We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Annie Bang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Annie below.
Annie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a customer success story with us?
I’m confident to say that ALL (I really mean this.) of my clients are success stories. The reason is that wedding photojournalism or family photojournalism isn’t for everyone – but once we find each other, it is simply the best match in heaven; because I believe you need to have a strong desire to celebrate your unique life as it is, to embrace imperfection and to let go of certain images/stories we tell ourselves. My job is to simply represent how wonderful anyone’s wedding and family story can be, and all of my clients are generally touched when they look at their photos and feel emotionally great about all photos I create.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I studied Journalism in college and I was an international journalist before becoming a photographer. I actually stumbled upon the wedding photography industry, eventually learning how fun it is to photograph weddings and to tell each wedding story differently. Just like a lot of us, when I thought of wedding photos, I immediately thought of these same cookie-cutter wedding photos, and that was it! Then, I started questioning why we photograph these same wedding photos (of wedding dress, same awkwardly posed photos, etc.) when we are so all different and unique? My job has become advocating wedding photojournalism – to simply tell each the stories of the couple’s and their beloved ones at weddings, like a news assignment. In Journalism, we learn every single person has a story to tell, and I truly believe it. I mainly photograph weddings, but I also approach family photography the same way. Instead of encouraging my clients to wear the same clothes for photos, I want them to be 100% themselves and care-free in front of my camera, usually meet them at their home and document what’s like to that family in that fleeing moments of life, so they and their future generations can re-visit these memories.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I first started my business, I didn’t have anything. I didn’t have “good cameras” and I didn’t know how to go about being a successful wedding photojournalist. I took out a loan to purchase all the gears I thought I needed to make decent professional photos, and then I gave myself a deadline. “I’m going to give 100% into this, and if I can’t make any profit through photography in 6 months, I’m going to resell all my gears (which would still have high resale values) and then find something else to do.” That mentality allowed me to fail and keep going no matter what, during that 6 months, and I’m still doing what I love!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Gratitude. Through my photography, I’d like to leave a message that our life is beautiful. It’s messy sometimes, but it’s still wonderful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anniebang.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/anniebangphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/anniebangphotography
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/inyoung2e
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/annie-bang-photography-los-angeles?osq=annie+bang+photography&override_cta=Request+quote+%26+availability
Image Credits
Annie Bang