the six questions featuring Bonnie Tsang
Sunday, February 26, 2012 by Irene Nam 
Image Copyright Bonnie Tsang
I remember coming across L.A. based lifestyle and wedding photographer Bonnie Tsang's blog a few months ago, and instantly falling in love with the way she approaches life, natural and real, and shares her passion for art, design and food with a most delightful sense of style, simplicity, beauty and attention to details.
Bonnie is one of the most creative, talented and hard-working photographers I know of, and a most awesome mother who inspires me to keep doing what I love and enjoy life the fullest. I am most happy and excited to share with you her answers to our Six (actually Eight!) Question interview today.
1. What's the story behind this photo?
It was taken almost two years ago. My photography business started to do well at the time, but I found myself having less time with my daughter, Venise. So one free Sunday, she and I decided to spend a day together and took a short road trip to Joshua Tree. We stayed until sundown. I took a picture of her collecting and putting little rocks into her shorts' back pockets as the sunset light glowing behind her.
2. What was it that lit your photography spark? Do you remember a particular camera, course, person, roll of film?
My Dad was a professional photographer before I was even born, so I grew up with photography. But what really got me started was this doll called Blythe (http://www.blythedoll.com) and my daughter, Venise. I took one shot and that was it, I couldn't stop.
3. What's your photo philosophy? Does it reflect your life philosophy?
My photo philosophy is simple - to capture and report the reality. I always believe art was created to document life's important events. And that probably does reflect to how I see life - live your truest self.
4. Where do you look for inspiration?
Family and friends that I surround myself with. We often go far and beyond to look for ourselves, for inspirations, but the truth is we have it all within ourselves.
5. What would you say is one of your 'signature' editing tricks, themes or style? What do you think makes an image recognizable and uniquely yours?
This is actually a tough question for me and I always get asked this! It's tough for me to answer because... how do you turn your feelings into words? There's no word for feelings, something that's untouchable. We might say, "Oh, I love that person because she's nice, she's pretty", but it's not, it's MORE than that. I don't edit images base on what is "Bonnie Tsang" because I'm always revolving. Maybe I'll know in 20 years.
6. What aspect of your photography are you constantly working on, trying to improve?
Everything.
7. If you could go anywhere in the world for an epic, weeklong photo excursion all by your luxuriously unhurried self - regardless of money, time or childcare issues - where would you go and why?
My hometown, Hong Kong. I went few years ago and, sadly, I wasn't really into photography at the time, so it'd be nice to go back.
8. Are there women out there that you consider your shutter sisters? Who, and why?
There are two ladies that I look up to personally and professionally - Carrie Cook and Jen Gotch. They're both my very good friends and they've been around shooting a lot longer than I have been, but they're always very encouraging. Sometimes when I'm stuck at something, whether it is about life or photography, they'd say to me "you can try this" or "how about if you do this". They challenge me to do better in the most nurturing way. And of course, their work is amazing!
Thank you so much Bonnie!
You can see more of Bonnie's work on her personal blog, professional blog, portfolio, and if you're on Instagram you absolutely HAVE to follow her @bonnietsang.
Reader Comments (5)
i loved getting to know her and her work
i think her new breakfast series is amazing, it shows how photography can be a means to capture some of the essence of a person. i hope she will publish more of these sessions...!
here's one of my attempts to do the same while lunching with a friend of mine, Gon Buurman, a very well known dutch photographer of people (some of her work can be seen at http://www.gkf-fotografen.nl/index.php?id=2&leden_id=63 )
she told me i definitely captured some essential part of her in this shot (which of course made me feel really proud)
http://exploringwithmycamera.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-hero.html