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Doris Cheung Photography

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San Jose, CA
Doris Cheung Photography

I’m a California photographer who has always had a deep love for images that tell a story.

I usually end up being a self-portrait artist, and I love to experiment with new techniques.

10/30/2024

I made a thing! Do you ever just...do a project to prove to yourself you still can?

My kiddo requested a Ganondorf costume (Tears of the Kingdom) version for this Halloween and I went a little extra on it. There were two skills I wanted to try: making a yarn wig, and finally breaking out a couching foot for my sewing machine to do a few designs. The hat was pretty straightforward once I had thought about it a bit: a crocheted base with long strands attached styled as the hair. (Straightforward but it took two attempts and possibly a night of tears after the first attempt fell apart.)

I drafted out a robe pattern based on a hanfu jacket, adding tons of flare at the bottom for dramatic swing. It’s made out of a dyed thrifted sheet and the swirlies are couched on with black yarn. The greenish “skin” is dyed pajamas, and I finally used some of my stash lining fabric for the inside. It’s so nice to use something you’ve been holding on to for a decade...although I wish I had used up more of it!

I took these pictures just before an active event so we decided against loose wearing jewelry and a sword. Part of me wants a dramatic fantasy portrait but I know I’m pushing my luck just getting these photos. Good news that the costume survived an obstacle course and is intact enough to wear to Halloween at school!

Long caption but ending it with: and it makes for a great entry for my own and contribution to this year, Day 27: Hats!

07/29/2024

I need to do a whole series of Umbrella Whimsy photos! Is it a simple prop and yet it opens up so many magical opportunities! I had an idea in my mind about a jellyfish fairy or a jelly mermaid (jellymaid?) and I am so happy with how all the images from this set came out.

Can you believe this is the first time has modeled underwater?! Please everyone give her the proper applause because she made it all look EASY and we all know that underwater modeling is not at all easy. This was the first time I shot using an indoor pool and it was really nice to be able to control the lighting a bit more than normal. The whole pool was also only 4 feet deep and I'd been concerned with getting a variety of poses. Not a problem at all!

Model:
Photography:
Shot with

07/16/2024

Thank you so much and for the Honorable Mention in your underwater photography contest! It is an honor! Also an honor to have collaborated with on this image - what an incredible Morpheus cosplay!

07/13/2024

It’s another trip around the sun for me today! We’ve just had a massive heat wave so I think I’m all summered out, but one thing I always loved about being a summer baby was going to the beach. Ok, and also The Little Mermaid, which came out when I was 9 and permanently fixed a desire to be an ocean princess deep in my soul! I didn’t really think about doing an Ariel cosplay before but when I was considering visiting a sea cave, her shipwreck sail “dress” seemed the perfect choice! (Also perfect because it doesn’t involve any real making hahaha).

I meant to just check out this location as a potential spot for future photoshoots, but what better way to check it out than by having a photoshoot? Time and tide literally worked out perfectly as my son had an activity nearby, during a low tide (the sea cave is only accessible at low tide), the low tide was at a doable hour of the day - summer low tides in my area tend to drift into the predawn hours. And instead of feeling like a chauffeur cooling her heels while my kid did his activity, I did something for myself! Which...is a pretty great birthday present, don’t you agree?

07/01/2024

“I hate them,” I said, gesturing to the jewels dripping from my neck, my wrists, my ears. “He makes me wear them to show I am his. To show the ton all he owns.” I fought to quell the bitterness. It didn’t belong here, now; we had but an hour before we each returned to our lives.

His lips touched where metal met skin, at the underside of my wrist where the links of the bracelet slid; where earrings brushed against my neck. He kissed where the heavy gem lay across my chest. His kisses broke a curse; now when I wore the jewels, I would think of this stolen time in the garden.
———

I wanted to take these photos for two reasons: to show off the beautiful dress and jewelry, and to feel like I’m on the cover of a historical romance novel (and to write a bit of overheated MELODRAMATIC romantic fluff, clearly!) I had this gorgeous pink net sari in my stash for probably a decade, because I didn’t dare cut it for anything, I don’t think my sewing skills are to the level to do it justice. But is magical!!! I love the use of the gorgeous metallic embellished edges for the neckline and sleeves, the starburst pleat detail to fit around the bust. The net over chiffon creates beautiful layers of translucency.

