In a few hours, our studio will be closed for 10 days for the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays. Just want to thank all our clients for trusting us with the important moments of your lives & our fans for your following & support. We have never more excited about entering a new year.

At home, we start the new year with thanksgiving and forgiveness. Perhaps also good to do the same for the studio.

While we can plough the ground as hard as we can, unless God sends rain and sunshine at the right time, you don’t get a harvest. I learn that growing up around oil palm and cocoa plantations. Nobody succeeds alone and we owe ours to many. We won 3 more international awards in 2011: 1st & 3rd place at WPPI and winner of MPA’s open category. Proud to win major international awards five years in a roll…and being the only wedding shooter to achieve this makes it all the more sweeter. It is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the team.

While we always try our best, sometimes even our best isn’t enough. We want to say sorry on the occasions that we fall short. If you were in our studio, you would know how much every mistake stings us. We are a bunch of people that takes pride in getting things right and overachieving.

Rolling out a few major initiatives in 2012. We are implementing a tighter system and workflow that’s completely computerized. We have an on-time delivery of nearly 90%, in 2012, we are aiming for a perfect score! Louis Pang Studio will have a new home: both online and brick-and-mortar. We have outgrown our current outfits. It’s time to expand. You’ll definitely hear more of this very soon.

In 2012, we will engage with you even more. You’ll find out what a great thing it is to be our clients. Be prepared to be pampered, rewarded, inspired and wowed. We want to know more about serving you right, and you will know how serious we take that. You will see how we work, prepare your images, control quality, train the team. The album you hold in your hands and the prints you hang on your walls will mean so much more when you realize how each of them is painstakingly & professionally handcrafted for you.

Won’t be able to teach as much as I had in the last 3 years. The studio expansion & training of the expanded LPS team demand my full attention. I have two speaking engagements at Gulf Photo Plus in Dubai and in Creative Asia which I will honor. Despite the crazy schedules, I’m still in the forefront of bringing great education to Asia. More of that will be announced in coming months.

Never in a million years would I dream about being in the position we are in today, certainly not when we first started in 2006. Thank you for your support, love and encouragement. The best is yet to come.

Have a blessed, prosperous, fulfilling, loving, healthy & happy new year.

Got the good news on Tuesday via an email. This picture just won first place in WPPI’s first half competition, the 10th time we’ve won 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. In case you wonder what the hoopla is all about. WPPI is the world’s largest organization representing wedding and portrait photographers. Over 14,000 photographers attend WPPI’s annual convention in Las Vegas. I am part of this as a participant, speaker and judge. It holds 3 competitions every year all of which I take part to sharpen myself as a photographer. Always believe that competition can only improve us.

This is the 10th WPPI award. Honestly, it was a surprise because it is getting harder and harder with higher level of entries from around the world. I am also surprised this entry won because it was not my favourite entry.

This one here, was and still is my favourite entry. I love its beauty and simplicity. Corsages on a silver platter, a bunch of bold ties…and the clincher, a tiny camera at a corner. I moved the table to be flushed against a glass door, the only light source in the room, so I could get as much light as possible. Climbed on top of a smaller table so I could shoot it over the top. Here you go, an “aerial shot”. Different perspective when the camera is moved to a different place. I have a strong bias for this photo because I worked extra hard to nail this picture, all the moving, climbing. Shot at f/6.3, 1/100.

My next favourite is this one. I enjoy the exquisiteness of the jewelry, dress and a woman’s body–all in one frame lit with yummy window light. Just a hint of ambient light to separate Julia from the background. Shot at f/5, 1/60.

The winning shot was done on the 125th floor of Ritz Charlton Hong Kong. I saw the interplay of the rings, necklace, veil, lips and wedding gown. Tried to put the lips, and both rings in the same focusing plane. That’s where I want to call attention to. Chose to exclude the rest the face to bring a sense of mystery. Again, like the previous photo, I want to show exquisiteness, luxury, taste and a hint of sexiness.

All three pictures share a connection: a visit to the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam in May.

