There’s a lot of gorgeousness coming your way today with our Spotlight Interview with wedding photographer Hong of Fabulous Moments ! Hong is a Malaysia-based wedding photographer who travels around the world to capture moments of love in a story-telling way. With his photo-journalistic approach, Hong has the amazing ability of capturing just the right moments naturally. He is praised not only for his work but most importantly, the values behind it. Hong is a wonderful friend to his couples, an amazing observer behind the lens, and a passionate artist beyond words. Join us as we share Hong’s story and beautiful work below!

Praise Wedding: Tell us how and why did you step into this industry, and why did you choose to focus on weddings?

Hong: I first started as hobbyist who photographed mainly portraits and events. I slowly stepped into wedding photography after assisting a professional wedding photographer in 2009, where I realized that capturing moments of love was something I truly enjoyed. I love to interact with the newly weds to share their joy!

Praise Wedding: What kind of photography services do you offer, and which service interests you the most?

Hong: I do pre-wedding, engagement portrait and wedding day photography. I find that wedding day photography interests me the most as it is the most meaningful day for a couple, and I would do my best to capture every moment of it!

Praise Wedding: How would you describe your photo-journalistic wedding style?

Hong: I capture natural expression, the non-posed genuine moments through a story-telling way.

Praise Wedding: Share with us 3 of your favorite shots, and tell us why!

Hong: This destination pre-wedding shoot in Santorini, Greece below was my first assignment in Europe, and I absolutely love the stunning scenery!

Hong: This photo below captured the moment when the bride’s parents helped her put on her veil before the ceremony.  It’s full of family love, and I like how the bride smiles with joy as if she couldn’t wait to see the next chapter of her life.

Hong: I love how this couple below interacted with each other in a very natural way with just a simple move. This is one of my all time favorite shots!

Praise Wedding: Do you have experience with destination weddings? If so, please share with us your most unforgettable experience!

Hong: Yes! I do have experience with destination weddings to Mauritius, Sydney, Adelaide & Singapore. My most unforgettable experience isn’t the ones from faraway, but a destination wedding on Langkawi island, which is only approximately one hour flight away from the capital city where I’m based.

The couple was from UK, they flew all the way to Malaysia for their special day and they went through Chinese traditional ceremony (gate crashing & tea serving) followed by a western-styled wedding by the beach.

Praise Wedding: We love how your photos reflect true feelings (especially contagious joy) and natural interaction between your couples, that’s your trick of capturing these moments so naturally?

Hong: To me the only trick is to really get involved in the event and to focus on observation & anticipation.  Move swiftly and be patient (sometimes you need to wait for those precious moments to happen).

Praise Wedding: How do you help your clients to discover their best looks in front of the camera?

Hong: I think it’s important to make them feel relaxed by interacting with them like friends, so that they can actually enjoy the shooting.

Praise Wedding: Do you see any emerging trends in the wedding industry?

Hong: I personally think that couples nowadays want a real wedding, a wedding that truly reflects their personality. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just keeping it simple and comfortable so that everyone can enjoy a good time.

Praise Wedding: What is the one piece of advice that you would give to other budding photographers?

Hong: It’s important to create a style that represents ourselves and stick to it.

Praise Wedding: How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired?

Hong: I keep myself motivated and inspired by traveling overseas alone, and see more work from other wedding photographers that I admire.

Find the photographer:

Fabulous Moments Website | Facebook | E-mail

Michelle Tay of Awesome Memories Photography has the magic touch when it comes to creating captivating, emotional, and romantic photography.   With an eye for beauty, she effortlessly captures the true love between a couple along with the natural joy of each wedding she shoots. Not only are we fans of her beautiful work, we love how Michelle breaks away from the traditional photographer’s role, and walks an extra mile to connect with her clients’ hearts. Combining emotion-filled scenes with intimate moments of love, we hope that you enjoy today’s interview with Michelle Tay of Awesome Memories Photography and get inspired by her stories!

