PERSPECTIVE: Elias Danner, Our First Intern

(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

(Employees of The Redco Group enjoying their photo booth session. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

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

(Ashley and Andrew standing at the altar. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

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.

(The only way holy matrimony is supposed to be. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

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.

(Ashley and the girls getting their giggle on. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

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?

(Ashley and Andrew, lost in each other and urban New Westminster. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

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.

(Ashley and Andrew's first dance as husband and wife. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

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