ambi photography » Actual Day

Chen Kan & Han Jing

Yu-Shan — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:53:22 +0000

At times I’m reminded of my greater duties as a professional, full-time wedding photographer. A common misconception about wedding photographers is that of an anonymous “cameraman” loaded with gear furiously clicking away, returning your photos on DVD the following weekend. That would be setting yourself up for a major disappointment. And snapshots are exactly what you will get.

The way I see and feel it is as follows: a couple has entrusted you with probably their most monumental day of their lives. Your job is to gather their wedding memories with your pair of eyes, and occasional sense of humour. You need to be ready and absolutely spot-on with all the natural moments that happen. Most importantly your photojournalism needs to delight and evoke past emotions from your client. Mediocrity has no place here.

My name’s Yu-Shan, I’m a wedding photojournalist in Singapore and this is my philosophy as I approach every wedding.

THERE are certain immutable truths about traditional wedding customs from China that happen in Singapore.

Number One. The groom has to carry the bride from the bridal room and down to the waiting car. All without stopping or propping up the bride on something convenient. This is no laughing matter if she resides on the 21st floor.

Number Two. The bride will invariably hold her drink better and — graciously — outdrink the groom. All the more so when the potent fire water is baijiu, a clear distilled liquor whose alcohol content and fragrance are eye watering to the unwary.

Wedding date: Saturday, 30 July 2011
Lunch: Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel, Singapore

Congratulations Chen Kan & Han Jing.

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James & Kailing

Yu-Shan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:56:56 +0000

Wedding date: Saturday, 23 July 2011
Dinner venue: Villa Halia, Botanic Gardens, Singapore

Kailing did something that no other bride had done before. She gave me a personal gift after her wedding. “Hey, no need,” I protested, “I’m just doing my job.”

“I want to thank everyone who had a part in our wedding,” she said. With that kind of attention to detail and gratefulness, you could see she was head-over-heels-and-happy-crazy finally getting hitched to her handsome beau, James.

Congratulations James and Kailing. And thank you for the thoughtful gift.

Leslee & Liz

Yu-Shan — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:43:02 +0000

ROMANTIC Paris was the theme for Leslee & Liz’s wedding lunch. From the laser-cut miniature Eiffel Towers to the French-inspired menu, everything was sprinkled with joie de vivre and a splash of pink.

Wedding date: Saturday, 16 July 2011
Wedding dress: Alfred Angelo
Lunch venue: Garden Suite, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
Solemniser: Dr Phua Tan Tee, PBM

Congratulations Leslee & Liz.

Arnaud & Joyce

Yu-Shan — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:19:29 +0000

ARNAUD and Joyce met at Oxford University. They share two loves of their lives: sailing and photography. And, incredibly, they often combine the two together.

They had their solemnisation in a quaint village church in France (which I would have loved to have attended). And held their traditional wedding day in Singapore. Living and working in London meant they had to choose their trusted photography and videography partners carefully.

Wedding date: Sunday, 10 July 2011
Dinner: The Sentosa Resort and Spa, Singapore
Videography: Octopus Wedding

Congratulations Arnaud and Joyce.

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Oktavia & Dian

Yu-Shan — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:31:12 +0000

I have survived the two hottest dates of 2011: 11.11.11 and 20.11.2011. I can’t described how these two dates were vigorously fought by couples since the year began, ultimately going to the ones with the foresight to book me early and with a firm deposit. The moral of the story is to book early and book with confidence.

OKTAVIA and Dian’s story is one of heartwarming love. He finally married his childhood sweetheart, flying not just her but their entire families from Indonesia for their wedding celebration. And in addition to their newfound responsibilities to each other, they’ve also made Singapore their new home.

Their wedding was also a chance for me to see the Blessed Sacrement Church up close. For years I passed its iconic blue roof on the way to IKEA Queenstown. The interior is classic 1950s modernist. An Eames lounge chair would not look out of place in there.

Wedding date: Saturday, 9 July 2011
Church: Blessed Sacrement Church, Queenstown, Singapore
Solemniser: Rev Fr Gerardus Suyono
Videography: A Cinematic Story
Lunch: My Humble House, Esplanade

Congratulations Oktavia & Dian!

Roger & Flora

Yu-Shan — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:09:41 +0000

ROGER joked with me that I’ve never been to a real wedding until I’ve attended an Eurasian wedding. He was right. Their wedding invite card said “WEDDING PARTY”. The alcohol started flowing from the time he hit Flora’s hotel suite door.

However the one big thing that I took away from his wedding — not alcohol — was a memorable chat with Flora’s amazing grandpa who was all of 90 years young. A dapper and spritely Englishman who lives by himself, he proudly told me that he flew all the way to Singapore by himself. That he lovingly tends to his cottage garden. That he still drives. Utterly inspiring.

Wedding date: Saturday, 25 June 2011
Venue: Grand Copthorne Waterfront, Singapore
Solemniser: Dr Phua Tan Tee, PBM

Congratulations Roger & Flora! And take care Grandpa.

Roger & Jasmine

Steven & Jane

Yu-Shan — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:54:18 +0000

STEVEN and Jane are another gorgeous pair of teachers who tied the knot in a resort-style wedding. True to their teaching roots they came well prepared with their wedding folder, an immaculate stationery box, tape and probably a hole punch somewhere.

Wedding date: Monday, 20 June 2011
Venue: Amara Sanctuary Resort, Sentosa, Singapore
Lunch: Shutters, Amara Sanctuary Resort

Congratulations Steven & Jane!

Gene & Jocelyn

Yu-Shan — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:55:56 +0000

FEW people can successfully pull off getting married in bright red skinny jeans for him and black stilettos for her along with a life-size teddy bear in the audience. Well, Gene and Jocelyn did on their decidedly very unconventional wedding day.

Wedding date: Friday, 10 June 2011
Venue: Carlton Hotel, Singapore
Solemniser: Mr Chan Kai Yau, JP, PBM

Congratulations Gene & Jocelyn!

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Darren & Xinlei

Yu-Shan — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:12:19 +0000

DARREN’S “can do” spirit and Xinlei’s sprinkles of laughter meant that I enjoyed their 2-day wedding very much. And it shows in their wedding photos. Their unconventional ROM venue and the trendy crowd made it a riot of fun and merriment, some of which I will share with you here…

Wedding dates: Sunday, 15 May and Sunday, 22 May 2011
Venues: KPO and Peach Garden, Singapore
Hair & makeup: Miranda Wang
Solemniser: Mr Dennis Tan Chin Leong, PBM
Videography: A Cinematic Story

Congratulations Darren & Xinlei!

Shawn & Nita

Yu-Shan — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:58:20 +0000

SHAWN & Nita’s wedding day finally came after their little pre-wedding shoot with me back in March. They celebrated their union with style at the Church of St Vincent de Paul with what appeared to be a free flow of Veuve Clicquot Champagne!

Wedding date: Saturday, 14 May 2011
Venue: Church of St Vincent de Paul, Singapore
Solemniser: Rev Fr Augustine Joseph
Makeup artist: Miranda Wang

Congratulations Shawn & Nita!