Praise: Share with us your journey as a wedding photographer, how and why did you step into this industry, and what about weddings interest you the most?

Michelle Tay: Before I became a full-time love photographer, I was a graphic designer for a number of years. This enabled me to hone my aesthetic eye and photo-editing skills, while pursuing my love for photography leisurely.

As I was planning for my own wedding back then, I fell in love with all the beautiful and creative things to do with weddings, especially the intricate pretty details. I also discovered my passion for shooting Love. Hence, I chose to pursue my passion in the field of wedding photography.

I love being around happy people, and weddings are the epitome of celebrations and happiness. The greatest part about being a wedding photographer is that each couple opens up their love story to me, allowing me to step in into their world to capture their love. Every love story is so unique in its own way, and I really appreciate the magnanimity of my couples to allow me to capture memories of a lifetime for them!

Praise: How would you describe your unique style? How is your style or service different from others?

Michelle Tay: I shoot Love, the love story of couples, and that involves an in-depth understanding of each couple prior to the photoshoot, to understand their love story, their likes/dislikes.

My goal is to translate that love as I see it into photos, into memories that will be with them for a lifetime. Every couple is different in their own ways, and the aim for me is to tell each love story uniquely meaningful to them.

As a married female photographer, I understand exactly the happiness, excitement, and also anxiety of brides-to-be. I am more than willing and happy to share any advice or provide a second opinion when couples are preparing for the engagement / pre-wedding photoshoot and also as they prepare for their wedding day. More often than not, my husband also shoots alongside me as a second photographer at no extra cost. This is so that we can cover more angles and more moments for the couple.

Praise: Share with us 3 of your favorite shots, and tell us why or the story behind them.

Michelle Tay: This couple, Anton and Elvira, flew all the way from Russia to Singapore for their holiday and were looking for a photographer to capture their beautiful holiday memories. I was really honoured that they chose me to be their photographer and this is my favourite shot of the series because it shows how in love they are with Elvira’s sweet smile as she lies comfortably in Anton’s arms.

Michelle Tay: One of my favourite wedding moments is when my couples recite their own personalized wedding vows. This was a very touching moment where Lewis broke down in tears as he recollected the tough times he and Estelle went through to get to this day. I also love how Estelle smiles and comforts Lewis by placing her hands on his shoulders.

Michelle Tay: Lars is from Denmark, and one of the Danish traditions is to cut a hole in the groom’s socks. I love how everyone is laughing out loud and enjoying themselves, with the foreground showing Lars’ toes peeking out from his socks to show the context of the photo.

Praise: How do you help clients discover their best looks and expression in front of the camera?

Michelle Tay: For engagement photos, I always tell my couples that they look best when they are at their most natural self, oblivious to my camera. Sometimes, I would suggest certain scenarios for them to imagine, and allow them the freedom to talk to each other or express whatever emotions, while I will capture those moments.

There are also occasions where I would play some songs to enhance the mood. Afterall, a photoshoot with Awesome Memories Photography is about the overall experience, and I want my couples to enjoy the whole experience on the day itself.

As for wedding day, I tell my couples to just enjoy the entire process on their big day, and the last thing they should worry about is me! What I do is to capture all the moments as they unfold, whether it be happy moments or touching moments. To me, natural feelings look the best in photos and it is what connects with people!

Praise: What are some things you would suggest to couples before taking engagement photos and before their wedding day?

Michelle Tay: For engagement photos, I would always discuss with my couples about their outfit and ask them to take photos of their proposed outfits so that I can offer a second opinion on which colours look good and whether the colours are complementary.

I would also suggest that they could bring along some of their meaningful personal items to the photoshoot, for example gifts that they give to each other, or objects that represent their hobbies, etc. This will make the photos more personalized and something that they can personally identify with.

As for wedding day, one thing that I would always suggest is for my couple to write their own wedding vows separately, and read it out to the other party for the first time during the solemnization.

