Malaysia Lifestyle Photographer And Videographer: Stories.my

The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Dream Beach Wedding in Malaysia

Embarking on the journey of planning your destination beach wedding in the enchanting shores of Malaysia? It’s a breathtaking experience, but it can be quite a task organizing your big day from afar. As wedding photographers and videographers who’ve had the privilege of capturing countless beach weddings, especially in the idyllic setting of Langkawi, we’ve got some insider tips to ensure your wedding day becomes a picture-perfect paradise.

1. Golden Hour Magic

When it comes to your beach wedding, timing is everything. Plan to conclude your ceremony about an hour before the sun dips below the horizon – what we call the golden hour. After the ceremony, we will take family and couple portraits. The warm, soft hues of this magical hour will transform your wedding photos into something truly ethereal. The gentle, glowing light will add a touch of enchantment to every shot, making your memories even more special. Trust me, we do a happy dance inside whenever we see beautiful lighting that will make you look even more beautiful!

2. Wind-Proof Your Look

Beaches are synonymous with breezy conditions, and your hair and dress should be prepared to handle the wind. Opt for hairstyles that can withstand the gentle coastal breeze, and consider a wedding dress with flowy fabrics that add to the ethereal vibe, rather than fighting against the elements. If you’re the kind who loves the wind-swept hair look, embrace it! It can be alluring and adds to the natural, carefree feel of the beach.

3. Choose Comfort Over Formality

The beach exudes a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Embrace this by ditching the jacket or opting for linen shirts instead of a traditional three-piece suit, especially if you’re prone to perspiring in the heat. Linen is breathable and light, ensuring you stay comfortable throughout your ceremony.

4. Barefoot Bliss

Embrace the beach lifestyle fully by going barefoot or selecting footwear that’s beach-friendly. Not only does this add authenticity to your beach wedding, but it also ensures you and your guests are comfortable as you navigate the sand. For a unique touch, consider handmade crocheted barefoot slippers, like one of our clients did – it adds a personal, artistic twist to your ensemble.

5. Mind the Tides

The tides can be your friend or foe, depending on your timing. Check tide schedules before planning a wedding ceremony or portrait shoot by the beach. Low tide can reveal beautiful tidal pools, offering unique photo opportunities. However, it can also potentially expose imperfections in the sand. High tide, on the other hand, can create dramatic waves in the background, but remember to stay safe, especially if you’re planning to venture into areas that may be rocky.

6. Have a Plan B

Malaysian weather can be unpredictable, and the beach is no exception. While the sun-soaked shores are a paradise most of the time, Mother Nature can sometimes throw surprises your way. Therefore, it’s a wise idea to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. Having a Plan B ensures that your special day proceeds smoothly, rain or shine. Thankfully, most of the beach weddings we have photographed since 2008 have been fairly dry!

7. Consider the Humidity

Malaysia’s tropical climate can get pretty hot and humid, especially on the beach. As you wander around the resort for those mid-afternoon portraits, you might find a towel handy to freshen up. Consider providing your guests with hand fans to keep them cool during the ceremony, creating a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.

8. Light up dinners by the beach

Lighting is everything for photographers and videographers. If you are planning an outdoor dinner reception by the beach after sunset, keep in mind that the background will be pitch black after sunset. Think about how you may want to add ambient lighting to the scene so that the photos are still spectacular after dark.

Your dream beach wedding in Malaysia promises to be an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to be a part of it by turning your cherished moments into timeless photographs or videos. If you’d like us to capture your beach wedding, get in touch with us. We’d be honoured to be by your side on your special day!

Suzyana Ong In Chinese Weddings, Malay Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

Chinese-Malay Wedding: Atif & Irene

While movies and novels may glamorize the idea of romantic relationships, the truth is, finding happily ever after is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a deep trust to share one’s true self, fears, dreams, and insecurities. True love flourishes when both partners can be open and honest without fear of judgment. This is the story of Atif & Irene.

“Atif and I met at a friend’s party around 10 years ago in Melbourne, we became fast friends but it was a short friendship as he graduated and went back to KL the same year. We reunited in 2018 when he went to Singapore to take a break after a break up with his ex. Even then, we struggled with insecurities of our own and whether we should take on this relationship as it would be a long-distance relationship (LDR). He was especially cautious about this relationship as it was far from his ideal relationship he had in mind. However, as time went by, we realised that the both of us still managed to be by each other’s side despite the distance and challenges. Even until today I think the main foundation of our relationship is because we both want to stay in this relationship with this person.

