The Spirit of Emotions Photography Workshop by Dennis Yap - 29 Dec 2012

A specific wedding can be the same but different people produces different result! If you ever wonder why some photo are touching and why some doesn't; why some photos are able to make you cry and some you do not have any feeling with it; why some photos are able to make you agree with him (the shooter) but some you just disagree all the way; why some photos are very grand and artistic but you just can't seem to click with it. In this workshop we have the answer for you. And we aim to make you even better.

Aside from "The Hidden Treasure" workshop that Dennis had conducted earlier, that workshop described ways to make things real so that the shooter can acknowledge his responsibility (those people that had attended the workshop will know what I am talking about. =P). For this The Spirit of Emotions workshop its all about the photographer's efford; his mind, skill, techniques and vision in order for him to distinguishes himself from the rest. In simple terms, this workshop is all about expressing the individual's heart, which I called it "The Spirit". 

50% of the cost of this workshop are sponsored by our clients as we use 5% of our revenue to promote social awareness. The Spirit of Emotions is part of our effort to inspire, to acknowledge and to educate. This is the reason that our workshops are always reasonable because we believe that as a market player, we should not be charging sky high for education, and education is important for the growth of humanity. Believe me, it is true~ we mean it.

For those attendees that have attended this workshop before we urge you to attend again as the previous we have did was 2 years ago. Majority of the topic that will be discussed here has been evolved over time. Seats are limited to 15 pax in Le Petit Studio. We are proud to have our own studio to host this workshop and it is the first time to have it here, the home of Dennis Yap Photography*. Hope to see you here~ and do take your chance to make some friends. :)

A Place Called Sandakan - Robert & Annie Wedding Day

Robert and Annie known each other during Robert's trip to Singapore, and they shared a lot of laughters together, Robert works in a drug manufacturing company while he ensures the drugs were meeting certain standards prior to launch. Yes, Robert is the nerdy one, his brother as well hehe. My first impression to Robert is he look so much like a scientist. For this special day, Robert flew over his close family from Vancouver to Sandakan and Annie flew over from Singapore. It was the first time where Robert heard about the gate crash and most people were very new to this idea, so it was interesting to see how they react to it, but since most people were not young, the gate crash was very simple and short. 

It was not my first visit to Sandakan, there are some nice memories behind this small little town. I remember the moment I stepped into Annie's room and start snapping, and a guy beside me asked if I am Dennis Yap and start observing how I snap. But in fact its nothing special, it just snap snap all the way hehe. Annie's family was a little reserved. For those that just known Annie one might think that she is a bridezilla but in fact she is a very kind hearted lady. So right after the wedding day we were both sharing about the wedding day. Looking forward to meet her and her friends in Singapore during my next trip. 

The Sweetness Within - Marcus & Jeen Wedding Day

Both Marcus and Jeen were actually living in Australia and this day its something special happening for the Mah family. The moment I stepped inside Jeen's house I was amazed by the size of the house but the Mah's family were all very humble people and they all were so down to earth. For some reason, I kept on recalling the sweetness of Jeen's mom, where she welcomed me nicely, inviting me for a nice cup of coffee. To the Mah's family, Jeen is a unique daughter where she brought over many good qualities within the family, setting a very good example for everyone. I was like part of the family already. The good thing about this assignment was the gate crash was done inside the house, where it was big enough to cater the big group of groomsmen. And again, I met my old colleague in the group. Everything was very authentic and genuine. Pretty bride and smart looking groom, nothing more can ask for, hehe. The Mah's family really gave me a very good impression, I wish one day I can visit her mom and give them a big thanks again.

The Journey of Olivia

It was an amazing journey to cover Alicia's Baby Olivia. This assignment is not finished yet as the assignment covers maternity portrait of Alicia, delivery of Olivia, new born of Olivia, full moon until Olivia is 1 year old. A journey that will take 1 year to complete. A journey that will take 4-5 session to complete. As always, my dream was to cover the delivery room, we almost got it but the doctor refused to allow me to enter the delivery room to cover Alicia's delivery and it will still remain as my dream. I love newborn portraitures, especially for this assignment there are so many sessions within a year, and we sort of built this intimate little relationship with the Lim's family. And now I still miss them, including their dog. 

