My first week back to work has been a crazy week of shoots. I returned from HK last Sun and woke up bright and early the next morning for 2 location shoots. ( I will post the photos soon!) It’s Sunday and I’m tired… T-I-R-E-D! The weekend started off on Friday morning and I have been shooting since.

Not surprising, my tenosynovitis (inflammation of tendon) in my wrist is back and I’m off to see my chiropractor Tuesday. My fingers are aching and my thumb is numb from the stiff and ergonomically unfriendly placement of the focusing button on the new Canon 5D Mark II. You should see what’s on my hand during shoots! I have a wrist guard, padding on my middle finger to prevent too much friction on my bone and now, a newly added bandaid on my thumb. These are the work hazards of event photography. But all is worth it! Jason and I shot an interesting Hindu temple wedding on Friday and we learned so much on the rituals and ceremonies! (I will blog more on this later!)

Oh what a first week back at work!

Here’s a sneak peek of Yogi and Syamala’s wedding!

Steve and I photographed Li-Ann and Charles’ pre-wedding party the night after Grace & Shaun’s wedding. In fact, it was Grace who recommended us to Li-Ann and we’ve been communicating over email before we finally met at Grace’s church ceremony!

It was pouring when we arrived at the party. (No, FIFOTO weather does not apply here because this was not an outdoor shoot!) The Chinese believe that it’s good luck when it rains on your wedding. The rain stopped soon after and in fact, it was a blessing in disguise because the weather cooled down quite a bit and we managed to have the tea ceremony in the garden area.

We shot for two hours that evening and it was my last shoot for the year! It was a great weekend of weddings to end 2008! Of course, Christmas and New Year flew by really quickly and before you know it, it’s February already!

I managed to catch up on some blog posts while on vacation in HK and am also in the midst of updating the weddings gallery. (I had planned to complete it in HK but obviously that didn’t happen!) My return to KL last Sunday was the real start of 2009 for me because the entire month of January was spent studying for my 2 exams and completing all my work before CNY! So.. I”m recharged and refreshed and ready to take on the world!

Congrats to the lovely couple!

I am mesmerized by this city – the shopping, the food, the streets, the escalator, the peak, the weather, the dogs… best of all, the view from Allen’s apartment at night. If I had a choice, I’d take 2-week vacations every month but it’s so difficult to justify taking half the month off and leaving all the work behind in KL. So, I’ve decided to start finding work and hopefully be able to spend more time here without feeling so guilty!

I plan to focus on portrait work in Hong Kong and have prepared a few packages for individual, couple, pregnancy and kiddy portraits. If you have any friends in Hong Kong, please forward this link to them! Appreciate your help in spreading the word!

Thank you for your continued support!

For enquiries on HK portrait packages, pls email me at fiona@fifoto.com

And this is the view I was referring to…

Allen took this photo before he moved in (the sky was a lot prettier then!)

More photos of the skyline…

My 2-week vacation officially ended last night. I’m back in KL and my Monday started bright and early with 2 location shoots for Club 21 at KLCC. Was sad to leave HK yesterday and was disappointed with the hot weather all week! I can bet you it’ll get cold again this week! Boo hoo! Nevertheless, I’m happy to be back! I miss Bam-Bam dearly and it definitely feels good to have my bed and all my gazillion pillows back! (Although the AC was leaking and I had to turn on the fan in the middle of the night!)

I got to know Grace and her mom, Datin Yam through Jocelyn & Jinh. They both came to visit us at the studio not long after Joyce & Jinh’s wedding and fell in love with Bam-Bam! I’ve been bringing Bam for house visits ever since then!

After months and months of planning especially on Datin Yam’s side (This incredible lady almost single-handedly planned the entire wedding!), Grace & Shaun’s wedding was finally here! It fell on the last weekend of work for us right before Christmas. The day started off with a beautiful church ceremony at the Renewal Lutheran Church followed by a tea ceremony and a portrait session. The theme throughout the day was very western and Christmasy. Every event was intricately decorated with flowers, Chritsmas trees and trinkets!

Congrats to the lovely couple who are back in Sydney! Can’t wait to visit you both later this year!

Makeup and hairstyling by Emilia Marcelo

The Renewal Lutheran Church was beautifully decorated with flowers and Christmas trees!

Check out Datin’s funky shoes!

Here’s my favorite shot of the day…

We managed to take some portraits before the entourage arrived for the tea ceremony

What an intricate tea set!

Steve & Fazil returned to their condo to take a few more portraits while I rushed back to prepare the express slideshow…

The dinner reception was held at the KL Hilton and I was stunned when I entered the ballroom! It was completely transformed into an Enchanted Forest! I absolutely loved the black and white western-style theme!

Check out the cake and the Christmas trees on stage!

The main table was filled with cakes and cupcakes and sweets and chocolates! It looked like a scene right out of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! I was surprised no one touched them till the end of the night!

Before the grand walk-in… Grace was resting her feet…

This is one of my favorite shots of the evening!

Isn’t this a really cute bubble dress? All gowns by Bill Keith

The father of the bride gave the customary speech and he wins the title of “Longest and Most Hilarious Speech” hands down!

As guided by GARY CHAPMAN in his book “The Heart of the Five Love Languages” where his formula was 1) Give words of Affirmation 2) Give quality time 3) Give gifts 4) Give acts of service and 5) Give physical touch/love, Dato’ Yam suggested for most men, it is easier and very much acceptable to wives if they gave the 4 “Cs” – Give Credit Card, Cash, Car, Condominium and if that does not work, give in. And if all else fails, give up!

Words of wisdom boys, take heed!

At the end of the night, we were asked to help ourselves to the goodies on the main table… of course, Steve did not hesitate! The cup cakes and carrot cakes were delicious!

Who wears the China-doll-bob better?