How I Work: Wedding Photographer Zabrina Deng
Wedding photographer and portraitist Zabrina Deng pushes herself to the limit to take award-winning shots. Profile photo by Sony Artisan of Imagery Scott Robert Lim. All other shotos courtesy of Zabrina Deng.
Over the past year, Bay Area-based photographer Zabrina Deng has traveled all over the place for work, including Hong Kong three times, Paris, New York, San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Houston. As a Sony Artisan of Imagery and — notably one of the world’s best wedding photographers — she has a time-tested routine for whenever she lands in a new spot. “I power through the entire day and dive into action, wasting no time,” she says. “Whether it’s scouting locations for shoots, visiting local galleries or museums for inspiration, or simply sightseeing, I make it a point to get out of the hotel and immerse myself in the destination as soon as possible. The rhythm of a new place always energizes me and keeps me going until sunset. Surprisingly, I manage all this without caffeine — I recently cut out coffee and found that it left me feeling more energized overall.”
Who needs sleep when there’s a world of inspiration waiting just outside the hotel room, right?
Deng’s wedding photographs, in particular, are the kinds of high fashion images you would expect to see in Vogue or Vanity Fair (both of which she has contributed to). Here, Deng shares how she works, including how she structures her days; the sprawling urban loft she’d design for her dream studio; and the children’s photography book she plans to write.
What happens when the subject perfectly matches the background.
Rise and Shine
Being a mommy to two young kids, my mornings are a symphony of cuddles, chaos, and K-pop. Our alarm chimes at 6:45 a.m., but the real wake-up call comes with tiny feet tumbling into my bed. There, amidst sleepy kisses and hugs, we steal ten more minutes of dreamy bliss before the day officially begins.
Cue the music! My trusty Sony speaker fills the air with a mix of K-pop and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle x Pokemon anthems, the ultimate soundtrack for groggy kids to spring into action. While they wash up and dress, I stretch, freshen up, and prepare breakfast for them. By 8:30 a.m., I drop them off at school, leaving me to tackle my first mission of the day: grocery shopping. Oakland Chinatown is my go-to for the freshest produce, ensuring my fridge is always stocked with vibrant colors and flavors. By 10:00 a.m., I’m back at home, diving into emails, client meetings, and photo editing. My first meal of the day? Brunch at 11:30 a.m. with two eggs, salad, and fruits — a moment to recharge before blending business and personal tasks for the rest of the day.
A rainy day kind of true love.
Describe your work uniform.
A black or navy top paired with dark jeans or skirts, and my signature red French beret for a pop of color. It’s understated yet distinct (ironic, huh?), ensuring clients can spot me from afar without stealing the show. Recently, I’ve reunited with an old favorite — my Burberry trench coat from London circa 2015. After a seven-year hiatus (thanks to two pregnancies), this trench is back in action, perfect for braving the foggy San Francisco, rainy Paris, windy New York, or sunny Hong Kong.
Deng’s photographs can be so elaborate that they include three camels.
How do you structure your days when you have a shoot?
When I’m on the road, the day begins at six a.m. at the hotel, with my speaker in tow, playing tunes to kickstart my vibe. Hair, makeup, and an alert face are non-negotiables — after all, a photographer’s image is part of the package!
By seven a.m., I’m prepping my gear: cameras, lenses, batteries, memory cards, and lighting essentials.
At eight a.m., I connect with my crew to finalize the day’s itinerary. Whether it’s a wedding or a fashion shoot, the vibe, aesthetic, and logistics must align. My team of hair and makeup artists, lighting assistants, stylists, and videographers work together like a well-tuned machine.
At nine a.m., once the shoot starts, we power through long hours, breaking briefly for meals. My favorite time of the day is “blue hour,” the magical twilight moment that transforms photos into poetry.
By the end of the day, we’re packing up and it’s usually eight or nine p.m. A loud, high-energy playlist keeps me awake on the drive home, followed by a rejuvenating shower and a quick splash of cold water. Then it’s onto posting BTS videos on Instagram, planning for tomorrow, and finally, bed.
What are your playlist favorites?
My Spotify is a kaleidoscope of genres, featuring Carole King, The Cranberries, All-4-One, Björk, Coldplay, Pink, Martini Utada Hikaru (J Pop), Faye Wong (Canto Pop), Sammi Cheng (Canto Pop), Sandy Lam (Canto Pop), and Wutiaoren (Mando Pop).
Photo props also include boats — and bright sun.
What are the tools of your trade?
Sony cameras and lenses are my lifeline. My essentials include:
Sony Alpha A9MIII: Perfect for minimal lighting and tackling tricky LED flickers.
Sony Alpha 7RV: A powerhouse for commercial and magazine work with incredible pixel depth.
Lenses? I love the 50mm f/1.2 GM, 85mm f/1.4 GMII, and the versatile 24-70mm f/2.8 GMII. These gems keep my gear bag light yet formidable.
Describe your dream studio.
Picture this: A sprawling loft in Paris, NYC, San Francisco, or Hong Kong, bathed in natural light from massive windows. A pristine white backdrop hugs one wall, while a spiral staircase leads to a cozy rest area to hang. Antique treasures and artwork from my travels fill the space, alongside a giant map dotted with pins marking past adventures. It’s a creative haven where work and pleasure intertwine, complete with a kitchen to treat my crew after a long day.
This couple makes their wedding photos more memorable, thanks to a Golden Gate Bridge cameo.
Whether it’s traveling the world for destination wedding photography or speaking at photography conferences, what is one unique thing about the way you work?
Public speaking has become a surprising extension of my photography career recently. Whether it’s for Sony or professional photography groups, I train others to elevate their craft. English isn’t my first language, so before stepping on stage, I listen to photography podcasts, mimicking the host’s words to switch my brain into English mode. Then, with a deep breath and a mic in hand, I let the magic happen.
Do you have a mantra?
“To love is to give” — it’s the name of my iPhone.
What’s your brightest idea that never saw the light of day?
Two dreams remain tucked away.
A multi-lingual children’s photo book introducing Cantonese culinary culture with tactile textures.
A photography book for kids, teaching them to see light, express emotions, and tell stories through a lens.
Paris is always a good idea.
Is there a to-do list item that keeps you up at night?
Oh, the mental gymnastics:
Are my kids being bullied? Why? Did I pack their homework? Snacks? Did I set three alarms for tomorrow’s six a.m. flight? Are my camera gear and my makeup stash packed? How about the eye cream? Is my Spotify playlist downloaded for a WiFi-less plane?
The list goes on, but hey, that’s life!
