fbpx Skip to main content
Category

Musings

Expecting Number 2

Grace_6mths_KrystaPhoto taken by my talented hubby Alex.  

After going through pregnancy for the first time, the second round kind of feels a bit of a broken record. It’s terrible, I know, but somehow, you are not fully aware of what is really going on in your body (unless your morning sickness is worse compared to your first pregnancy!). I remember when I was pregnant with Krysta, I diligently followed the Baby Centre app, telling me which week she had developed fingers and what stage she was at. Now, I have to think twice when someone asks me how far along I am. (By the way, I am approaching my 7 month of pregnancy!)

But even though I may be ‘breezing’ through this pregnancy, the challenges of shooting while you are pregnant is still very real. I have more backaches than usual (I think it also has to do with carrying a 10kg toddler!) and squatting for even 2 minutes feels like a massive ordeal. Not to mention, I have to be more careful as I almost tripped over stones or cracks on the ground due to my heavy front load!

Maybe I am ambitious, but I still have 3 full day weddings and countless portrait sessions to shoot, before I stop early October. And I hope to take 1 month off and then I am back again end November for our peak season in December. Not too sure how I can accomplish all of these things, but I am trusting God that with His strength, I will be able to give my 110%.

I thank God for Alex who has been extremely supportive as usual, and for my staff who are efficient, dependable and able to work independently so that I can have an ‘almost’ stress-free lifestyle. Without all of you, I would absolutely cave under the amount of work and pressure that running a business entails.

As I head into my 3rd trimester, I look forward to meeting my new little baby this November.

We are still taking bookings for shoots this 2014, so even though I will be out of action for 2 months, rest assured that you’re in the good hands of the Stories team.

Happy Birthday, dearest!

20140705_ALEX_BDAY_01aEight years of marriage, 1 kid and a half (coming this 1st November!) later… I can still say that I am a happy and contented woman. Marriage has its ups and downs but I think we have worked through it with gusto and with a priority to always think of each other first with God in the centre.

Happiness to me is not having everything in this world, but to have meaningful, quality relationships with the people I love. I am truly appreciative of the time I have on earth now with the health that I enjoy. Just doing little things like playing peek-a-boo with my daughter Krysta makes me grin like a silly woman. Alex is a great hands-on father and has been my support through the years. I really do love him with all my heart.

Thanks for putting up with all my antics, especially the bits that annoy you the most. :P Let’s continue going on dates till we’re old and grey, ok?

20140705_ALEX_BDAY_09a

Support NAAM Bow Ties

I think bow ties are really cute at weddings. Especially if they are all fun and multi-coloured like the ones from Boon Hui and Alice’s wedding below! I love how the heng tais were dressed in cool, Hawaiian shorts to match!

20131208_WEDDING_BOONHUI_ALICE_0396-X320131208_WEDDING_BOONHUI_ALICE_0329-X2Or if you have a little page boy or a pet dog that needs dressing up for the wedding, a bow tie can add so much character too! I mean, look at this family portrait. It is waaaay too cute for words! I wish I could bring this kid home after photographing him!

20140426_WEDDING_SIMON_LISA_160-X2So when I heard that these friends of mine, Kian Leong and Su Foong are helping disadvantaged women and girls at risk in Chiang Mai, Thailand raise their dignity, hope and worth by giving them a means to earn a decent living through sewing, I immediately thought of ways to help them. NAAM.asia is a social enterprise that provides small, home-based stitching jobs to needy girls and single mothers who are unemployed or are unable to work outside their home. Some of these women who are given these opportunities to earn a living through NAAM were rescued from sexually abusive relationships. You can read more about NAAM on their website link above.

Each product is hand-stitched and unique. They do sew more than just bow ties, like bags, covers for pots, key chains and cute little decorations for your Christmas tree or children’s room. You can custom order them too.

