ceremony: Bethanie Chapel
reception: Harbour Grand Hong Kong

having Hacken and Alan on stage giving “special blessing” to the newly wed.
It’ s really 『左麟右李』

some of my fav “getting ready” shots in the morning.

the prayer time of mother and daughter

tea ceremony, Jessica and her brother

am I pretty ?

ceremony at the bethanie chapel

you may kiss the bride !!!!

congratulations

we had 5 min taking a few portraits before leaving the chapel

Then, we went to university of Hong Kong to have 15 min location shooting there.

reception at the harbour grand hong kong

nothing happier than listening to great singing and great guitar music when taking wedding photos !!!

being a senior management of record company, can Ronny sing ???? em………

Don’t believe in me, you can see the photo below. this is a photo I got at our first meeting, hahaha, I am still keeping it in my mobile. I didn’t open my studio yet at that time, and we were still meeting in a cafe inside IFC.

Have you ever got any client like this in your meeting??? I think I am lucky to have sweet couple like this as my client.

location: HKU, Shek O, Stanley military cemetery, Stanley market, Central
makeup artist: phoebe lam

the photo session was perfect !!! We got plenty of sunlight the whole day and this is my first time to had photo taken at both Shek O and stanley military cemetery in one single day.

1st location: HKU
one of my fav of the day — there was a very strong sunlight coming from the window. the difficulty of this photo is that I need to position fiona under the sunlight very very precisely so that we can see her face and figure as well as the details of the veil under the sunlight. Of course, this photo could never work without fiona ’s beautiful face, do you agree?

time for a coffee

2nd location: Shek O.
I usually don’t go to the Beach  earlier than 3:00pm because the sunlight is too harsh for photo. However, as we needed to go the stanley military cemetery later, we didn’t have a choice. It was quite challenging for photo unde this light condition!!!

we got two little friends on the beach

It was really a miracle being able to take a shot like this at the beach in the early afternoon !!!!!

3rd location: stanley military cemetery

last location: Central and stanley market
here came the two little friend again

So you can imagine it  was really a joy taking photo of them!

locations: university of hong kong, Tai Tam, Shek O, Central
make up artist: polly of faces

1st location: HKU
a lot of people asked me if I feel bored always shooting at the same location. Let me tell you something first. Before I became a wedding photographer, I spent lots of time taking landscape photos. that ’s the period I learned the basic of photography and learned seeing light. One thing that I remembered from other masters was, in order to take good landscape photo, you have to understand the place, spend time to observe it, love it.

I think it is the same for location shooting in Hong Kong … …  if you start  to say that there is nothing to take good photo in Hong Kong, you better ask yourself if you ‘ve spent enough  time to understand the place,  to observe it. Even though I ‘ve been to HKU lots of time, the more I go there, the more new photo opportunities I find. Take the following photo as an example, this is my first time to see this natural light on this wooden door, it ’s so beautiful, but at the same time,  I could see that the light and shadow kept moving very fast, so I quickly get alison to get this shot. Within 15 min, the light moved out of the door. A lesson learned, isn’t it?
BTW, don’t miss seeing the mobile phone version of this photos by clicking here

we get beautiful sun light everywhere, all photos below (before sunset) are taken by available light only, no flash is used.

Oh … … beautiful bride !!!

2nd location: Tai Tam

third location: Shek O

too heavy ??????

Canly and Polly !!!!

last stop: central

thank you so much and look forward to your wedding day !!!!

by reading my blog, they love the photos at wetland park a lot. it is almost one year since I took photo there last time. I love this place a lot, but it can be tough for clients as it takes almost 20 min walk going to the wooden bridge and it can get very very hot during the summer times.

this photo session was done in sept when the weather was still very hot. I can still remember rene got completed exhausted after taking photos at the bridge. who says it is easy to get good photo ???

anyway, thanks for coming, and hope you did enjoy the photo session and the shopping in Hong Kong

locations: wetland park, inspiration lake, university of hong kong, central, tsim sha tsui
make up artist: polly of faces hk

we found lots of new shooting locations at wetland park this time. 

finally, we arrived at the bridge !!!!

2nd location: inspiration lake

3rd location: university of hong kong. 

night shoot: central pier

tsim sha tsui

star ferry 

So a lot of my clients arranged interesting  indoor locations for pre-wedding shoot recently. Places such as bar, cafe, hotel, club house, school or chapel are not uncommon. It was both fun and challenging to me as all these locations are very new to me and some of them ‘re even my 1st time to be there.