The jewelry is courtesy of .teashop - she custom made me a parure using the rose gold and pink jewels to match with the gown. As soon as I saw the set I thought the gems deserved a whole fictional backstory on their own! The soft feminine pink edged with the glittering fire of the gems and pale gold creatures a perfect contrast. Let me tell you, wearing this all together makes me feel amazing.

jewelry: .teashop
dress:
photography:

06/09/2024

"Meet me in the garden", he whispered in my ear.

**************

Happy Enchanted Asian Day! I look forward to this hashtag every year to highlight Asian faces and bodies in fantasy, fae, historical fantasy/fiction media. As much as I've loved the fantasy realm all my life, even when I started costuming I always felt like my photos look "wrong"...because unless I'm doing specifically an Asian themed shoot it felt weird to see my own features in that kind of setting. It still feels weird...but perhaps someday soon it won't! I certainly lived out some Rengency romance fantasies while wearing this dress.

I've much to say about this recent shoot in subsequent posts! Every once in a while, you come to a breakthrough in your creative work - in my case, a mental block really needed some breaking. I think now the block has some serious cracks in it.

Amazing dress by who sewed for me when I said my brain could not longer handle the idea of creating with cloth. A true friend!
Edited using some excellent tutorials and tools by

05/26/2024

Just beyond the realm of dreams grows the Night Garden, an enchanted place where flowers remain as perfect buds under a silver starred sky. Rose dwelt there with her sisters, content in the gentle eternity of shadows until…

A spark brighter than anything she had seen before drifted down to fall into her hands.

"What are you, little light?" she asked.

"I am a drop of the sun, lost and far from home."

"The sun? What is that?" Rose asked.

"Why, the sun - the light and warmth that the flowers of the earth love. The touch of the sun causes them to break into a glorious bloom."

"But do flowers not wither in the gardens of the earth?" asked Rose.

"They surely do," whispered the spark as it faded between her fingers. "But while they live the world rejoices in all gifts a flower brings.”

Rose thought of the eternity she had lived, unchanging, in the darkness of the Night Garden and raised her face to where the spark had fallen from.

"Where are you going?" her sisters cried out.

"To bloom," Rose said.

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I'm so grateful to have had the chance to attend The Water Workshop with ! I learned so, so much, from Kimber and also from my fellow attendees! Just an incredible amount of knowledge and talent gathered together. After our first classroom session we shot this beautiful set, crafted from fresh flowers! On the plane ride home (perhaps due to lack of sleep) I felt that this set of images had a story to tell.

Model:
Setup and Workshop:
Safety:
Florals:

05/22/2024

I am back from an amazing weekend attending The Water Workshop hosted by and still processing so much, mentally, intellectually, and (haha) the images I walked (swam?) away with. While I’m working on the amazing portfolio pieces, I wanted to share this fun after-shoot moment because it perfectly encapsulates the weekend.

After our 2nd day, our incredible models and stayed in the water and so kindly let us attendees goof off and pretend to be models as well. Kimber led this workshop in the spirit of learning and transparency and to me this moment captured here represents all that is good about the underwater community. Every time I have gone to someone to learn, knowledge is gladly shared. There has been no gatekeeping, no insecurity about competition. We lift each other UP. We cheer each other on and celebrate where everyone is coming from. You all make me feel amazing and I hope to give back that feeling and support as well!

Thank you SO much to for taking this image for me!
Thank you everyone for such a fantastic weekend!

09/29/2023

Happy Mid Autumn Festival! To celebrate, please enjoy these beautiful photos that Wei-Ling and I created together. She perfectly embodies Chang 'E floating away to the moon and transforming into the Moon Goddess. May you enjoy the full moon tonight while nibbling on some moon cakes with your loved ones!

08/22/2023

Calling all Disney fans, it's World Princess Week! It's a perfect time to share these shots of Simply Mi's Cinderella beautiful cosplay. Have faith in your dreams and someday
your rainbow will come smiling through! Shot at the gorgeous Filoli Estate.

Model, costume: Simply Mi
Photography: Doris Cheung Photography

08/10/2023

Throwback to one year ago awhen and I got together and did this Sandman Morpheus photoshoot. It was such a fantastic shoot day that deserves celebration on every anniversary!

Model, costume:
Photography:

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