Johnny & Iris Wedding Reception in Santorini, Greece at Hotel Galini

A wedding reception in Santorini, Greece, I've been waited for this day for very long and finally its here, nothing fancy about this wedding but it is by far one of the most comfortable wedding I've ever covered. Johnny originated from Hong Kong and Iris from Sandakan, they both have been living in UK for quite some time. I guess it is everybody's dream to have a wedding here. There aren't many information about holding a wedding in Santorini so I plan to share a little more here. It a small wedding reception in cozy Hotel Galini, just love the staff here as they are all very friendly, as both Johnny and Iris are Christians so they had a church solemnisation by their pastor in UK, and later on with official solemniser from Greece. It was funny that the Greek solemniser was talking in Greek so everyone did not understand anything but it was a fun experience. I guess due to all the handwork and hope, there are plenty of feelings flashed through Johnny and Iris mind, I can personally felt it when Iris was crying with happiness, this is indeed the day for both of them. Awesome sunset, the light was so strong like God is taking care for them. Everyone was very friendly and down to earth, especially Iris's parents, so I captured a few nice pre-wedding photos for both her mom and dad. Due to the reason it is an open air wedding dinner, we all had the luxury for a cozy windy night, accompanied with beautiful landscape of Santorini, every ladies in the event was given a blanket, that was very kind. Thanks for Iris for having me, I always feel that I'm the lucky one, you gave us a wonderful unforgettable experience. 

Under the Sunshine - Johnny & Iris Pre-Wedding in London and Santorini

Just right before their wedding day in Santorini we covered Johnny and Iris pre-wedding in both London and Santorini, we had a simple session in London Hyde Park, not the usual ones as its all garden style, thats what usually local prefer how their engagement session to me, not with those iconic architectures and such, so we gave them a little beloved session to arouse some of their emotions and continue discover each other again before heading to Santorini. As this time we did not fly over a make up artist from Malaysia so Iris did her make up on her own with a simple hair and minor make up, the sun and the ambience have added credit to the shots, we were very lucky to have such a nice sun throughout the whole session, however I also wish that we could discover even more places for the pre-wedding shot hehe, and we finished off with a divine golden hour light in Hotel Galini, this is where they will have their wedding day very soon. When I first met up with Iris in London, I hardly catch what she has to say with her very UK accent but it was ok, she was indeed a quiet type with well mannered personality, thought her inner self was filled with all the excitement like love of good food and always wanted to explore the world in an intellectual way. We had a good chat over Facebook before my journey to London and there was once she told me one thing that touches my soul, where Iris and Johnny was going on with hard times in life where Johnny was still desperately looking for a job for many months where they almost about to call off the wedding due to this reason, as all the deposit has been paid, Iris still decide to go forward with the idea with a very positive mind and telling me that they will work things out for this very special day. I never thought a person that I have not spoken a few before can express their most genuine self to me, I guess every relationship there is something to be struggling for and everyone must have gone through something in their lives for something better, the matter is whether both person willing to work together to achieve to that destination. Yes, sometimes I get something touching from people's bride, sometimes they will share with me things that inspired me to move further, that is why I set sail to develop pictures that may be possible to prolong a person relationship rather than damaging in unconscious way. That remains as my motto ever since.

Love - Kevin & Miki Pre-Wedding in London and Santorini

Finally its the day, its our friend Kevin Tan pre-wedding day! Yes thanks for having to capture this special mission in Santorini, both of us have our own assignment here in London and Santorini so its good that it could cover our cost for this special assignment. Just to highlight that these editing is done by myself after his wedding day and Kevin Tan have opt to do his own editing for his pictures hehe, well these editing are to satisfy the blog only :p. I understand it is quite difficult for a photographer to be shot by another photographer, the feeling is quite weird but hopefully they are able to enjoy this very special session of theirs. The dress in Santorini was sponsored by Pretty in White, we have lots of funny pictures and behind the scene pictures on the trip. You know, if you ask me if I love Santorini, my answer is yes, if I have brought my love ones together with me, but for a guy to be alone here is quite boring, thanks for having these friends with me during the trip, at least there are things to play and laugh about. Kevin were very afraid of my magic, wonder what kind of magic I would use for his pre-wedding, but nothing much, the session that tailored for them are very personal and I am sure it able to revive certain hidden element between them, so that both are able to continue exploring one another.

Mun Kit & Denise Wedding Day at Senja, Saujana Hotel

Ah finally its a day we friends is everywhere in this assignment. Mun Kit is an old friend of mine since University days back in the States, where we used to sell books together to help us through school, and so I invite my buddy Cliff Choong together as my assistant shooter, at the same day his wedding live band is there too, and also our student manager who help get us into the book selling business Ramesh Ratnam, a ver well respected person among us, where we used to call ourselves Bookman. Surprisingly I also get to know one of Denise friend Maggy, who used to be a student of mine in one of the workshops I conducted. Loving all the pictures here in Beautiful Senja, I guess pictures tells a thousand words. Denise kept introduce me to some of her close friends, I was quite shy as I suppose to be the person behind the scene. Well it was a fun day! Thanks Mun Kit for having us!

