Back to My Humble Roots
June 29th, 2009 | PersonalI am back in Tawau, my home town for the weekend. Tawau does not have any big city giltz like cineplexes or world-class shopping centers. It does have outstanding seafood, rich volcanic soil and most of all, amazing people. Tawau was where everything started for me: most of my childhood memories, schools, church and then the photography business.
I didn’t plan it that way but somehow I find myself back at home on the eve of launching an online photography education portal, possibly the first from Asia. It’s hard to describe my feelings on this project which is a mixture of hope, excitement, fear, faith & uncertainty. Back to my home town, my humble roots, I am reminded of obstacles in the past that I had overcome growing up in a single-parent family where money was usually scarce. Jasmine and I started our photography business in a 120-square-feet bedroom. From there we booked so many national & overseas shoots. I recalled the cynicism I had to battle against when I told some people I was an international wedding photographer based in Tawau. We became stronger, more confident & better people as a result of overcoming obstacles. Our stories become a source of strength and inspiration to other photographers. We didn’t plan it this way. Just as we didn’t plan on a weekend in Tawau on the eve of launching of our project. Someone, somehow scripted this, I believe.
As I walked through the doors of our vacant home which was once our home office, scenes after scenes of my life history replayed before my eyes. I found strength and confidence, not in myself, but on the One who never fails. Honestly, who am I but a simple boy from an agricultural town. Yet never in my life did I lack anything.
Launching forward, I place my confidence in the One who never fails me. It is a project that is much larger than me, but I am not afraid because I know who is walking beside me.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:33 am
so you are havnig a online photography educational portal pretty soon? how can i join? i am from Miri anyway…any chance to come down (meeting ian perhaps) and we can have a tea :p really admire your work!
June 29th, 2009 at 11:37 am
wonderful testimony to glorify the One whom you pledge your faith to. you’ll never fall in His hand. keep it up and good luck in your new launch!
June 29th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Hi Louis,
This is why you are an inspiration to many ! Thanks for sharing your life to make a difference in someone else’s life. Continue to trust in Him and allow Him to mould your successes!
MT
June 29th, 2009 at 11:53 am
thank you for sharing your thoughts and have always found your story and journey through life to be very inspiring!
June 29th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Louis, your entry brought tears to my eyes
and served as a reminder for the rest of us about who really is behind each of our lives. Thank you.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Congrats on the launch of the edu program, Louis! The seeds you have planted, the lives you have touched will never go in vain. May God continue to use you to shine forth His light wherever He has placed you.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 am
Louis, probably similar with http://www.thephotomama.com by saiful nang right? He’s online too just he’s more specific to teaching the mothers like me hehehe
July 4th, 2009 at 1:09 am
hello Louis, well said! i understand how you feel when you say about flashes of images replayed before your very eyes as you walked and strolled along your vacant home which was once your home office. You have connected your pictures with the people, and now your words with the people. Cheers!
July 8th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Louis – Your entry rings so true to me. As I have had a job for almost 20 years that I love, and as I see my husband taking strides to pursue his photography while still working another job to keep this family, I too feel that the One is in this all. I see it in the margins, the pearl and gold beads that dot the string of my life memories. Thanks for giving my string of life a polishing by your memories.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Yeap… you really inspired me.. Keep on going!
How to join your online photography education portal?