More Wins at WPPI

I'm happy to see that more photographers from Singapore joining WPPI - Wedding & Portraits Photographers International. The best news is that they've been winning awards too! I was very pleased to learn that Kelvin Koh from Lighted Pixel and Kelvin Lim from Portraits both won Accolades of Excellence for works that they have submitted. Congratulations guys!

I was introduced to WPPI by Andrew Choi 2 years ago and was inspired to join this dynamic organisation which has members of top American and Australian Wedding photographers like Yervant, Joe Buissink, Jesh de Rox, Jerry Ghionis, Ryan Schembri, Mike Larson etc...

Last year in 2008, together with Chor Hui and Andrew Choi, we headed for Las Vegas for one of the biggest wedding photography conventions in USA. I had the experience of my life that I will never forget. Meeting top professionals from all over the world and learning from the masters themselves was indeed truly worth the 18hr trip there! Its was a pity that this year my schedule was so tight that I missed the competition and the convention but I'm sure I'll be heading over to Las Vegas next March. For those who are interested to see the world in one city make March 4-11 2010 free and join me in Las Vegas!

WPPI here I come!... next year that is... :)

Thank you all once again...

Thank God for giving me this chance to win these awards and for all the inspirations You have given me. Thank you all of you for your support and encouragement, for all the opportunities to be the chosen one to have the honor to photograph your weddings. It has been my pleasure and joy to be part of your joyous occasion. I'm looking forward for my next wedding shoot and searching for my next award winning shot... Any volunteers? : )

I'm making another jump...

I was walking down the rows of photos to admire and study other works when I stumbled upon a familiar image. Giggling very hard inside I found another piece of my work. And here is the other winning shot. Thank you Marcus & Lynn for giving me this opportunity to create this shot. : )

Joe Buissink - Humble & Admired

My last class for today was conducted by Joe Buissink. He was speaking with a 40 degree fever. And the stories he told today was how he started and wht keeps him going. His life and his passion. He success and his missions.

All these stories made my admiration and respect for him grew a million times more. He dedicated 3 yrs of his time a day of a week to capturing the lives of families of autism kids. As he has 2 of his own that sadly is suffering from autism too... He just compiled a book of all those photos and it now the 4th best selling photo book online.

Joe is very humble and because of this I respect him a lot. He reaches out to you with his heart and truly cares for you even talking to a crowd of about a thousand people. You can feel that he cares. His photos are absolutely amazing. There he was explaining a 6 photo series and there I was choking holding back my tears. Those are the kind of photos that I want to capture!!!

Overall this has bee the most fruitful trip that I've been to anywhere in my entire life. I would like to give God my Abba Daddy all the Glory and Honor for without His blessing I will not be here where I am today.... Thank you Jesus : )

2 wins at WPPI...

As I was walking down the aisle of photo winners of this year's WPPI 16x20 competition my heart was pumping as if I just ran 2.4km. Quickly screening thru all the photos on the wall I saw a familiar shot. No its not mine... its Andrew's. He has 1 winning shot this year.

Determined not to give up I went thru some more down the row and low & behold I saw my photo hanging there and I can't believe my eyes! Than just 1 photo away I saw another!!! I was screaming so loud no one could hear me. Coz it's all happening in me : ) But I on the outside I remained calm as if it was meant to be.. haha...

This is my first 2 international awards and I'm proud of it. Now I'm determined even more to win more awards next year and hopefully win within the top 3 places. That shall be my goal for now.

I would like to thank God for blessing me with this very big prize He gave me. My wife and family too in supporting my in the career path I decided to take on over 8 years ago. A big Thank you to my Mentor Kim and my other bosses for their support and the encouragement of my fellow colleagues in the office. 

It may seem small to some but it means a lot to me as this marks a major milestone in my career. Thank you.

Thank you Kevin and Carilyn for being so sporting to agreeing to my request even it was raining.


Thank you Terrence and Rose for being ever so ready to try everything I ask you to. You guys have made a difference!

Jerry Ghionis - Creating Magic

The first talk today was by Jerry Ghionis who swept 4 out of 5 awards for album layout design for the last 5 years. He has also many winning photo entries every year too. He talked about his working method and shooting style, on how to create magic with just a few simple steps. How to look out for the right kind of background and how he captures his PJ works. Lots of insight again and I think I'm way overloaded with information already. Its a good thing that I have my trusty MBP and 6110 to help me take notes and recordings so that I can re-inspire myself every time i loose sight...

Las Vegas's sunrise

Lets just let the photos speak for themselves...









Here I am doing my crazy jumping shots all by myself again...

Yervant & Joe Buissink - The Masters

Thank you Canon!!! How many times will someone be able to catch 3 masters at work at the same time on the same stage teaching all that they know to you? Only here in Las Vegas at the 2008 WPPI annual tradeshow and convention. Here the secrets and methods they use to get the amazing mind blowing images that you seen on their web sites. The ones that hit the magazines! There's so much to learn. And Joe puts it very well, in his words " I don't want to be there, I want to keep learning and trying to improve myself ..." Imagine even Joe doesn't want to be there how much more should I yearn to sought after improvement...



Joe shooting a model couple with just a modeling light at ASA 1600 and a 5D on 'P' mode. Let me specify the 'P' mode on his camera stands for Porfessional... Hahaha... And 'M' stands for Master : )

So happened that a real couple was have a function in the hotel of the convention and Yervant managed to bumped into them. He invited them on stage to be subjects. How cool can that be!?! To be photographed by the world top 2 respected photographers for FREE!!!! Wish I was the couple...

Denis Reggie - The Master of Wedding Photojournalism

If you are into Journalistic Wedding Photography than you ought to know this master. Denis Reggie - the creator of wedding photojournalism. He taught his marketing and sales techniques. His work flow and his theory and philosophy behind his works. Its amazing and an eye opener for me to actually find out the real meaning behind photojournalism. So much so that it makes what I do only 60% of a wedding journalistic photographer. Now I aim to be the best and thanks to Denis for his foresight and wisdom that Ive learnt, I can now be the a photographer who truly does wedding photojournalism. Thanks a million Denis!!!

http://www.denisreggie.com/

Michael + Anna Costa

This morning 's talk was given by Michael + Anna Costa. They were very open to share about their experiences from start up till success. Now shared about their workflow and systems that they use in the office , the way they handle their associates and other very useful information.
Michael + Anna if you are reading this hope you like the candid portrait i shot when you were chatting : )

http://www.michaelandannacosta.com/

Throughout the talk when Michael + Anna were talking about the principles ad tips for doing the things they do, I was astounded. I was actually doing the same things and using the same methods in my company. My ideas and inspirations came from God actually coz i get crazy ideas mainly when I'm taking my shower and just before I sleep. At the times when I'm most relaxed. Coming here is a confirmation from Abba Daddy that I'm on the right track !!! Thank you Jesus!!!

4th day of convention in Las Vegas

The speakers were great and there were a lot to learn about sales and marketing in the photography business. Photography techniques, lighting and posing techniques. So many products from these speakers that are so tempting. But the products that they are selling here are even more irresistible. Everything seem so useful and could make our work flow more efficient. But I keep hearing an inner self talking and reminding myself that these are all just good marketing strategies. So I manage to pull myself away with a lot of effort. hahaha!!!! But on the other hand don't be surprise that I come back with a few new gadgets! LOL!

Look out for more photos soon!

Las Vegas here I Come!!!

Hi to all!!!

I'm leaving for Las Vegas in less than an hours time. No not for a holiday but for a photography conference. The WPPI conference is where all the top wedding photographers meet every year!!! Hope to rub shoulders with some of them ; P I'll also be attending workshops conducted by them to get new insights to this industry and to learn a thing or two from these highly acclaimed professionals.

See you guys soon and watch this space as I will try to update you every day of the exciting events happening there...

Take care and God Bless : )