The Rijksmuseum is one of the TOP museums in the world. It showcases some of the best works of Dutch portrait paint masters from the Golden Age like Vermeer, Rembrandt. That’s what I wanted to see right away. However the museum is curated to wet my viewing appetite. First I walked through rooms after rooms of still life paintings. Never a big fan of still objects. Painters like Willem Claesz however proved me wrong. How Willem and his peers could make a table full of bread, food, wine, silverware look so lively, vivid, and engaging was beyond me. I was drawn to how detailed the paintings were. I felt like I was in the scene, that I could almost reach out and touch the objects in the painting.

There were a lot of depth in them, very unlike the shallow depth of field shots common amongst wedding photographers. We are so used to shooting at shallow depth of field that we instinctively reach out for f/1.4 when there is a ring, shoe, wedding favors to be shot. Tight shots with yummy bokeh became rule of thumb or cliche. Remember, all cliches were once an original idea.

As I moved along to in the Rijksmuseum, I see similar techniques applied to portraits. Often people were painted in great details, along with their garments, uniforms, jewelry (for women), settings (an office, working desk, stationeries). These details give us insight into who the person is. Had they been painted with a f/1.4 kinda depth, all these details would have been lost. Vermeer’s Kitchen Maid is a perfect example.

It was an epiphany for me. I have been guilty of stripping away personality, and details by reaching for f/1.4 all the time!

That’s the most important lesson I learned spending an afternoon at the Rijksmuseum. Since I have been steadily cranking up my aperture where it deems fit.

You can visit the Rijksmusem and other top museums around the world virtually via Google’s Art Project.

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

Available only for two days at our 5th Anniversary Celebration at GSC Suria, 20-21 August! See ya!

Let’s consider the many things I am grateful for:

It is YOU, our clients and fans, who made us successful. To show our appreciation, the entire Louis Pang Studio team will go out to meet and serve you at:

GSC Suria Sabah (foyer), 8th Floor
20-21 August 2011 | Sat (12-8pm), Sun (12-6pm)

We are rolling out five amazing goodies we called “AMAZIES”. Today, I bring you AMAZIES #1…

Bring your loved ones. Tell your friends! Come back here tomorrow from AMAZIES #2

I knew the wedding would be beautiful. Set at Conrad Hotel’s Infinity Chapel, a beautiful glass chapel sitting on an infinity pool that oversees the Batur Volcano, it is impossible shoot bad pictures here.

It was inspiring to hear how Ellen overcame adversity in the Philippines to become a successful fund and relationship managers in Singapore. Mario lost his job during the financial crisis and used that to start a new enterprise, which eventually led him to Ellen. Isn’t it funny how sometimes so much good can come out of adversity?

Mario is the most un-German German I’ve ever met. His mates joked about Mario time which is usually 30 minutes behind schedule. He is relaxed and easy going. What did all the German precision go? Ellen is warm, modest and elegant. She is a princess and a commoner at the same time. When she walks into a room, she commands attention and at the same time, put everyone at ease. What a great combination.

Mario joked about his wedding being a United Nations assembly. Seriously, people from every continent got together. I was honored to me meet Mario’s uncle who flew for the first time in his life because he wanted to be there. Also met Ellen’s gang of gals from Manila. The most important gal in the wedding has to be Stacey, Ellen’s angel. She wasn’t sure if she liked to be photographed but I thought we became good pals.

I loved how the family and friends came through for Ellen and Mario. The boys practiced real hard for the acapella they sang to Ellen. Mario rehearsed non-stop with the boys in the afternoon and his sister belted a great number during the Eucharist.

Here are some highlights to share with you, Ellen & Mario. Hope these pictures will help you relive those precious moments. Bless you!

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upcoming photography workshops: Two-Day Guerrilla Lighting Workshop in KK (August 12-13) & KL (September 16-17)

The famous Batur Volcano which you oversees Bali.

A truly magnificent architecture the Conrad Bali’sInfinity Chapel. Privileged to have photographed here a few times.

Check out Ellen’s Vera Wang!

Details found…the tiny Minox digital camera fascinated me.

One of my favorites…to freeze a quiet moment between Ellen and Stacey before the wedding ceremony started

See Ellen’s diamond ring? Gosh, for a second I wanted to be a woman too! It is so exquisite and beautiful!!

