Nothing excites me more than creating something completely fresh…shots I had never achieved before. At Shelley & Kenny’s wedding, I created quite a few of them. Here are two, fresh from the wedding on Sunday.

High key, just next to a large window…Never shot a bride wearing red shoes with white gown. Hey it is a new year. Why not?

When the sun was completely gone, I was glad I still have available light. Well, I have five units of flash in my bag available to me. I love this wedding. The complete blog post to come later… cheers!

What drives our photography forward?

Gear? The latest gear? Scouring forums and blogs? More books perhaps?

Great gear helps me do my job..and I love them. Buy quite a number of new equipment each year. Forums and blogs? They can be really useful. I have like 10-15 blogsites on my RSS feader that I frequent. Most of them are not wedding photography related because I would like to tap into the brilliance of photographers outside the wedding industry. Referring too much to other wedding photographers cause inbreeding. My theory anyways. Books? I love them! I cart 20-30 books back from the US everytime I go there. There are still 20+ books on my shelve that I am going to read.

However, the best way to learn is learning from the best. Each year I attend several international photography workshops and conferences. They broadens, inspires & challenges me. I get to interact, observe how they work, have a casual coffee with the participants and instructors. You’ll be surprised by the amount of learning & great experience you can gain over a Margarita, beer or sushi bar! There is so much more going on inside the minds of these great photographers. Oh yeah, a lot more than just f-stop, aperture & white balance. Their life stories. Their successes and failures. The passion that drives them in photography, 30 years, divorces and several near-bankruptcies later. You can’t find this kind of inspiration from reading books or glancing through blogs and websites.

Let’s kick of the new year with inspiration. I am proud to bring Joe McNally to Malaysia. The acclaimed National Geographic photographer and bestselling author will be teach workshops and seminar in Kuala Lumpur. The workshops were sold out as soon as we announced it last year. There are still limited seats for the “Let there be Light” seminar on Feb 6, 2010. He is one of the most remarkable photographer, teacher and person I’ve ever met. He will rock your world…

You can sign up ONLINE* or OFFLINE**

*with credit card via our secured website
**by faxing in your forms and paying your fees via bank transfer

I was taught I must learn to number my days so I can live rightly. Part of that is to reflect on how I’ve lived my life in 2009, learn from the experience and chart a new course for 2010. There are so much to be thankful for in 2009.

1. We recorded our best year in the midst of a global economic crisis. That is a blessing and a testimony to the hard work behind our team of Jasmine, Joshua, Kah Yee, Voon & Melvin. They are troopers who work hard, show initiatives and pushes the boundaries. That’s the reason why I could spend four months away from the studio this year.

2. Launching WedShooter.TV, an online educational TV for photographers. It has been my dreams for many years to share my gift and to inspire other photographers. WedShooter.TV is the platform that allows me to help photographers near and far. Adding value to photographers is my priority. In 2009, we’ve taught in Australia, Brunei, Philippines, Singapore, and various parts of Malaysia. Next year, we’ll be heading to Japan. Together with my great pal CM Leung, we will be going on a joint teaching tour of three cities in Australia.

3. Learning from the best. Attended WPPI annual convention in Las Vegas in February and then spent a week with Joe McNally at Santa Fe Photographic Workshop. I have never been more inspired. IMO Learning from the best is still the best way forward.

4. Speaking & Judging at WPPI 2010. It’s always been my dream to do so. I was shocked when the invitation came. Me? I was just a newbie when I attended the first conference in 2007. Learned so much from Joe Buissink, Yervant, David Williams & Jerry Ghionis in the first convention. It is time for me to pay it forward and share with others. It is a HUGE honor and I am humbled by this privilege and responsibility.

5. Winning two more WPPI awards. First place in Individual category & second place non-wedding photojournalism category. I am happy with the consistency we’ve shown. We’ve won a top three award, 6 out of the 7 competitions we’ve entered.

6. Bringing Joe McNally to Malaysia for workshops and seminar. When I was in Santa Fe, I asked myself, “This guy is such an inspirational teacher and humble fella. Won’t it be cool to bring him to Malaysia? People from our region can be influenced by him!” Three months after we left Santa Fe, we announced Joe’s first extensive teaching tour in Asia. He will teach 5 one-day workshops and co-teach a one-day seminar with me. This is really cool!

7. All my clients and workshop participants. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to serve you. I am only as good as my clients. Your gift of friendship means so much to me. I have a bulletin board to post all the thank you notes and cards you sent…it reminds us the privilege of serving you. I’ve seen the world because of you.

8. Vendors & Friends. I am blessed by the friendships of people in and outside the wedding industry. From sponsors to album makers, make-up artists to gown designers, a handful of you have become my confidantes. I have become more successful because of the wonderful service you provide, and my life enriched by your friendship.

9. God my Creator. What have I done to deserve so much favour and blessings? Thank you for giving me what I do not deserve and not giving me what I deserve.

10. Jasmine, my wife, best friend & studio manager. You bring the best out of me. Always amazes me how you embody tenacity and gentleness all at the same time. I am not half as good without you.