I am a complete ADDICT. To beautiful images. One of the things I do on a daily basis is visit other photographer’s blogs to view new photos. I devour new images like any malnutritioned child would. The desire to create new and more beautiful images is always within me. Even if I have created beautiful photos in a shoot, I am always seeking to out-do myself in the next.

Where did this craving for imagery start? I am not sure. As I was growing up, I never considered myself to be really creative. I went to science stream in school, and at one point in my life, thought that I might study mathematics. Haha, THANK GOD I changed my mind. I don’t know what came over me then.

My sister had some influence in developing my appreciation for the arts. She worked as a producer in a production company and sometimes I would follow her on shoot to see what they were doing. But now, on hind sight, I think my family’s pretty creative. My mom is a wonderful cook, creating new recipes on her own, winning awards etc. And she used to create handicraft made out of shells. Little dolls and treasure chests.

My sister is also creative, thinking of new ideas for TV programs and films. My brother, though he works in a seemingly non-creative line, loves music and dancing. My dad is probably the most ‘non-creative’ person in the family.

I think one of the worst things to happen to me would to be blind. What would happen if I cannot see colours or shape anymore? That would be devastating.

Better appreciate what I have now…. just in case. You never know what might happen to you tomorrow.

Yes, I’ll be in Amsterdam, Holland from the 5-6 August, 7-9 in Zwijndrecht (don’t ask me how to pronounce it!) and back in Amsterdam from the 10-11 August. It will be a really exciting time as I’ll be photographing Chee Su and Christina’s wedding in the village of Zwijndrecht.

This would be my first trip to Holland. If you live in Holland or will be in these 2 places during the period that I am there, I’d love to spend time with you! I am offering casual portraiture sessions at a discounted rate. If you are interested, do email me at hello@weddingstory.com.my.

Other travel plans coming up:

Chiang Mai - 26-31 August 2009
Bali - 18-22 September 2009

Email me if you are keen on having your photograph taken in these places as well!

I have to admit, I don’t really bother too much with celebrations like Father’s Day or Mother’s Day. I suppose as I was growing up, my family never placed importance on such celebrations. 13 years ago, I left Malacca with the intention of never going back there to live. Life in the big city promised much more than a small town like Malacca. Fast forward years later, I’m married, living in KL (or rather, PJ) and yup, I never went back to live in Malacca.

It’s easy to ignore people who are important in your life, especially when you’re busy living life to the fullest. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But every now and again, I get a smack from God reminding me that I need to keep relationships as the top priority in my life.

My parents especially.

They are beyond 70, still living in the house they’ve lived in the past 30 years of their life. If it weren’t for my dad’s failing eyesight and Alzheimer’s, I am sure they would still be going for their usual Peranakan association activities every now and then. My mom relies on my dad all the time to drive her around. She stopped driving about 10 years ago when she got into a car accident that left a car meter pole on the ground and her mini in the workshop, never to be revived again. The Indonesian maid runs the household now. She’s a God-send, super reliable and loyal. Only bad habit is buying 4D numbers from the shop down the road.

The time has come for the children to decide on whether to relocate my parents to KL. How can we uproot them, from something they are so familiar with? Their entire life, friends, memories… are all embedded in this little town called Malacca.

If we move them to KL, I can imagine my dad asking me everyday, “When are we going back to Malacca?” My mom, I think she will benefit from the move. Right now, they are forced to be somewhat independent in Malacca. It’s familiar territory. But how long can they live alone by themselves? And would we really be satisfied knowing that we did not really spend enough quality time with them in their later years?

It’s such a huge decision. But who’s decision is it? Theirs or the children’s? Is it something to ease our guilt from not seeing them often enough? What would happen to the 2 other aging sisters left in Malacca? Both of them unmarried with no children.

I’m really not sure.

My parents, taken during Chinese New Year 2009.

Yes they have! And the proof is in the photos. Take a look at their wedding photos on the Wedding Story blog.

View Part 1 and Part 2. Congratulations Warren and Amy! The both of you look fantastic!

Remember this post? Alex and I decided some time back to take part in the McDonald’s blogging competition to stand to win an iphone. We spent a lot of time thinking about a concept, executing it and then posting it up on the last week of the competition. Within 1-2 hours, he received about 60 comments on his blog. I’m really glad how the video turned out.