I think that is the perfect moment to express all the love during all the years of courtship, and can possibly be one of the most emotional moments in their relationship when they say “Yes, I do”. I wish for them to remember this moment for the rest of their lives as they take on a whole new responsibility from being single to married, and I feel that saying their own personal vows makes the moment much more meaningful.

And of course, most importantly, have enough sleep the night before, and smile (or tear if you have to) the next day!

Praise: What do your clients love the most about working with you?

Michelle Tay: From the feedbacks I’ve received so far, it seems to be my dedication, attention to detail, and also keeping regular contact prior to the photoshoot to discuss and brainstorm various ideas.

Praise: What is your favourite wedding moment?

Michelle Tay: As mentioned earlier, it has to be the moment when they recite their own personal wedding vows!

Praise: What kind of equipments do you use?

Michelle Tay: Usually, I shoot with two Canon DSLRs (currently using the 5D Mark III) and a number of L-lenses. My husband usually shoots with me as well, and he also uses a Canon 5D Mark III.

Praise: Do you have any experience with destination weddings or pre-wedding sessions?  What would be your dream destination wedding?

Michelle Tay: Yes, I shoot quite a number of pre-wedding sessions as well. I wouldn’t say I have a dream destination wedding. But rather, a perfect wedding in my opinion, would be one where the couple expresses their love for each other wholeheartedly and this can be felt by all the guests present at their wedding. I want to capture the overflowing emotions which my couple can look back fondly at the photos throughout their lifetime and reminisce their younger days in love.

Praise: How do you keep yourself inspired?

Michelle Tay: I love everything to do with weddings. Seeing all the pretty intricate details are a feast to my eyes and gets me excited and inspired. Hearing different love stories of different couples, especially those touching ones, make me feel inspired.

When I work with passionate vendors, the synergy and creativity inspire me as well. I also look at other non-wedding related stuffs; it could be anything or anywhere. It could be as simple as listening to music, watching a movie, looking at other artist’s works, etc. All these allow me to absorb whatever I see or come into contact with, and may feed off little thoughts in my mind to build into something inspirational.

Awesome Memories Photography:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Planning a wedding involves a lot of work.  When you are in the planning process, it feels like every little detail is stuck in your mind and you’ll never forget them.  However, the truth is, most of these details slowly fade away months after your wedding.  The reason why we value wedding photography so much is because it’s the best way to capture our precious memories and all the time and efforts we put into organizing the special day.

Wedding photos allow us to refresh our sweetest memories every now and then, and remind ourselves how blessed we are. Have you seen photos that just speak to your heart? The ones that illustrate true beauty through remarkable scenes?  This is how we felt when we first saw the beautiful images captured by destination wedding photographer, Daran Wu .

What we love the most about Daran’s work is the combination of magnificent scenes and natural emotions. As we started talking with Daran, we learned that his personality and attitude towards wedding photography really reflect the style of his work – sincere, passionate, neat, and determined.  Join us as we share Daran’s story and amazing work below!

1. Tell us about Daran Photography and how it started!

Daran: My passion for wedding photography started in 2005 when I was busy attending friends’ weddings.   I met many old friends at various weddings, and some of them were really into photography.  At that time photography was the bridge that reconnected our friendship because it created a common topic to share.  In 2010, I attended the Apertura Workship in Singapore, and this decision completely changed my life and shaped my photography style and career.  In 2011, I decided to quit my full time job to pursue my passion in photography; and that’s when Daran Photography started.

Now when I look back, I really think the workshop was a great investment. It gave me an opportunity to meet talented photographers with different cultural backgrounds.  This expanded my vision so I could see that there are so many things to consider before we capture each photo; and at the same time, so much room for creativity to flow!

2. What are the greatest joy and challenges you experienced in this field?

Daran: The best thing I love about being a destination photographer is the opportunity to travel and get to know different cultures. I learned that having great techniques is very important, but what really strengthens my style and quality of work is my real experience in life.

