The weekend I went to shoot the Tan family was one surprise after another. Mr and Mrs Tan and family, as it turned out, were related to another family that had their pictures taken by FIFOTO. After they had seen the pictures, they decided to have some of their own. When I met Mr Tan we both realized that I’d taught him photography before. It’s a small world after all it seems…

We started with the family portraits because grandma Tan had a strict sleep cycle. Once those were done with, we moved outside to this quaint little backyard. They had 2 lamp posts in their backyard! It was too good to pass up. We had so many crazy ideas that half my job was done for me before I even clicked a shutter. We had Mom and Dad reenact a marriage proposal. We had everyone pile up onto Dad. Everyone started jumping! Amazing energy considering the heat outside! Then we moved indoors and upstairs where we found props for the siblings and basically mucked about. Everyone got into it and I do mean EVERYONE! 2 hours felt like it had 4 hours jammed into it and even at the end we still had ideas. Definitely in the running for craziest shoot…

I am burnt! Was at an outdoor shoot today and after not being in the sun for so looooooooooong, I think my skin got extra sensitive to the sun. Feeling hot right now, will probably feel the full effects tomorrow!

Melati married Greg or by his full name Gregoire or pronounced in his native french, greh-hoh-wa. Melati has a sister by the name of Mawar who acted as wedding planner and planned and coordinated Melati’s wedding right till the very minute details! What’s more, Mawar’s simultaneously planning for her own upcoming wedding in October! Wonder Women! I think it’s quite interesting to have been named after flowers, like in the movies, Sex & the City where Charlotte’s daughters were named Lily & Rose!

It’s amazing to see these days, the world getting smaller and people are getting married with people of other races, religion and nationalities. 1Malaysia comes into mind right this moment! Besides blurring the lines of races and nationalities, the other advantage is that their babies are definitely going to be gorgeous! =)

I covered the simple akad nikah ceremony. Greg had been practicing his lines and when it came to the time the Uztaz asked him to recite it, he pulled it off effortlessly. Practice makes perfect!

Jason & Hsien Ming covered their bersanding a couple of weeks later. Melati’s house was decked with flowers and the beautiful pelamin gave the living room a completely different feel. Melati was dressed in a deep green kebaya with gold trimmings and she looked totally gorgeous, and so glamourous! And Greg looked smart in his baju Melayu!

Hey you lovebirds! Yes, YOU! You lovey-dovey folks out there who hold hands when shopping at a mall, feed each other at restaurants, kiss each other hi, bye and good night and to those who send “I miss you” tweets to each other on Twitter! (yes, YOU know who you are!)

There’s nothing to be embarassed about… we at FIFOTO embrace love and affection and there can never be too much of it around! After all, LOVE is what makes the world go round! (or so you’ll think until you get married and have kids! Am just kidding!) So don’t be shy… come out of the closet and go public! We want you to send us a creative photo of the two of you! We are looking for a photo that best depicts your love, your emotions and more importantly, one that is conceptually unique. It can be portraits, or closeups but both of you or any of your body parts (pls don’t get any wild ideas here! Any X-rated or R-rates photos will be disqualified!)

Submit your best and most creative shot of the two of you and win RM200 vouchers from That Special Occasion for bridal gown purchases and RM500 vouchers for a FIFOTO pre-wedding shoot!

This contest is only eligible to couples getting married in 2011.

CONTEST DETAILS

Email ONE photo to: info@fifoto.com

Subject: FIFOTO Lovebirds contest – [Couple's Names]

In the email, pls include your handphone, date of wedding and the Title of the Photo (for eg, “Together Forever”)

Closing Date for all photo entries: September 30th, 2010

Image by danielandleilani.blogspot.com/

Good things come in 3s.

It came as a big surprise that there was going to be such an award in the first place and an even bigger surprise that I had won it! For those who weren’t at the WPPM conference last weekend, it was a blast! And I honestly hadn’t expected bagging 3 awards (of course, nothing compared Keda Z Feng, who swept almost all the winnings in  numerous categories in the Canon print competition, including the “Young and Upcoming Photographer of the Year”! Congrats Keda!!!).

The first surprise came when Samsung announced the winner of the NX10 competition and a photo of Bam-bam appeared on the projector screen! I was almost 100% certain the NX10 wouldn’t be mine when I submitted the photo and the guys at Samsung booth mentioned they were looking for portrait shots. (I had photographed the KL tower and Bam in Ming’s apartment, so my best bet was to submit a “portrait” of Bam!) So I’m the lucky winner and proud owner of the new Samsung NX10!

In the Canon print competiton, two of my photos were nominated for judging and the second surprise came when “Butterfly Kisses” won first place in the Illustrative category! Steve was there at judging and had informed me of the high points the photo had received and although I was hopeful, my heart was beating at 50miles per hour right before they announced then winner! (Gosh, now I can imagine how the people at America’s Next Top Model or American Idol must feel right before announcing the winners! Their hearts probably beat 1 million times faster!)

The last and biggest surprise was bring awarded “Female Photographer of the Year”! And to be honest, I’m even more honored and humbled to be awarded alongside Jim Liaw who received “Male Photographer of the Year”! This was definitely unexpected and I can’t express how thrilled I am at the fact! It’s been a good year and I’m looking forward to the rest of it! A BIG THANK YOU goes out to everyone who have shown their love and support for me and FIFOTO, friends, clients and fellow photographers alike! I must say, I’m especially honored that Jon Low wore our WTF FIFOTO T-shirt for a pre-wedding shoot today! Thanks Jon for your LOVE! Much LOVE back at ya!

Have a great weekend you guys!!!

Winner of the Samsung NX10 Competition

Winner in the Canon Print Competition Illustrative category

The next 4 photos courtesy of Ben! [THANK YOU, BEN!]

Famous Singaporean Light-painter (and super hilarious) Charlie Lim presents the Canon print competition award!

… I was a super happy camper by this time!!!

Internationally renowned photographer Jerry Ghionis presents the “Female Photographer of the Year” Award!

photo by CK San

Bring out the bubbly!!!