FIFOTO Blog http://www.fifoto.com/blog Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:09:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Justina & Lars http://www.fifoto.com/blog/justina-lars http://www.fifoto.com/blog/justina-lars#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:30:22 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4979 The wedding day of Justina & Lars will forever be a significant day for me. Their wedding day will stand out, far brighter, and far more sentimental in the many years to come. And as I sit at my desk, writing this blog, not on my laptop, but on my iPhone, just because the tiny keypads make it much easier for this one-armed bandit (me), to type, it’s obvious (if you haven’t figured it out by now!) why their day will hold a special place in my career of shooting.

It was a beautiful day and I was excited as it was my first time shooting their church wedding ceremony at the majestic St John’s Cathedral. Close friends and family, local and abd from abroad (Lars is Danish) attended the blessed union. What attracted my attention most of all, were the colorful sarees that contrasted with the stark colors of the church! (Actually, I just have a thing for all things Indian). My favorite part of the day, was when Justina and her girlfriend got to the hotel room! They burst out in laughter, and tears, and laughter, and tears and screamed at the top of their voices, “I’m married!!!!!!”. Sorry, let me make that “I’m married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” followed by unstoppable and unconteollable giggling. It was super sweet…. And funny!!!

We made our way to the hotel spa for some portrait shots and we were about done before silly, gungho me, decided to climb on a stool to take a shot of the beautiful bride. All was good until I got my shot, and slipped as I carelessly got off the stool. Hence, the cast till today. Needless to say, I disappeared (to the hospital) after that and thankfully, Jason and Hsien Ming backed me up at the dinner reception! I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Justina who rushed to my rescue when I was out and cold but more importantly, her concern abd understanding on this incident. Jason told me I didn’t miss much that night, except for a whole lotta champagne! Congrats to Justina & Lars on their new chapter of their lives!

… and this was the shot I stood on the stool for… (hey! at least I got my shot! and I’d like to think it was worth it!)

The dinner was held at the Sheraton, KL

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/justina-lars/feed 0 WPPM 2010 Conference! http://www.fifoto.com/blog/wppm-2010-conference http://www.fifoto.com/blog/wppm-2010-conference#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:35:20 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4949 If you haven’t signed up, what are ya waiting for? The first ever, Weddings and Portrait Photographers Malaysia Conference (WPPM) will be held from Friday, August 13 – Sunday, August 15 at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur! This will be the first and largest wedding photography conference in Malaysia and it’s one not to be missed! Main conference speakers include famous internationally renowned photographers Patrick Low, Jim Liaw, Jerry Ghionis, Charlie Lim and Lito Sy Bio.  I am honored to be one of the platform speakers and will be talking about Creative Photography. My slot starts at 9am on Saturday, Aug 14! Let me know if you’ll be attending my talk and I’d hope you’d come by and say “Hi”! See you there! Be there or be square!

Click here for more details and how to sign up!

Here’s the promotional video Jack prepared for me!

WPPM 2010 Conference from fifoto on Vimeo.

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/wppm-2010-conference/feed 0 FIFOTO 101: The Basics is back!!! http://www.fifoto.com/blog/fifoto-101-the-basics-is-back http://www.fifoto.com/blog/fifoto-101-the-basics-is-back#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:20:10 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4952

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/fifoto-101-the-basics-is-back/feed 0 Hani & Nathan http://www.fifoto.com/blog/hani-nathan http://www.fifoto.com/blog/hani-nathan#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:18:05 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4922 After 3 weeks of being cacat, I was looking forward to seeing my Orthopedic again, in hope that my Xrays would show a perfect recovery and my bone grown back into place and my cast would be removed, even though my gut told me that it hasn’t really healed from the pain that’s still there… True enough.. It hasn’t healed. When the radiologist removed my cast and request u turn my elbow in position to scan, it hurt so badly I felt faint afterwards. So the cast stays on for another 3 weeks and although the thought of it frustrates the he’ll outta me, I know it’s for the better. Wish me luck, that these next 3 wks would be the very last of my cast!

Hani’s a school teacher based in Johor. Nathan’s an engineer in the US. God works in mysterius ways. This time, He decided that these two souls would meet over online gaming and IRC chat! This is a real-life case of Internet love and after months of online chatting and long distance conversations, love blossomed. A year plus later, they tied the knot!

I first met Hani & Nathan during their pre-wedding shoot where I was smitten by the couple who were so obviously head over heels in love with each other, undoubtedly of course, considering their love spans across the Atlantic ocean! Months later, Steve, Hsien Ming and I were on our way to Avillion, Port Dickson, to shoot their beach wedding!

It was a very unique beach wedding, indeed. The wedding took on an “Alice in Wonderland” theme and they brought it to the next level when they got rabbits involved as part of their ceremony! They placed collar tags on each rabbit, one male, one female and the rabbits were donated to the resort where they would start their new life, as “husband” and “wife” in the pet farm. What an original idea!

