It has been a while since I have blogged about weddings I've shot and I definitely have a lot of photos all stored up in my hard disk at home waiting to be posted online. I think I shall go with the thinking that it is always "better late than never". Before I continue ranting about things which should have been, let me start the post up.

To be frank, it wasn't really a wedding as both Chi Wern and Chin Ling got married in Singapore the week before but they had a vow renewal session here in Malaysia so that friends and family in Malaysia will not be missed out.









His best man, flew all the way back from London to be a part of this happy occasion!







The groom's mum looking over the happy couple.



As I mentioned in the beginning, it was a renewal of vows, so the ceremony was a little different. I will let you see if you can spot the difference.







Once the entire ceremony was over, it was time for the bride and groom to head out.



Where we then proceeded to take a couple of shots before the tea ceremony.







Dinner was held on the same day as the church ceremony but there was time in between to take a break.







When you have friends helping you out as your emcees, you definitely have to expect them to play some games with you on stage.



Games like asking the groom to feel several hands and ask him to identify the bride's hand.



As well as getting the bride to feel for her husband's hair as well among other guys.





This is one of the very rare occasion where I managed to capture the cork in the frame as well. Talk about being lucky :)



The best man giving his toast, the funny thing is that I gave the 3rd toast as well! Yes, me, the photographer who is also an old childhood friend of the groom. Unfortunately there wasn't anyone there to capture me giving the toast :P





The night ended with a blast and I definitely had loads of fun shooting their wedding. It was just totally awesome! The feeling was different because there were so many familiar faces and when you know the guests, it becomes a little more personal .

Early today, someone came up to me and wished me, "Happy Easter". I for one am not particularly used to being wished that. Then it hit me that how far I might have been from the whole truth about the resurrection of Jesus on this day some 2000 years ago. Why has it not been that significant in my life right now, these very thoughts came about me and I sat down and realised that I have been filled with too many things other than God. Career mindedness has crept into my inner most thoughts as well as photography and the mixture of life and where is mine moving towards.

Most of today was spent in church, shooting the dedication service where we finally dedicated the Dream Centre as well as shooting the dedication dinner as well. There were plenty of people and a huge crowd. The sheer number of tables available were far more than that I have seen at any wedding so it was a huge thing. It really didn't start well when I arrived at church as the clouds were turning black and thunder was echoing about but God was in definite control. I said to Ps. Mike when I walked into the church compound, "Looks like rain, huh?" and his reply hit me back, "Don't believe what you see". He was absolutely right, God was in total control. Not only did it not rain, there was a slight hint of a drizzle during dinner and when a group started praying, even the small drizzle stopped. God is totally awesome.

After dinner, I had the wonderful pleasure of getting teased at because Liverpool was down by a goal against Man Utd and by the time I finished watching the entire match at my cell member's condo, it was absolutely horrid. Liverpool lost by 3 goals to nothing and all I could do was sulk in a corner. Well, I didn't really sulk that much but I guess it was what I expected from a 10-men Liverpool team.

As I drove home, rain started pouring down like there was no tomorrow. This is what is expected from a God who is almighty, everything is in accordance to His timing. I sit down now in front of my computer, while I write this, all I can think is that God sent us his one and only son, Jesus to this earth who died on Good Friday and rose again 3 days later on Easter Sunday. It is not about chocolate eggs or the easter bunny but how God has sent His son to save mankind. This is what needs to be in my head and everything else will definitely make more sens.

Its going to be a busy week, plenty of work to complete and meetings to catch up. Doubt I might have time to take a couple of swings at some golf balls at the driving range though but hopefully I can find the time to exercise as the KL International Marathon is next week! And no, I haven't been training at all.

I thought I would share some of the photos I took at the recent CYZ congregation last Friday night. Wasn't officially shooting the event but I just thought it would be good for me to put into practice what I learned at my recent photography workshop.

Here are some of my favourite shots.



Drum roll!


Team huddle!


Trying to portray a grunge look for the electric guitar effects pedal


Spotlight on the lead guitarist


The lone backup singer at the side where no one can see him


Candlelight shot with the lead singer behind


Candid shot of a shy singer

Anyway no shots of the food but just some shots of the activities we did during the last FLARE gathering. As Dexter did say, it has been a year since everyone from the group manage to have a get together. With half of the group studying in Australia and the other half busy working, I guess I did feel old amongst them.


Lemuel acting cool


We-Ki teaching Dex how to cross the line of normal social boundaries


Dexter must be wondering who it was as his comment was, "Wah the skin so smooth, must be a girl!"


Whose reflection is that?


Group Photo

Check out the rest of the photos at this link.

Earlier this month I was asked to shoot this event held at the Dream Centre. It was a concert and the expected attendance would be in the range of about a 1000+ attendees. To me the first few things that came into my mind was that whether I could cover the event from the beginning all the way to the end (games and food first).

Secondly, how would I fare is such low light conditions considering that I do not have any fast lenses (yes the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR Nikkor lens is in my wishlist) and I would say that direct flash would then spoil most of the lighting ambience in a concert.

Here are the results.


Free gifts that were given to the attendees?


The huge crowd waiting to get into the main hall

Of course before the event started, I started sneaking into the hall before the crowd was let in a caught the performers running through the agenda. It was definitely going to be a fun filled event!


The dancers rehearsing their opening dance

When the doors openeng, everyone literrally rushed in causing a huge stampede. Ok well, they were rather orderly and I am just exagerrating most of it.


Samuel the emcee of the night welcoming the crowd

I was truly amazed at the CHC dance team, they were absolutely incredible and coordinated. Haven't seen this type of skilled dancing since I was back in universities.


First performers of the night, the City Harvest Church Malaysia dance team

Of course it is a concert and what is a concert without the main star of the night? Well, you can't just get a 1000 people to attend a concert if you don't have a star such as Juwita Suwito to perform!



Her singing was awesome as usual and listening to her perform was an amazing experience. This is not the first time I have seen her perform but each and every time I do see her perform, she still manages to amaze me. What talent and she is Malaysian!





The night ended with a great bang! I only selected a few photos to publish here but once I am done with my post processing, I will upload it to my Flickr gallery.

Till then!