This is the fifth year of Louis Pang Studio. It has been one unforgettable and amazing journey. Going through our photo archive to find pictures that mark the milestones of our five-year adventure got me emotional. It has been a journey filled with hard work, pain, disappointments and a lot of joy, sweetness and successes.

Learned 3 things in the last five years. First, importance of genuine relationships. In a highly competitive industry, finding genuine friends are difficult. Some friends cannot stand with you when you are in a ditch, others can’t stand you when you enjoy success. Only REAL friends stay with you in ditches and successes. However if we look hard enough and take some risks, we will find some rare gems. Nobody succeed alone. So many of you have opened new doors for us, steeled our wills, and strengthened our courage .

Secondly, hunger and humility are two important ingredients to have in life. Hunger pushes us to attempt the impossible. Humility asks the simple yet difficult question, “Can you show me how I can improve?” I do not believe in being the best. I prefer being better because that is an ongoing adventure.

Thirdly, hard work and intelligence do not guarantee success. A farmer can plough the land, sown the seeds, nourish the seedlings. But if God does not send the rain or sunshine at the right time, the farmer labors in vain. We are undeserved recipient of God’s goodness and generosity. This gives Jasmine and I complete confidence to journey forward, knowing we are in the hands of the ONE who will never fail us.

2006

This was our home office in Tawau where we spent way too much time working.

Don’t laugh but these are works from the early days.

First Malaysian to start using the Asukabook. Really gorgeous albums. Today they are my key sponsors in my speaking stint at WPPI. RIGHT: Kah May & Faz’s wedding in Koh Samui and my first overseas shoot

2007

Saved up some money & robbed a bank to make our first trip to WPPI. Joe Buissink’s Plus Class was a real PLUS. So inspired by his passion.

Bought the first model of Intel-powered Mac Pro. Additional 2GB RAM cost like U$400! The machine runs strong till today. We’ve upgraded it to 7GB RAM. RIGHT: Our first entry into WPPI print competition and Red lips won 1st place! UNBELIEVABLE!

On September 16, 2007 Jasmine and I moved from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu. That’s our new home. RIGHT: Don’t mess with the woman with an electronic drill!

Shot a GORGEOUS wedding in India. Spent my birthday in 3 countries: Hong Kong (because I just finished shooting a wedding here), Kuala Lumpur (for a stopover) and India. The couple, Gunjan & Chirag, got me a small birthday cake with a single candle. Very sweet! RIGHT: Speaking at PIX Singapore, a regional photography conference.

2008

Spent the Chinese New Year at Jerry Ghionis’ workshop. Met my pal CM Leung for the first time. RIGHT: Kah Yee is our first full time employee. Today she has blossomed into such an outstanding talent.

Added Graphi Studio Italian albums to our product offering. RIGHT: “Torch Bearers” won 2nd place in the WPPI 20×16 print competition.

Brought in gowns from Pretty in White and That Special Occasion. We can provide full fledged bridal sessions to our clients now.

“Pink Bikini” won 1st place in WPPI. RIGHT: Taught my first workshop. It was held in Penang.

2009

Attended our second WPPI. The print judging was such an eye opener. I took notes non-stop for two days. RIGHT: The WPPI crystal awards.

WPPI Awards Night was grand and inspiring. Told myself that one day I want to go on stage and accept an award.

Spoke at Wedding & Portrait Photographers Philippines (WPPP). RIGHT: Our apartment was burglarized. D3, D700 & 17-35mm stolen. Police arrested and charged a man but the equipment was never recovered. Thank God we have an all-risk insurance policy. Very touched by support we received. One friend offered to loan me his entire camera system for 3 months. Another offered me an immediate loan. Aren’t we blessed? Amazing friends!

Shot a wedding in New York and proceeded to the Fifth Avenue Apple Store RIGHT: Spent 5.5 days with Joe McNally at his workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We struck up a good friendship.

We brought our workshops to Brunei, Singapore and Perth.

These two images swooped 2nd & 3rd place in WPPI.

2010

Organized five days of workshops and a one-day seminar for Joe McNally. Over 380 people from 12 different countries attended this event. It is still the largest paid photography event in Malaysia.

Spoke & judged at WPPI 2010 Convention. A great honor to be the first photographer based in Asia to do so. RIGHT: Accepted the International Portrait Print of the Year Award at the awards night. The unforgettable Oscar moment

Went on NTV7’s live interview on its Breakfast Show. “Hey Mum, I was on TV!” RIGHT: Malaysia’s largest English daily ran a three-page feature in our journey in photography.

Officially opened our brand new gallery/studio in Kuala Lumpur last week. It is the fruit of a lot of sacrifice, hardwork & inspiration.