The biggest challenge is actually my self-expectation. When my destination clients choose me over local photographers, I really want to do a good job and make sure they are happy with all the photos.  Offering high quality work is my only way to honor their choice, and this thought often carries some pressure.

3. How do you communicate with your clients to make sure you meet their expectations?

Daran: Meetings before the wedding day is crucial.  I always ask couples ahead of time what kind of styles do they like. If the couple cannot describe clearly, I would show them my portfolio and ask them which photos they like the most.  I would also ask them if they have any favorite inspiration or wedding photos. The key idea is to figure out their taste and expectations.

4. As a destination photographer, which countries do you visit  most often?

Daran: I take regular cases in my homeland, Taiwan, and Canada.  My sister is also working in the wedding industry (bridal makeup artist) in Canada, so we often work together.  I’ve visited Italy, England, China, Hong Kong, Guam, and Australia to capture different weddings.

5. Please share an unforgettable experience with us!

Daran: Few years ago in July, I captured a wedding in Ottawa.  My baby daughter was born in June, and I really wanted to spend more time with my family.  However, this wedding was booked over a year ago and I didn’t want to break my promise.  I ended up spending a month and a half in Ottawa doing some preparation and meeting with the couple.

The wedding was held at a beautiful venue and it had a combination of Asian and Western wedding styles.  It took a lot of energy to capture this wedding.   I was so nervous that I stayed awake for over 30 hours before the wedding day.  I started shooting around 5am, and by the time the event ended my body was so numb that I couldn’t feel a thing.  This was a very interesting and challenging experience I would never forget.

6. Are there any challenges you want to overcome at this point?

Daran: I really admire some photographers who show artistic and creative talents in their work.  I hope I’ll be able to strengthen my artistic vision and creativity.

7. Please give newly engaged couples some professional tips.

Daran: Wedding photo shoot is like filming a movie, so the interaction between the couple is very important.  The more open you are, the better photos you’ll get.  Preparation is also very important.  It’s best to have a plan and communicate well with your photographer to ensure your ideal shots will be captured.

Wear a dress that best fit your personal style and personality.   If you are wearing something more casual, make sure the color and material match between the bride and the groom. BE YOURSELF is very important! If you are a joyful person, you should laugh, jump, or do whatever to show who you really are.  Don’t limit yourself to a certain atmosphere you try to achieve.

Find Daran Wu Photography:

Daran’s Website | Facebook | E-mail

There’s a reason why a wedding day is referred to as The Big Day. It is a one-time celebration of love, filled with memories and emotions.  It is also an event that really brings people together. Think of all the planning that goes into this one day, it’s an event like no other.  There are so many great photo opportunities at a wedding that do not present themselves in many other occasions.  How will you remember what the flowers looked like after they wilt? What will your last memories of the guests be? How can you keep every detail of  your beautiful wedding dress, perfect bridal makeup, and gorgeous hairstyle?  Wedding photography is the best way to immortalize your big day, and having a good wedding photographer sure makes a big difference.

Today we’d like to welcome one of the most highly sought-after wedding photographers in Asia, Let There Be Light (LTBL), to share their knowledge and stories about wedding photography.  The Singaporean photography company boasts a long roster of A-list celebrity weddings, including Christine Fan & Blackie Chen, Barbie Hsu & Wang Xiaofei, and Ella Chen (S.H.E.) & Alvin Lai.

We fell in love with LTBL’s work the minute we first saw it.  Their vision and creativity for wedding photography is definitely distinctive.  Their style is clean, emotional, artistic, sincere, and edgy.  You can really see the infectious passion in every photo they present, it’s like they have a vibe that’s constantly shouting “Let us show you the love“!  Their talent turned many moments into a visual feast that will last a lifetime. We are honored to have Let There Be Light on Praise today, and we hope you all enjoy this interview and their beautiful work of love.

Partner with Vocare Media (Cinematography)

Praise: How did you start the studio?  Where did the name “Let There Be Light” came from?

