When it comes to planning a wedding, there are a lot of decisions to make, and some couples may question whether or not they should hire a videographer. While photographs are certainly important, there is something special about capturing the sights and sounds of your wedding day on video. After my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I discovered the power of pictures and videos in stimulating memory. Every time he looked through the photos or video from our wedding day, it brought him happiness. It was especially meaningful to me because the memories that were captured were special to him as well.
Our team has been photographing and filming weddings for many years. If you are uncertain about why you should hire a wedding videographer, let me share a few reasons to help you decide. :)
Relive your special day
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and it will undoubtedly be a blur of excitement, emotion, and activity. Having a wedding videographer capture the day means that you’ll be able to relive those moments in vivid detail for years to come. From the exchange of vows to the first dance, a wedding video allows you to experience your wedding day all over again whenever you want.
When you book a photo or video shoot, you hope for a smooth and stress-free experience. However, unexpected challenges may arise, and it’s essential to know how to handle them effectively. As a customer, it can be overwhelming to deal with a crying child or feeling frazzled from a tough day. Here are some ways to overcome challenging situations during your shoot.
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay
It’s normal to feel a bit stressed or anxious during a photo or video shoot, especially if you have kids involved. Or, you might have been rushing into your shoot session from a hectic work day. Remember that the photographer or videographer you hired is there to help you capture beautiful moments and bring out your best version of yourself. Try to take a moment to settle yourself before going into your session and don’t feel ashamed to express your concerns and needs to your photographer or videographer.
Bring Distractions
If you have young children, bringing along their favourite toys or games can help keep them occupied and distracted during the shoot. This can help them relax and make the shoot more enjoyable for everyone involved.
After 15 years in the photography industry, it is just natural that I get to photograph different siblings’ weddings from the same family. It was such a pleasure to photograph Calvin and Sherlyn’s wedding because they were really sweet and thoughtful. There was just so much joy throughout the day! It was also fun to see them dress up in different Chinese and Peranakan traditional outfits.
We love getting to know our clients, especially stories about how they met and the way they would describe the other. This is the story of Calvin & Sherlyn.
“We have been college sweetheart for 10 years. We first met in early January 2011 when we were studying a Canadian International Matriculation Program at Sunway College Malaysia. I remember how Sherlyn caught my eyes when she smiled at me because she nearly ran into me as she was walking down the stairs. I could never forget that adorable smile that felt very warm and joyful. We met again during break time because I realised we were studying in the same course and had mutual friends that introduced us to each other. We started hanging out more often as friends like going out for coffee, movies and road trips. Our friendship grew closer when we went on a graduation trip with our friends to Ipoh, Malaysia and we celebrated the Chinese New Year together with our friends and family. It was our first time meeting each other’s parents. Both our parents and siblings were accepting and welcoming. I remembered asking Sherlyn on four different occasions to be my girlfriend, but she rejected me three times because I successfully could call her my girlfriend.
On 14th February 2012 during Valentine’s Day, I asked Sherlyn to go out for a date and she finally accepted the invitation with the help of her family who convinced her to give me a chance. After the date, our relationship grew stronger and we began to go out for a few more dates again before I flew to Melbourne to pursue my studies on the 20th February 2012. Despite the distance, we still talked to each other every day through long hours of texts and phone calls. In March 2012, I was really touched and happy when Sherlyn flew to Melbourne to visit me. Whilst in Melbourne, we went on a tour to Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. On the 10th April 2012, we commenced our relationship and committed to each other.
We enjoy travelling together and we have similar hobby such as exploring new territories and learning new cultures. We travelled many places together, such as Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and the Maldives. We tried snorkelling, line fishing and sun-bathing by the beach. We also went to watch Ed Sheeran’s concert and Australia Open. Besides that, we also enjoy snowboarding with our friends in Australia.And we love people and food! We also run a private coaching and mentoring program together with the guidance of really successful entrepreneurs to help us be financially independent and grow our leadership skills so that we can replace our job down the track and impact more familes.
We have been living together for the past 5 years and we have been very supportive of each other especially in times when we miss our family or when we were unwell. We have been in a long-distance relationship for 5 years from 2012 to 2016. During our temporary separation, we remained in contact with each other through phone calls, messages and Skype calls almost daily to support each other emotionally. Calvin and I also tried to send each other gifts, meals and letters a couple of times a year, especially during birthdays and anniversary to show our love and care for each other during the years of temporary separation. We also visited each other multiple times throughout our long-distance relationships. On 10/10/2020, Calvin decided to propose to Sherlyn from the tallest hiking spot in South Australia and we have to say it was a successful proposal because it was really challenging to surprise Sherlyn due to her strong observation skills. We have been in a relationship for 10 years and we got married in Australia on 9th April 2022 with our family and closest friends visiting from Malaysia. We also built a house together in Australia and we plan to settle here long-term. We cannot wait to continue to grow, live life and dream big goals together.”
The emotional bond between a mother and her child is profound. It is a connection forged through shared experiences, laughter, tears, and countless cherished moments. This Mother’s Day, we want to celebrate and appreciate all mothers and mother figures for their love, care, and significant contributions to our lives. Let’s take this day as an opportunity to express gratitude and respect for the special role mothers play in raising children and nurturing families. How about gifting them a photo session that will help honour the memories that you created together?
The way ahead looked murky. It was 2008, and I had just officially started my photography business. It seems like only yesterday that I bought my first second-hand camera, naive and uncertain about what I truly wanted in life. The only certainty I had was that I wanted to take beautiful images and that I wanted my life to make a difference in other people’s lives.
Somehow, I stumbled into the world of weddings, and that journey took me to beautiful locations all over the world across different continents, including amazing journeys in Bangladesh, Turkey, and Holland. I ended up capturing so many memories that remain as fresh in my mind as they are in my clients minds. I saw these couples grow into small families and their relationships strengthen, and I continued the journey alongside them through the years. Why am I sharing this story with you?
You see, the 15-year anniversary of Stories had a humble beginning. It started with a small dream. A little girl who was terrified but made a decision to be brave and step out of her comfort zone. Despite her insecurities and weaknesses, she decided that nothing would be too hard if God was by her side.
That girl 15 years ago would never have imagined owning a studio and working with eight other talented creatives on meaningful and purposeful projects. She would never have imagined that she had the capacity to hire people, inspire them to chase after their own dreams, and create life-changing work.
But she did. That little girl is me.
Success to me isn’t just about the numbers on an Excel sheet; it’s also about how many lives I’ve impacted. To the people I have photographed, I am a legacy builder. I help connect people to an experience with their loved ones that they will remember forever.
To the people I have hired, I am a dream-maker. So many of the people who have worked with me over the years did not start out skilled. They were like me—someone with a dream. I am so blessed that I have been able to be part of their story too.
What about you? Do you have a dream too? What would it take for you to be brave and step out?
You have one life. Why not spend it doing what inspires you, grows you and has an impact on the world around you?
