A mere 8 weeks ago, Grace and I were stepping off a plane in Istanbul, throughly amazed by the architecture and people. We were there on assignment for a shoot with Edwin & Dawn, a lovely Malaysian couple with a passion for Turkey.
Over the 2 week period we were there, I documented faces, activities and locations, then stitched the footage together into a video. Here’s my mini-documentary from the first week’s footage (perhaps I’ll do another edit, if time permits).
I love it when my brides go to great lengths to get a shot. By far, Ann is the most well-planned bride I’ve ever met. She even went to the extent of renting a canoe for her pre-wedding shoot! More to come later!
It’s been 11 years since I graduated and left Australia. Brisbane holds many fond memories for me… 3 years is a considerable amount of time to spend in a country. Today, I landed in Coolangatta airport and traveled by train to Brisbane city. Proudly, I showed Alex where one place relates to another, where my university was, and related stories about how I used to travel around by bus and car, and even driving to Sydney and back from Brisbane in my old 1985 Honda Civic. Yup, my friends and I made it without the car breaking down.
Seeing my old room in my uncle’s home where I used to stay for 3 years made me a little sentimental. It’s funny, I think I recognize the 3 plastic gerberas that are sitting in a vase in that room. I am sure those were the flowers I left behind 11 years ago. Gerberas were my favourite flower then.
After our first meal in Australia (dim sum at a Chinese restaurant, haha!), we went to visit Jeta Gardens, a retirement and aged care resort that is based on eastern values and philosophies. My uncle sits on the board of directors and ever since we heard about it, we knew we wanted to visit the place.
In Malaysia, if you talk about going to a retirement home, there is a stigma involved. Most people would feel guilty about ‘abandoning’ their parents at an old folks home. No one wants to be left behind at a place where they sit, stare at the 4 walls and await their ‘time’. At Jeta Gardens, there is a completely different mindset. People who come here are at various stages of their life. They see this place as a resort, a place where their needs can be met, a place to socialize and make new friends, and to be independent. Some of the elderly who live here are really able-bodied. They can drive, are fit and full of life. Then there are those that need 24 hour care.
Photographers: Grace & Mark
Make Up & Hair: Michelle Touche
Wedding Gown & Shoes: Pretty in White
Cheongsam: Emerald Brilliant
Groom’s Suit: Lord’s Tailor
Location: Shang Palace, Shangri-La Hotel
If you remember my post about Yee Jenn and Kristin’s cool pre-wedding photos with the Old Shanghai theme… you’ll see that these set of images has its connection. Everything from their card design (created by Yee Jenn himself!) to the decor and outfits are themed accordingly… but this time, the Shanghai theme has gone hip and classy.
This wedding was filled with lots of good and happy moments. Mark and I had a great time shooting their wedding. It was nice knowing so many of Yee Jenn and Kristin’s friends who attended the wedding; we even had fun with some photos in Shangri-La’s bakery! We also found out that Mark’s mom is a good friend of Kristin’s mom so that was nice. :)
So… presenting… Yee Jenn and Kristin.
It’s quite a rare thing that I appear in magazines. Especially not when I am featured at ages 9, 11, 15 and 31. Some time back, I was contacted by a writer from Her World, asking my sis and I whether we’d be interested in a feature on sisters. We said yes… and this April issue, the article is out! Can you spot which childhood photos are mine on the first page?
Actually, I wish the article gave a more balanced perspective, since they interviewed both my sister and I. But it was written from one perspective only. Well, at least the photo of us together is nice! Secretly, I wish that features like these would highlight my skills as a photographer, not as a sister! Narcissistic? Of course not! *grin*
PS: I know the paper above is wrinkled! My father was a little enthusiastic when he saw the photo of my sis and I.