Yesterday we found out that we won the competition! We rarely win any competitions, in fact, the last one I remember was winning a nice suite in the Mandarin Oriental years ago. I can’t even really remember what the competition was all about. Some Actor’s Studio thingy… I wrote a slogan and I won. Wow.

So yesterday we won an iphone. So now that we have ONE iphone, the fight for who ACTUALLY owns it starts. The idea came from both of us, he acted, I executed it. And of course credit to Joseph who helped as well.

I suppose we’ll have to play scissors paper stones right now.

It’s really so exciting whenever I hear proposal plans, and even more so when you are involved in it! Tonight, Alex and I had the privilege of witnessing Mark’s proposal to Mun Tzin at House & Co in Bangsar Shopping Centre. Mark is one of Wedding Story’s key photographers and an extremely good friend of ours. For weeks, we discussed proposal ideas and thought of what to do to make the proposal exciting.

Mark even thought of proposing during the recent ShootFest! But in the end, he decided to do it in the company of his closest friends. The idea was that Mark, Mun Tzin, Alex and I were supposed to be filming and photographing another couple’s proposal. The couple (Boon Keat & Melody) are close friends of Mark’s, and he had convinced Mun Tzin that Wedding Story was hired to cover the event. So we went to BSC today… Munz did not suspect a thing! In fact, Mark had bought a bouquet of flowers for Munz but told her that it was from Boon Keat for Melody. She even carried her own bouquet to the proposal location unsuspectingly!

As she was focusing her camera on the guy proposing, he opened this sheet of paper with the words, “Look at Mark now”… Munz was stunned! She turned to Mark, and there he was, on his knees! We got the entire proposal on video, so we’ll upload it sometime soon!

Well needless to say, she said yes!! Here are just a few photos from this momentous event tonight. This is Boon Keat, pretending to propose to Melody!

They are a really really happy couple. So happy for the both of you!

The couple Boon Keat and Melody

Just one of Munz and Mark’s funny faces.

What an exciting assignment to be photographing our country’s former Prime Minister! I was called to photograph portraits for Tun Mahathir and his family, and other behind the scenes shots of the video crew at work. Red Communications is creating a video biography on Tun Mahathir for the History Channel, and the video will be ready some time this year. The photos I have taken will be used as publicity stills and for press release. Unfortunately I cannot really post up the portraits yet until the program has gone on air. But here are a few shots of myself at the location taken by Mark, who was there with me that day. Photos were taken at Tun Mahathir’s residence. Mark was really happy to get his 21 Mega pixel photo of himself with Tun Mahathir. I told him that he could get it printed and framed as a large poster if he wanted to!!

Haha Mark caught me chimping in front of Tun Mahathir. Oops!

Here are some behind the scenes shots that I have taken.

Proof that Mark was there.

And lastly, since everyone was busy taking photos with Tun Mahathir at the end of the day, I became kiasu too and took a shot!

If you met Priscilla’s mom, and then Priscilla herself, you would have thought that they were a little young-looking to be a grandmother and mother. They radiate youthfulness. I just don’t know how they do it! (great health regime, skin care, enough sleep perhaps? Things I don’t really practice right now!). We celebrated Zachary’s full moon luncheon at Putrajaya Shangri-La where family members and friends of John and Priscilla gathered. The food not only looked good, it tasted great too! After the scrumptious meal, we had a quick portrait session on the grounds of Shangri-La.

Priscilla’s mom on the left, and Priscilla and John on the right.

The other baby in the house… this one belongs to Stephanie.

Look at how cute Zachary’s cake is!

Unfortunately most of the time, he’s asleep, oblivious to the attention he’s getting!

Finally, a group photo.

Now that ShootFest is over, I can finally take some time off to relax. Overall, the feedback that we have been getting is incredible. I am so pleased that the event went so well and that so many benefited from the sessions. I am extremely grateful to all the people who have volunteered their time and effort to make ShootFest a success. It would not have been possible if it weren’t for these people.

1. Jon Low - Thanks for helping out from day 1 (from the time we had this ShootFest idea), for doing the website design and also contributing ideas. Your energy and enthusiasm for working on new ideas really excites me too!

2. Zach Chin - I appreciate your support in coming up with ideas during our meetings. I love your Crazy booth idea.. it certainly brought people together! In your own quiet way, you have been so crucial to the running of ShootFest.

