When I first came to America and crossed the street alone for the first time, I was shocked and felt helpless.  In Hong Kong where I grew up, cars are to stop completely without exception if the pedestrian signal is on. So after I came here, I didn’t know what to do when I saw the cars kept turning and going in front of me even when the pedestrian traffic light signals that it’s my turn to go. I stopped in the middle of the crossing and almost ran back thinking that I will get run over by cars if I don’t. This was how I felt when we did a studio photo shoot last weekend.

We went to a home studio put up by Ricky’s cousin Bill, and did I say cultural shock? For the first few minutes, I was holding my camera and didn’t know what to do. Feeling a bit lost in space, but yet so excited like when you go to a different country for the first time. Everything is a new and mind-blowing experience.

Since I am an on-location photographer, it feels weird to be shooting in front of a piece of paper. My mind is already pre-programmed to finding light and finding background as I shoot. When I don’t have these two things to do, I felt lost like an ant who loses its buddy in front. So after circling around for a bit, Bill’s family and us managed to exchange a few family shots. Since no kids will stand in front of a piece of paper for too long, and the men will also run as fast as they could from the front of the camera, I was left there by myself with these faces.

Despite the cultural shocks, I had fun! Thanks to Bill and Ricky who didn’t run away completely to take these shots of me.

Ricky in action…