This time, phoebe and ricky, brought me to a hotel called Luxe Manor in TST – a very nice and modern hotel. As they are going to have their wedding ceremony there later this year, it has  extra meaning for them having per-wedding photos session there.

locations: Dada Bar + Lounge of Luxe Manor, Central, HKU, ifc

our 1st location: Dada Bar + Lounge of Luxe Manor
one of my fav. of bridal shot for phoebe. just a simple curtain inside the bar, but I like the color and the lighting a lot.

2nd location: Central

3rd location: HKU, the main building was still under renovation, so I tried to explore some other interesting spots

final location: ifc

My answer is always, “for my photo shooting style, location is not important at all. shooting wide in pre-wedding session is not my favorite, instead, I am always looking for light, abstract details and emotions before looking at the background”

when I posted on my facebook that HKU is under renovation last month, I got lots  of emails and messages from clients that expressing their worries that it ’s not good to take photo there. My answer to them, ” don’t worry, it ’s going to be OK”

trust me, the background of a location is the least factor for me to consider. With a happy couple (this is more important for me), good lighting  and imagination, everywhere is possible for  good photos.

again, there is no limit, the limit is only your imagination.

location: HKU, Central SoHo, Shek O, Central (night shoot)
makeup: polly of faces hk

big challenge. Can you believe that it was taken at a building renovation site at HKU????

one more

the behind the scene shot (more bebind the scene shots at my facebook page)

1st stop: HKU

funny couple !!!

I did a few special ring shots on the day

2nd stop: soho central, gettting changed at my studio

3rd stop: shek O

another special ring shot

beautiful sunset light !!!!

the yoga master !!!!

last stop: central

nice dress !!!

just the day before the shooting, the weather forecast was bad, thunderstorm was expected. I thought the session would be postponed, but out of my expectation, queenie told me they would keep going no matter what.

So what happened? The very second we got on the 7-seater van, it started pouring, and it ’s so bad that we couldn’t even get off the van any more. six persons in car, we kept  discussing where we could go. They liked going to the peak, but I said there ’s no way I could take photo at the peak under the thunderstorm.  Then Gracy suggested the Central pier, at least, we could  hide under the pier ceiling … .. That ’s how we started the day …. ….

finally, I learned that the day  was their 8th anniversary of dating …. …. wow !!!! No wonder not going to postpone. And that ’s why I felt so romantic in the photos.

and this is real  special for simon — never shoot in rain for such a long long time, again, I like challenges and these push my focus, ability and creativity further. And also thanks Canly for hold the umbrella for my camera and lens and got wet outside.

and also special thanks for gracy for buying such a beautiful umbrella for them, it gave a very nice color touch to all photos.

locations: central pier, the peak, HKU, the elements shopping mall
make up artist: gracy of JustGracy

like this photo, showing something unique in Hong Kong, but doesn’t look cheesy.

the photos will not look good without their smile and happiness

wow!!!! Gracy ’s using her secret iPhone hair spray !!!!

seldom take such a wide angle shot, this is an exception for me

really love this one, a very special background

when the thunderstorm stopped, we went to the peak. know what?? It ’s so romantic there with all the mist and drizzle surrounding us.

finally, with the non-stop raining, we didn’t  have any other place to go but HKU. we didn’t apply a permission this time, but lucky that we didn’t get stopped.

finally stop: the elements shopping mall. never thought we can take night photos there. good experience for me.

all the following photos ‘re taken outside a very nice dining location.

love this shot so much. did something new this time. you can see the behind the scene below to find out how I got this shot

another dining place, I used a flash to throw light throught two windows and curtains at the corner.

As you know, in Hong Kong, we have two big fireworks show over the Victoria harbour every year (one is on the 2nd day of Chinese new year, the other is on the 1st of Oct National Day).

