This is how we do it
One of the several test shots I did of Ted before the shoot commence
I’ve been called many things. Crazy is one of them. I would commit myself to certain projects and then figure out how to execute them later. When I was approached to photograph 40 wives of clergy at a retreat organized by the Anglican Diocese of Sabah, I said “Yes” immediately. The thought of being able to create beautiful portraits for 40 wives of our clergymen was too meaningful…especially when I have been so blessed by the love and friendship of so many clergymen (and women) here.
I had never photographed a more diverse group of women in terms of skin tone, height, shape, age & preferred language in a single day. Neither have I photographed 40 portraits in 8 hours! At all time, I wanted to stay calm, cheerful, and warm while I figured out how to light, pose, illicit responses from each of them. Should I use side or broad lighting? Stronger shadow or glowing fill? Sit or stand? Fun or demure look? A zillion things ran through my mind, behind the calm and happy exterior that I maintained. Not that I was faking it. I truly had fun, but as a professional, I should be the only person worrying about creating amazing shots, not my clients. I didn’t want them to have the slightest thing to worry about because being in front of a camera was daunting enough for a lot of people.
I played some nice music at the background. Maintain a light and cheerful mood around the set, which was the office of a school. Back to the technical nitty gritty & shooting process:
5 flashes (4 x SB800, 1 x SB900)
Nikon D3
Nikon 70-200mm
1 x Lasolite reflector with gold & silver surface
1 piece of curtain which I bought and used as a backdrop
1 x Avenger reflector holder
Light stands
All shots were created at ISO400, 1/160, f/4 with 70-200mm.
SB800 with diffuser cap shot through the translucent reflector as main light @ 1/16
SB800 with diffuser cap bounced off the golden surface of reflector as fill light @ 1/32 to 1/128
SB800 with diffuser cap as rim light @ 1/32 to 1/64
SB900 as master flash to trigger the three flashes above via CLS on manual mode
If you have followed this blog long enough, you’ll know that most of my pictures are created mainly with natural light. So this shoot truly stretched me, technically and physically (my back is so sore). I was out of my comfort zone. Glad that the pictures turned out very well and I found out that I could do well in a “studio” environment too 
It was a fantastic learning experience for me. It also confirms my conviction that we do not need super expensive setup to create great photos…just some imagination As I blog, the pictures are being delivered: professionally processed, printed on archival Epson paper, framed…20 hours after we completed the shoot thanks to the amazing team at our studio.
BTW, these ladies are not only beautiful inside out, they are gorgeous outside in! Thank you ladies for the privilege of photographing you all.
Mary, wife of our Bishop, who masterminded this shoot and the retreat
Mrs. Moses Chin…glad to meet you for the first time.
Mrs. Julia Yong, to me, you look the same for the last 25 years. Flawless skin and picture perfect
Set Fui, childhood friend who is married to my childhood buddy, David
Shuk Wei, so happy to see you again after 4 years! You look fabulous! Pit Vun is a luck hubby.
Soo Jean…welcome to CTK. I only took 4 shots of you and each of them are perfect. You are very easy to photograph
Mrs. Yong Thiam Choy…so glad I can create a picture for you. I think your hubby will be thrilled with the picture!
Gillian: it took us a while but we got the right shot for you finally. YAY!