Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chanmie Bang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chanmie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

I wouldn’t say there’s one “biggest” trend at the moment, but as a creative field, the biggest challenge in wedding photography is that it’s constantly evolving. When I first started in this industry, my focus was on capturing sharp, crisp images. But after a year or two, blurry and shaky photos started to become popular, and before I knew it, everyone was doing it. I won’t lie—I tried it too, at weddings and engagements. However, over time, I realized that there’s a time and place for that style. At certain moments, it really captures the essence of the moment, but in most cases, it just ended up looking blurry and out of focus.

It took some time to process all of this and learn when to incorporate those skills in the right context.

Another trend that has emerged in recent years is film photography. It’s taken over the wedding industry, and I’m all for it! While I’m not the type to carry around multiple film cameras on a wedding day (it can feel like being a tree with branches), I can always trust the results. Film has a unique quality that digital photography just can’t replicate, and I absolutely love when couples add film to their wedding package. It’s such a special touch.

I’m excited to continue learning and fine-tuning my own film photography skills, and I look forward to incorporating more of that into my work moving forward.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Chanmie Bang, a wedding photographer based in the Bay Area. I originally started my photography business in Orange County/Los Angeles, but I’ve recently relocated here. When I launched my business in 2021, it was a way for me to explore a new industry while still working full-time as a teacher. Photography became my creative outlet, and it’s been such a fun and exciting journey ever since! I truly love capturing couples’ most special day and celebrating those precious moments.

My approach to photography is simple: go with the flow. Weddings can get hectic, and I never want to add to that stress. As a former bride who had a small wedding during COVID, I know how overwhelming things can get—even with a more intimate celebration. I can’t even imagine how much more complex it must be for couples hosting a traditional wedding with 150+ guests! Whether it’s a small gathering or a grand celebration, I always aim to ease the stress on my couples. I try not to overwhelm them with endless emails or questions; instead, I focus on getting straight to the point during the prep process.

On the wedding day, I’ll work closely with the coordinator (if there is one), or the venue staff, to ensure everything runs smoothly. I want to avoid interrupting the couple’s day with technical questions, so if I need to double-check anything, my last point of contact will be the bride. My goal is for my couples to enjoy their day fully, without being bogged down by the details.

Overall, I’ve received great feedback from my couples, and I’m always so happy to hear that they felt relaxed and enjoyed their wedding day. That’s the most important thing to me—making sure they have memories to cherish forever.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission in this journey is to never stop learning. As I mentioned earlier, photography is a creative field that’s always evolving, and I’m committed to keeping up with that change. I love browsing through other photographers’ work to study their edits, angles, and how they use light. There’s so much talent out there, and I find inspiration in seeing what others do. By learning from them, I’m able to incorporate new ideas and techniques into my own photography.

One of my next goals is to dive deeper into flash photography. Lately, I’ve been really drawn to it, and I think it’s an area where I need to invest more time in learning the technical aspects to perfect my results. As a mom to a 13-month-old, it’s definitely challenging to find the time to master a new technique, but I’m determined to carve out space for it. I’m excited to continue learning and growing in this craft, and I’m looking forward to refining my flash skills in the near future.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has definitely been a journey. When I first started, I uploaded all kinds of work—engagements, family sessions, maternity shoots, weddings, and more. One day, my husband suggested that I focus solely on sharing my wedding work. He’s been there for me since the very beginning of my business, supporting me both physically and mentally throughout this journey. After giving it some thought, I agreed with his advice and started sharing only my wedding photography.

Since making that shift, I’ve noticed a big change. Now, I primarily receive wedding inquiries, which was the goal I had been working toward. It might sound simple, but for me, the key was learning that uploading as much content as possible wasn’t the answer. Realizing that being more selective about what I share on social media made all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chanmiphoto.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanmiphoto

Image Credits

chanmiphoto