READING TIME: 3 min 45 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/20/2025
UPDATED: 11/20/2025
Raphael smiles when he speaks about the beginning of his career — not because it was simple, but because it was honest. “My name is Raphael Chen, and I founded Raphael Photography in 2014,” he begins. What started as a one-man pursuit of documenting wedding days has blossomed into a warm, collaborative studio run by him and Seraph.
The pair approaches each session like a shared ritual — with intention, calmness, and space for genuine emotion. “We work together to keep every session personal and heartfelt,” he says, and that philosophy echoes through every frame.
Raphael has spent over a decade immersed in weddings, engagements, and intimate portrait sessions — but numbers matter less than presence. “I’ve been capturing wedding day stories and engagement sessions since 2014,” he shares, though his ease with people hints at a lifetime of quietly observing human emotion.
His experience has shaped his perspective: photography isn’t about control… it’s about allowing life to unfold.
If Raphael’s photographs feel natural, romantic, and unbelievably relaxed, that’s by design.
“I’ve always believed that shooting should be a comfortable and natural process,” he explains. Rather than relying on rigid poses or constant direction, Raphael lets couples breathe into the moment.
I try not to intervene too much — allowing my couples to feel free, to the point where they almost forget the photographer’s presence.
It’s in those forgotten seconds that the magic happens: hands intertwined without thinking, a soft smile after a whispered joke, a breath shared between two people who feel completely safe. Raphael calls these the moments clients “never imagined seeing,” yet they become the heart of their gallery.
Raphael’s approach is calm and unobtrusive, and his equipment reflects that philosophy.
“Sony full-frame camera system,” he says simply — tools chosen for reliability, clarity, and the ability to disappear into the background while emotions take center stage.
On the editing side, refinement is subtle yet essential. “My post-production process involves using Lightroom to fine-tune light and color tones, then Photoshop for gentle skin retouching and subtle adjustments to body and facial balance.” Each final image preserves truth, just elevated with softness and intention.
Ask Raphael what he loves most about being a photographer, and his answer arrives instantly, almost tenderly.
“Through photography, I’ve met friends from all over the world… Photography has become a bridge of friendship.”
He speaks about couples with gratitude — not as clients, but as people who’ve invited him into their stories. Some he welcomes in Taiwan; others he meets abroad. Each new experience pushes him beyond the familiar, expanding not only his artistry but his worldview.
“I’m deeply grateful that it continually pushes me beyond my comfort zone and opens my eyes to the wider world.”
Raphael’s work begins long before he lifts his camera. Every session starts with a conversation — about how a couple met, the mood they love, and what makes them feel like themselves.
I start by understanding their story, preferences, and the atmosphere they want to create.
During the shoot, his presence remains gentle and reassuring. He guides without overwhelming, nudges without forcing. His goal? Authenticity. “My goal is always to turn their vision into images that feel real and meaningful.”
And yes, custom packages are always available. “I often create custom packages to fit each couple’s schedule, location, and vision for their day.”
When asked what he wishes he knew at the start of his career, Raphael’s honesty feels refreshing.
“I’d tell myself to trust the process and stay curious about everything.”
Curiosity, he says, is what keeps creativity alive.
Then he adds something deeply personal: “I’d also remind myself to work on my English. It’s not just a language, but a bridge that connects me to people and stories around the world.”
It’s a reminder that artistry grows strongest when communication flows freely.
Raphael’s advice for couples is simple and beautifully aligned with his philosophy:
Keep things simple.
Be yourselves.
Choose comfort over performance.
He encourages couples to rest well, wear outfits that feel natural, and spend a little time together before the session — whether talking, walking, or laughing. “It helps you relax and connect naturally in front of the camera.”
Most importantly? “Trust the process and enjoy the moment.”
Raphael adores travel — not just for the landscapes but for the energy of new places.
“Yes, I do destination weddings,” he says. His recent work took him to Paris and Gothenburg, both experiences he describes as unforgettable.
Europe and Japan, he adds, hold a special place in his heart.
Each has its own light and mood.
For Raphael, destination photography is not simply about a backdrop — it’s a living environment that shapes emotion, rhythm, and memory.
What makes Raphael Chen Photography special is not equipment, technique, or even experience — though he has all three. It’s the sense of stillness he brings into moments that often feel too fleeting. It’s the way he earns trust quietly, guiding couples toward comfort until the camera disappears and their real selves take the stage.
Raphael photographs not to document, but to connect. Not to direct, but to understand. Every image feels like a page from a story that was never meant to be staged — just lived.
And that, in the end, is his greatest gift.
