Lung Liu specializes in portraiture and event photography. His mastery of the technical components of photography is second nature, leaving him to devote his attention to the part that matters most - the moments and emotions that may only reveal themselves a split second in time.
The photographs he creates will be unlike any others. It will be moody and evocative, technically rigorous, compositionally breathtaking, and (most importantly of all), unique to your story and vision.
Let’s work together.
Biography
2013 Iris Awards
Finalist for Harper is King
2013 Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Council for the Arts Grant for Northern Rites and Cultures
2012 WGPA Portrait Award
Honourable Mentioned for Girl and Agent Orange
2012 Travel Photographer of the Year
Category Winner for Burning Man 2012 in Journeys, finalist for Burning Man 2012 in Celebrations, finalist for Living in Default in People Watching
2011 Color Magazine Portfolio Contest
Spotlight Award for Vietnam
2011 Pollux Awards
First Place in Professional Category Editorial and Current Affairs for Girl and Agent Orange and Honourable Mentioned in Category Humanitarian Documentary for Displaced Family of the Haiti Earthquake
2011 WPGA Editorial Awards
Honourable Mentioned for Haiti Earthquake Aftermath and Girl and Agent Orange
2011 Global Travel Photography Contest
Fourth place in Portrait Category for Blind Man Awaiting Cataract Surgery
2011 The World We Live In Photo Contest
Third Place in Professional Category Environment for Nesting Trees by the Sunken City
2011 Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Girl and Agent Orange accepted into their permanent collection
2011 Angkor Wat Photography Festival
Slideshow Exhibition for Café Om
2011 Auckland Festival of Photography
Slideshow Exhibition for Haiti Earthquake Aftermath
2010 Lux Awards
First Place in People Category for Work ID
2010 International Photography Awards
First Place in Professional Editorial: General News for Displaced Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake
2010 Eddie Adams Workshop
Nikon Prize
2010 Lucie Awards Scholarship
Finalist for Abandoned
2010 Melon Rouge Photo Fringe
Slideshow Exhibition for Overseas: The Fate of Refugees in China's State Run Farms
2010 World Photography Gala Awards
Finalist in Invisible Worlds for Haiti Earthquake Aftermath
2010 American Photo Magazine
Article in September Issue on Urban Decay for Abandoned
2010 Canada Council for the Arts Grant
Research Grant for Project on Vietnamese Life
2010 Angkor Wat Photography Festival
Slideshow Exhibition for Haiti Earthquake Aftermath
2010 Foto Freo Festival
Slideshow Exhibition for Haiti Earthquake Aftermath
2010 PDN Photo Annual Contest
Winner in Personal Category for Origins a personal project with support from the Canada Council for the Arts
2009 Travel Photographer of the Year Competition
Finalist for the 2009 Travel Photographer of the Year
Special Honourable Mentioned for Nephew Still Sleeping for Best Single Image
2009 La Bodega Photography Festival
Print Exhibition for the series Origins
2009 Photography Book Now International Competition
Honourable Mentioned for Origins
Honourable Mentioned for Happy, No Happy and the Art of the Eight Limbs
2009 Prix De La Photography, Paris
First Place in Non-Professional Photojournalism: Travel/Tourism for Gypsy Family in Chania
First Place in Non-Professional Book Proposal: Documentary for Happy, No Happy
Third Place in Non-Professional Photojournalism: People for Origins
2008 Billboard Year in Music Moment Photo Contest Winner
Breaking the Band: CD Cover Proposal for Natasha Duchene
2008 International Expose Your World Competition
Grand Prize Photo Essay Winner for Abandoned
Honourable Mentioned Photo Essay Winner for Muay Thai Culture
2008 Canada Council for the Arts Grant
Research Grant for Project on Vietnamese Origins and Identity
2008 International Photography Awards
Non-Professional Portrait Photographer of the Year for Muay Thai Culture #1
First Place Winner in Non-Professional People: Lifestyle for Muay Thai Culture #1
First Place Winner in Non-Professional People: Family for Gypsy Family in Chania
First Place Winner in Non-Professional People: Other for Muay Thai Culture #1
Second Place Winner in Non-Professional Editorial: Other for Gypsy Family in Chania
Second Place Winner in Non-Professional Editorial: Feature Story for Gypsy Family in Chania
Third Place Winner in Non-Professional Editorial: Feature Story for Muay Thai Culture #1
Third Place Winner in Non-Professional People: Lifestyle for Happy, No Happy #1
Third Place Winner in Non-Professional People: Other for Happy, No Happy #2
Third Place Winner in Non-Professional Architecture: Historic for Finn Slough
Third Place Winner in Non-Professional Special: Travel/Tourism for Daily Living/Bangkok
2008 Berenice Abbott Prize for an Emerging Photographer
Second Place for Happy, No Happy and the Art of the Eight Limbs
2008 B&W Magazine Single Image Contest
Silver Award Winner
2007 International Photography Awards
Non-Professional Editorial Photographer of the Year for Abandoned
First Place Winner in Non-Professional Editorial: Photo Essay for Abandoned
First Place Winner in Non-Professional Editorial: Other for Downtown Eastside #3
First Place Winner in Non-Professional Editorial: Personality for Downtown Eastside #2
First Place Winner in Non-Professional Nature: Other for Abandoned
Second Place Winner in Non-Professional Special: Travel/Tourism for Majico
Third Place Winner in Non-Professional Nature: Trees for Dead Tree
Third Place Winner in Non-Professional Special: Other for Downtown Eastside #2
2007 B&W Magazine Portfolio Contest
Excellence Award Winner
2007 B&W Magazine Single Image Contest
Silver Award Winner
Bronze Award Winner
Honourable Mentioned
2007 London Photographic Awards
Second Place in Landscape
2007 Prix de la Photography, Paris
First Place in Non-Professional Photojournalism: Travel/Tourism for Majico
Third Place in Non-Professional Photojournalism: People/Personality for Downtown Eastside #1
2006 International Photography Awards
Second Place in Non-Professional Special: Travel/Tourism for Street Candids of Children in Mexico
Third Place in Non-Professional Nature: Landscapes for Down by the Seaside
2006 PhotoLife Image International Photography Contest
First Place Category Winner for Dancing in the Golden Age
Fourth Place Category Winner for Salton Sea Trailer
Testimonials
“My name is Maika Elan and I met Lung Liu a few years ago when he was exhibiting his work on the Haiti Earthquake Aftermath at the Angkor Photo Festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I was attending a workshop there and just starting my project on "The Pink Choice" which will eventually earn me First Place in the World Press Photo Award. I am very familiar with his work and I love it. His photographs are not just great among wedding photographers, but among ALL photographers.