Alicia's family loves to values pictures and they had their pictures taken from wedding until to date and it is still going on. After these few sessions, now left over is Olivia's full moon and 1 year old, and by then they receive a nice custom made album, which includes the whole process of Olivia, from pre-born until 1 year old, I hope the journey will continue until Olivia's 18 year old but I hope I will still be healthy enough to cover that. And I have also tried to imagine, what if one day, I am able to cover Olivia's wedding. That will be something amazing right? Gosh, I just wish that I can do this forever!

Remembrance - Howard & Angeline Wedding Day

Howard and Angeline had engaged me for almost 2 years and a year before we supposed to cover her pre-wedding and wedding day but a week before her wedding day, Angeline's mother had passed away and she had to call off all her wedding plans, I still remember that she were crying over the phone telling me the sad news. On this wedding day, it was rather a remembrance of her mother besides a wedding day. In the morning, Angeline's dad walked over to me and shared his feelings, even though Angeline looked happy on this day but within everyone it was a sad feeling because her mother were unable to be there for her. Her wedding dinner was filled with lots of laughter but half of the attendees were unable to attend due to the missing of her mom, but we still carry on everything that has been planned. We actually helped Angeline to make a slideshow for the remembrance of her mom, and there was a moment of silence before the dinner is commenced. Aside that, humorous Howard had made the day with laughter and joy. I remember the moment I watched Angeline marching in with a brilliant smile, for that moment I felt so happy for her, simply because we had known each other for quite a while and I can relate with them, everything happened in the wedding. 

Really thanks for Angeline and Howard, love to see your friends and family that day, may your new life filled with love and happiness. 

Unspoken Words - Kenny & Cheryl Wedding Day

Cheryl and Kenny stayed very close to our Studio in Empire, what a coincidence, in fact just realised that I have covered 3 families in the past on the same road where Cheryl live. When I entered to Cheryl's room, facing her bed was a big painting of a fatty lady. I asked Cheryl if she love the painting and she told me that she love to see giant ladies. Just so happened her make up artist was about the similar size, and for that moment I take note of myself, am I the giant type as well.. hmm.... feeling worried LOL. And later came the groom Kenny, and all his groomsmen were dressed up with the funny shirt thats sells in Thailand, with the wording "GAME OVER" below a married couple, you should know which one. All of them were funny, casual, layback. I am sure that Kenny did it for fun, and the day ended after lunch.

However, there has been a myth in this assignment that I have not able to discover why. Did I just aroused your curiosity? At first Cheryl had booked me for a full day package but for some reason we were told that the wedding was cancelled and later they settled with a half day assignment. And one day while I was browsing the web and went into Malaysia bride forum and found that my package was for sale, on the same date which is today, and realise that they are looking for a couple to buy over the date. Though I knew it was not possible as per our policy but it was quite a surprise. Therefore on that wedding day, I was very excited to find out why, but it seemed that everything was quite well organised and worked out quite fine. As a photographer, most of the time we can only based on observation, we can never get to understand the whole story unless we were told. But one thing I do realise that, the more story the couple expresses, regardless it is good or bad, those story can help us in creating something more extraordinary. :)

Our Premium Album - All Time Favourite

We have received many enquiries asking about the look of our premium album. Here it is, ever since we launched this album since beginning 2012 it has been an all time favorite for every couple that engaged us. Right after they see the album they fell in love and got mezmerized right away. Over the years we have been personalizing, this album were created with many thoughts behind. It is not just an album but something that reflect what we believe over the years, specially tailored for you. And you only get it in Dennis Yap Photography*. We want something that enable you to recall the past and enhances your feelings after many years to come. Thus, this album is not created for now but for the future. I particularly love the pattern indicated infront of the box, we named it The Tree of Life. A book for many generations to come. It also signifies the meaning of Life, overpowers the meaning of love. As we believe that the meaning of life comes after many encounters of love. Lots of love.

