon Benjamin Photography for handing me this gig. Please be sure to check out Jon's photography by clicking on the link.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: 2010 BCHS Track & Field Championships

2010-06-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

In early June, a colleague of mine filled me in on a promising project to shoot. The 2010 BCHS Track & Field Championships were happening at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC; practically a stone's throw from where I live. Jumping at the chance to add more to my limited sports photography portfolio, I agreed to the project and found myself awake at 7 AM last Friday en route to Swangard.

We shot for two days, covering every event we could. The photos produced from our assignment will be published next year in the 2011 BCHS Track & Field Championships event program. Out of the 900+ images I shot, I can't wait to see what will be published. Shooting for them again next year remains a possibility. Special thanks to Colten Warne for bringing me on board.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: A Portrait of the Artist as a Hung Man

2010-06-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

Owen Ellis and I met in late January while working for NBC during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Over the course of the games, we got to know each other and discovered that we were both young artists with similar ideas. Fast forward a few months later and we were both on the studio set of our first collaborative art piece together: "You're Alive!"

Without giving up too much information, it's a piece questioning why we celebrate the things we celebrate and why we mourn the things we mourn. Oh, and it has nooses. It has a comedic edge to it too, but you'll never get to see it unless you come down to The Cheaper Show No. 9 on June 26th at the Storyeum building in Gastown (142 Water Street, Vancouver). 200 artists are exhibiting 400 pieces of art, each priced at only $200. You could walk away with a limited edition 24" x 36" print of "You're Alive!" for only $200 if you show up! Isn't that insane?

For further incentive, no version of "You're Alive!" will ever be posted anywhere online. The only way to view it is by showing up. So do it.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Hawkes Martial Arts, Part II

2010-05-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, Benjamin Luk Photography found our way to the Hawkes Martial Arts dojo to finish the project we started the week before. We took headshots of all the main instructors, shots of the classes in session, and eventually got to the point where we could play around with shooting various martial arts stances, resulting in the shot you see above. Hawkes Martial Arts asked us for 8 to 12 images for their website. We're delivering 44 final shots for them to choose from. Another example of how we love to go above and beyond for our clients.

In other news, our videographer Chuck Ibey gave us this from our shoot last Sunday! Check out his work and if you ever require the services of a videographer, get in touch. We'll pass you on to Chuck.

Benjamin Luk Photography Promo from Chuck Ibey on Vimeo.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Hawkes Martial Arts

2010-05-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, the Benjamin Luk Photography team was again at Iona Beach Regional Park, this time shooting for local karate school, Hawkes Martial Arts. Our aim was to completely redo and modernize their website (which is still under construction) to stay current with the times, and great looking photography is part of that process. We shot for three hours in splendid weather, going through a variety of martial arts poses and stances. This coming Thursday, we shoot for Hawkes Martial Arts again, but in their dojo, rounding out the full set of photos we need for their site.

We also had videographer Chuck Ibey on site for the very first time, capturing some behind-the-scenes footage for a series of BLP promo videos we intend to make. In the meantime, check out the video work he did for fellow photographer Cole Benoit at Chuck Ibey on Vimeo.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings

2010-05-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, it was decided that I needed an entirely separate website to showcase my wedding photography. The simple fact of the matter is that wedding clients look for wedding photographers, and my main website caters to a more commercial clientele. So, with a lot of help from Magnetude Media, Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings was born. We still operate under the name Benjamin Luk Photography; we just needed a different online presence for our wedding work.

Be sure to check out the wedding shots we have online so far at BLPwedding.com, and if you're currently in the market for a wedding photographer, be sure to get in touch at info@benjaminluk.com or (604) 649-5635. Personal consultations are free and coffee's always on me. I still have plenty of dates available for 2010 and 2011.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: BLP Emotions Creative

2010-04-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Between clients, us here at Benjamin Luk Photography like to play, and our idea of fun is getting back out into the field and shooting some more. Late last March, stylist Katie Mogan and I teamed up for our first creative together, along with hairstylist Sarah Alicia Thomas and makeup artist Stacey Lynn Mitchell. The idea was to create a project revolving around emotions, possibly in a diptych format; two photos side by side representing the same emotion, two more representing a different emotion, etc.

