Back!!!!

Okay, confession time. Haven't posted for months and about time I do something. Lots of backlog to update everyone on what's going on.

Yes, Stephen is still alive and kicking :)

Lots of life changing event lately, and nothing is more significant than the arrival of Kyan, my 2nd son.



Isn't he cute?

Will certainly keep everyone posted on the recent events, in the meantime, I'm preparing for another wedding shoot this Saturday, and come monday, I'll be off to Downunder for 10 days for overseas shoot. Lunar 7th month is never a holiday for wedding photgraphers like me!

More post to come, I promise :p

We're overall top 3 in WPJA competition!

Great news to share with one and all, Lyrical Moments just emerged as one of the top 3 photographers in the Winter 2006 photo competition organised by the Wedding photojournalist Association (http://www.wpja.com).



We are indeed very honoured to be the only asian who managed to emerge in the list of top 10 photo journalist, and more than just an award, this is yet another affirmation that our works have reach another new height in the international scene.

Here are the 2 photos that had won:

4th placing under "Humour"



1st placing under "Toast and Speeches"



A big thank you to Jon & Ros, as well as Alex and Jolyne for the opportunity; also like to thank my past and future brides who have sent their well-wishes and congratulations. Cheers!

Michelle & Colin, 4 March 2007

I really love to photograph in hotels that are have nice big windows with nice lighting, and this is probably my favourite photo for the year.




Pushing my style to something a bit more abstract:

Melody & Ivan, 3 March 2007

Another simple and beautiful wedding, Melody & Ivan is one of the many overseas /expat couples that I've photographed.

Congrats to the both of you!

Face lift!

Been spending the past two days revamping the images on my website and probably 90% of the images have been replaced by new ones. These images represent my art direction and vision as a professional photographer.

Here's the new face of Lyrical Moments' website:



New face for the new year!:)

Geraldine & Pierre 3 Feb 2007

Geraldine & Pierre is one of the nicest couples I've met so far - humble, unassuming and I was really glad to be there to document their beautiful wedding.

This is one of those weddings that I really do away with the flash, except for 2 pictures (couldn't help it, venue was way too dim to photograph anything).

Here are some of the highlights, captured for eternity


This is one lovely flower girl, I wish I have a daughter like this :)




Classic kiss scene in church, picture wouldn't be special without audience participation (the flash light!)



One of the really timeless images I've ever captured as a photographer:


Once again, congratulations to Geraldine & Pierre, you guys are wonderful and thank you for the opportunity! :)

Erika & Nick, 21 Jan 2007

Had a really great shoot on Sunday, one of those really simple and cosy wedding affairs. Couple is really fun loving and here are some of my favourite images that define my style.

2007!

Okay, have to admit that I was a little too overwhelmed with work to update my blog.

4 more albums to clear, another 2000 images to post process. Been meeting at least 5 couples per week, answering enquiries via email and phone regarding our services.

Just collected my new name card from the printer, and it's looking great! This time, I've incorporated one of my award winning pictures at the back of the card ;)

Here's our new address:

111, North Bridge Road
#27-01/02 Peninsula Plaza
Singapore 179098

Way to start the first post of the year ;)

Black and white film

In the age where photography is dominantly digital, it is interesting to know that film still has a place in wedding photography. The whole experience of shooting in black and white film, loading it into the film developing tank, pour in the chemicals, washing the film, and finally unreeling the film to reveal the film that you hand processed is priceless.

Although I've stopped doing my own film developing, I personally like to use this medium because of the character and the overall look it gives. In a way, being able to shoot on film is becoming a niche and my clients have been very happy with it.

I normally don't go into equipment discussion, but special mention has to be given to my Leica rangefinder - these tools are really compact and silent, and produces pictures with wonderful tones.

2 examples from weddings I took last week:




Film grain is still something that digital has yet to surpass.

Overseas Bridal Photography

We are really excited to announce that Lyrical Moments will be travelling to the following places: Amsterdam (April & August 07), Dubai (Nov 2007), Adelaide (Mid April) for bridal shoot next year!

