Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Love is not a state of being. It's a house that takes up the whole world.
Angela and Greg may be no stranger to you at all. Angela is the owner of Lace & Ebony, and the blogger ambassador of Etude House. You might even remember seeing quite a bit of her on my space before because I love working with her over the past one year, and we always have this sort of chemistry and the same end in mind that we want for the images. I've also met Greg through our photoshoots which he will find time to come and help Angela out as and when his time permits. It's really nice because Greg has always come off as a really quiet person to me, but over time, we've found common grounds for our topics and I've also witnessed the love and dedication between these two busy individuals and how much effort they put in to balance every aspects in life just so they would have sufficient time for each other.
They are without a doubt, one of the easiest couples to shoot till date. I said so because, I barely needed to guide them and I will find them lost in their own conversations and each other. All that is needed is for me to find a corner and snap away. We got lucky with the petals that we found along the way and put it to good use. The last shot is undoubtedly one of my favourite shots ever. (: The unexpected things do turn out to be the best at times.
**
I shot Angela and Greg way more than half a year ago in 2013 (I'm really trying to keep up with my updates!), and over this half a year I've had the privilege of meeting more crazy, kind and gorgeous couples and made more photographs I could share on this space. In the next few months, I've aplenty of exciting new plans coming up and it will be a matter of time before all of you get to share my joy together.
xx
Labels:
Shoot
Monday, March 17, 2014
Adv: Simplicity Nails
My recent obsession with any and everything white has got me to choose this set of white-based gelish as my new nails. I love it that over the course of the past few months, Trina has got to know me better that she was able to guess what I'd like and propose the designs to me. It was a pleasant surprise when we came to consensus on a set of Chanel inspired nails. This set features a variety of designs that both of us had in mind, with the middle finger drawn and painted to be a Chanel Jacket and my pinky with my name 'Fee'. (: My other favourite is the camelia flower on my fourth finger. That, is no sticker! Everything was hand drawn.
All due credit to the talented Trina from Simplicity Nails for this crazily pretty set which I've gotten countless compliments for. My friends literally grab my hands and ask me who did them for me. (:
Simplicity Nails is located at the western side of Singapore, so all you westies please look for her should you like to do your nails! I promise you it wouldn't disappoint!
(:
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Martrimony of Sangeetha and Birgen
Last August, I took on my first lifestyle interracial wedding ever and it was for Sangeetha and Birgen at Fort Canning. It really piqued my interest as I've never taken an interracial wedding before, and I was extremely pleased that they wanted to engage me because they like my lifestyle approach towards weddings and many of the shoots I've done which was exactly in sync to what they had wanted. Nothing too posey, nothing staged. It was all in the name of family, friends, fun and flowers! Exactly how I would love my future wedding to be like as well!
Sangeetha and Birgen had met in Singapore when they were still studying here. Over the years, the couple had been maintaining a long distance relationship until in 2013, the couple reunited once again in Singapore to tie the knot and got their love nest ready. Unlike most weddings I've taken, they have already held the hindu traditional wedding the day before at the temple which explains why the couple had henna paintings on their arms. What was most heart warming was how well both families could get along, and how much respect they had for each other's tradition and beliefs. I was in disbelief how everyone seemed to know everyone there, and they all had tremendous fun at the photo booths and dancing around to the music the DJ was spinning.
Looking at the picture really makes me laugh, because I can still vivdly remember all the fuzzy happiness and spontaneity the guests displayed that night that turned the place into a dance floor. Lastly, it was also an honour to be able to work with Sarah from Poppyflora Studio where I got to witness the hard work Sarah and Heather had put in to transform the place magically in a matter of a few hours with pompoms, flowers and very adorable and creative food and beverage stations. Chloe Choo, was also present that day at the Bitesize Monster waffle station to mend the booth and make waffles for the guests. I hope I get to work with them again sometime soon! #sothaticanhavelotsofwafflestoeat. I kid! It's always an experience being able to work with creative people that are nice as well. It's rare nowadays for people to be kind and talented altogether.
I hope this set of pictures make you happy viewing them like how it made me feel even after a good whole 7 months.
xx
Labels:
Shoot
Sunday, March 9, 2014
THREE BLIND MICE: Raid My Wardrobe Extended
Three Blind Mice's Raid My Wardrobe Extended continues this weekend!
This is your last chance to grab the clothes on display! Also, stand to win an outfit of your choice from Static Fumes's newly launched collection when you spend above $30 this weekend! One winner will be announced per day. It's as good as it gets! :D I'm honoured to be a part of this, so please drop by Ferris to continue raiding. Lots of pretty clothes, even brand new ones, from the other pretty bloggers that are going at really really cheap prices.
The winner will get to choose form either one of the four outfits posted!
Event details:
Paya Lebar, Cityplaza #03-130 Ferris
Friday, March 7, 2014
Breathe
These days, I've been indulging in a number of reads with the time I have shuffling to and fro work. I like how reading seems to let time come to a standstill, and allows me the time to get engrossed and forget about the world Certain books didn't need to be philosophical but it was enough for me to relate it to my own life.