LTBL: We started shooting in the wedding industry since 2001.  It was from the lost of a loved one that we truly understood that photography is one of the best ways to preserve memories.  Sometimes no matter how hard you try to remember an experience, memories of it will eventually fade away in time. With this understanding in mind, we decided to make photography our lifetime career and officially started Let There Be Light Photography studio in 2005.

We are Christians, and our business name ” Let There Be Light” came from the first recorded words that God spoke.  Our mission is to bring the light of love with us wherever we go, in whatever situation we face.

Praise: How do you keep yourselves motivated and inspired?

LTBL: One of our biggest strengths is that we really enjoy being married in our own personal lives.  Every week is like our wedding week and that’s the excitement that kept us going for so long. Also, it’s important to keep a thankful heart and always appreciate the fact that our clients have chosen us to be part of their very special day.

Praise: How do you capture the critical moments and emotions naturally?

LTBL: We feel them. It’s easier to catch these moments when we ourselves are actually living in the moment.

Praise: How do you interact with your clients?

LTBL: We see every wedding as a different celebration. There is no right or wrong about what needs to be done, or what tradition needs to be followed. At the end of the day, as long as the couple is happy with their party, it means that their love and their union is being celebrated!

Praise: What is your suggestion to brides for picking an ideal photographer for their wedding?

LTBL: Beside capturing beautiful images, it’s also very important to have an experienced photographer who knows how much hard work you put into searching for the right pair of shoes, designing your gown, customizing your rings, etc.  Any skilled photographer can take pretty photos, but only someone who understands how much the wedding means to you will try his/her best to understand your needs and give you the best results.

Go for someone that’s tactful and patient too. The last thing you need to handle on your wedding day is for your family to feel uncomfortable when the photographer is tactless, especially when facing elders and children.

Praise: How did you get so many work opportunities with regional superstars? What are some challenges you faced when capturing celebrity weddings?

LTBL: It all started in 2008 during Anthony’s first shoot with Blackie in Singapore. Blackie encouraged Anthony to visit Taiwan and explore the market there.  Anthony took the advice and led to more job opportunities.  His involvement in the entertainment and film industry naturally developed more wedding cases when celebrities he worked with got married.

The biggest challenges we get from celebrity weddings is probably quick and short turnover time.  You need to shoot, select, and send photos out to the press immediately.  The usual turnaround time for normal weddings is around a month, but for the stars, it’s often a day.

Let There be Light Photography leading photographers from: Wedding Photography Network / Eyedeas Photography / Gabriel Mendes Photography / Plush Photography / Quiet Shoes Photography / Tiny Dot Photography / William Chua Photography

Praise: Do you do destination weddings? If so, where?

LTBL: Yes, we do. We’ve covered wedding shoots in Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and Europe so far, and we are open for more opportunities in the future.

Partner with Vocare Media (Cinematography)

Praise: How are your experiences different? Other than weddings, do you shoot for other projects?

LTBL: Other than weddings, we also shoot corporate cases, movies, and entertainment projects. We’ve been in 12 local and international feature films to date, and worked alongside Jackie Chan, Kelvin Tong, Chu Yen-Ping, and nother notable bigwigs in film. The company director, Anthony Levi Kho, is often engaged in various Asian celebrity projects with pop icons including LeeHom Wang and A-Mei.  He is also involved in Love Life, a non-profit campaign led by Blackie Chen and Christine Fan, where his belief in the power of imagery to influence the society is seen. Our clients can be assured that our skills and experience cover a wide range of people and events.

Big thanks to Anthony and Janice from Let There Be Light Photography for sharing your wonderful experience and stories with us!  Definitely check out more fabulous photography work on their website and Facebook page!

Find the photographer:

Let There Be Light Photography Website | Facebook

Today we are shining the spotlight on a talented photographer who truly loves what she does.  An artist who pours her heart and soul into every wedding and photo session she captures.  That’s Vancouver wedding photographer, Morgan Hargreaves .

