Wedding Photographer Lushi Song on Her Love for the Lomo LC-Wide

Lushi Song is a Rhode Island-based wedding photographer who has a special place in her heart for her Lomo LC-Wide camera. She considers it her analogue right-hand-man for its easily transportable size as well as its ability to quickly catch the spontaneous moments.

She typically brings her LC-Wide with her during shoots and even recently did some free photo sessions with it in order to get to know those in her community a bit better. Let's hear what she has to say about the experiences she's shared with her favorite analogue camera!

Hi Lushi, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

Hi, my name is Lushi, like Sushi with an L, born and raised in Northeast China. I am a photographer who is constantly inspired by humanity and love. I have been living in Rhode Island for the past decade and this year our little family welcomed two fur friends, Balloon and Pompom. I shot my first wedding in 2018 for a coworker at the time and didn't become a full time photographer until later in 2021. Being a stay home mom with a toddler has somehow reshaped the way I see the world. The messy, spontaneous and imperfect moments are my language now.

Can you tell us about the process behind your recent Lomo LC-Wide shoots?

During my slow season, aka wintertime in New England, I love to meet local creatives and learn about their business and personal stories. I've found it's easier for me to have a camera in hand— It helps me to visualize what's behind the scenes. So, I offered some free photo sessions and the LC-Wide was the only camera I needed. The most amazing part was that everyone who agreed to be photographed were totally up to being present and fun, which I believe was why I chose LC-Wide because you never know what you will get.

Do you have a favorite photo from the recent shoots?

The one of Ayla holding her son Gideon. Motherhood is beautiful in every way even though sometimes we are off focus completely.

You mentioned that you shoot with your Lomo LC-Wide camera time and time again, why is that?

The LC-Wide is one of the most powerful film cameras I have ever owned. It is very versatile and easy to use and it comes with two different inserts— square and half frame, which motivates me to create more. This little camera can fit in my pocket like a charm and it weighs nothing.

However, if I know what exactly I want to shoot, then I tend to go with digital. But luckily I'm obsessed with surprises and my LC-Wide is a master magician for just that.

Do you have any tips or tricks for shooting with the camera?

1. Distance - I use a good mix of two different distance options a lot. Especially when I shoot in "half frame" mode. Just get closer to your subject!

2. Half frame and full frame - 90 percent of the time I shoot with the lens fully open and switch between "half" and "full" on the bottom of the camera depending what result I am pursuing. I found that my go-to setting usually lands on a fully open lens and half frame option without any insert. If you like the "two scenes blending in one" kind of shot, this might be a good start.

Any memorable experiences you’ve had while shooting with your Lomo LC-Wide?

I brought it to a wedding that I was assisting in Miami last year. The lead photographer was so kind to let me play with her cameras and shoot in between assisting. My LC-Wide was the only camera I brought for the entire trip and since it is a 35 mm I knew I only had 36 frames by the end. A single roll of Cinestill 400D was all I brought. I had so much fun shooting the dancing floor but I guess I was in a rush to wind the film so it got stuck while rewinding. I ended up shooting the rest of night on it without winding the film so it is so cool to see everything was exposed in one frame. Don't rush when you use this camera!

If you could take your LC-Wide anywhere in the world, where would it be?

China. I haven't been able to go back to my hometown since 2018 and there are definitely a lot of changes on both sides. My memories of this place have faded during the past few years so I am ready to see it in a different and new perspective and of course on a new camera!

Do you have any upcoming shoots that you plan on taking your Lomo LC-Wide to?

I am shooting an intimate wedding in March with 20 guests. This camera is for sure going to be my right hand man because I know the couple will appreciate how the photos turn out just as much as I do!

Anything else you'd like to share?

Finding a film lab that can provide you with a digital contact sheet is crucial. Then you can crop the images the way you want— for me, this is the most fun part of shooting on this camera! Shoutout to my amazing lab @northeastphotographic on Instagram!

To keep up with Lushi and her work, check out her Instagram and website.

written by eloffreno on 2023-04-01 #gear #people #love #wedding-photography #female-photographer