In 2009, we had three fireworks show because of the 2009 Asian games opening on Dec 6th.

nothing ‘s luckier than the year of 2009, I had outdoor weddings in two of the fireworks shows and was able to watch the show very close at a very comfortable location. Jennifer and Fan ‘s wedding ‘s one of the two. The couple came from Shanghai to have their wedding in Hong Kong, with only their best friends and close families ‘re invited.

ceremony: Bethanie Chapel
reception: sevva, Central
makeup artist: Man Chan of Miracle

To be honest, I am not very good at shooting fireworks as I didn’t shoot any fireworks before in Hong Kong and tried to avoid the crowded places. Luckily, the photos turned out good, IMHO.

sevva, a very nice location!!!

beautiful shoes with lots of details

very nice QiPao – and Jennifer brought out the best of it !!!!

a moment during the tea ceremony. Love this shot.

changed into wedding gown. Always love to work with Man Chan – she ’s very professional and nice.

we went to HKU for a 30 min location shooting before the ceremony. Here are two of my fav

beautiful chapel as always

congratulations !!!

who is the lucky child?

beautiful wedding gown

jennifer ‘s helping setting up the venue

cake cutting in front of the HSBC, COOL !!!!

love the smiles from mother behind

Fan ‘s speech

Even it could be very tired sometimes, I feel blessed as we had lots of beautiful weddings and people in last few weeks.

The beautiful wedding of Christy and Plato in early Oct.

ceremony: the bethanie chapel
makeup artist: Eva of faces hk
reception: Langham Hotel

the two photos below are my fav of the day – both taken at University of Hong Kong (after the ceremony)

Beautiful light and perfect timing of the flying veil !!!

Really love this photo – A corner at HKU that I never thought we could take good photo before.

father and daughter

the bride pick up game session

yes, I make it !!!

happy moment

I love shooing tea ceremony, always lots of touching moments

nice available light

gorgeous !!!!

ceremony at Bethanie

happy bridesmaids

a long long match – in line

who’ s the lucky bridesmaid ??

congratulations !!!

I love this pic !!!

another pic at HKU

reception: Langham Hotel -  love this backdrop

happy parents

touching moment

I knew lina when she was a secondary school student and I was her bible teacher in church at that time. How time flies and she is going to marry next year !!!!

Hi Lina, hope you like this set of photos – a special gift for your wedding.

makeup artist: polly of faces hk
photo location: HKU, Shek O, Central (night)

one of my fav. Look at the dress, can you believe that we had a natural wind in the pic ??

our 1st location: HKU

so cute !!!

day time: lina looks elegant

2nd location: Shek O. Look at them !!! very very different style at Shek O …

we love sunshine

so colorful !!!

Raymond ‘s cool, isn’t he?

last location: Central

another fav of the day

this was taken at the entrance of a bar on Wyndham Street

Here is the sneak peek of the e-session we did last week.

locations: University of Hong Kong (HKU), Bel-Air Club House, Cyberport
makeup artist: polly of faces

there are some many nice locations at the Bel-Air club house.
my fav photo of the day

love the pattern of the hand rail very much. Thanks for giving me the time to create this shot ( I had to move around a lot to find the best pattern)

1st location: HKU

love the (tree) shadow pattern behind

what a happy day !!!

2nd location: Bel Air Club house

another fav of the day

gorgeous !!!

beautiful face, beautiful make up !!!

sylvia loves this dress a lot

last location: cyberport

a touch of love

sunset shots

thank you, thank you !!!

It is the e-session of connie and ah nam. Since we started the night shooting in Central, it rained and didn’t seem to stop. Instead of keep on waiting, I discussed with them the idea to shoot under the rain. Thanks for their trust and  we could manage to get the following wonderful shots.

locations: HKU, stanley market, military cemetery, central
makeup artist: Elaw Wong

Let’s push to the extreme. Ah nam did great !!!!

the rain didn’t stop, let ‘s do some crazy shots !

we start the day at HKU

beautiful eyes

my fav bridal shot of connie

2nd stop: stanley market

I did some close up shot of connie while waiting the rain to stop

the 1st shot I got in Central, the second we finished, it started to rain.

I get asked by so many clients if I can take good photos on a rainy day, the answer is yes and no.

I understand a lot of my clients love to see ” blue sky / white cloud / sun set ” in their engagement photos, if you expect these, I ‘d never be able to give you the same feel / style on a rainy day. There is nothing wrong with these expectation from clients, in fact, I find it much easier to take happy photo without the worry of  having the  dress, make-up, hair or equipments getting wet.

