Arranged a pre-wedding collab shoot for potential joinees
So, we have finally arrived in the month of August. August, in Singapore, is traditionally a lull month for wedding creatives because of the ‘Hungry Ghost Festival / 七月’. During this period, weddings are normally avoided because many Chinese believe that it is not a good month to hold auspicious activities.
So, the itchy backside in me, instead of going travelling like most other vendors, arranged a pre-wedding / collaboration session on top of other activies with some of our favourite vendors in the industry for two of our potential joinees, Ben and Hui Yun.
Ben (left), and Jenn from iheartblooms (right)
For this collaboration shoot, thankfully, we managed to secure Jenn, from the iheartblooms, for make-up, and also Lindt, business owner and florist from 85 Flowers. I said thankfully because both of them are extremely popular and probably did not need this collaboration haha. Also thankful for Hui Ying and Timothy, our graduated couple, who kindly said yes to helping out T_T.
Things got underway - after a brief stopover at the studio for make up.
For the pre-wedding shoot location, we eventually decided on Joo Chiat, the couple’s hangout / first date spot, as well as one of our go-to, whenever couples are looking for a place to have their pre-wedding shoot taken. Joo Chiat, is known for old school styled Peranakan shophouses, and also an eclectic mix of what used to be a red light district (not really sure if it’s still active?) and also modern / hipster cafes and restaurants.
What I like about Joo Chiat, is how versatile it is, at least for me, for a pre-wedding session. It has little quirks at every turn, on top of it being dynamic, with an almost vintage look to the street. I say almost - because buildings are constantly either being rebuilt, upgraded or repainted lol. I took the opportunity to also take some photographs while I’m there.
I couldn’t stop shooting. It was a pity Lindt couldn’t follow us to the shoot because of family duties, because we had so much fun! There was even a point Jenn actually tried Instagram Live for the first time - which was duly photographed by me lol.
Whenever I am photographing my couples, I would usually tell them not to worry about being awkward or shy when casual observers / passer-bys are looking at them. To just get lost in the moment - because the next time when they are back at this spot, the passer-bys will probably not recognise them! But it was indeed interesting to take a HUGE step back and observe… the observers lol.
I just had to.
It’s the seventh month - this image seems appropriate.
I love documenting stuffs. I feel there’s a picture to be made at every point. I often tell Dexter and Levin, my fellow team shooters, that the most interesting of images doesn’t just happen when the couples act on your instructions, but probably before and after. Never switch off - not just your camera, but your observations.
I also couldn’t help it but to do a leg-fie when I spotted this sign.
All in all, I really enjoyed and had so much fun during this pre-wed / post-wedding session with everyone. Probably because there was no stress for me hahahaha.
And yes, I still do feel stressed out whenever I have to head in for a shoot, 4+ years after photographing weddings on a full time basis. I feel that, if one gets complacent and too relaxed for a shoot, there’s no more levelling up to do and they might as well just quit.
Now, I have to sign off here but I feel like jotting / blogging down these thoughts ever more so often. I have left this part of the website for a while because of work and life, but it is… actually kinda of therapeutic eh?
See ya guys in the next post!
All images photographed on the Fujifilm X100V