August 2007

It’s the time of the year again, that I am organising the Outdoor Wedding Shoot in Perth Western Australia; Springtime in Perth. The famous Araluen Botanica Garden, which is located in the deep jarrah valley of the Darling Range of Western Australia. Located 35 kms south east of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, you will get to witness the breathtaking blooming tulips in the field..

Apart of the tulips, we will shoot at the Cottlesloe Beach, in the suburb of Cottlesloe which is famous for surfers, and of course the magnificent sunset of the West Australian coastline. Enjoy a glass of beer in the pub by the beach and watching the surfers breaking the waves!

Of course we are not forgetting the old port city of Fremantle, approximately 20 kms down stream of Perth. Fremantle is the home of the spectacular Western Australia Maritime Museum, Fremantle Prison, The Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, the famous Kallis Brother’s Fish & Chips and the famous Cappucino Strip. Sitting on the edge of the Indian Ocean, you will witness very nice old victorian buildings which provide perfect backdrop for the wedding images.

“Spring in Perth” wedding photography package is available from the 3rd till the 8th October 2007. Pre-Wedding Outdoor Shoot is package at RM 6500.00, which will include Professional Bound Album and large portrait and DVD photo montage slideshow. Make up and hair styling for Brides are from AU$ 180 onwards. Enjoy the photography session and at the same time tour the magnificent city of Perth at her best - Spring, average max. temperature 17 degrees celcius, average minimum of 9 degrees Celcius and make this trip “the trip of a lifetime”

the ‘Sakura’ tree..

the lighthouse at South Mole in Fremantle, its a famous fishing location…

along the jetty in Mounts Bay Road..

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Mark booked me over the phone from Kuala Lumpur, I had 2 weddings on that saturday… The timing worked out pretty well. The 1st wedding which was Mark and Kara’s - starts from the morning till evening at around 5pm and the second wedding starts at around 6.30pm. The good thing was both weddings were held at the same venue, Hilton Kuching.

Mark and Kara’s wedding coordinator and decorator, Spiral Eventz did a very good job in decorating the entire Hilton’s Grand Ballroom. Among the guests were The Chief Minister of Sarawak, and most of the cabinet ministers. They had a fun afternoon, with Alex Wong - STM; singletrackmind performed a few songs.. Alex is Mark’s youngest uncle…

Was feeling very tired the next day but it was good. Spent time with my family in the morning and managed to go through some of the photos late afternoon. Here’s some of the images to share! Congratulations to Mark and Kara!

Morning sun…I always love morning sun..

Beautiful Bride’s maid, Vanessa..

The red CHANEL umbrella…

The beautiful bride, Kara..

Happy and proud dad YB Richard Wong, with Grandpa Datuk Amar James Wong and Grandma at the background..

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Our flight from Kuching scheduled to take off at 9pm but was delayed till 9.45pm. Guess what, this is Malaysia Airlines.. and talking about on time, Air Asia nowadays perform much better than MAS.

Arrived here at 10.30pm and now in the hotel, we are staying in Tanahmas Hotel in Sibu. Didn’t have time for dinner in Kuching, after checking in, we head straight to the coffeehouse for some light stuff. Went through the menu, there is nothing light, so I ordered “Char Kuey Tiau” and my assistant Christopher, ordered Fried noodle.

This is the cafe….

(shots were captured by my mac book pro)

and this is Chris, nice hardworking guy..

we will start our commercial assignment tomorrow morning at 10am..

We have been keeping ourselves busy the whole day editing and printing all the shots for Swinburne University graduation. Meanwhile while waiting for our printer to ‘rip’ the images, managed to have a short chat with my friend from Bintulu. She is a student doctor and will be doing her final year next year. I have always admired doctors, they are very kind people and talking about working hours, they spend very long hours in the hospital. What caught my attention about this doctor is that, I was following her blog and reading her life as a student doctor. It reminded me about my student days when I was in Australia.

Ok, time for bed now, and will update soon..

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Was busy the whole day yesterday for the annual convocation for Swinburne University of Technology.. For the 3rd time we were appointed as their official photographer. I went with 4 Senior Photographers from Alvin Leong Photography, who specialized in Wedding Journalistic shoot to cover the glorious event, we had fun and had no problems at all in capturing the most inspiring moment in a student’s life!

The venue was held in ‘Dewan Santapan’ one of the most prestigious hall in Malaysia. We were there since 8am and the whole event ends by noon..

Congratulations to all the new graduates of Swinburne University!

Preparing for the formal faculty group shot!

The beauty that caught our attention!

Anxious and proud parents/relatives!

the majestic hall..

the Vice Chancellor of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, Prof Ian Young

the proud moment of happiness that words could not describe..

using the platform to support the video camera.. I like the way the little girl observing the lcd monitor..

The Vice Chancellor of Swinburne University of Technology, Prof Ian Young seated second from the right and seated third from right, our Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr Alfred Jabu who were present on behalf of the Pro Chancellor The Chief Minister of Sarawak, seated fouth from right, the Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Helmut Lueckenhausen, with the Academics..

shot from the mirror on the ceiling

receiving the degree..

The glorious hall…

some expression shots..

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Winnie and Paul are both specialist doctors. They walked into my studio one and a half years ago and booked us. The wedding was held at their residence. It was a cool morning, the morning sun contributed to the superb bridal preparations shot for Winnie. The wedding was held on the 7 July 07. (nice numbers, 777 hey!) What I like most the the spectacular views overlooking the lake and the swimming pool.. Every wedding is unique! Here’s some images to share with you all..