The weather in last three weeks ‘re so unstable that almost all the outdoor sessions ‘re postponed.  I shot the session of  gloria and vico three weeks ago, it was also a rainy day. The weather was so bad that we had to stop shooting several times throughout the day (take a look at my facebook page to see how bad it was photo & video).

When we returned home at around 7:00pm and changed into evening dress for night shooting, the rain stopped.  As I worried that  it would rain again, I suggested gloria to have photo shooting just at home.  However, we went to Central finally as she like outdoor shooting so much. And you know what? — soon after we arrived at Central, it started raining again. I moved around my flash and tried to see if I can get something different, all ‘re done very very fast as I was afraid the rain would get worse very very soon.

Back to the the question “Is it possible to take good photos on a rainy day” — I believe the following the picture can tell you the answer. This is definitely one of my favourite in last two months ‘ engagement session.

OK. having said all that, I still prefer to shoot on a sunny day … …

location: HKU, Shek O, Central

first locaton: HKU – a bad day, they tightened the security that day and we ‘re not allowed to go into the Luk Yau Hall (the most common place for photo in HKU)

soon after the rain stopped, we “ran” to the beach

location: HKU and the U-hall, Stanley Market, Central
makeup artist: Man Chan of Miracle (her recent interview by esdlife)

the winding stair that she loves a lot

BTW, Canly helped me to take some behind the scene videos on the day, I have put them onto my facebook fans page, Don’t forget to become my fans if you haven’t joined yet.

the 1st location: HKU . And you can click here to see the original untouched version and see what I did on it

a corner at the student hall

love this shot !!!

2nd location: stanley market

the flying couple

the stanley military cemetery

beautiful weather and light

can you believe it is Hong Kong?

night shoot @ central, I love fiona ’s new hair style

HI Yann and Alex, see you again on your wedding day tmr !!!!

locations: University of Hong Kong (HKU), Stanley Market, Central
makeup artists: polly of faceshk

never thought that we could have such a good light at this location inside HKU

university student union – this is where yann and alex met each other.
we had a chance to go back to the office to meet some friends

another beautiful location @ HKU

another location: Stanley market

shake it !!!

yeah !!!

at the Stanley market public library

you jump, I jump !!

the Stanley Military Cemetery became a very popular location for all my clients in last few months

last location: the central

I love this shot,

night shooting @ central. Remember the Chanel’s large light pattern I shown in previous blog post. I really love the patterns, it kept changing in last few months (I saw snow, fireworks, perfume, flowers before). Apart from wide angel shot, we can also use it as a background for half length portrait. very nice effect.

see you tomorrow !!

The man gets down on his knee and takes out the engagement ring, and asks  “Will you marry me?” – not sure if this is the way harold proposed to elsa, but thanks him for bringing me to the place at where he proposed.

location: University of Hong Kong (HKU).

We did this photo session on the public holiday on last Friday, the place was so peaceful and quiet in the morning.

here is location harold proposed to elsa

very nice couple. look forward to your wedding in sept !!!!

we got a lot of great photos at this old wooden door. BTW, don’t forget to go to my facebook fans page to see the behind the scene photos

I did venena and benedict ‘s session on last Thu and the weather was so nice that we all could get into the water finally (the water was still too cold in April). And the beach was so beautiful on the day – blue sky, sun set light, very smooth sand … …

nice couple – already look forward to their wedding in Nov.

locations: University of Hong Kong (HKU), Shek O, and Central (night shoot)
makeup artists: polly of faces hk

we all got wet from head to toe, so I asked verena to wave her hair in the air to get rid of the water and sand – that ‘s how I got this shot. My fav of the day !!!

1st location: HKU

nice dress

2nd location: Shek O
When I was taking this shot, polly kept saying next to me, “靚到殺死人啦！”

beautiful beach, isn’t it?

getting wet from head to toe

this is a very popular location recently, I found so many photographers taking photos with this nice background in Central

BTW, you can see my horrible  “sun burn” at my facebook fans page. And make sure you become my fans !!!

charis and tsui-kit, the craziest and most energetic couple ever !!!! Never stopped shouting, running around, doing funny face and climbing (yes, climbing!!!)  … … I strongly believe they both suffer from “hyperactive” problem !!!!! The later the day, the more energetic they were, they never felt tired.

