ambi photography » Lunch

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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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.

Ernest & Elise

Yu-Shan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:03:21 +0000

ERNEST and Elise chose a most unusual venue for their solemnisation: a movie theatre. The cinema theme extended to the tickets needed to enter the venue and a short clip of his favorite song that she surprised him with. A life of mini surprises for each other bodes well for them.

Wedding date: Monday, 11 July 2011
Venue: Golden Village, VivoCity, Singapore
Solemniser: Dr Phua Tan Tee, PBM

Congratulations Ernest and Elise.

Ernest & Elise’s Pre-wedding

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!

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!

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!

Claude & Angelina

Yu-Shan — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:11:15 +0000

CLAUDE brought a bit of Canada with him when he celebrated his marriage to sweet Angelina at the Amara Sanctuary Resort, Sentosa. See those maple flavored cream biscuits below? A countless number of boxes were packed in his dad’s luggage when he flew in. One bite and you’re hooked.

Wedding date: Monday, 2 May 2011
Venue: Amara Sanctuary Resort, Sentosa, Singapore
Solemniser: Dr Phua Tan Tee, PBM
Videography: A Cinematic Story

Congratulations Claude and Angelina!

Sathiyan & Priya

Yu-Shan — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:45:49 +0000

THIS high flying doctor and pilot couple celebrated their traditional Indian wedding at the Ceylon Road Temple. Priya’s smiles were infectious and she never stopped laughing or grinning throughout the 3-hour ceremony. They started with a military wedding march-in where they had to do something — usually a kiss from the couple or, in some cases, perform the limbo rock under the ceremonial swords — before being allowed to proceed.

Wedding date: Sunday, 20 February 2011
Venue: Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, Singapore

Congratulations Sathiyan & Priya!

Hardeep & Pearl

CH & Amanda

Yu-Shan — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:15:00 +0000

AMANDA laughed all the way to her solemnisation and throughout their wedding lunch despite having no sleep the night before. Wedding adrenalin powered both of them — including two march-ins and singing a duet to their guests — before they collapsed in a well-deserved heap at the end of it all.

Wedding date: Sunday, 30 January 2011
Venue: Imperial Ballroom, Mandarin Orchard, Singapore
Solemniser: Assoc Prof Yu Shi Ming, PBM

Congratulations Amanda and CH!

Andrew & Santhia

Yu-Shan — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:23:47 +0000

SANTHIA’S doe eyes would simply melt each time she spoke of Andrew, her Scottish beau. Their long distance relationship was not an easy one. Months of bliss together in the U.K. (despite the weather!) would be tempered by loneliness and boredom in Singapore.

Andrew told me that the history of his family clan dates back some 400 years. Well, this lucky princess is moving to the U.K. and into the family manor. “The house needs a bit of work but it’ll be OK,” said Santhia.

Their afternoon ROM was an easy and convenient stroll down Boat Quay from my suite at the Fullerton, where I spent New Year’s Eve working at Pearl & Hardeep’s wedding.

ROM date: 1 January 2011
ROM venue: Dallas Bar, Boat Quay, Singapore
Hair & makeup: Fionna Lau
Videography: Fotowerke
Solemniser: Mr Raja Mohan s/o Murugesu Kanagaratnam, PBM

Congratulations Andrew & Santhia!