Today we’d like to introduce you to Able Liang
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Able Liang is a talented digital artist and photographer based in the Bay Area. With a background in painting and drawing, Able has always loved working with contrast and color. But everything changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, pushing him to explore a new passion: photography.
Slowing down, the world finally realized the importance of capturing every second that would never last. It took him hours of fiddling with his phone’s “Pro” camera mode to experience pure joy in photography. But it wasn’t until a family member gifted him a Ricoh MX60 Date- a film camera from the past that he knew this was it. His excitement for this new art form was expedited as he learned to develop the film, understanding composition, exposure, and light.
Able was eager to learn more and often borrowed cameras from his friends to practice composition and framing. He knew it was something special when he picked up a camera. He saved penny after penny for two years and proudly bought his first camera: a Lumix G95D. He immediately started capturing the joy of graduation season and earning his first $10 at the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden.
That summer break was full of adventure, from shoots out in nature to capturing landscapes and moments that inspired him. His passion got the best of him, and soon enough, he reached out to the athletic director at his school to attempt to convince them to give him a media pass for sports photography. He lacked skill but didn’t let it stop him; he put together a portfolio and, after trying many times, got the pass.
His first experience on the sidelines was filled with fear and nervousness. With his camera in hand, he captured the energy of the football field—each kick of dust and every intense moment frozen in time. The team’s feedback was incredible; they loved his photos and complimented them with comments like “These are so tough!” and “That’s Drip!”
What started as a passion quickly became requests for other sports, from football to volleyball to water polo. Every game became a new opportunity to learn and grow, reminding him that no two moments are the same. He has also received requests to take pictures at larger sporting events, giving him many opportunities to excel in this profession.
Today, Able Liang is more than just a photographer; he’s a storyteller, documenting the essence of sports and community through his lens. His journey is a testament to the idea that dreams can indeed become reality with enough passion—one snapshot at a time. He now is shooting college level sports with motivation and support from coaches around the Bay Area!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everyone has challenges along the way of following their dreams. Mine was smooth but had some hiccups along the way like gaining exposure and experience in order to get booked. I told my teachers about my dreams and goals and they helped out by sharing connections to me so I could connect with other photographers. I am grateful for everyone that helped me take a leap further in my journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in Sports and Portrait photography; I am most known for capturing fantastic split-second photographs at the most creative angles in sports, and in my portrait profession, people appreciate the service and communication they receive from me before, during, and after the shoot. What truly sets me apart is my love for people’s reactions to the results I deliver; this proves that creativity knows no age limit and that I am dedicated to creating work that resonates with my clients.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing people around me cheerful and full of joy makes me happy; it sets the mood for the environment I love. Relating this back to photography, I love seeing the joy and pride during each shoot, making me committed and motivated to the moment. I also love spreading jokes during the photo shoot to create a warmer environment and mood for others, blemishing the awkwardness into a friendly atmosphere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/able2capture
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/al_photoz
- Twitter: https://x.com/Able2Capture
Image Credits
Able Liang