The day after the session, Tsui Kit called me and said “Hey Simon, we had so much fun yesterday, let’s have another post-wedding photo session after our wedding in nov (2009)”, even though I knew he ’s kidding, I talked to myself 『唔好掛！你地太勁啦，我頂你地唔住呀！』

location: Shek O, the Peak, Hong Kong University Student Hall, Central
makeup artist: polly of faces

my fav photo of the day, I love taking photo of Charis, she gets beautiful face. And look like one TV actress (OK, you name it !!!) This was taken at the HKU student Hall, heard this place long time, finally got a chance to get there. Thank you Tsui Kit.
and believe me, this photo is all done by natural light !!!

OK, how hyperactive they ‘re … … it ’s almost 10:00pm !!! When everyone is looking for romantic shot at this location, see what Tsui-Kit ’s doing … …  No way I could stop him doing this … …

first location: Shek O

running and jumping … … don’t miss the behind the scene shots at my facebook fans page

stunning !!!!!

love this shot !!!!!

polly would definitely mad at me of getting charis ’s hair all dirty

Oh !!!!!!

2nd location … … let ’s do some romantic shots here

wow!!! the HKU student hall, finally !!!

another fav of the day. Pity that I didn’t have enough time to set up the lighting correctly. (the hall staff behind me kept requesting us to leave)

love this shot. however, you can’t believe how messy this place is, you can click here to see the original photo and what I did to it. And one more shot on my facebook fans page showing how messy it is

the student canteen

funny faces, funny faces

their real characters !!!

having some drinks (and rest)

Did the love story start like this? … … probably not. Fiona didn’t give him a chance, walked away and left the poor Kevin in the dark.

After that night, Kevin couldn’t forget Fiona ’s face, he got help from his friends in HKU to find the contact of Fiona. And finally, he managed to get Fiona ’s ICQ no. To his surprise, she was studying Electronic Engineering degree (he graduated from the same department as well), so he kept contacting her and offered to teach her some of the courses.

I didn’t asked them the rest of the story … … May be Kevin can share the rest with you later … …

date: 29 June, 2008 (a rainy day)
ceremony and reception: Langham Hotel
makeup: nancy kim

We started shooting at Fiona ’s home in Tseung Kwan O in the morning, followed by location shooting at HKU, then back to Tseung Kwan O. Even though it took long time traveling and it rained so bad on Sunday, they really loved to take some photos at HKU.
Happy looking at the rain drops

another location at HKU

the hall behind is where they first met … …

Included the raindrops in this pic to tell you the weather of the day.
Thanks Vickie holding the umbrella for me

a lovely pairs of wedding shoes

after the location shooting, we returned to Tseung Kwan O and prepared for the games and tea ceremony

it ’s for the games

the socks are from all the groomsmen …. … you can imagine the smell on a rainy day

the exciting families !!!

ceremony at the Langham Hotel — Fiona and her father

kissing the bride

catch it !!!

fiona and her best friends !!

Let’s welcome Mr. and Mrs Lam

awesome!!!! Kevin didn’t know playing piano at all, but he learned one song before wedding and played it for Fiona

A big surprise to Fiona

congratulations !!!!

Hi Kat and Andy, you ‘re my 1st client in the year of rat and look forward to your wedding in Nov !!!

date: 10 Feb, 2007
locations: University of Hong Kong, Shek O and Central
Makeup artist: Polly of faces HK

I found that HKU is getting more and more popular for my clients. I had taken photos at this building several times, but I got a new idea this time. Instead of taking photo at the long staircase behind, I was attracted by the shadow and the texture of the ground. To make the shot even more interesting, I asked Kat to run towards Andy (or the light) to create a motion. This is one of my fav of the day.

I like the pattern of the ground, not easy to find in other locations

another interesting location with interesting light

when andy meets kat

with some lighting setup, we created a sunset window view in HKU

another fav of the day, simple photo with great visual impact

behind the scene of the above photo

the happy couple

I always tell my client that I can take great picture anywhere if the couple enjoys the day. I believe Kat and Andy just did a great example for us in this shot

the more I take photo in HKU, the more I love this location. there are so many photo potential everywhere

our 2nd location: Shek O

the dancing Andy — all of us couldn’t stop laughing

too hot that we need some more water … …

so much energy of them

a world with only kat and andy

night shooing at Central, here is the small park next to Cheung Kong Bldg

kat got a long long scarf which I loved to feature in this photo