Mario walked into the chapel with his mother.

The first time Mario laid eyes on Ellen in her gown.

Loving the peace and serenity that surrounds this place

This is the first time I witnessed a bride unveiled herself and kissed the groom. I’ve got photographic evidence to back my claims.

Stacey dedicated a song to her mom & Mario.

Ok, the gals loved me.

Did I tell you Ellen knows how to party?

Mario the rockstar!

One thing I know about Elaine and Owen is their devotion to their family. They LOVE their parents, grandparents, siblings. They are raised with the best of Chinese and Australian family values. You can tell from how they respect their folks, and how crazily they party with them! Yes, WITH them. Always good to be able to let your hair down and take the edge off.

Elaine and Owen love their folks so much so that they book us based on what their parents said about me. “My parents attended this wedding in Perth and said they’ve never seen better wedding pictures. You’ve gotta get this guy, Elaine!” Wow, thank you so much for the endorsement. Can’t tell how blessed and honored I am to be at this wedding.

My closest friends all know that I am a hopeless romantic. It was a challenge to photograph Elaine and Owen because I was chocking up so much. Let me recount the tear jerking moments…when Elaine’s grandparents kissed & held each other in front of my camera, when Elaine marched in with her dad with tears streaming down her cheeks, when Elaine’s parents held each other during the exchange of vows, when Owen’s dad delivered his speech (that was tears of laughters because he was just hilarious).

I can go on and on. This wedding reminds me why marriage is the most beautiful and important thing. Nothing like loving and being loved unconditionally. All the best, Elaine and Owen! May you grow old loving each other…just as your parents and grandparents do.

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upcoming photography workshops: Two-Day Guerrilla Lighting Workshop in KK (August 12-13) & KL (September 16-17)

Owen said he never looked good in front of a camera. I replied, “Well, you’ve not stood in front of mine yet.” He looked great here didn’t he.

Young lovers being lovey dovey is a given. When you have been married for nearly 60 years and you’re still warm and fuzzy with each other, now that’s LEGENDARY!

Elaine, please stop crying because you are choking me up too!

Awww…

Lovin’ these little details…

Just in case Owen didn’t go on one knee when he proposed, we made sure of it on the wedding day.

We only had 30-40 minutes before the reception started…shooting fast and juggling the lost of day light at the same time. Lovin’ the pressure!

Quite something to see three generations on the dance floor.

What struck me about Cindy and David was how candid and relaxed they are. It was even rarer the fact they are based in Hong Kong. Somehow the goal-getting, type-A personality and chop-chop-chop environment of this island didn’t get to Cindy and David’s wedding preparation.

Wait, there’s got to be a catch.

“We are not very good at being photographed,” they confessed. That’s fine because 90% of my clients say that and they all look wonderful in my camera.

There are tall buildings and then there are really tall buildings. The International Commerce Center Building, sitting at 118 floors and 1588 feet, is the tallest building in Hong Kong and the fourth tallest in the world. The wedding was held at the Ritz Carlton which is located at the ICC. It was an experience to feel air pressure building up in my ears as the elevator shot up at high speed. The view from the top is spectacular. How I wish I was part of the bridal party who spent a night there!

As a fast rising star in the financial world, David is amazing with the maze of figures, calculations & derivatives. That may explain why he is a big fan of poker. Was told that poker is the only card game where the odds is not for the house. David loved poker so much that he had a casino theme for his reception.

Cindy was very camera shy. After a few gorgeous frames, we managed to coax her out of her safe zone. I think she looks spectacular with her choice of jewelry, gowns and make-up.

So here you are, some highlights from Cindy & David’s wedding photographs at Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong…

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upcoming photography workshops: Two-Day Guerrilla Lighting Workshop in KK (August 12-13) & KL (September 16-17)

First, on Jan 1, iPhone’s alarm clock decided not to work, sparking global chaos! Remember the Y2K problem? Yeah, it hit iPhone 11 years later! Thank God for my backup alarm clock, also know as my wife, I jumped up from bed and got to the shoot in time. One of the groomsmen wasn’t so lucky. He barely made it to the wedding.