I remembered the days when I was in secondary 1, and my friends and I would scramble to sit on the last row of the bus when we head out for excursions because sitting on the last row was cool and we would sing loudly to F4 and 5566 songs that we knew like the back of our hands. We did all we can to anger our teachers, we wore our uniforms in the most ridiculous ways ever and got suspended for the silliest things. When the time came for us to split at the end of secondary two, we cried our hearts out together. I'm glad it hadn't changed a thing between us throughout the upper secondary years even though we've tamed our hearts and did what good students should do. When the time came for separation, I think I cried my heart out because I couldn't believe the people I lived with for four years are going separate ways now. Little did I know that I would experience a tremendous heartache of my life in 4 years' time and meet even more people in the polytechnic that I found hard to part with as well.
Needless to say, the woes of growing up hit as I hit 21 and it made me rethink about all the silly problems in the past I thought I had but were in fact, nothing compared to what I have experienced these years. In my head, I replayed over and over the memories and scenes of past joy and sadness. Every now and then, feeling like this right now, is a worse that's far too huge. In retrospect, there are some mistakes I should never have made. But I also should have known that time really does heal certain things. Maybe not fully, maybe not in the short run, but eventually it will. Humans forget and they move on. I am human too. Tonnes of things have changed, some friends left, and new ones came onboard.
"Things change, friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody."
I remembered how I started taking my first paid photoshoot and I was all jittery, I couldn't sleep the day before and I didn't even dare to go alone. The first shoot that I took on was kind of forced upon me, and I did it out of favour and I doubted my own work. Over time, I took on more and more jobs and it was then that I grew more certain that this is my destiny. It's been almost 2 years thus far. How time flies, and this scares me. When shoots got so hectic last year, I basically did not allow myself to have a single rest day and worked my ass off. The reason why I got to go on trips that people perceive as "often" because, I work every day of my life that no one else sees. People see the pictures I posted on my trips and think that I lead a good life. It is a good life, because I am blessed to have been able to travel to all destinations on my list for 2013. If you were to break it down, most people have the weekends off weekly, and I utilise them by going on a short trip once every 2 months which really isn't too much since I slog my guts out the rest of the days I am in Singapore. No complaints because I'd rather have it this way. It gives me a million reasons to give thanks for my trips and really feeling the gratitude right down to my toes.
However, it has also caused an imbalanced lifestyle for me because I barely had time for myself and the people around me. Every dinner I had, I'm worrying about the paid backlogs I needed to clear and the deadlines after deadlines thrown at me. I had no time to read, which I've been yearning to do all year long. I had the wakeup call I needed and finally readjusted my life for the ones I love, and to learn to love myself more. When it's the time to rest, rest. This has made me a happier person overall, because I finally felt like I was in control of my life and my wellbeing was improving. I dare not say it's a vast improvement now, but things are looking up for me. I'm going to make a conscious effort to keep this space updated on time. Keyword: on time. Now it's time to declare that no frustration will rob me of my joy and life. I need to breathe and fix my gaze on the route to victory that's like the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep chasing and keep believing, and I will get there one day.
The time has also come for me to move on to bigger and better things and I feel it right down to every fibre of my being that the change is happening now and I'm glad I'm moving with the flow. This is my year and I will make it good.
Last night, I received a really long and encouraging text from a friend who has watched me take my first baby steps in this industry and stuck with me throughout. Through and through, she witnessed every bit of effort I've placed in this industry.
"I don't know if it's just me or the rest of the people don't understand photography? Or maybe because I like photography so I will usually take extra notice to photos. These two recent series you did really surprised me, and you know I am very particular about colours, mood and how clean the photos are. You really have the eye for angles, the angles you took were fucking good, I could imagine a bride with her flying veil. The lines, the stairs and the concrete, the silverish ambience and if it were a real bride, I'm sure you can send in for competition.
What a pity Fiona, a pity that you are still young and not convincing enough because of your age. Pity that some clients make you do so much and are unappreciative. It's okay Fee. Someday, someone will recognise you. Your hard work and efforts will pay off. People will come to you for your style instead of you having to accommodate people. One day you will stand out and shine brighter than the others. It's just a matter of time before we get to the finishing line. Happiness is wealth okay Fiona. You must always remember not to be so hard on yourself.
You are brave enough to take a step and enter this industry, now you must learn to take another step back and find your own identity. You are not spending enough time with yourself. Take a break and ideas/inspirations/reflections don't come overnight. Once you have rested enough and found your new identity, opportunities will come knocking and people will love you for your style."
You have no idea how much these words mean to me especially when you told me that you will never give up on me the other time. Thank you for giving me renewed strength and for empathising with me when I get really grumpy because of the lack of sleep. Thank you for continually watching over me and protecting me like your little sister and best friend. We may bicker and get annoyed with one another, but I know that this sisterhood is here to stay. I'll always have your back, and I'll make sure that we make it to the end of the tunnel together.
Not forgetting, the best boyfriend on earth who taught me to love fiercely and fight for what I love. For tirelessly lending me support on days I am knackered and uninspired. Likewise, I'll be strong for you while you fight to carve a career for yourself now. It's all for better days ahead of us, for the both of us.
xx
Labels:
Thoughts