salt lake city – billy x yang

Flirting with film photography

I learned how to take photos on a film camera. In fact, in my first photography class in high school in the early 2000s, I was taught the ins and outs of developing film in a darkroom. But by the time I took a photojournalism class in college, we were learning to shoot digital andContinue reading “Flirting with film photography”

Kamauri’s portrait session

A good friend of mine was in town for the Sundance Film Festival this year. When we met up for dinner, Kamauri casually mentioned that she’d like some updated portraits and head shots done. Well, I had some time to take on the project while she was here, so we scheduled a meet up forContinue reading “Kamauri’s portrait session”

Salt Lake City’s most Instagramable sandwich is at Pretty Bird

After much anticipation, Pretty Bird is now open in Salt Lake City. The downtown restaurant specializes in hot chicken, but I’m predicting the sandwich will be the social media star of the menu. Just look at it:

Spice Kitchen sessions

In early winter, I worked with the Spice Kitchen Incubator — a collaboration between the International Rescue Committee and Salt Lake County helping refugees and immigrants start restaurants. These budding restauranteurs needed some food pics and portraits for marketing and I was more than happy to help. I would work with people from Bhutan, Iraq,Continue reading “Spice Kitchen sessions”

Portraits for my portfolio

When it comes to photography, my specialties have traditionally been food and interiors. But recently, I realized that I’ve been shooting portraits just as long as I’ve been doing the former two styles. I take a portrait of almost everyone I interview for stories, so I’ve had a bit of practice. I guess it wasContinue reading “Portraits for my portfolio”

Oh hey, Heidi

I get assigned to cover a lot of food and drink events around town and I’m often allowed to bring a plus-one. A couple of weeks ago, I brought my friend Heidi to one such event that I was asked to photograph. When I warned Heidi that she might end up in some of the pictures,Continue reading “Oh hey, Heidi”

Leftovers | Handle

A couple of months ago, I posted a photo of an interior shot of Handle in Park City, Utah, which was featured in Utah Style & Design. But I think some of the food pics and portraits that I shot turned out pretty well, too.

A fond farewell to a friend

I don’t shoot many landscapes but this has got to be one of my favorite photos that I’ve ever taken, mostly because of the sentimental value.

That’s a wrap, 2014

My career took a few unexpected turns in 2014. I moved from newspapers to magazines, my photography started garnering more attention than my writing and I had photos featured in three different national publications including, AFAR Magazine, Eater.com and Wine Enthusiast. Locally, here in Salt Lake City, I got to be part of the launchContinue reading “That’s a wrap, 2014”

Interior shots

I decided to add a page dedicated to some of my interior shots to the photography section on my site. I’ve had the opportunity to visit a lot of interesting, well-designed spaces. This is just a small selection of some of the pictures I’ve taken along the way.