J Yang Photo

A few people have asked whether the book will be available for purchase. I spent some time thinking about it last night.

The book was originally created as a personal milestone, something to mark the end of a project that has been with me for nearly a decade. At the same time, I would love for these photographs to be seen rather than remaining hidden away on hard drives.

Making a photo book is not inexpensive, especially without sponsorship, so I completely understand if it isn’t something everyone can justify purchasing. I am not looking to make a profit from it, or push for sale. If there is interest, I have decided to offer copies at the production cost of $108 each.

This will be the second edition, featuring a glossy hardcover, an expanded project narrative, and local production here in Austin. Each copy will be printed individually and only upon request.

If you would like one, please let me know.

Taking photos for the fun cute couples are always fun. Couldn’t be happier for y’all and can’t wait to be your photographer on the big wedding day!

Photos
Makeup & Hair .mua

“One Last Look”

I’m incredibly excited to announce my first solo show, opening this June at

6/11 • Soft Opening
6/13 • 6 PM to 9 PM (One Night Only)

This collection is part of a long term documentary project created between 2017 and 2026. Through street photography, I’ve been trying to preserve everyday moments before they quietly disappear in a city that is constantly moving and changing.

Sometimes the most ordinary things become the most meaningful later on. A small storefront. A passing gesture. A familiar street corner. Things we assume will always be there until one day they are not.

As Austin continues to change, I want these images to serve as a reminder to slow down, pay attention, and hold onto the places and moments that shape our lives while we still can.

Everything comes and goes.

It was hard to choose only 40 images out of more than 10,000 photographs. I eventually narrowed the selection down mostly to film images, along with a few digital ones. There’s something meaningful about using a fading medium to document a fading version of the city. It felt like the most honest and sentimental way to tell these stories.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and believed in this journey.

Hope to see you there.

📸

One last look.



141 years of real Austin history, soon to become another commercial property owned by developers.

Good things disappear quietly when people stop paying attention.
And one day, the places you thought would always be there are suddenly gone.

Samantha loves getting to know new people and learning about their lives and love stories. She’ll incorporate a lot of personal details into your ceremony, whether it’s a mention of your pet, your favorite song lyrics, or telling the story of how you met.

Venue Vintage Villas Hotel & Events
Photo and video J Yang Photo and Filmic Moment
DJ Will with Toast Entertainment

I went to Coco’s for lunch today, and it might be the last time I go there for their beef noodle soup.

The location by UT is closing on 5/10, and with it, a piece of my story as an immigrant feels like it’s disappearing too. I also noticed the soup doesn’t taste the same anymore. The flavor feels flat, the broth thinner, the beef dry and hard to chew. It no longer reminds me of what my grandpa used to make.

This place used to be my only connection to him after he passed. And now I’m left wondering… what happens when I can’t find anything that brings me back to him? What if one day I can’t remember him as clearly as I do now?

This store was the reason my sister and I drove all the way from San Antonio back in 2000, not long after we moved to the U.S. from Taiwan. We came here for bubble tea to ease our homesickness, because it was the only place in South Texas that felt like the real thing.

It’s not just that the food isn’t good anymore.
It’s that the memories tied to it are fading, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

That feeling… is heavy.
And honestly, it leaves me feeling helpless.