It's really been a while since the last post, but time certainly hasn't stopped for me.

Just thought I'd post a quick one and share a photo that's quite a departure from the nikah and sanding you'd most probably be expecting.

Here's Aaron and Carlene McLachlan.

Vietnam

Just thought i'd share some photos from my Vietnam trip.

View of the city

There's Paris in France, Texas, and also Vietnam

Just one of the many business establishments...

Provisions anyone?

In making conversation with the storekeeper, I accidentally bought this keropok babi. Fortunately I read the ingredients before I opened the pack.

No worries, cos soon enough, found a Halal restaurant.

This photo studio caught my eye

Old world meets new world

There's no shortage of motorbikes here

Old school, vintage, call it what you will. You definitely don't see this model very often.

A Moment's Silence

It's actually been a while since I got back, but there was much catching up to do in terms of work, and in the midst of it all came the unfortunate demise of a dear friend.

His early departure was a real shock, but also a reminder that we never know when our time will come.

It's terrible to think that the most unlikely persons are going to leave you much earlier than you imagine. It's terrible to be caught up in work, getting by, making a living and not spending enough time with people that mean so much to you.

I can't really remember the first time I met Wayne, and in case you didn't know he was the drummer for the notorious local rock outfit, the Boredphucks.

For a long time we were acquaintances, but it was over in Melbourne that our friendship grew. The Boredphucks had evolved into The Suns, and I'd come to their gigs and control the lights for their shows.

It was more than just music, there were plenty of barbecues, house parties, football nights... In a foreign land, we were a small community and I think in some way, The Suns have put Singapore permanently on the local Melbourne map (as far as live music was concerned).

You meet so many people in your life but Wayne is really special in a way - he is truly one person whom I do not have a bad memory of. That's not something that you can say even of your best of friends.

People come and go, but our memories of them live on. And so do photographs. I'd like to share with you a photo that I took of him, before one of their earlier gigs on Bruswick Street.

Wayne, you will always be missed.

A Word of Caution

Ok, I'll be flying off to Vietnam tomorrow, but I've really got to post this before I leave.

I've just come to know via the local photography forums that there has been some cases of hard-selling and pressure tactics going on recently. As far as I know, it's not related to wedding photography, but closer to the makeover / portraiture market.

From the first-hand accounts of some of the victims, the whole scheme sounds very much like the time-share deal, but this time the products are photography packages.

Just like time-sharing, I'm sure they would have done enough homework to keep the business legal. The methods however, are questionable.

Phone call telling you you've won a free session. You turn up, get shots done. Pressured into buying other packages.

Sound familiar?

Let me remind you of an age-old wisdom: There Is No Free Lunch In The World.

Be a smart consumer. However attractive something appears, do your research. If you decide to give it a go, bring along a strong-willed friend for moral support. Strong enough to say 'no', and to keep that wallet in your pocket.

What I feel about this, is that it is a very unethical way of drumming up business, and defintely a great disappointment to the photography industry.

Again, be a smart, informed, and savvy consumer. In this age of technology, you have no reason not to.

Travel Advisory

I will be in Vietnam from the 19th - 22nd of April, and as such I may not be able to respond to some of your enquiries. Work will resume as usual on the 23rd and I will be sure to clear any backlogs then.

I've never been to Vietnam, but quite a few of my friends have been there before and they all seem to agree on this:

"The traffic is crazy! If you need to cross the road, just step off the pavement and walk straight ahead. The millions of motorbikes will somehow avoid you like a school of fish! If you hesitate, you'll be stuck at the pavement indefinitely".

Sounds interesting already right? It's been a while since I left safe and sterile Singapore, and I can't wait to live my life a little more dangerously once again, aka Austin Powers but without the hairy chest and Union Jack briefs.

Hopefully I'll be back in one piece with some photos to boot.

My Wedding List

I’m in the midst of planning my own wedding, and so at the risk of appearing like a Mat Kahwin2, I thought that I might as well share my own list with all of you.

This list is by no means complete and exhaustive, but my fiancée and myself are really chilled out and we’d want nothing more than a simple affair.

Unfortunately, that is totally out of the question as she will be the first in her family to be married. We’re still not planning for something grand, but I think the guest-list will be quite long (for her side at least).

Feel free to copy this list and use it as a starting point for your own.

In no particular order:

Kursus Rumah Tangga
ROMM Interview Session
Kadi
Photographer (I can’t be taking my own shots, can I?)
Invitation Cards
Venue
Decor
Catering
Wedding Favors (Berkat)
Entertainment
Hadrah / Kompang
Bridal Car
Wedding Bands (rings, not music!! ☺)
Mak / Pak Andam + Baju Pengantin
Baju Nikah (We intend to tailor our own)
Hantaran (still saving for it!)
Dulang + Gifts

And that’s it! There could be more, but I think that the list above pretty much covers what we’ll need for the day. I’ve also included stuff like hadrah / kompang which is not that important to us, but more for the sake of pleasing our parents. (Read this to have an idea of what I mean).

I’ve also taken the liberty to exclude stuff like inai (my fiancée is trying to escape from it), and also stuff like bunga telur, sireh dara etc – because I know nuts about it and I’ll just leave it to my mum / makcik2. I’m sure my fiancée will be doing the same.

I guess this is what you get when two ‘slack’ individuals decide to marry one another ☺.

Babies

Undoubtedly, babies will always be the most natural subjects around. In a world where everything is new, they are unabashed about their behaviour and emotions. And most certainly, they can do no wrong.


These shots are from an engagement I covered over the weekend. Seeing how time flies, I'm sure it won't be too long before they have their own ceremonies. I can't guarantee their youth, but I'm sure these photos will always remind their families of the girls circa their diaper-wearing days. With selendang nonetheless.