A Patient Hunter

I wrote yesterday about something I learnt from watching a photographer who was busy with many other things other than taking pictures. He was supposed to be taking some studio portraits of my niece, but half the time, he was busying himself with getting toys and entertaining her, resulting in many missed money’s because he was not ready to shoot.

Today in church, I saw another photographer who was ready to shoot. He was walking around the auditorium taking shots of the people in worship. During the sermon, he was stationed somewhere in front of me at a table with the camera to his eye, ready to snap pictures of the pastor as he preached. He was like a sniper waiting for the perfect moment to press the trigger. His was in that position for about 5 minute waiting for the moment of a smile, a gesture. When the moments came, shots were fired in quick succession. He then checks the LCD display. A while later, the camera was again in ready position. He was ready to fire more shots.

A patient hunter will get his prey soon enough. I am sure in the 30 minute when he was seated there, he capture not just a moment. He captured moments which will no doubt pay off handsomely.

Today, I met the photographer I
described yesterday.
He was calculated in the shots he fired.
He knows the shots he wants.
He planned.
He waited.
He was rewarded.

Today, I learnt something new.

Something I learnt from observing a photo shoot

My lovely niece had a photo shoot in a studio this afternoon. Not mine. Why not? I don’t have a studio… yet.

It was a free shoot that my sister-in-law received for purchasing some children stuff, I think.

Anyway, I was think-skinned enough to ask if I can tag along with the family so that I can look at what other photographers are doing since I don’t really have studio experience. Market research, I call it. I can also be one of the child minders.

The studio was on the 3rd floor of a building without any elevator, so we had to climb up the stairs. Before we could reach the 3rd floor, a lady was already standing at the door of the studio waiting for us. “Great service!” I thought.

Other than the lady, toys were the next thing that greeted us as we entered the studio. Lots of toys! They were well prepared for the fickle-minded kid who gets bored easily… like my niece.

After the initial introduction and instructions from the staff, the shoot began.

Just to let you know, there were 7 adults, including the photographer, in that studio entertaining a naked baby as she crawled around the studio getting shot at. Toys were thrown towards her, funny faces were made, adults dancing and prancing around, an equally naked toy chicken making weird sounds after getting squeezed, etc. It was quite a ruckus getting a baby to look at and smile for the camera!

Not forgetting my real mission in the studio, I was observing the photographer quite closely and many times came close to whacking his head with a toy hammer! Instead of keep his finger on the trigger and capturing the moments, he was busying himself throwing toys toward my niece! There were 6 other adults there to do that! There were many great moments lost and at one point, my wife gestured for me to pick up his camera and shoot! He had left it the floor while picking up toys from a toy box!

I guess for me, the most important thing as a photographer is to be ready to capture the precious moments as and when they present themselves. That means if I’m on assignment, my finger is almost always standing by on the trigger, my eyes are watching and anticipating the moments which may suddenly appear. With digital technology, there’s no more issue of wasting an exposure. I am trigger happy and I am proud of it. I would rather spend time going through the tons of shots than to miss one.

So what did I learn today?

Finger on the trigger, eyes on the viewfinder. Capture the moments and leave the major clowning around to the minders present.

Website (Work-In-Progress)

After thinking and praying for a while, I’ve decided to go beyond Facebook and this blog and get a website. The main purpose is so that clients and potential clients can view my photos easily without needing to navigate through FB.

I did some research and came across Smugmug.

It’s a photo-sharing site which I’ve heard some time back but have never explored it since I was not doing photography as a business.

After comparing it and weighing it to what my needs are for a website, I decided… or should I say I’m quite sold out to it though I’m still trying it (I have 12 more days to go!). I’m going to take my time and explore every nook and corner of Smugmug before committing my money to it.

I’ve also secured a domain name for the business! It was a proud moment for me when I finally have my very own domain name. How cool is that?

So, if everything goes according to plan, the website should be launched in less than 2 weeks!

The look of the site. New logo. What do you think?

Events_Kae En’s 1st Birthday Party

Kae En, a handsomely cute baby boy of Eric Lim and Meng Mee, celebrated his 1st Birthday! With a smile that melts hearts, he was definitely an “aunty-killer” at his own party. Just look at his cute smile when he was being prayed over by Ps Melvyn Mak, to me, that was the look of a very blessed baby.

Looking at Eric and Meng Mee, it is not difficult to see a pair of very proud and loving parents. With photo albums of the family placed all around the room, it was their way of saying, “Come share in this blessing God has given us!”

Baby Kae En, happy birthday to you! May the Lord Jesus watch over you all the days of your life. May His face shine upon you always and grant you favor. You are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved.

Eric and Meng Mee, thank you for allowing me to share in this blessing God has given to you. It was fun!

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Weddings_Lance & Sally_19 November 2011

I was given the awesome privilege and responsibility of shooting the wedding of an old friend, Lance Tan and his beautiful bride, Sally. With the erratic weather these few weeks, one can only pray for a great weather and leave it to God. And answered He did, it was a perfect day of sunshine in the morning for the outdoor shoot and poolside solemnization!

In Lance and Sally, I see a couple who adores one another. Lance is a really fun guy to be around with. His quirky jokes will no doubt be a source of laughter in this marriage.

I came to know Sally through the meetings we had prior to the wedding. And on the actual day, I was glad to know her more through the interactions we had. A meticulous girl who pays attention to details, I’m sure she will be very 细心to the needs of Lance.

Lance and Sally, here’s wishing you a very happy and blessed marriage!

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David, Kirsten, Daniel & Natalie

The Ho Family – David, Kirsten, Daniel and Natalie. A family that loves each other dearly. I can see the adoration Natalie has of her brother, which tells me Daniel is a good brother, even though he’s just 8 this year.

Looking at their parents, I can see why. David and Kirsten are parents who are involved actively in the children’s lives. When Natalie was performing in her school’s graduation concert, even though she’s not graduating, David rented a camera lens just so that he can capture Natalie in action, up close!

Kirsten, a doting stay-home mum, is reaping the benefits of spending time with her children. Daniel just topped his class in the recent exams because of the close supervision she gives to his studies.

Congratulations Daniel!

Congratulations too, David and Kirsten!

And thank you for allowing me a glimpse into your wonderful family.

I pray God will continue to grant you wisdom and favor as you build up this home.

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9.11.11.12.11

On the 9th day of November 2011, at precisely 12.11am, this blog started.

Welcome once again to the world of blogging, paprisphotography.

Again?

Yes, the first did not sustain.

It faded away.

It was closed.

It was deleted.

The end.

The beginning.

On the 9th day of November 2011, at 12.16am, I wrote this line.

Welcome to the world of blogging, paprisphotography.

Welcome to my blog, world.

Come.

Read.

Leave (a message/comment, that is).