In retrospect, here are some of the overseas bridal /prewedding pictures I've done in 2006:

Bridal photography

Over the past 2 weeks, I've received many requests, as well as enquiries for bridal & pre-wedding photography. It's about time we expand our range of services and offer the kind of bridal photography that's not only timeless, but creative and unique at the same time.

So what's Lyrical Moment's philosophy on these bridal shoots? Very simply, it's all about who the couple REALLY is - no cheezy, contrived or "template" poses, but portraits and images that reflect personalities. Every series are going to be unique because everyone's different!

Here are some of my favourites that I've been doing all these while, as a teaser before the bridal section on my website is launch, which I'm sure many are looking forward to.

Images taken in Singapore:

Alex & Jolyne, 18 Dec 2006

Despite a lazy and rainy monday, this wedding is one that's full of zest and energy, thanks to the lovely and fun couple, Alex and Jolyne.

Here are some of the favourites:

Firhad & Izrina, 16 Dec 2006

This is one of the few Malay weddings that's really unique. For once, it's held in Asian Civilisation Museum instead of the usual HDB void deck.

Quick post before I rush off for the banquet shoot, will post more images later ;)

Roy & Ee Peng, 9 Dec 2006

9 Dec 2006 is probably the hottest date for couples to tie the knot. I've turned down over 50 couples who requested for that date; there were couples who actually called 3 days before 9 Dec and I really have problems recommending other professional photographers because everyone's booked!

This lucky couple, Roy and Ee Peng managed to secure our photography services in the beginning part of the year. Lovely and nice couple, I really enjoyed working with them.

Here are 2 of my favourite photos:

Congratulations, Roy & Ee Peng!

We've made it to AGWPJA!!

I'm pleased to announce that two of my images have received award in 2 photo contest categories by the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (http://www.agwpja.com)! In otherall ranking, Lyrical Moments Photography is listed as #15 for the Fall '06 contest.

This is really good news and a recognition of the effort put in for Lyrical Moments Photography. The Artistic Guild promotes the incorporation of fine arts into wedding photojournalism, and I'm really honoured to be one of the 4 Singaporean photographers listed there.

Here are the 2 winning entires:

In 4th place under "Engagment Portraits" (This photo used to grace our website as the opening picture)

In 8th place under "Ceremony"

Ezal & Muna, 11 Nov 2006

Here's one of the 2 Malay wedding/ROM that I'm covering over the next 20 days. Malay weddings are really homely affairs (no puns intended) and simple - I enjoyed every bit of it.

Priceless Moments

Ok, haven't had the time to update the blog. Having done a whole chain of weddings for the past 2 weeks, it's time to take a short breather before another marathon of weddings comes on in December.

Here are some of my favourites from the last few weddings that I shot:

I really like this image for the priceless expression. Thankfully couple didn't pop the champange Michael Schumacher style.


Same wedding in Marriot hotel ballroom, which happens to be a venue that's really challenging for photographers - low lighting, high ceiling, spot light that changes in both colour and intensity. This shot was captured at the right moment when the spot light outlines the intimate body language of the couple.



Unlike film, digital has a much lower latitude thus making dramatic lighting technically very difficult to handle. When I created this image, I had in mine the aura around the bride and her father as they make their entrance into the church. Exposure is so critical that because we want to preserve those highlight details, at the same time, enough shadow details to see the faces.



This last one really takes the cake, the contrast between the 2 faces makes this a really priceless moment!



More photos on the way...next series on details.

Major events...

One of the big events that I covered last Sunday at Suntec Ballroom, Guest of Honour was Mr Wong Kan Seng Deputy Prime Minister.

There are some shots that you CANNOT miss for such events, plus you have 12 other photographers to jostle with, all of whom are in the same "get-the-shot-or-else" situation - thus explains the stressful nature of such assignments.

Some of the lyrical moments:





Next few weeks are going to be real busy. 5 weddings in a span of 7 days, man, I'm really looking forward to it ;)

Vogue

Just did a photoshoot today for a really lovely couple. Groom is obviously very photogenic and is appearing in the current MOE recruitment advertisment (Mr Gravity) :)

I've always challenged myself to do produce images that not only look different, but with a conceptual punch to it. Anyway, here's their very 'Vogue' like shot, which will be used for their invitation card: