Yes, I am a wedding photographer but I am not too bad in portrait photography as well *WINK*. Photographing a portrait session is quite different from covering a wedding day. I take time to study my clients, find out the “good side” to shoot from, study their facial features, adapt the shooting style to their personality and in one case, bribe them with some ice cream. Photographing a portrait session requires a more deliberate and slower approach.

Keeping the perspective and vertical lines straight is of utmost importance to me. When the perspective is right and the lines straight, our eyes focus on the subject. Otherwise, we will be distracted from the most important element of a picture: the people and their emotions.

The mighty cool Jane whom I photographed in London, 3 months ago!

This is Yian also based in London.

Many photographers treat guys like an accessory to a shoot. Not me. They are equal stars to their female partners. I enjoy making guys look macho, cool and superhero-ish. This shot of Yian is my favourite picture in the London shoot.

The next five pictures were taken at the living room of Jeanette and Gerald. I wanted a classy and stylish look to the shots, like those you see in home and lifestyle magazines. By using several key items like the mirror, side table and sofa at various corners of the same living room and rearranging the items, I created four very distinctive shots. It’s my job to see beyond the mundane & ordinary.

I place Jeanette and Gerald against the main glass door to create a high key shot. There was another white wall right in front of the couple (or behind me) that bounced a lot of light back to the couple. While the background was completely blown out, I make sure that the skin is not. Skin tone and exposure is the most important element of a portrait shot.

This is Effie in Hong Kong. I wanted to create a high fashion feel to the shot. The position of Effie relative the building was a deliberate composition choice. A flash was fired off camera on the right.

This is the highly internationally acclaimed guitarist, Roger Wang and his wife Claudina & daughter Sarah. Hey this is the first time I photographed a celebrity! They have an amazing family. I am privileged to be able to see the bond and love they share.

I “bribed” Sarah with some ice cream when I got to her home. It was our first meeting, so I thought I’d better build some rapport with this young lady. She warmed up to be really well. After the shoot, she even sent me off with hugs and kisses. If you want a good shoot treat the ladies well!

When Sarah refused to be photographed, I didn’t force her. By the way, never force kids. It will only get worse! As I turned to my lens to Roger and Claudina, Sarah wanted to be in the picture again! Reverse psychology worked very well for me this time.

Claudina has plenty of pictures but few photographers did her justice. This is my favourite shot of her. Isn’t Roger a lucky chap?

Like a Patek Philippe timepiece, I hope my portrait photos have the same enduring qualities that they can be passed down as family heirlooms one generation to another. That’s my ambition every time I photograph a portrait.