These were some of the results. Be sure to click on each image to see it in a higher resolution, and try to take a stab at what emotions we were trying to express.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Charlene & Craig's Wedding

2010-03-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather's getting nicer, wedding season is in full swing. Charlene and Craig hired me to photograph their wedding in Maple Ridge, BC and I was only too happy to oblige. Starting off with shooting both Charlene and Craig getting ready, then the ceremony in our tried-and-true documentary style, we finished off by shooting their wedding portraits on Whonnock Lake with expert studio lighting techniques. At the moment, we're working on creating a complimentary slideshow for them too, absolutely free of charge. Ask how you'd be able to get your complimentary slideshow on your iPhone!

There are still a number of dates available this summer for wedding bookings and I'd be happy to chat with you over coffee about your wedding photography plans. Please contact us to set up a free personal consultation. Sample images and slideshows will be made available for your viewing. We look forward to having you in front of our lens real soon.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Surrey 2010 Celebration Site

2010-02-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

With the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games in town, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the city. Municipalities as far out as Richmond and Surrey are getting in on the action by putting on free cultural events and concerts all through the month of February. In this case, the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site offers an alternative to those wanting to avoid the chaos of downtown Vancouver without missing out on the fun entirely.

I was hired to photograph two days of what the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site had to offer and came back with over 2,000 images that I had to narrow down to about 200. For those who might think 2,000 images is overkill, you're probably right, but there was an event going on every half hour and every single one demanded full coverage. Even though the weather both days was punctuated by sporadic showers and gusts of wind, you'd never know it from looking at the photos. Rain gear and preparation go a long way.

The free concerts are very much worth mentioning, by the way. I mean, check out this lineup! I may be back just to shoot some of these bands for ThatRockBlog.com! Also, don't forget to click on these images for a high resolution view. Special thanks to Jon Benjamin Photography for notifying me about this gig, and Shannon Mackay for being my assistant and second shooter.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: 12x12 Raw Talent Gallery Showcase

2010-01-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

Last night, on Saturday, January 16th, 2010, over 300 photographers and photography enthusiasts gathered together at Vancouver Photo Workshops to see the grand unveiling of 600+ images created during the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon. As one of the planning committee members, I was one of six people who helped set up and organize the layout of the show. We're especially proud because, judging by our impressive turnout, it seems we were able to bring together Vancouver's entire photographic community.

I was also given the opportunity to be a roaming photographer during the show. Between checking out the work myself and grooving to the slick DJ beats of Vancouver's own Jeremy Lim, I was tasked with capturing the event, the attendees and the winners in all their photogenic glory. A big special thanks to the other planning committee members (Morten Rand-Hendriksen, John Biehler, Angela Chih, Anny Chih and Lesley Tetlow Stefanski) for making this all possible and being wonderful teammates. I look forward to working with you all again for 12x12YVR 2010/11!

Be sure to click on each image to see them in higher resolution and quality.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Train the Trainer '09

2009-12-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

Every year, Innovative Fitness gives back to their community by holding an event called Train the Trainer. Personal trainers invite their clients and the public in to pledge money to a charity in exchange for five-minute blocks in which they can make their trainers do whatever they want, whether it be dancing an Irish jig, climbing a fire truck ladder in full firefighter regalia, or having meat strapped to them so dogs can chase them around a parking lot. The photos here are a bit on the tame side but if you want to see the extent of the chaos, try checking out the Innovative Fitness Facebook page. My photos should be up there shortly.

Innovative Fitness in White Rock raised $16,000 for Canuck Place Children's Hospice and the White Rock South Surrey Community Foundation last Friday. More importantly, I got to see $20 of Sarah Thomas' money go towards watching a guy do inappropriate things to a punching bag. Hey, it's all about priorities. Besides, it couldn't have gone towards a better cause.

White Rock's Peace Arch News should be running a story on Train the Trainer '09 later this week with accompanying photos. White Rock residents, keep your eyes peeled.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PROSPECTIVE: 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon

2009-12-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

(Courtesy of 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon.)

