Finally, its about time to launch my 4th workshop "The Hidden Treasure" that focuses to produce something that is real. I am pretty excited about this workshop and had waited a long time to launch it. Thanks to ExxonMobil for giving me this chance and you guys will be witnessing and experiencing a new genre of photography. This workshop is given to ExxonMobil employee only but I will launch another one soon if I have time to organize it again. This workshop/seminar is part of my plan to contribute to humanity by giving critique to many social defects and what our role as a photographer has to contribute to curing those defects. It will be a very interesting discussion indeed. Of all 3 workshops that I have done for 8 times in the past (The Natural Element, The Spirit of Emotions, The Sky is Blue), "The Hidden Treasure" is a discussion of a great dicipline of photography that seldom being addressed in public. The content that will be discussing here will fall under a great virtue of why Dennis Yap had started his career as a phtographer and still pursuing it, simply because of a treasure that he wanted to address to everyone. See you there folks~
Known JC for a while since he joined my first workshop and after knew that he is actually my high school junior. Both JC & June had a very long relationship together and JC has always been the sweet one, always understands and caring, never had a bad temper. From my observation, both of them click together with numerous reasons and that was how I came up with the theme Side by Side for this lovely couple. Side by side, whenever both is side by side, many laughter and happiness happened from there. When we spoke about the theme for the pre-wedding shot, JC wanted something elegant from me and they have picked Carcosa as their primary destination, I then asked why not we do something fun and enjoying as it expresses both of them the most, the elegant session might be a little difficult for them but we went to do it anyhow hehe. The elegant session that JC and June wanted was a little difficult because it is not how they usually react so we end up with posing and such hehe, June almost give up on it :p. The fun session was way too easy, the hello kitty part and the garden session went very smooth, everything is just happen naturally. Really felt happy for JC and June.
We really wanted everyone to be who they are and reflect how they used to react with each other, thats why we spent numerous effort trying to educate each couple to forget about their expectations and try to look within themselves, the most important things they really want to leave behind. That will remain as our principle.
JH & Ivy are both simple kind of couple, a simple small things can make this couple happy the whole day long. The simplicity is very beautiful to me. When I first met up this couple in Mid Valley wedding fair, both of them were like young kids due to their size hehe. Ivy has a unique smile, elegant and beautiful. We caught in the rain right after the ROM session and I grabbed my umbrella in my car and used it for the shot, I was glad that it turned out to be amazingly nice. Thats the end of my beautiful morning. :)
When I first got in touch with Bernard and Jolin, I did not know that Bernard is a high profile guy until he spoke about it. If you do not know who is Bernard, in layman understanding, he is the guy called 豆腐卜 that works in Astro Chinese TV channel and is one of the well known people in the industry, and also an attractive one for many ladies. Surely this day Bernard has broken many hearts ^^ when he announce about his wedding. I remember that we all met up in SS2 Starbucks and Jolin was the quiet one and Bernard does all the talking. My first impression on Bernard was an outspoken buy though I wish I could be as energetic as him hehe. We shared many thoughts and vision and we all agreed about it. Bernard specifically mentioned that he wanted moments with his family and I start to imagine why. He shared with me the story between him and his dad and he seemed to be quiet emotional about it. And you know what, surprisingly, this couple is holding "The Most Cry" award in my list. The wedding day turned out to be filled with tears and laughter.
When I mentioned to Bernard that my shots will mostly be candid and not many poses and he agreed with it and gave me a high five. The love that this couple had expressed during the wedding day is abundant. For that moment I wish that these moments can last forever. The gate crash session was ok because Bernard was not very fond with it, the tea ceremony was the friendliest ever that the couple expresses to their parents, many candids and such. The blessing ceremony in Maya Hotel was a private event for invited guest only. The whole event from blessing ceremony to wedding dinner were filled with Astro crews.
I am very glad to be the none sponsored photographer in this event. To many people, getting a job for celebrity is critical to increase their profile and exposure, and many people sponsored their work for marketing purposes. I am very happy that this job were all paid by the couple which means that we both honour our work and creativity. I had been approached a few times by other celebrity to sponsor my work and I refused. I wonder why celebrity has to be sponsored or ask for sponsorship. To me, my honest believe is, if I really love my wife, I would use something I really preferred , rather to something that is free. And I also understand that many celebrity doesn't has a choice, that remain a tough part. :)
Really thanks to Bernard and Jolin for showing me all the essentials of your love. I hope to see you both again someday. Cheers.