The second thing was Kerry’s gown…it was the most amazing one I had ever seen. Kid you not…I have been shooting weddings for 5.5 years. It was also the heaviest I had never carried. When Kerry put it on, it made sense why she carried it back all the way from Australia. She was stunning in it.

The third most memorable thing was at the wedding ceremony when Kerry’s dad, who had been perfectly calm the whole morning, broke down in tears. Kerry probably didn’t notice it as she was looking keenly at Ben who was a nervous wreck. One frame. Three distinct emotions. Just so blessed to be at this wedding.

Did I tell you how much I enjoy the black tie reception? Well that would be the fourth thing I love about this wedding.

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upcoming photography workshops: Two-Day Guerrilla Lighting Workshop in KK (August 12-13) & KL (September 16-17)

“What do you want us to do now?” Elaine and Owen asked as soon as we got the formals done. It is a question that would have sent shivers down my spine if I didn’t come prepared. It’s a question that stares you right in the eye. Can you deliver or not? Are you going to make something happen? The answer for a photographer is always “Yes” regardless of how I feel. We had 40 minutes before reception start and we lose all daylight. With a client, I cannot afford to run out of ideas or not knowing what to do next. Never mind it was my first shoot in this resort. The buck stops with me. That’s why I am here. On the roof top of a resort that’s built on top of a hill in the southern tip of Phuket Island, Thailand. Wind howled mercilessly. Lightning flashed at the end of the horizon. Storm clouds gathered. The clock ticked real fast. “What do you want us to do now?” Took a deep breathe and committed to a series of pictures 500 feet above sea level, right on the roof top.

I’ve learned not to run or be scared when storm clouds gather rapidly. They can offer great photography opportunities by giving texture, contrast and mood to the sky. At the end, the wind died, lightning faded, the imminent storm that threatened to wreck this wedding just went away. We got with quite a few frames of great pictures. Here are two I wanna share with you. Just glad Radiopoppers came through for me again…shooting 30 feet away without line of sight is just impossible without these amazing tiny radio triggers.

Jumping on a flight for home now…

I love how involved everyone was in the wedding. The friends and family created so many teary and funny moments. Amanda’s dad, Kean Ming who is an avid photographer, snapped away with his Leica in the house. Love how involved he was. I was determined to show Amanda how often his father smiled when he looked at her. He was so proud, happy and friendly. Not very typical of Asian dads.

Then there were the friends and bridal party to add to the cheers. Jia Heng, in particular, was super funny. Love the ‘musical’ he performed with his mates. Just very blessed to shoot a wedding that is so rich with love, emotion and connection…

Yasodha & Subra share a Manchester United connection. Subra came to KL from Singapore to catch the Red Devils play a friendly game. Joining him was Yasodha’s brother. Subra missed his returning flight and headed to Yasodha’s home. That was the first time they met. If you haven’t met your soul mate yet, maybe you should try missing a flight!

For the wedding at least a dozen friends from Down Under showed up. That is a testimony of the kind of friend Yasodha and Subra is.

Just as friendly is their family. They went above and beyond to take care of the photography team. While totally unnecessary, their kindness and thoughtfulness helped in a long day of shooting. Special thanks to Maha for shadowing me, and feeding me updates of wedding especially the part when the priest spoke in Sanskrit.

Since shooting their bridal session in Cuba, I have been looking forward to Michael & Vivian’s wedding. Chinese weddings in Hong Kong are always steeper in tradition than those in Malaysia or Singapore. The outfit, gold bangles & protocol mesmerized me. Also impressed with how much Michael “wants” to marry Vivian. He pressed through the torturing games dished out by the bridesmaids: gluing on hair shaved from the groomsmen to his face, putting on bright yellow g-string, and swallowing disgusting concoction in great spirits because he wanted to get his bride. After apologizing for his limited musical talents, Michael topped off the evening playing the guitar and singing Vivian’s favorite song. What courage. Such deep devotion. William Hung, you can step aside!

Just wanna share with you some of my favorite images from this wedding…