Adrian & Shirin Church Ceremony in Divine Mercy, Glenmarie

Tired day with sweet reward, loving the mix cultures in this day where Indian, Malay and Chinese is like one big family here, everyone respect one another and having fun together. Reason being Adrian was brought up in a mix family with Indian and Chinese so they had a tea ceremony right after the church ceremony in Divine Mercy in Glenmarie. Lots of people, and certainly an awesome dinner party at Sime Darby Convention Centre. This was also my first time get to see Ambiga in real person, I was so busy capturing where my second shooter hinted me that lol. I felt so blessed to be in a nice crowd.

Adrian & Shirin Traditional Indian Blessing Ceremony at Bangunan Peladang

One of our favourite assignment and also one of the most hectic one, like usual there are simply so many important things to be captured in an indian blessing ceremony and the things I love to shoot most are all the sweet emotions from here such as hugs and tears usually from grandmother and close friends. I admire the Indian family ties, there are many to learn from them as they really have a very strong bond of family ties which our Chinese community has began to loose interest in. There are Indian weddings that can only see Indian in the wedding, but this crowd are the modern one where you can see all kinds of people from around the world with different races mingled in one place, its truly one Malaysia, I have also get to know that Shirin is the attorney in charge in Ambiga's cases, good crowd.

The Silent Prayer - Andy & Zhu Zen Pre-Wedding in Tip of Borneo

Andy & Zhu Zen are friend of Philip and Deniece, one of the couple I captured few months back, all of them were graduated from the same school, and they are all dentist. Come to think of it, I just realised that I do have a lot of couples who are doctors and dentist haha, I love capturing doctors, for some reason they seemed to know what they wanted and able to cope of all the fears and determined for success. I have asked a doctor what are the reason that they behave in such a way and the reply I got was because doctors are very stress at work and it is not what we usually imagined, I laughed. Both Andy and Zhu Zen are christians, I kept telling Andy that Philip and him looked very similar. Zhu Zen is a special one, she was quiet all the way but never underestimates her determination. We took a drive about 3 hours to this place called Tip of Borneo, this is my second time capturing here, but this time the weather is very windy, the wind almost blew us away. When we hike down to the tip, the path was very slippery, we almost stop walking further and suddenly Zhu Zen made her choice to move on, I was shocked by her determination and so we did, and there goes all the great shots. That recall a habit of relationship related to our daily lives, sometimes in a relationship it takes determination to move on further, it takes courage, we have to kill our fear and challenge all the obstacles, and for some reason I believe many doctors have this kind of trait. I learned a lot from every tiny bit of things, my heart is sensitive living object.

Eric & Gloria Wedding and Dinner Reception at Bankers Club

Eric and Gloria are both very cute couples, when we met up in our studio they are both very shy but friendly style kind of couple, I suggested a few tips for their wedding day and they are very easy to listen to my suggestions, I am very blessed to be part of their special day. There are few things that touches me during the day, one of it is her mother, she missed Gloria very much and barely able to hold her tears, it is a wonderful thing to see he beloved daughter getting married to a nice guy like Eric. Another thing I love was the way they exchange their vows, I was surprised with Gloria's words to Eric, I didn't know she can be very expressive at first, but I am sure that what she said are all from the bottom of her heart. Everything was sweet that day, and it is easily filled a contented heart. There was one day that I got interviewed by a radio channel, and Eric was the one who called me telling me that he heard my voice in the radio during a traffic jam, haha, thanks for recognising my voice and laughter, I know its kind of unique hehe.

Michael & Yanjun ROM at Carcosa Seri Negara

This is one of the nicest reception that I have ever shot, accompanied by nice people and small intimate ROM. Yanjun is sister of Yijun which I am about to cover their wedding very soon, her cousins are just amazing, this family have a very strong bond with good family values, they know how to have fun and appreciate the presence of one another. I remember whenever Yanjun about to share something, she will start to cry and hardly you will know what she talking about hehe. And Michael, you have broken my historical record for being my oldest groom to date, one thing I remember when he spoke about his age, he said to me, "try to enjoy every bits of life before you ready for the next stage", for that moment I figured, thats a very long journey of experience, because I am still single, he have indeed inspired me and given me a little comfort :D. Such a short event, just wish it can be longer and Michael and Yanjun, I just want to tell you guys that, I wish all my couples are as sweet as all of you, I really miss you guys and I did had a great time in your special day.

Song of Awesomeness - Keng & Phay Yee Wedding Day

It was an awesome day and night celebration, I still recalled that the first time I met Keng and Phay Yee while our studio was newly renovated and we end up meeting Starbucks Empire Gallery Soho, get to know that this couple is someone greatly related to my personal interest, music. Keng is a guitarist and Phay Yee is a very sweet Piano instructor. During the gate crash Keng brought along his fellow music members, crazy looking ones, and they all were filled with funny expressions. People that involved in music are truly filled with a unique aurora that is truly laughable. Its seem so nice that both people involve in music can get together doing something interesting in life. And that night its no less than filled with people from the music industry and got to meet 1 or 2 that I knew in real life. What I love about this wedding was how this couple has endure so much about the discipline in music, every single note that the band expresses came from many years of experience that enable each tone to be richly played. I did not asked about how popular and master Keng was but I just love how he plays the guitar. Play Yee had also invited a group of her students to witness her special day, the little ones are just simply adorable. Another thing I love most was Phay Yee's dinner dress, simple yet complicated, you can simply tell that this lady has a specific taste and expectations that is contented but it made her looked really awesome. It was a relaxing night, and it was one of the special occasion I will always remembered.