I noticed that the bride was looking at me after the make up, and with such a co-incident, the painting hanging on the wall was in a similar pose. I thought to myself, this is the moment I shouldn’t miss!

The Venue for the Wedding Ceremony..

The traditional calender caught my attention..

The bridal gown from us, imported from the US.

The beautiful fingers that create the music.

The cute poster on the reception area..

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Adeline and Lester booked me from New Zealand. A lot of coordinations via emails and phone calls. They both live in Christchurch, New Zealand.

I like them, very polite and humble. Here’s to all her friends and of course the couples, some shots from your wedding to share with you all

Adeline’s make up and hair were done by our Senior Make up artist, Carol.

Here’s arriving at the Church. My favourite shot, as it captured her expression well.

Ready for the Wedding Ceremony…

Another shot that I love..

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I am back from a family dinner at The Banquet, thought of trying it out as heard from friends that is good. Dinner was great!

I have somehow gathered my thoughts on what to write about my last weekend - Circle of Amour, wedding fair in Kuching. I have met with lot of interesting people there, needless to say it was a successful fair! I met with lots of my clients, friends and photographers who appreciate my work. Thank you, thank you. I am humbled by your presence! I organised a bridal show on the 2nd evening, which was a saturday and the whole show turned out to be a success! Thank you to all the models, Shirley and your team! Well done! The comments I got, was the GOWNS from Alvin Leong were beautiful, and the models were gorgeous!! I promise I will post some images here.. I will wait till my staff photographer edited it.

I met Kid, of Kid Chan Studio. We had a few night outings at The Junk Bar, a private bar for friends only and dinner at Bla Bla Bla restaurant. We talked a lot about our days in Perth. Argh! I miss Perth a lot!! Kid is a GREAT family man who really treasures what he has, he loves his family a lot! I can tell from the way he talks.. as the subject of families keep popping out! Well, it takes a family man to understand another family man!! haha! We also talk about our common friends in Perth! The gorgeous Thai twins, Mini and Maxi. I knew Mini and Maxi from Perth way back in 1991, they were in high school then somehow we lost contact. Somehow, we have a lot in common to talk about and I find him to be a great guy who love what he does! Brought Kid for Laksa and send him to the airport.. Our encounter gave me lots to reflect.

we were talking about some slideshow in my mac - photo courtesy of Michael Liew

I know that I have made a new friend! Hey, Kid, I treasure all my friends including you!

Besides Kid, I was introduced to a beautiful law student, Samantha Poh and a star musician Ben by Alwyn, a movie producer. Alwyn Tay is a great man who can never sit still. He has this superb character who feels that nothing is impossible. I like him! Ben is a star musician according to Alwyn, he is very talented. I have yet to see him perform. Samantha Poh, a law student, who is very eager to create history for herself. I am very confident that one day she will! We had dinner together in Bla bla bla, a nice cosy Chinese Restaurant owned by George, also my friend.

In the fair I met with a few photographers whom I have never met before. Fong Wui Syn (aka Buaya from SPAS) and Fishhook. Great guys! The rest of them, I know you guys, Chen Chin Chze, Chua Wee Boo, John Lai, Clement Leong, Mike Liew, Caesar, Ah Hui, Ping etc etc.. You know guys, as long as you love photography, man, we have something in common! Keep in up!

Also thank you to my personal friend, Bjarne Wong, Movie Director for ‘Possessed’ to came and visit us in the booth, (just saw him in telly ‘live’ from Penang receiving a film award, moments ago). Zarina Abdullah, Movie Producer and Director and her sister, Ummi Khaltoum Abdullah, Executive Producer, its nice seeing you all again after your sister’s wedding. I enjoyed the chat about the good old days in Western Australia.

Thank you Irene Law, Jimmy Chin, Irene’s sister, Allen, Norman and all my clients, you know who you are for visiting me at my booth. You guys are excellent! I know Irene and Jimmy have covered about the Wedding Fair, Circle of Amour in their blog, way faster than I do. Hey, I am not a writer, I am a photographer. Thank you guys!

Being a wedding photographer is a very demanding job. I have set an extremely high expectation on myself for the quality of images I produced. Somehow I just love my career as a professional wedding photographer - It took us to great height, we have witness the most beautiful wedding ever, the most touching one ever, and the sweetest one ever. The feeling of love that at times, when we experienced all those wonderful moments, we wished our loves ones were there with us to experience it too! I felt in love with my career again and again and again and again!!!

Its always a journey!

Will post some photos soon! I just learn on how to post images.. yahoooo! Very ’sua ku’ right? haha..

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Every year Sarawak Children Cancer Society (SCCS) will organize a food fair to raise fund for the children cancer patient. This year, it will be tomorrow, 5 Aug 07, at Kuching Civic Centre, starting at 8.30am. till noon. Anyone who wish to support to raise fund for the beautiful children, please go to the fair tomorrow! We are appointed by SCCS to assist in covering the event. Thank you to Mr Ho Khoon Beng Vice President and Mr Raymond Tong President of SCCS for giving us the opportunity to be part of this wonderful cause! Hope this food fair will raise some awareness to the public! Will post some images here.. soon.

2 weekends ago, SCCS teamed with Hilton Kuching to raise fund for the children, they organized a “3 legged fancy dress Charity Run” around Kuching City. It was a beautify sunday morning, more than 100 people took part in the fancy dress run. It was grace open by a prominent business person, Dtk Hajjah Raziah Mahmud. They managed to raise RM 37K+ from this run. I am sure the children will be happy.. thank you to everyone who participate in the effort…

It seems that I have a lot to write and I am composing my thoughts to blog it here.. so I do not know where to start.. will definitely start somewhere. Will keep you all posted.

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