Story & Lesson Highlights with justin Kim of Irvine

We’re looking forward to introducing you to justin Kim. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning justin, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When was the last time you felt true joy?
As a photographer, I experience true joy when I perfectly capture a beautiful moment, and that joy is amplified when I receive emails or reviews from clients expressing their genuine satisfaction with those images. While not every wedding shoot results in universal client satisfaction, I conduct pre-shoot meetings with clients to align expectations in advance, which increases the likelihood of their satisfaction, and the positive feedback from most weddings makes each event a source of profound fulfillment in my work.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Justin Kim and I am a photographer based in Irvine, California.
My pursuit of photography first began when I took photos of my son, Andrew, who was born in 1998.
This passion for photography grew over 25 years and ultimately led me to pursue it as my full-time career, even having my son become my second photographer.
Throughout the years, I have adapted and acquired different styles to help portray many different types of photos.
It has led to many varied scenes as daylight photos can be light and airy whereas they can become dramatic during the night.
I would love to have the opportunity to capture your unique love story!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
As a professional photographer, I’ve learned the most about my craft from books and the internet, where I draw inspiration from photographers around the world whom I actively seek out and admire. These diverse voices have taught me the nuances of composition, lighting, and storytelling far more than any single mentor, shaping my approach to capturing authentic moments.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience and the true value of perseverance in my photography career—lessons that success alone could never impart. Through challenging shoots with difficult weather, tight deadlines, or demanding clients, I learned to adapt creatively and push beyond my limits, skills that have made me a more empathetic and reliable wedding photographer. Success celebrates the highs, but suffering forged the depth in my work that clients now cherish.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
One important truth that very few people agree with me on is that constraints in wedding photography—such as limited time, less-than-ideal lighting, or challenging locations—can actually lead to more creative and meaningful images than perfectly controlled conditions. Most people believe that only perfect settings produce the best photos, but in my experience, working within real-world limitations often brings out authentic emotions and unique moments that no styled shoot can replicate.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years left, I would immediately stop taking on work that does not align with my values or creative vision, even if it is financially appealing. Instead, I would focus solely on projects and weddings where there is genuine connection with the couple and room for authentic storytelling, so that every shoot feels meaningful rather than just another job.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justinkimphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinkimphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinkimphoto
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/justin-kim-photography-irvine

Image Credits
@_tisfortessles_ @scotch_land
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@graceeeeexd @cordellgee
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@wedaward