The man behind many of Stroll River Ranch’s beloved family features and covers knows that the best photographs begin long before the camera clicks. For Wesley Sun Chee Fore, creating a memorable image starts with helping people feel comfortable enough to be themselves.

“After being a personal trainer for over a decade, you learn to make people feel comfortable in what would normally be an awkward situation,” Wesley explains. “That skill has transferred over very well into photography.”

Whether he is photographing a wedding, a local business, or the families featured in this magazine, Wesley has earned an appreciative following by creating images that feel authentic, polished, and personal.

A proud Lafayette local, Wesley never intended for photography to become his career.

“Photography started off simply as a hobby. I just wanted to take better photos of the places I was traveling to,” he remembers. “I wanted to more accurately share the experiences and sights that I had the privilege to see.”

At the time, Wesley owned and operated CrossFit Lafayette, the first CrossFit gym in Lafayette. After purchasing his first camera in 2013, he used photography to improve the gym’s website and marketing materials. Before long, local families and restaurant owners began asking him to photograph their businesses and events.

“I had no idea the path it would lead me down,” he says. “I was hooked.”

Wesley immersed himself in books, tutorials, online courses, and collaborations with other photographers. By 2018, he was pursuing larger projects, including weddings. Two years later, after steadily building a loyal clientele, he left his sales career and launched Wesley Sun Chee Fore Photography full time.

“Of course, it was a little scary making that decision during the beginning of the pandemic,” he says. “Thankfully, business has continued to grow every year through tremendous word of mouth.”

Today, Wesley operates a full-service photography and videography company. His work includes weddings, engagements, families, graduates, local restaurants, law firms, community events, real estate listings, and magazines. His brothers, André and Austin, assist with much of the videography work.

Whether someone is celebrating a milestone, building a business, or preserving a meaningful season of life, Wesley believes photography should reveal something genuine.

“A photo shoot really tells people who you are,” he emphasizes.

His favorite moment comes after the planning, shooting, and editing are complete.

“Seeing the finished product after the vision has come together and how happy it makes the client is the most fulfilling part of my work,” Wesley says.

Outside of photography, Wesley has practiced jujutsu for more than two decades and hopes to earn his black belt by the end of the year. He also enjoys exercising, riding his motorcycle, and traveling with his girlfriend Melissa Wright.

A longtime dog lover, Wesley volunteers his talents to photograph animals at local shelters, where stronger images can help improve their chances of adoption.

With a new camera system expanding his photography and videography capabilities, Wesley plans to continue growing his business while maintaining the personal service and quality his clients value.

He is especially excited to build new relationships within River Ranch and photograph more of the families who make the community special. From major milestones to the beauty of everyday life, he looks forward to preserving their stories—and bringing more of the familiar faces behind River Ranch’s front doors to the features of Stroll River Ranch.