Regards,

Dennis Yap

Two Simple Souls - Darren & Cadence Wedding Day in Ipoh

Met up Darren and Cadence over coffee in Empire Gallery, both of them are actually known each other for a very long time, when I asked about their views in their relationship and what are the things they most look forward to, they replied with a very simple word: Like husband and wife. I found that usually couples that had a long term relationship they most look forward for receiving something from the heart rather than fine art. Just very heard warming pictures, nothing dramatic, just as honest as it can be. And so this day, I travelled all the way to northern part of Ipoh to cover their wedding day. Cadence family were very simple and nice, nothing formal but very quiet and sweet. My heart were equally silent that day, slowly observing each part of it, even though Cadence told me not to capture too many LOL. It was very cozy, just like back to my home town.

Bridezilla is Awesome - Edwin & Amelia Wedding Dinner

Yes, its now Amelia's turn. Well me and Amelia had met up a couple of times but I only met with Edwin during the wedding dinner. Amelia handles most of the stuffs in the wedding, for whoever that had came close with Amelia will put her in the top list for many things hehe. I remember we met up in Starbucks Empire Gallery and she were bombarding with questions and stuff, so I gave her a bunch of my favourite vendor list like a wedding planner, and in return I receive called from them asking me "who is Amelia?", laughed all the way, and sometimes she can be very demanding and post her harsh comments on Facebook. Her name was quite well known in the industry for a while but I was surprised that for many times I heard Amelia bombarding around making complaints but she had never being fussy at me, maybe I served her like a queen LOL. Well, there is no harm for being a bridezilla, in fact I just love them, because they are the ones I like to joke around with, and usually every year we can only get around like 3 bridezilla's the most, so they are really rare. 

Amelia loves her family and friends, every lady has a soft part, and spent the whole night capturing all sorts of stuffs. One of the tough part was the ceiling was covered all over with red cloths so it is harder to apply lightings. I was surprised I bumped with with a potential couple on that night who are good friends of Amelia. So her hubby asked what do I think about the set up. For that moment I paused a while and think how should I reply his question. Well if I answer "amazing!" that is probably a lie because I have seen that much. But in another perspective Amelia might think that it is an amazing one. But if I answer "soso!", then it would be not nice because I am giving the potential couple a form of pressure. Well my final answer is "it is nice, it can be nicer without the red cloth on the ceiling". Hehe.... but right after I replied, I receive another question: "What would be the best wedding setup?", so I replied him "that might be better answer by a wedding planner". ^_^ Yey... everyones happy now.

Thanks Amelia, though I have not heard of you a lot after the wedding, but to be honest, I am quite happy that you were satisfied with the pictures, after you have received everything. That is most important. Cheers. 

The Fortunate One - Kwan Yeow & Ji San Wedding Day

Met up this couple over in Bangsar and found out that Ji San and I had a lot of friends in common back from college times while we were in the States. Kwan Yeow is also a very humble looking guy, a very obvious feature about Kwan Yeow is his sexy lips. Ji San and I had a very long chat history but unfortunately I was unable to cover her ROM and Wedding Day. At first Ji San and Kwan Yeow had booked me for all events, an ROM in beautiful Janda Baik and Wedding Day in KL, which both of them most looked forward but due to some minor date changes I have to let go for both events and covering her wedding dinner in Ipoh. However, this does not stop us chatting a some time lol. I remember one day Ji San and Kwan Yeow had sent me an SMS saying "Thanks for meeting us. We are really sad that you couldn't help us take nice pics during our very special day. What we miss most about you is the fun squirmy side of you that we are so comfortable with. This is somebody we were always looking for to work with but its God's call. Haha. Thanks for everything and please help think of some nice ideas where to take when we are in Ipoh. Nites!" The moment I looked at the message, I really hope that I can really split my body into halve so that I can satisfy everyone, but reality it is impossible. But I am sure that they will hire a good one hehe, maybe not as crazy as me but certain can take nice pictures I guess. 

Aside from pictures, I guess Ji San is one of the very fortunate bride in my list. Having 4-5 wedding dresses designed by specific designers like Carven Ong and Celest Thoi, and Kwan Yeow's family had actually built a private villa besides the family home, he said whoever married first will get that, to me, I made a joke is in fact a mating hub hehe... for many babies to come. So we did a few shots in the private villa.  

Hey, really thanks for having me Ji San and Kwan Yeow, though it is a small event but it seemed that we had known each other for a very long time. All the best to you both.