Laura Ming Wong (Oakland, CA, USA) is an American documentary photographer who is passionate about human- and environment-centric projects that mobilize her core strengths of deep observation, adaptability, and connection.
Her start in photography buoyed in the wake of the Great Recession, as political protests roiled through the San Francisco Bay Area. Her coverage of these events led her to The Oakland Post, the largest African-American weekly newspaper in Northern California, followed by other local lifestyle and academic publications. From 2012 to 2017, she ventured across police lines, into the homes of well-heeled entrepreneurs, ringside at sold-out boxing arenas, kitchens of buzzy restaurants, and everyday spaces in-between. She has traveled several times to Cuba, Mexico, Morocco, and Nicaragua, developing photo series based on these trips.
Laura is a mother to strong-willed twin girls, evolving her observation and connection skills in new ways. She is available to collaborate with writers, journalists, and non-profit organizations worldwide. Outside of photography, she works as an environmental technology project and people manager.
2025
Diptychs, curated by John Park
Oakland Photo Workshop, Oakland, CA (Group)
2024
Momentum, curated by Malcolm Wallace
Oakland Photo Workshop, Oakland, CA (Group)
Return, APAture Festival, curated by Tanza Solis and Ngân Vũ
Arc Gallery & Studios, San Francisco, CA (Group)
Seize The Gaze, curated by Susan Almazol with Eric Murphy
Joyce Gordon Gallery, Oakland, CA (Group)
2023
The Stories We Tell, curated by Jessica Chen
Oakland Photo Workshop Gallery, Oakland, CA (Group)
2017
Shifting Movements, curated by Michelle A. Lee
SoMArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA (Group)
2016
TOUGH
The Wall at 1920C, San Francisco, CA (Group)
Aesthetic Blitz, curated by Kelsay Myers
The Sequoias Rotunda, San Francisco, CA (Group)
2015
A Place of Her Own, curated by Cynthia Tom
SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA
En La Luchita: Scenes From a Cuban Boxing Gym, curated by Black Moon
William High Gallery at Laney College, Oakland, CA (Solo)
Knockout: Boxing Art, curated by Lena Verderano Reynoso
The Compound Gallery, Oakland, CA (Group)
2013
underCurrents and the Quest for Space, curated by Linda Inson Choy
SoMArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA (Group)
2024
CatchLight Scholarship, NDA Workshop
New Orleans, LA
2016
2nd Place in Pro Category: Sports - Other
International Photography Awards
2015
Artist Residency, A Place of Her Own
San Francisco, CA
Panels and Presentations
2024
Artist Panel, APAture Festival Visual Arts
Arc Gallery & Studios, San Francisco, CA
Artist Panel, Seize the Gaze
Joyce Gordon Gallery, Oakland, CA
2023
Artist Panel, The Stories We Tell
Oakland Photo Workshop Gallery, Oakland, CA
2017
Guest Speaker, First Exposures
San Francisco, CA
2016
Guest Speaker, Photojournalism
Laney College, Oakland, CA
2015
Artist Panel, A Place of Her Own
SoMArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Guest Speaker, Photojournalism
Laney College, Oakland, CA
2014
Panelist, A Day in the Life of Asian America
Chinese Historical Society, San Francisco, CA