Below are some of the bow ties that are made by the women of NAAM. And just because I love these products myself, I have a few to give away! Just share about NAAM.asia and a link to this blog post on any social network of yours (Facebook / Twitter), and inform us by leaving a comment on this post. We will randomly pick 3-5 winners and post you a bow tie, for free! We have 2 types of bow ties – for men, and for little men. :)

So do support this initiative and we hope that through your support, you can help the NAAM women leave abusive relationships, send their kids to school and plan for a brighter future.

Price of Bow Ties: RM25 each
Types: Readymade or Self tie bows
How to Order: Email Su Foong at [email protected]

NAAM_BOWTIES_01If you prefer to tie your own bow tie (I heard it’s the more authentic way!), you can order those self tie bows like the navy print one on the right below.

NAAM_BOWTIES_03NAAM_BOWTIES_05

Family Portraiture Workshop August 2014

I have never conducted a photography workshop that is just focused on family portraits, so this is the first! If you are a parent who is interested in taking better family photos, I would totally encourage you to come for this workshop! The workshop is targeted towards beginners and amateurs who may have some experience taking family portraits. I will share my experience, not just technically, but also some really practical tips that will help you achieve better results. Even if you are not a parent, but love taking photos of families and children, I do encourage you to participate.

If you do have any problems registering for the workshop, do contact us and we will assist you.

So do join us this 3rd August. Space is limited.

FA_140507_Stories_Poster_Canon_g

How to Sign Up:

Visit Canon EOS Academy website and sign up online.

Terms & Conditions for the Complimentary Portrait Session:

1. The selected shoot date must fall within the month of August 2014, and on weekdays only.
2. The shoot location is at our studio in SStwo Mall, PJ and will be done by one of the assigned Stories photographers.
3. You will get 3 digital soft copy images (printable up to 8R size) and one photo print from Canon.
4. Rescheduling of dates is only allowed once, after which, the session is considered as forfeited.
5. Maximum of 6 persons in a session.
6. Please arrive 15 minutes before your session as we value punctuality  and we may have another family scheduled after your session. No extension of time will be given if you are late for your session.
7. Limited weekend sessions are available with a commitment fee of RM30 to book your time slot. This fee will be considered as forfeited if you are unable to make it for your time slot.
8. You may purchase additional high resolution photos, prints or upgrade your session to a full one hour session at an additional cost. Please contact us for more details.

I look forward to meeting you at the workshop!

Krysta’s 1st Birthday Party: Little Miss Theme

It’s been half a year since my beloved daughter Krysta turned one. It really just occurred to me how fast the year goes by (especially after they turn 1). When she was a baby, I would photograph her every month, just to see her physical changes. Maybe it was more apparent then… roll over, tummy time, crawling, walking… they were very real milestones. But after she turned 1… I don’t think I made such an effort to photograph her little moments or new milestones.

Now, with baby number 2 on the way, I have an even bigger challenge… to make sure I document his life with equal passion as I did Krysta’s. Even with the pregnancy, I am really not that ‘aware’ of the progress… when people ask me how far along I am… I have to think twice before replying. And that too, is with some hesitance.

I recently wrote a blog post about my intention to make time for family despite work commitments. I really do count it a blessing when I can spend half a day here or there midweek with my daughter, just doing simple things like reading a book together or playing chase in the living room.

Anyway, here’s some really belated photos of Krysta’s first birthday with a Lil’ Miss Theme. We chose the character Little Miss Chatterbox for her. Love the detail on the cake. I designed the logo and it was beautifully translated onto the cupcakes. We made little stickers with the logo too and placed it on cups and goodie bags. About 2 weeks before the party, I managed to find the Mr Men and Little Miss themed books from the Big Bad Wolf sale at a huge discount! So that made really nice gifts for the kids who came.

The food was a selection of my favourite hawker stall foods… everything from a lok-lok van to Village Park nasi lemak, to rojak from Bayu Timor… everyone loved it.

Photos were taken by Diane, and a few by Weiming.

20131222_KRYSTA_1ST_BIRTHDAY_00120131222_KRYSTA_1ST_BIRTHDAY_00520131222_KRYSTA_1ST_BIRTHDAY_036 Continue Reading