On December 12th, 2009, the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon will be taking place in and around Vancouver's Yaletown district. For the past few weeks, I've been helping out on the 12x12 planning committee, contributing thoughts and ideas as to how the contest should run. In a recent development, I'm also on the judging panel along with other esteemed Vancouver photographers and couldn't be more excited. If this goes well, it could be the first 12x12 of many.

The 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon challenges participants to take 12 photos over 12 hours relating to 12 secret themes. Every hour, the new theme is revealed and everyone races to snap the best shot they can before the hour is up. The only catch is, they're only given 12 film exposures to capture all 12 themes. Sound interesting to you? Click here to receive Early Bird Pricing before Sunday, December 6th!

More details on the 12x12 website.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

INTROSPECTIVE: Hong Kong 2008 on Kodachrome 64

2009-10-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

Four days ago, I returned from yet another three-week trip to China. The main purpose of my visit was to see family, but never being one to pass on a photo op, I brought along my Canon EOS 500N and a few rolls of my favourite film, Kodachrome 64. For those of you who know that Kodachrome is seeing its final days, you'd understand my hurry to shoot as much as humanly possible before they pull the plug for good at the end of 2010. The Kodachrome I shot just last month is currently on its way to Kansas for processing, but here's a look at the Kodachrome I shot when I was in China in 2008.

Hong Kong's known for many aspects of its urban environment, but what attracted me most about the city was its dense geometry and complex signage. Residential neighbourhoods overlap commercial hotspots, ads dominate the skyline and the city seems so cluttered, you find yourself wondering how 7,000,000 people could possibly call it home. And yet, there's a strange peace to how Hong Kong operates, as though being around so many people day after day demands a certain calmness or patience. This was what I tried to capture. Click the link or any image in this post to see a short slideshow of what I've uploaded so far from Hong Kong, 2008.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Natalie and Nathan's Engagement

2009-09-23T16:03:00.000-07:00

On-location shoots are the best shoots, and not just because they're my specialty. They're also the most fun. In fact, in the week prior when Jason Kazuta (a colleague of mine) and I went location scouting for this engagement shoot, we stumbled across many an abandoned barn, a dilapidated shack I now plan on shooting a fashion editorial in, and a full-blown kink dungeon hidden away in the middle of nowhere. (See what you're missing? Clearly, you should follow me on Twitter.)

The location scouting in itself was fun. The shoot was even better.

We spent two hours cruising around Westham Island with the happy couple and shot in three separate locations we'd prepped the week before. Working mainly with natural light and shooting in open shade as much as we could, we fired off nearly 250 proofs for Natalie and Nathan. When the light we had wasn't enough, our lightweight Profoto AcuteB 600 strobe pack came to the rescue and just looking at the shots I'm working on now, I can't wait to show our clients what we came back with.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Andrea & Daniel's Wedding

2009-08-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

Easily one of the most fun couples I've had the pleasure of shooting, Andrea and Daniel brought me to VanDusen Botanical Gardens in early July to photograph their wedding. With perfectly overcast weather overhead, we were able to create both extremely evocative images and also some really fun ones. For our half-day shoot, my assistant and I documented the ceremony and reception in 240 beautiful high-resolution images from three cameras. If you're interested in the wedding services we're able to provide, please don't hesitate to call us at (604) 649-5635 to set up a free private appointment. Sample images and slideshows will be made available for viewing.

Special thanks to Twitter user @wacqueline for her referral. Benjamin Luk Photography strives to stay ahead of the social networking curve and it's nice to see it paying off. Please follow us at @benjaminluk for a more personalized photography experience and look for us online at BenjaminLuk.com.

We still have dates available in September and November, and we look forward to working with you real soon.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Vans Warped Tour '09

2009-08-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

Well before I even considered a career in fashion photography, my first experiences with a proper camera all involved photographing live music. Starting by shooting local bands at a small karaoke bar called Hoko's, I created ThatRockBlog.com shortly thereafter, an indie music blog dedicated to documenting music performances in and around Vancouver. From there, the blog took off and it was through that we were able to acquire media passes to cover Vans Warped Tour '09.

