Memorable Trip Home

My trip back home was certainly very tiring but worth every single moment of it - from chatting with my beloved swim coach, assisting in friend's wedding, Saigon trip with my folks to catching up with cousins and meeting up with friends over Xmas period. I hardly had sufficient sleep without even acclimatised to the time difference. As such, fatigues actually hit me towards my last 2 days in Penang.

Seeing the faces and the expressions for the surprises is priceless. These are certainly etched into my memory.

Having said that, I didn't really take many photos other than friend's wedding celebrations. I guess I just wanted a break and soaked in.

Unlike other trips back, I didn't have a more affirmative schedule for my next return due to some uncertainties.

Here is a shot while staying over in Singapore and was brought there by cousins who are photography enthusiasts:

Got loads to process from friend's wedding to Saigon's trip (not many though)......

Simplicity - Take 2

After perusing through my collection of simplicity images, I realised that I have been not very actively. Most of the pics are at least 1 year old with the exception of a handful taken recently with an after-thought.

I shall revive this once again, firstly to energise myself and challenge my creativity. Simple composition exudes elegance yet exhibits serenity. It's an art form in one way or another.

The very first stint will be in Saigon (HCMC). I have decided that the gear will be the bare minimum - 1 body, 1 lens and 3 flash acessories (maybe just 2). The gear will be D3, 50mm, SU800 and 2 flashes (max). One lens to snap them all....

In the meantime, here is the link to the Simplicity is Beauty.

I hope I can contain my fervour til then...

Men of Movember 2009

Although I am not possible to grow a moustache, I involved myself in another way for charity, Movember. Movember is held annually in the month of, well, November whereby moustache is grown and maintained for the entire month. The purpose of this is to raise the awareness of men's health, specifically prostate cancer and depression.

When I was asked to photograph some of these men for the purpose of using them in 2010 calendar for their company, I gladly jumped onboard. The best part of it was one copy of the calendars with the participants autographs was sold at $400 through auction during the company's Xmas dinner. In total, $1400 were raised through the 2010 calendar sales alone which were selling like hot cakes!

Anyway, here is the group shot.

November Portraits

Some of the images taken for a family portrait and an engagement session with couple who will be getting married in April.

Thanks to the Talwar family for having me to photograph your awesome family.

Amy & Dave, finally after some wicked weather in the last couple of weeks we managed to get the session done.

Counting Down

The countdown has began and I'm actually not referring to the festive seasons. I can't hardly wait for next week to arrive as I will be back in my hometown. After some difficult months, the prospect of seeing my folks, relatives and close ones certainly replenishes the positiveness in me.

I can't wait for my family's Vietnam trip to come in about 10 days and I'm sure there will be quality time spent in fooling around with my folks, hopefully. I guess it's about time for me to make the effort in getting to know more about them, especially dad due to some personal reasons.

Before the Viet trip, I get the honour of covering a friend's wedding in our good ol Penang. It will be spread over 3 days and I hope to withstand the humidity!

How can I forget the company close friends after being away for some time. It doesn't really matter where we meet or where to eat. What I cherish most is the time we get to be together. Having said that, I'd prefer somewhere relaxing with not much of loud music for us to actually catch up rather than headbanging.

I hope to bring the very best out of this trip. Perhaps, I shall quote this from someone "Sleep is for the dead".

Boosting & Soothing

Seeing the delightful expression of my client upon delivering the final results of my images is priceless. This satisfaction actually soothes the disappointments that I have experienced (and still going through) for the past few months.

Anyway, here are some of the images of their 6 months' old bub that amaze them.
It's certainly a boost to my AIM - Aspiration, Inspiration & Motivation.