One thing I really like about beach wedding photography is to be able to walk barefoot in the sand, enjoy the cool sea breeze and of course, capturing romantic sunset shots…

Makeup + Hair by Emilia Marcelo

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/hani-nathan/feed 0 Baby Jake http://www.fifoto.com/blog/baby-jake http://www.fifoto.com/blog/baby-jake#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:47:33 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4875 Babies seems to be the in-thing these days. Go out to the malls on the weekends and count the amount of families with a baby in a stroller. A lot out there I tell you! Guess who’s going to join that group soon?

Anyways, covered a Cukur Jambul for Izan a few weekend’s ago. Drove up the road and stopped at the house and thought it looked familiar. Izan was actually Iziana’s sister, one of our Fifoto couple!

But today was Jake Harris’s day. It was his Cukur Jambul day, a Malay tradition where family members and friends cut bits of his hair.

Thing was, baby Jake was crying a little during the ceremony but when he was brought around to meet the guests (who were also at the same time, reciting prayers) he fell completely asleep. I suppose the rhythm of the prayers soothes him to sleep.

Was really great getting to experience this unique Malay tradition. Some of my favourite shots below.

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/baby-jake/feed 0 Join FIFOTO! http://www.fifoto.com/blog/join-fifoto http://www.fifoto.com/blog/join-fifoto#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:20:23 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4907 Interested in Photography? Here’s your chance to join us in our photography adventure!

I’m currently looking for a Digital Imaging Assistant, someone who can help me with post-processing of photos and also, someone to train as a Junior Photographer. DI work will require you to come in to our studio at Plaza 138,  Jalan Ampang, 2-3 times a week.  Hours are flexible. Training will be provided. Knowledge in Adobe Photoshop and/or Lightroom and an interest in wedding photography is a plus as you will be given the opportunity to shoot as well! More importantly, I’m looking for someone responsible, bubbly, eager to learn, well-versed in English and who I can work well with.

If you know anyone who fits the bill, pls forward this link to them! Thank you!!

Interested applicants, pls email the following details to info@fifoto.com:

Full Name:

Date of Birth:

Gender:

Current Occupation:

Company or School:

Basic knowledge in Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom: Yes / No

Own a DSLR? Yes/No    (If yes, pls provide Brand & Model of DSLR)

Lenses (Brand and model):

Flash (Brand and model):

Website/Portfolio (if any):

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/join-fifoto/feed 1 Chang Chang & CJ http://www.fifoto.com/blog/chang-chang-cj http://www.fifoto.com/blog/chang-chang-cj#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:36:48 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4836 The week flew by fast enough, I suppose. Having spent the entire week at the studio, working extra hard and extra long with one good arm, I’m just glad the week is over. And I’m secretly thrilled at the fact that my team will be backing me up with a busy weekend of shoots this weekend while I take a break from work and rest. With one more week to go before I go for my next checkup and X-ray, in hope that that would be the last of my cast, (I’m imagining a good left arm after July 26th!) I’m looking forward to being normal again and no longer “cacat”, which Ming has been affectionately been calling me in the last 2 weeks (which I’ve also grown fond of, actually). So please please please send over your healing vibes and wish me cast-free real soon!

It’s been almost 2 years since I first met Chang Chang. My first time working with the lovely couple was back in November last year when I shot their pre-wedding photos in Melbourne. After 4 hours of shooting, a nice dim sum lunch and a serious nose-bleeding incident, we formed a special bond. And before you know it, they were back in KL for their wedding!

Chang Chang & CJ have been together for 10 years and they are just so cute together. They had a beautiful church ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral, one of my personal favorite churches to shoot at. It’s old school, vintage, pretty. When the priest announced them as husband and wife, ohhhhhhh you should have seen the long and loving hug they gave each other. It felt almost like a sense of relief, that they are finally, after 10 long years, husband and wife. Very sweet indeed!

Unlike most Chinese weddings with separate sessions, Chang Chang and CJ did it the Australian way and we shot for 14 hours continuously, my longest ever wedding shoot! My respect goes out to the Bride who lasted in heels all day when my feet gave way even with flats on! Nonetheless, we had fun, as we always do!

The dinner reception was held at the Imperial Garden. The oriental decor was strikingly beautiful, with Chinese lanterns dangling from the ceilings and floral wallpaper plastered on the walls. They really took the theme to the next level and I’m sure it’s safe to say I wasn’t the only one who was slightly (“slightly” is probably a major understatement!) taken aback when the food presentation was “performed” Ming dynasty style with swords and waiters dressed in olden day soldier-outfits! The speeches that night was the main highlight, for me that night. The speeches by the couple were meaningful, thoughtful and so sweet. I gotta stop crying at weddings!

Congrats to Chang Chang & CJ on finally being husband & wife! And thankful, from the bottom of my heart, for having us as your wedding photographers and allowing us be part of your very special day!

… and there’s the hug of the decade!

Makeup + Hair by Emilia Marcelo

Wedding Planning by Jovita Lo

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/chang-chang-cj/feed 0 Above & Beyond by Steve http://www.fifoto.com/blog/above-beyond-by-steve http://www.fifoto.com/blog/above-beyond-by-steve#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:13:41 +0000 steve http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4817 It is turning out to be a busy and exciting month for me, not only photography wise, but also generally. My apartment ‘modification’ works was completed a couple of days ago, and just a few hours ago, I was just accepting delivery of my furniture, couch, electrical stuff and all the other itsy bitsy bits. But the biggest delivery will happen in a couple of weeks! Exciting times ahead! Stay tuned to THAT ‘delivery’!!