To see more photos and a particularly foul-mouthed review, follow the link - LIVE WIRE: Warping the minds of today's youth. (ThatRockBlog.com)

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer (w/ Jon Benjamin Photography)

2009-08-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

For those of you who follow me, many of you may have noticed my disappearance from Canada in the first week of August. Teaming up with Jon Benjamin Photography, I took off down to San Francisco to help photograph the 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer at The Moscone Center downtown. Working for a total of six days, I ended up delivering 2,025 images, or roughly 29 GB.

Many of the photographs Jon and I took ended up in the daily conference newsletter. These can be viewed at the following links:

1 Aug - WCLC Daily Newsletter Saturday (PDF)
2 Aug - WCLC Daily Newsletter Sunday (PDF)
3 Aug - WCLC Daily Newsletter Monday (PDF)
4 Aug - WCLC Daily Newsletter Tuesday (PDF)

With over 6,000 attendees at WCLC '09, this was the largest conference to date I'd had the privilege of photographing.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Lucia's Photoshoot

2009-07-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

On Canada Day, while most Canadians were still soundly sleeping off the effects of a wild party the night before, Benjamin Luk Photography was up and at 'em in the AQ Gardens at Simon Fraser University. Despite working on an event shoot the night before that went until 3 AM, we were ready to go to camera again by 10 to produce a series of headshots and portraits for Ms. Lucia Lorenzi. Click the image above to view a high-resolution version of her photo.

Special thanks to Ben Geldreich for coming out and lending a helping hand. (I hope you took away something worthwhile and I look forward to working with you again!)

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Bisou Bridal Creative

2009-06-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, Bisou Bridal was kind enough to lend our team four designer wedding dresses for our creative shoot. With some of the dresses valued as high as $6,000 CAD and utilizing such popular wedding venues as Hart House Restaurant and The Pan Pacific Vancouver, this was to be one of my most ambitious shoots yet. However, with expert styling by Heather Parson and a crack team of young models and assistants, the shoot went off without a hitch and I'm happy to present to you some of my most engaging bridal photography yet. Click any of the images you see here to view a short slideshow of our Bisou Bridal Creative.

Benjamin Luk Photography also offers destination wedding packages. We're currently in talks with a potential client about working with her in Mexico.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Tylas' Photoshoot

2009-06-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

Just before June arrived, local actor Tylas Merriman commissioned Benjamin Luk Photography to shoot his headshots for some upcoming auditions. We brought him down to Front Street in New Westminster for the shoot, which has also served as a shooting location for major Hollywood productions such as Shooter, Rumble in the Bronx and the soon-to-be-released New Moon. I like to think our choice in location might provide Tylas some luck once his career gets underway. Click on the link to see Tylas' other selected headshots.

Also: my apologies in not updating this blog more often with BLP news. I've been so busy working on weddings, events and meetings that blogging often has to take a back seat to client work. Big things are on the horizon though; Benjamin Luk Photography may soon be on its way around the world.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

RETROSPECTIVE: Kristina Emmott's first studio album, "Words Take Flight"

2009-05-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, local artist Kristina Emmott had a CD release party at The Media Club to promote her first studio album, Words Take Flight. Back in February, Kristina commissioned us to do all the photography on said album, working on the liner notes design and art layout. We're very excited to see such a great looking project come to fruition. Click on the link to see the original Words Take Flight artwork before it made its way onto Kristina's CD. Or perhaps you'd like to see that in a slideshow.

Kristina Emmott plays The Backstage Lounge (1585 Johnston Street) on Sunday, May 24.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

RETROSPECTIVE: Ali Milner - "Crystal Clear"

2009-04-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Prior to becoming a photographer, I studied Motion Picture Production at Cap College back when it was still known as Cap College. Though I graduated from the Diploma program in 2007, my film school contacts still keep in touch and occasionally call me up to work on projects with them. Last summer, in May 2008, I got a call to come out and shoot some stills for an up-and-coming pop/jazz musician's music video: Ali Milner's "Crystal Clear". This is the final product.

Ali Milner - Crystal Clear from Kyle Sandilands on Vimeo.