I think the most important thing in wedding photos is to capture the real moments. Sometimes, in weddings, you see a lot of nice pictures - it is pretty, but it is fake. With Lung, the photos will be both beautiful and they will be true. You will have fun, you will be happy, and you will be relaxed. He will capture the authentic moments of your wedding and you will enjoy your time with him. He is a truly great photographer.”
Maika Elan, World Press Photo Award Winner
“With Lung, we knew who our wedding photographer was going to be before we even decided to get married. There was no doubt in our minds. We also knew that he had his work cut out for him. The location was challenging to say the least. But when he showed us the pictures a few days later, we were floored. Concrete buildings became gothic architectures and bright lights caught just the right way became spotlights that accentuated the mood. He used the surroundings and the light to make the photographs of our special day even more wondrous. It wasn't just that he caught the moments as they happened, but he caught what we were feeling. The colours were rich and velvety and the black and whites were so full of emotion. Not only that, but he did it so discreetly that we didn't even notice him taking the photos! We can't imagine anyone else who could have done what he did and we are so pleased that he was our photographer. ”
Nicholas and Sandi, Clients
“Lungs ability to capture the vibrant spirit, diversity, and essence of Vancouver Pride is remarkable. Every photo he takes is a work of art that tells a powerful story of love and unity. We can always trust him to be sensitive and discrete while going above and beyond to capture our needs. We are thrilled to have him as an official photographer at Vancouver Pride and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a professional and passionate photographer.”
Vancouver Pride Society, Client
“Lung taught me everything I know about photography. I am forever grateful to him for opening my eyes to how wonderful and diverse this creative medium can be. He always was and will continue to be a much better photographer than me. The ease with which he approaches the complex relationships required to really understand how to make a great photo always astounds me. I believe it’s what you would call ‘natural talent’.
He approaches photography with love and passion, he is a playful and creative person and he is also very efficient, able to be seemingly everywhere at once. On top of these skills he is a master technician particularly in post-production and knows how to really make photos sing through colour and tone.
I am so happy he has found his calling in photographing joyous events like weddings. Some time ago we photographed one together, and all his images were better than mine, and I know the bride and groom loved his quirky company on the day. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lung as a wedding photographer. I guarantee you would be in very capable, professional and creative hands.”
Claire Martin, Photographer and 2010 Inge Morath Award Winner
“We got so many compliments on our wedding photos, not only because they're stunning but because they are so unique. Lung not only got the shots that everyone has but many true candid moments that capture the day. Some of my favourite photos were ones I didn't know he had taken. Lungs artistic eye truly can't be beat. Not to mention he is a blast, especially at a wedding.”
Ben and Kirsten, Clients
“When I asked my lovely and talented photographer/wife, ‘Who should take the photos?’ She replied, ‘There is only Lung!’ If Lung was not able to do this, then there would be nobody was how she felt. But he was able to do it and all I can say is, ‘Wow, Lung.’
We could not have hoped the photos turning out any better than this and our family and friends love them. There is just something special about every single image. He just gets us. There were even times when Mehtap asked him to sit down and rest, but he insisted that a beautiful moment was just about to unfold and we were glad that he persisted because we now have photos of moments that we didn't think we would cherish, but here they are. We are truly blessed to have such a talented and wonderful photographer.”
Mehtap and Kelly, Clients
“When Nathan and I finally decided to set the date for our wedding, the first and easiest decision for us to make was choosing our wedding photographer. Having known Lung for years, and knowing just how talented he was, I did not hesitate in asking him to be the photographer for our special day. He was the only one we considered, and we were thrilled when he confirmed he would be available that day!
Lung was attentive, thorough, and between him and his assistant Lukasz, they managed to capture every single special moment throughout the day. The shots they took were beautiful, candid, relaxed, and elegant--everything we were hoping for. They took every specific shot we requested, and also took shots that were unexpected--but absolutely beautiful. We could not have asked for a better photographer!
We recommend Lung and his photography services wholeheartedly, and believe that he can capture every special moment for anyone's special day.
Photographer Lung Liu has a wild elegance. He’s a true artist who approaches his practice like a tightrope walker – ever on the edge. He’s a creative risk-taker, does what it takes to get the shot, and is somehow able to be in many places at once, both invisible and omnipresent. Lung is funny, quirky, and ever the professional – he puts people at ease, teasing out the best in his subjects.”
Nathan and Lisa, Clients
“Recommended by a common friend, we hired Lung to be our wedding photographer in Naramata, BC. It was important to us to have a photographer who could capture our wedding weekend in a natural, spontaneous way, which was exactly what Lung did. The resulting body of work is amazing. He was quick to read our family dynamics and was able to reflect through his photography the energy of our family and friends. He captured the key wedding events as well as intimate, personal moments – the resulting photographs are rich, poignant, and absolutely beautiful.”
Erika and Bruce, Clients