We don’t have an anniversary because that way I can receive as many gifts whenever I want! (but also I don’t remember when I fell in love with him). Atif still has many insecurities, but I’ve learnt to have fun with him as the days goes by. I am still learning to express myself better around him to make him feel safe with me.”

Suzyana Ong In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits at Embun Luxury Villas, Janda Baik

We love to explore new places, especially if the places are a hidden gem! It’s so wonderful that Malaysia has so many beautiful resorts scattered across the country but what’s even greater is that we have places like Janda Baik which is only an hour drive from the city. This time, we visited Embun Luxury Villas at Janda Baik for the first time! It is a beautiful resort, with a lot of corners for family portraits. We began the shoot at 4pm and spent about 2 hours taking photos around the premise, thankfully, the weather was amazing!

There’s actually a number of beautiful resorts at Janda Baik that are perfect for a family reunion, birthday celebration and as a photo shoot location! We’ve photographed families at The Acres Resort and at Tiarasa Escapes. Both resorts are also highly recommended if you’re looking for a short escape from the city with slightly cooler weather and luscious greens.

Bin Bin Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Maternity, Portraits, Studio

Types of Backdrops in Our Studio for your Family Photoshoot

Although we love doing photoshoots outdoors (check out our article for best parks) and at our client’s homes, we understand why you might prefer a studio session – it’s more comfortable, convenient, plus it has air conditioning! You won’t even need to do housekeeping, we’ll get the space sorted for you before you arrive! A studio photo session can be ideal for those reasons, but it doesn’t have to be generic. You can inject your own personality and flair to the shoot by selecting a backdrop to match your style. Below are the options available should you choose to do a session in our studio.

1. Classic or plain backdrop

If you’re those looking for a timeless and classy look, you can opt for a plain studio backdrop. We have backdrops in white, grey and black. You will also have the choice of shooting with our studio’s brown walls if these colours don’t work for you.

To help decide on your backdrop colour, plan your outfits and look in advance to ensure your clothes match with the background. The colour of the backdrop can influence the final outcome of the pictures – for classy vibe, opt for a darker background or choose a lighter background for something simple and versatile. If you have a special theme or idea in mind, please let us know!

2. Lifestyle

Lifestyle photography involves more authentic background settings – think contemporary furniture and even plants! At our studio we have a variety of couches, rugs, pillows and blankets that you can incorporate into your shoot. These items will give a cosy feeling and will lend a more natural look to your photos. Plus they make the shoot more comfortable!

Grace Tan In At Home, Beautiful Everyday, Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

Navigating the Challenges of Planning a Family Portrait Session

Whether you have 5 or 20 people in your session, it can feel daunting to bring your family together for a portrait session. It can look like a giant mountain you need to scale. Firstly, you have to convince the photophobic members of the family to even show up! Then you need to get everyone’s wardrobe in place, organise a time that fits everyone’s schedule (including working around the baby’s nap time), and finally, think of a location that is suitable. Before you even start, you feel tired already!

Trust me, your situation is more common than you think. As a photographer who has been in front of the camera too, I have personally faced every single challenge listed here. So here are some strategies to help you make this planning process smoother.

1. Convincing your photophobic family member to show up

Remind your family members that they are taking part in a family moment that will eventually be a visual heirloom for years to come. The years will just go by so quickly, and before you know it, the kids will have grown up, and it will be a different season altogether. As a photographer, I have personally invested time and energy to photograph my family every year. It’s my way of seeing how the kids are growing and how our family is ageing as the years go by. It is much better to have these images than to regret never doing it at all. Here’s Michelle and Kishore’s way of documenting their child’s 1st year as a baby, through a 10 month project with us!

2. Scheduling Conflicts

One of the biggest challenges in planning a family portrait session is finding a date and time that work for everyone involved. With busy lives and conflicting schedules, coordinating everyone can be a daunting task. Start by planning well in advance. You can create a shared calendar or use scheduling apps to find a suitable date that accommodates everyone. Be flexible and consider weekends or holidays when family members are more likely to be available. We have had clients organise a family portrait session for 40 people. It was difficult, but they made it happen!

3. Location Dilemmas

Choosing the right location is crucial for setting the tone and style of your family portraits. However, different family members may have varying preferences, making it challenging to decide on the perfect backdrop. You would also have to consider older family members, like grandparents in wheelchairs, etc. A strategy to work this through would be to openly discuss location options as a family and consider everyone’s input. If possible, select a location with sentimental value, such as a favourite park, family home, or vacation spot. Alternatively, you can opt for our professional studio, where we can control the environment.