Watch for my work from 1:55 - 2:02, 2:18 - 2:24 and 2:56 - 2:58. The rest is scattered, but I'm most proud of those three sequences.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: Vancouver Fashion Week 2009

2009-04-17T04:15:00.000-07:00

Photos from Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 09 are finally here! Actually, they've been done for a while but I've been too caught up in other work to make a blog post about it. String Magazine picked up the whole slew of photos in their Vancouver Fashion Week: Runway Reviews Part 3 article. Check out the link and be sure to comment!

To see a slideshow of my Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 09 photos, click on the link or any of the two images above!

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: "Play On" CD Photoshoot

2009-04-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, the day after shooting the yet-to-be-uploaded JCI BYOB Photoshoot #4, Benjamin Luk Photography worked with local folk rock musician Graeme Emmott to create the artwork for his fourth studio album Play On. Using our favourite spring shooting location, Iona Beach Regional Park, we shot for two hours, came back with 150 frames, edited it down to 30 selects for delivery, then edited that down even further to the 10 key shots you see here in our slideshow. Click on any of Graeme's pictures to view it!

Employing a Clarity and Contrast Boost effect that legendary photographer Dave Hill pioneered, we were able to achieve a more dimensional image than one that was processed through more conventional means. If you're a photographer yourself and a Lightroom user, just ask me in an @Reply through Twitter and I'd be more than happy to tell you the BLP formula. If, in turn, you happen to be overcome by gratitude, feel free to Donate to our blog fund via the PayPal link on your right. We're rather fond of money.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PROSPECTIVE: JCI BYOB Photoshoot #4

2009-04-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

About every two months, Benjamin Luk Photography takes part in the John Casablancas Institute BYOB (Build-Your-Own-Book) shoot, where up-and-coming wardrobe stylists, hairdressers and makeup artists get to show their stuff by working with a professional photographer for a day. Last Sunday, I took my crew out to Iona Beach and came home with four hot looks I can't wait to Photoshop. Photos should be up in a week but in the meantime, check out these shots from the last BYOB.

For more information about JCI's BYOB projects, read this article by String Magazine.

Special thanks to my assistants Sarah Thomas and Elias Danner.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: WCSE 2009 (w/ Jon Benjamin Photography)

2009-04-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

Working with Jon Benjamin Photography, BLP worked as a photographer and digital tech for the 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment. Over the course of the conference, I was able to snap photographs of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, BC Premier Gordon Campbell and His Serene Highness Albert II, the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Special thanks to Jon Pesochin.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: JunoFest '09!

2009-04-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

JunoFest '09 is one of the largest music festivals to hit Vancouver in the past decade. Through my connections from ThatRockBlog.com, I was able to secure passes and photograph two of the most noteworthy shows of the entire festival. To see a slideshow of what we came back with, click on either of the photos! If you're also interested in reading the show reviews, point your browser over to ThatRockBlog.com.

Special thanks to Jon Pesochin.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

PERSPECTIVE: BLP Studios Glamour Creative #5

2009-03-24T01:10:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, the BLP team got together to do a few shoots for some clients. But after all the client shooting was done with, we decided to stay and play. The result was this: BLP Studios Glamour Creative #5. With makeup by Katie Satow, hair by Sarah Alicia Thomas (who's also my regular assistant) and our lovely model Eileen, we were able to dash off two amazing looks while I experimented with both creative overexposure and one-light techniques. Click on the pic above to see the photos!

Also, special thanks to Dan Udey for sponsoring my Flickr Pro account in the 2009/2010 calendar year!

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

RETROSPECTIVE: BC Fashion Week & Vancouver Fashion Week 2008

2009-03-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the brand spankin' new BLP blog! In months to come, you'll be able to catch up on all the exciting news and events that Benjamin Luk Photography has to offer. So bookmark this page or just keep checking back for regular updates soon!

Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 09 is just around the corner and BLP will be shooting from the front lines. Taking place from March 24-29, it's a chance for Vancouver's local designers to showcase their work and for the rest of us to see what will be hitting the streets six months from now. Check out photos from Vancouver Fashion Week Spring/Summer 09 by clicking on the pic below, or take a look at BC Fashion Week Spring 09 by clicking the pic above!

Don't forget to follow Benjamin Luk on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates!

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.