Fifteen photographers huddled for 2 days, doing nothing but light. That’s dedication. Some drove 4 hours to get there, some flew for 3 hours…honored by the presence of these hungry photographers. Is two days enough? I’ve been shooting for almost ten years and still find light an adventure. There is always something to be discovered about it. I took a one-week lighting workshop with Joe McNally, and then worked with him for a month on this teaching tours. Still it was not enough to cover every facet of light. I encouraged photographers to think of learning light as a learning how to swim. It felt downright weird to be in waters. You can’t breathe. Coordinating my strokes and breathing pattern was a constant battle. After 15 minutes I was gasping for air. “This ain’t right for me!” I protested.

I kept hitting the pools. By the third week, the strokes & breathing have become easier, more intuitive & enjoyable. I suspect, learning to light is the same. You set your ambient light exposure; you set the power of your lights; you set up one group of lights at a time. How can something creative be so regimental? It seemed almost counter creative. Yet, if we embrace it, we will find the beauty of the discipline; joy and intuition will begin to flow. The discipline is the foundation upon which our creativity and expressiveness is built.

Here are some highlights from the workshop. Cheers!

Deployed the Octa Bank…

Fifty to eighty percent of small businesses fail within five years. I consider us blessed and fortunate that we are celebrating our fifth anniversary. Certainly in reflective mode lately as we think about the last five years.

“What comes to your mind if you see a turtle on top of a wooden fence? You know that someone has helped it get up there. Likewise, nobody succeeds alone.” I wrote this a few years ago. Our studio certainly owe it to our clients, fans and amazing team in the office. Too much attention and credits are given to me, the photographer. It is unfair and wrong to attribute the success to one person when it takes so many people to build a team.

I can’t emphasize enough the backroom team of Jasmine, Kah Yee and Mabel (who joined us recently). They are the bedrock of the studio. They work their socks off to get every album perfect and delivered on time. They produce slideshows, prints and amazing fine art prints. They take note of every tiny details and requests, and make sure we take care of it. They make sure every email is answered promptly, every supplier paid on time, every question answered… They are the reason I look forward to entering the office every morning. Their energy, creativity and dedication is infectious. They own up to their mistakes; they are honest; they are real, warm and loving people. Without them, there is no Louis Pang Studio. Without them, I can’t.

I want to pay tribute to the Angels of our studio. I wouldn’t swap them for anyone else. Jasmine, Kah Yee & Mabel, this post is dedicated to you.

Just wrapped up a 2-day celebration last weekend at KK’s premier shopping center, Suria. We setup a mobile studio a.k.a the white chamber, and photographed anyone who would walk into it for FREE. “What’s the catch?” many asked. Ermm…you get a free photo? Over 500 walked into the open air, mobile studio, got a free portrait shoot and collected the image within 10 minutes.

Special thanks to ProArt and Le SaFran (KK’s top French restaurant) who sponsored prints and complimentary food/drink vouchers to our celebration.

We barely had a break as wave and wave of people turned up at the mobile studio. So many asked for a portrait package…we’ll be launching it soon. Stay tune. For now, check out this video compilation of the portraits we shot last weekend!

The final AMAZIES is great news for movie lovers. Looking forward to celebrate our fifth anniversary with you this weekend, at Golden Screen Cinemas Suria, Suria Sabah, 8th floor. Cheers!

If you think free portrait shoots is a good deal, what do you think of free portraits and a free 8″x12″ framed picture? The deal just got better right?

Everyday, five lucky winners will get that right on the spot. Special thanks to ProArt who sponsors the printing, and our amazing multiple award-winner artist, Kah Yee…five lucky winners each day will get the framed picture within minutes after the shoot. Just come by our 5th celebration showcase at Golden Screen Cinema Suria, 8th Floor, Suria Sabah. When you queue to have your portraits taken, you will get a shot at winning this by dipping your hands into a glass bowl.

See you there!

Thanks to your support, we are able to create a premium brand. What a blessing to do what you love, and love what you do and being rewarded for it. The downside being premium is that we are out of the reach of many locals. Speaking at a seminar, a gentleman pointed out, “Louis, you came from humble family background. With the fees you charge, how are you helping out the ordinary folks?” That sounded like a rebuke. How can we make a premium brand more accessible without compromising the value of brand?

For two days (20-21 August) we will be providing bridal packages starting from RM3988. That’s 60% off our bestselling packages. This is a once-in-a-five-year offer, available only at our celebration at GSC Suria, Kota Kinabalu. If you are out of town, you can make your bookings online. Mind you, we the online link is only valid 20-21 August. The only catch is the shoot must be done in KOTA KINABALU, my beautiful home town