So before all this exciting times, and the crazy World Cup fever that made everyone have sleepless nights and loss of money (due to disappointing results or a ‘worldwide conspiracy’), I shot a rave. Been a while since I last covered a rave, or a dance event. It was a Freedom night and the highlight was ‘Above & Beyond’. The name was not familiar to me but apparently they are quite good or maybe really good.

The night started out quite slow, maybe it was early, maybe some were watching the world cup match, but by the time Above & Beyond came on, the whole of KL Live was packed and the crowd was already pumped up and ready to partay! And as expected, the crowd went crazy when Above & Beyond came on.

So their tunes were somewhat familiar to me but judging from the response from the crowd, they were just damn good!

I love raves!

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/above-beyond-by-steve/feed 0 Piaget 20th Anniversary http://www.fifoto.com/blog/piaget-20th-anniversary http://www.fifoto.com/blog/piaget-20th-anniversary#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:22:21 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4793 Sitting comfortably at my office desk with bam bam on my lap and one hand in a cast, and as I think of what to write about, with a million things going through my head all at once, and as I narrate this word by word, HsienMing is typing it out. (Hi HsienMing here, its the first time I am doing something like this where somebody is sitting beside me and narrating about this blogpost it feels definitely weird!) Oh yes! It feels weird for me too but in a good way! I have always thought it was cool if someone could read my mind and convert my thoughts to text. I am half way there!

The Piaget 20th anniversary was celebrated at The Sultan Lounge, Mandarin Oriental last Tuesday. The party, as with any parties thrown by Amri was lavish, chic and bubbly! Piaget jewelery and watches were showcased together with pieces from local artist Nini and designer Khoon Hooi who contributed to 20th celebration. Jason and I were stationed at 2 separate photo walls and captured the glamorous socialites as they entered and partied the night away.  Atilia, the famous jazz singer who was one of the Raymond Weil Noemia girls, jazzed up the party with a few catchy tunes. Famous local celebs like Sheila Majid and Danielle Graham  also made an appearance.

Congratulations, Piaget on 20 years of glitter!

]]> http://www.fifoto.com/blog/piaget-20th-anniversary/feed 1 Safety First! http://www.fifoto.com/blog/safety-first http://www.fifoto.com/blog/safety-first#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:09:31 +0000 fiona http://www.fifoto.com/blog/?p=4795 One would think that having been the Chairperson of the Safety and Wellness committee and the Department rep for KLOSHC during my Exxon days, I’d have safety drilled into my head. I guess after 5 years of not being in that safety mindset, and no serious injuries, I became complacent and careless. My priority at that moment was to take a shot of Justina’s beautiful eyes. The bride is tall and so, I decided to climb on a stool to take the shot. All was well until the stool slipped and I fell. My first reaction was to keep my right hand, which was holding the camera, up, together with my left hip, where my shoot sac was slung over. And so my natural instinct was to hold my entire weight, plus my camera and flash and other lenses, using my left palm. My palm did support the fall but that also meant my elbow taking the bulk of the hit. I felt a sharp pain in my elbows and felt faint, probably from the pain and shock. After some icing and bandaids, I thought I’d be a trooper and was ready to get back into action! When I realized I couldn’t even lift my phone, I realized it was a lot worst than expected. The doc on duty at the A&E ward that night took an X-ray and said results show no fractures nor broken bones, thankfully! The Dr at the Emergency ward said it was my soft tissue that was inflamed and I required 1 week of no straining my left hand. The next day, the pain got worst, the swelling got bigger and the movement of my arm became more rigid.

I just got back from seeing Dr Chin, an Orthopedic and he noticed a small fracture on my elbow joint. I’m sitting at my desk, typing with one hand. The other, is in a cast, one that I must leave on for 3 weeks! Which means, no driving, no shooting, no jogging, no fun. And when I asked the doc how do I shower with it on, he jokingly said that doesn’t come in the manual! Guess I’ll have to figure that one out myself!

Despite the pain, immobility and 3 weeks of inconvenience, I’m just glad and very thankful that it’s nothing more serious and am super thankful it’s my left arm, not my right! (I’m right-handed!) And I take this as a good lesson learned – to practice safety, first and foremost, no matter how badly you want to get that perfect shot, losing capability of any of your limbs is certainly not worth it. Having struggled to do almost everything with one hand for the past 2 days, I feel blessed and can completely emphathize with those who are less fortunate.

I believe in cause & effect and although I’m in much discomfort, I think this lesson has effected greater learning and awareness. Looks like Safety didn’t leave the building when I left Exxon. And here’s to all my fellow photographers… Pls be careful at shoots! Put your safety first before any shot. I’ve learned that an injured wedding photographer is a useless one! :)

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and wishes! BIG THANKS to BIG MING for taking good care of me and for the (ahem!) next 3 weeks of extra TLC!

Remember guys, SAFETY FIRST, wherever you are!

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