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!!!

After 6 weeks of being cacat, not being able to clean my left hand,  tie my own hair, drive, slice up my own food, clean Mofo’s tray and wear sleeved clothes, I was ecstatic when my Orthopedic told me the good news! (after of course going round in circles explaining my x-ray films and how the bone has “not gotten worst” ie healed but didn’t exactly say that till I asked him, “so can I take cast off today?”) So my cast is OFF and although I’m thrilled to be able to use a fork and knife properly, be able to shower without a plastic wrapped over my hand and do all the things I’ve had so much trouble doing, my arm still does not extend and bend to the full extent and trying to do so hurts due to stiffened muscles in my elbow. The good news is, muscle atrophy is minimal and my left hand doesn’t look as abnormal (skinny) as I had first imagined it to be. (In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, click here for the full story!)

And it was in good timing as well, in time for my WPPM conference that kick-started on Friday night! Of course, I had already planned this and asked to meet the Dr a few days earlier before the weekend instead of after as he first suggested…

This is the first WPPM conference and I’m honored to have been invited as a platform speaker! After a late and frantic night from preparing the slides and getting ready for my presentation, feeling nervous about public speaking (as I always do even though I’ve done it almost a hundred times before!) and worrying that my room would be empty… I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout we got at my talk yesterday! The room was packed and even after we had brought in more chairs! I spoke about Creative photography – what makes a good composition, how to think creatively by thinking out of the box and my favorite part, a live light painting session!

A BIG “THANK YOU” to everyone who made it to my talk, albeit the 9am start! I hope y’all learned something, and even if you didn’t, I hope it was an entertaining session and feel inspired to go the distance with your photography! It was really nice meeting everyone today and please do keep in touch! Follow us on Facebook here! (And don’t forget to tag yourself in the WPPM 2010 album on our Facebook!

And of course, much love to Jason, Steve and Ming who assisted me in all the prep work and during the talk today! They ROCK, as always!!!

I’m looking forward to the rest of Sunday (pls come by and say “Hi!” if you see me around!) and drinks afterwards at the Leica VIP party!

“Oh pls, don’t pick on me… don’t call my name… I hope she forgot my name.. I’m just gonna crouch here and look tiny so she doesn’t see me!”

Asther Lau

I had a little bit of trouble getting the folks to volunteer in the morning…

…but after some persuasion…

Matt Marzuki

what were we doing with 3 jiggly, neon-colored spikey balls…

… bouncing them in the air for FUN of course!

…we found our 3 lucky light painters when the music stopped!

Prepping the light painters…

… Jason picked out a model from the audience…

1st try ….

2nd try and the perfect shot in just 2 tries!!! AMAZING!

[Still in A-W-E!!!]

Andy Chin

From Left: KK,  Alvin Leong

Stuart Taylor and Barbara

Kris and Helen from That Special Occasion

If you missed out on ordering our WTF T-shirts, here’s your chance! I’m taking orders from now till Wed, Aug 18. Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Colors: White or Black. RM25. Note: Collection of T-shirts at FIFOTO Studio (KL). Additional courier charges apply if you’d like it shipped/delivered to your doorstep!

4 more days and counting down! I’m in the midst of preparing for my talk at the WPPM conference this Saturday! If you haven’t signed up, what are ya waiting for?? It’s not too late! Sign up here!

I’ll be speaking about Creative Photography this Saturday at 9am, Platform 4, at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. There will be giveaways, live shoots, challenges and surprises! It will be a fun-filled, jaw-dropping, orgasmic visual experience! Come check out what we have in store!

Like what you see here? Learn creative lighting and how to do this!

So see you this Saturday at 9am, Platform 4! And pls don’t be shy… come by and say “Hi” even if you’re not attending my talk! (I promise I won’t be offended!)