Met up with this lovely couple a while ago and both of them are those funny ones who love to share anything with you, their lives, relationships, the past present and future. Both of them are actually Salsa teachers back in Australia, I guess that made them a very outgoing couple. They have 2 days of wedding activities but due to personal issues I can only cover the first day of their ceremony. It was quite a cozy and fresh ceremony. After the end of the day, I still remember that the dad told me that I am a good photographer, I guess mainly because I've managed to make most of the people look pretty and happy lol, with good intentions. And I also remember that Navvii posted in my facebook mentioned that they are very glad that can able to hire me, which made me feel great for a long time. For that moment I felt that I love my job very much, and thats another reason I love to be a wedding photographer :). Thanks for having me Navvii and Shankkar, I do wish all my couple can be as nice as you both, that feeling is like we are good friends when we met, lets keep that feeling going, do hope to see both of you again, maybe in Sydney.
Met up with Jay during a wedding fair and he was quite outspoken, Jay took his time to chat with me in the booth after the hectic battle from the bridal booth LOL. He contacted me a few days later and engaged my services. Young people does wonders during gate crash, with all the goodies and exciting programs. It was quite an exciting day, sometimes men just like to do anything to express themselves and they did it. You know, all gate crashes must have a guy who willing to do all things, and here is one as shown in the pictures, and they just make everyone laughed. Lollipop and Roses, Roses signifies Polly's beautiful character, while Lollipop is Jay, the funny one hehe....
One day Jerry called me up and wanted to do something secret and asked not to disclose it to Carmen, he wanted me to shot some pictures so that it can be printed on a very big wide banner to propose to Carmen. And so we did, free of charge LOL. Helped him contacted a supplier that willing to print the banner, set up and dismantle the thing. I hope it didn't offend the guy that did the proposal on the bill board a while ago lol.
Get to know this couple from my dad as both of them actually graduated in Melbourne and came back to Malaysia to expand her mom's flower business, while Sally from China followed with Daniel to venture the business together. When Daniel said he wanted a wedding which is very personal, just with close friends and families, I got pretty excited because it's actually something I like for a wedding occasion. Moreover, the wedding is going to be held in Gem Island, a small little island that able to occupy around 100 pax, I get even more excited LOL. Travelling to this island is a bit of hassle but thank you Daniel and Sally, they really treat us like their own guest. The unique thing about this island is not the island itself, it is the sky, at night we get to see many stars as there are not many lights around the area. I have to preserve my own energy and I did not really went for the Kayak, which I should, felt a little regret not doing so hehe. All in all, it is an awesome island. Thanks to this lovely couple, they had organised quite a number of activities try to keep us moving.
When I first met up with Belle, she has this unique cartoon look with her glasses on, she is considered one of the beautiful bride in the list. We spoke about how the photography is run and Belle wanted something natural and we decided to pick her home as the pre-wedding location, signifies her life after marriage, having a cup of coffee, reading a book of magazine, like life is so sweet and comfort, a lifestyle that many bride wanted. And Paul love cars and he wanted include his cars in the picture to show his manly character, all protecting husband. We took the shot in Glenmarie Cove. I thought for a while on how to match the car and the naturalist look in the album but it sort of matches together in a theme. Jovial Adoration is a theme created for Paul and Belle, an album might not be eye catching at present time but over the years it might become more valuable for them. When Belle told me the story about her relationship and how she look forward to her future marriage life, it is hope that the pictures created serve as a highlight of those happiness moments and further enhances the relationship each and everyday.
Kim and Joveen is one of the couple that gone through a long tern relationship, I have to say that most of my couple's were actually around 7 years of relationship which I do not know why, the longest relationship was 14 years, and the oldest groom was actually 43 years old hehe. When I get to know more about Kim & Joveen, I realised that Kim is actually a sentimental man, who can cry in front of you and easily touched by small little things. We spoke about the value of pictures that I am about to provide and at that moment I can see tears almost fallen from Kim. There is indeed so much love within them and I just have to dig it out one by one during the shooting day. The most I know how sentimental how this couple is, the more treasure I began to tailor the shooting day. Both of them actually met in a CD shop, and music is one of the elements that brought them together. Aside from the sunny weather during the day, the later part was quite gloomy, its like a fairytale, tried my best to bring this couple closer and more natural as it can be and Kim is a guy who has many thoughts in his mind. Thanks for having me.