Sarah's Image:

Sarah's Image:

A special thank you to the ISPWP and the WPJA.

In 2007, I was touched in a very personal way by cancer.  My mother, who had been fighting the disease for over 3 years, succumbed to it.  The mental and emotional toll from a disease like that on a family is unspeakable.  Truly, no one should ever have to go through it.

I knew I wanted to do something for cancer charities, but I had no idea what to do, and no idea how to go about it.  I had heard about The Jimmy V Foundation from a good friend who had also dealt with losing a family member to cancer.  I was just a kid when Jim Valvano lead North Carolina State (who??) to the '83 National basketball championship against all odds. But I remember how inspiring he was when he won, and also how inspiring he was when he was afflicted with cancer shortly thereafter. He lost that battle, but he never changed or waivered in his approach to life:

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

The speech he gave prior to his death never ceases to give me chills.

As a wedding photographer, I am a tiny part in the making of a new family.  But I can do more than snap a few photos.  We can all help in making sure that cancer becomes less and less a part of the American family.

We are proud to present the first annual collection of 100 Images of the Year from F.C. Wong Photography. All of these images were taken from an amazing 2009 wedding season. All of the subjects are real-life brides and grooms, and that is partially to whom this book is dedicated. We could not have done it without you!

This book is not about weddings or engagements per se, but rather about people at their best, on their most special day. It's about their hopes and their dreams for each other. It's about how they interact and celebrate with their loved ones. It's about tears, laughter, and love-- all spoken in pictures.

Every image is taken with organic lighting. Rarely is artificial lighting ever used. The images are pure in tone and mood, and look exactly as they did through the eyes of the guests. Little, if any, Photoshop was used in the images. We believe in the astonishing beauty of realism. These images were chosen because they represented a perfect moment, an experimental technique, a stunning composition, or unadulterated emotion. Many of them have won international awards. They are the most important images of the year, from F.C. Wong Photography.

We would like to thank our wonderful industry partners who help us make this possible. Most of all, congratulations to all of our brides and grooms of 2009! We at F.C. Wong Photography are so honored and proud to have had the privilege of serving you. May you live up to all of your dreams. Thank you again.

The proceeds from this book will benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the premier 4 star charities in the world.

The goal is to raise $10,000 for cancer research in 2010. If the book is not an option, you can still donate directly to The V Foundation or another cancer charity at any amount you choose. Thanks so much everyone, and have a great holiday season!