Sidney Chang Photography Blog

Hartford Wedding Photography | Maura & Brian | Sneak Peek :)

sidney — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:04:41 +0000

Maura and Brian got married on Saturday!! it was a great start to my 2012 wedding season here’s a sneak peek…

Hartford Engagement Session | Rachel & Mike

sidney — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:57:35 +0000

a little mix of urban and nature for Rachel and Mike’s engagement session in downtown Hartford.

can’t wait for your wedding at the Branford House this summer!!

doesn’t Mike look a bit like Joaquin Phoenix??

you look smokin’ hot, Rachel!!!

Hartford Engagement Session | Sneak Peek!!! :)

sidney — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:30:14 +0000

sneak peek of Rachel and Mike’s recent Hartford engagement session!

NEW!! Flush Mount Wedding Album!!

sidney — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:02:33 +0000

* * NEW!!! * * …in addition to the popular 12″ x 12″ and 10″ x 10″ flush mount wedding albums, i’m now offering it in 13″ x 10″ !!

i’m sooooo excited about this new rectangular size!! totally lovin’ it!!! :)

all flush mount albums come with a sleek protective leather storage box

CT Boudoir Photography | HOT . SEXY . GLAMOROUS

sidney — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:46:56 +0000

it’s Wednesday! for your hump day viewing pleasure… here’s another recent hot and steamy boudoir session…

Hartford, CT Engagement Session | Maura & Brian

sidney — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:13:54 +0000

woohoo!!! Maura and Brian are getting hitched next month!!! here are their lovely engagement photos that we did last fall after the crazy October snowstorm. you can still see snow in one of the pictures with the fall foliage in the background!…

HOT . SEXY . GLAMOROUS | CT Boudoir Photography

sidney — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:33:19 +0000

a recent boudoir session heating up the blog!! happy Friday! great way to start the weekend huh?

Lindsay & Michael’s Hartford, CT Engagement Session …sneak peek!! :)

sidney — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:26:58 +0000

super PSYCHED about Lindsay and Michael’s engagement session today that i just HAVE to post a couple of sneak peeks!!

Lindsay, i know you don’t like the “half-smile” …but i think you look pretty badass hot in the above shot

Stacey & King’s Lao Wedding | CT Wedding Photographer

sidney — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:36:36 +0000

here’s Part Two of Stacey and King’s beautiful Lao wedding…

hehhee… love King’s face below

great shots Anthony got below as i was shooting the ones above… love 2nd shooter perspectives!

Stacey’s 3rd gorgeous dress of the day… the “controversial” Thai dress

Stacey chose this beautiful Thai dress to represent her ties with Thai culture. Stacey and her family lived in Thailand before moving to America. many Laotian Americans had to travel thru Thailand before coming to America. the Thai people treated Lao people like 2nd class citizens. many Lao people resent being mistaken for Thai and being associated with Thailand or Thai culture despite the commonalities.

congrats Stacey & King!!

Stacey & King’s lovely Lao wedding | CT Wedding Photographer

sidney — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:32:18 +0000

earlier this winter i had the amazing opportunity to be a part of one of the most unique weddings i’ve done yet… Stacey and King’s Lao wedding at the Waterview in Monroe, CT. i love weddings that involve traditions from the bride and groom’s culture or heritage. Stacey and King combined customs from Lao, a bit of Thai, and American (“Western”) weddings. here is Part One…

big thanks to my friend Anthony DeCarlo for shooting with me!

you look GORGEOUS Stacey!!! gorgeous!! you’re a lucky man, King

wondering why they have string wrapped around their wrists?? keep scrolling down and you’ll learn why!

STUNNING in her “western” dress!

love these sneaky shots Anthony got below as i was shooting the ones above

Stacey starts the day in her beautiful traditional Lao dress

in Lao tradition, the bride is embellished with gold jewelry to enhance her appearance and to indicate her status.

the custom is known as “bringing significance to the bride”

the “elders” prepare the alter for the ceremony. the alter symbolizes a tree filled with offerings represented by the fruit.

the strings symbolize wishes that are blessed during the ceremony

Stacey is waiting for King to arrive with his “parade”

King and his family have to “parade” to the bride’s “house” to ask her family for her hand in marriage.

along the way there is clapping, singing, and road blocks setup by Stacey’s family for King’s family to negotiate

and give offerings of gold and money as dowry for the bride.

King and his mom attempt to barge their way thru (jokingly) without any offerings of gold or money

jewelry and money (checks) are presented by King’s parents as dowry which also

symbolizes honoring and validating the marriage

Stacey and King light the candles on the alters to call the spirits of their ancestors to join the ceremony

everyone holding the strings symbolize the blessings being received and that everyone is connected with each other

family and friends wrap string around Stacey and King’s wrists to symbolize their wishes and blessings for them

the fruit they hold in their hands represent prosperity and children

everyone touches the alter at the end of the “wishing ceremony” to symbolize they are all interconnected and that

everyone will be blessed by the alter, the offerings, and all the wishes and blessings

stay tuned for Part Two for the dancing, partying, and the “controversial” Thai gown