3. Mark Leo - You’ve always had that ‘Let’s go!’ enthusiasm whenever there’s a fun idea about photography. I really admire your giving heart and ability to connect to others. Thanks for running around and doing all the behind the scenes stuff for ShootFest.

4. Mun Tzin & Mun Keat - Thanks for preparing the food stuff and helping to make sure that there is constantly hot water for the participants to have coffee/tea. Usually work that is unseen, but extremely important. You guys rock!

5. Andy Chin - In your humble way, you offer to help in whatever capacity you can. Thank you for coming for our ShootFest meetings, and for doing things like moving chairs, tables, bean bags and for giving out t-shirts on both days.

6. Kee Sitt - Thanks for coordinating all the videographers. I know it was a challenge gathering people but you gave your best. I appreciate your support very very much!

7. Sharon Koo - Thank you for doing all the recordings while the speakers are talking. Your role is really important too! Love you sister!

8. Ian Chong - For being the crazy comedian who makes everyone laugh. You definitely make my day whenever you are around. Thanks for handling the registration on that day so well. In the time that I have known you, you have become a very dear friend to Alex and myself.

9. Johan Sopiee - Wow you are like a gummy bear bouncing here and everywhere! Always excited to do things and always willing to help! Appreciate it!

10. Raymond, Nick, Yung Yaw, Kaz, Dee, Weng Yap, Joseph Siew and many others that I have not mentioned - Thanks for coming for the ShootFest meetings!! Love all of your ideas. I am grateful for the many different ways you have contributed towards making ShootFest a success.

11. Alex Auyong - Though you were not there at ShootFest, you contributed to an important aspect of it: The logo design!! It was a hit! Thanks ya!

12. To all the speakers - Thanks for contributing your time and for spending sleepless nights preparing slides for Shootfest. (or was it just one night, the day before Shootfest?). Your honest sharing has inspired many. I am glad to be in the company of such amazing people like you! Looking forward to many more events and get togethers like this one!

13. Finally, Alex - Thank you for believing in me and for encouraging me to do things that I wouldn’t normally do myself. At times when I am stressed, you hold my hand and say it can be done. I love the way you are an inspiration to so many! There was a reason I married you!

Fiona doing her presentation

A cool session led by Ian about “Turning Pro”

Adrian Pui dying to ask a question

Kaz obviously enjoying herself

Our cool t-shirt tag line, contributed by Zach Chin

Mark doing his presentation. He’s great at presenting stuff. His Powerpoint Karaoke session was hilarious!

Mun Keat and Yung Yaw

Alex on helping artists to discover their unfound riches

Kevin Lau teaching on audio for video

Some semi-retarded Supermans that attended ShootFest on their day off

Johan and Jon Low

Zach Chin inspiring others with his photos

Kee Sitt faithfully recording the sessions

Despite her nervousness, Jenny Sun did an amazing job sharing about branding. You should do sessions like this more often!

Ian reminding everyone to “Think Yout-side the box”

ShootFest Group Photo Day 1 by Mark Leo

Wow what an amazing first day it has been. ShootFest kicked off well today with lots of people crowding the Integricity office. It got so warm with body heat that even Fiona whipped out her hand held fan! (can’t believe she keeps that in her bag!). But despite all the heat, people were really excited to learn and network with one another. I am so thrilled to see many who were so willing to share their knowledge with others without the feeling that they are losing something.

On the contrary, there is so much to gain by sharing. When you open up your life to others, people will open theirs to you. And there is much to learn from everyone else too! Things I learnt today:

1. Keep in mind how you price your services. Always know your direct and indirect cost (eg. hours of work, phone bills, equipment fees etc) and then decide how much you’d like to profit. And always remember your market. - Kee Sitt -

2. Remember that integrity and smart partnerships can get you far. Do not over promise but under deliver. - Dennis Thean -

3. Try sending press releases to the newspapers if you have something interesting going on / have shot something different. You never know if they’ll pick up the story and run it as an editorial. - Kris Wong -

4. Audio filters: 150 Hz cuts out low rumbles in audio, 10,000Hz cuts out high pitch hisses. - Kevin Lau -

5. An unfound artist will have unfound riches. You might have all the skill in the world but if no one knows about you, then you will lose out. - Alex Lam -

6. Use personalized online videos to your marketing advantage so that potential clients can get to know you before they even meet you. - Kee Sitt -