Morgan has a talent for capturing intimate moments between her couples and making everything look so natural.  We love her creative approach and ability to capture “love” naturally with her lens.  Today we are very excited to share not only some of Morgan’s great work, but also her stories and passionate thoughts.  Be prepared to fall in love with Morgan Hargreaves Photography.

1. Tell us how you started your career! What inspired or motivated you? Why weddings?

Morgan Hargreaves: I started my career in photography back in 2006. My mom always joked that I was born with a camera in hand, and growing up I was always found behind the lens.  I started out taking a few family and maternity photos for people that I knew and worked with, and then someone that worked with my mom asked if I would photograph their wedding.  The rest is history and I marked my 100th wedding in June 2012.

I love weddings because it’s such a happy time!  Everyone is in a great mood; it’s a celebration, and in some ways weddings are always a bit of a challenge. I love finding that magical shot! It’s awesome that by the end of each wedding, I always feel like I’m part of the family, and that’s definitely the best part!

2. How would you describe your style?

Morgan Hargreaves: I would say that I am more of a naturalist. I give what I call “loose direction” where I allow the couple or bridal party to be themselves. I will quite often tell couples to walk over that direction and just chat and interact with each other, that’s where you get the natural smile and you are able to capture them in their most natural state.

3. What kind of photo shoot do you love the most?

Morgan Hargreaves: I really love engagement photos! It’s a great way to get to know the couple and talk about their big day! That said, weddings are amazing too! I have had the pleasure of photographing a lot of different types of weddings and I love seeing the different ways people commit themselves to each other! Within the wedding day I love watching the interaction of the bride and groom with their parents, there is so much love, pride, and joy, and it’s truly amazing!

4. What are the greatest joy and challenges you’ve experienced as a photographer?

Morgan Hargreaves: I think my greatest joy comes after the wedding when the couple starts to see their photos.  Especially when I’m able to capture something that they didn’t even know I was taking photos of.

My greatest challenge is probably one I put on myself. I’m always working to get unique shots especially when photographing in areas or venues that I’ve been to before.  I really want all my couple or family photos to be “their own”!

5. Any profession advice to give to brides/grooms-to-be?

Morgan Hargreaves: Find a photographer with a style you really love, and let the photographer have the creative freedom.  By looking at a photographer’s body of work, you should get a good sense of their style, if it matches yours, then it’s a great partnership!

You also should meet your photographer and get to know them a bit, at the end of the day, you are going to spend the entire day with them at your side.  The relationship is really important.

6. Share an unforgettable experience with us.

Morgan Hargreaves: Oh! There are so many, but I think I will draw on one from my more recent weddings.  One of the groomsmen, who was also the bride’s son was really interested in photography.  As we were doing the photos in Yaletown he was standing by my side and asking if he could hold some of my lenses for me. Throughout the photos he asked me questions, and I was showing him what I was doing with the settings on my camera.  By the end of the day he was suggesting to me which lenses I could use and he was having a blast learning new things. I know it meant a lot to the bride and groom that I would take the time to mentor him a bit.

7. How do you find the best looks and expressions for your subjects?

Morgan Hargreaves: I let my subject be themselves. As I said above, I give “loose direction”. My favourite has to be when I ask the grooms to whisper something in the bride’s ear, that always gets a great reaction.

I also encourage my couple to pick meaningful locations that can represent themselves or their styles. This way they will be more natural with each other.

The engagement photos play a huge part in understanding what a couple likes. When they give me feedback on what photos they really liked, I can do more of those to match their desires.

8. What are your must-have equipment?

Morgan Hargreaves: My 70-200mm 2.8 lens has to be my favourite for portraits, which most would find strange. It’s a heavy lens but I LOVE the look and feel it gives to the photo, almost dreamy! I also love to play with sparklers!

9. How do you keep yourself inspired?

Morgan Hargreaves: I follow a lot of wedding blogs and buy many different styles of wedding magazines.  I also try and constantly keep my mind and eyes open to cool locations and shots.

My assistant and I will quite often be driving around and we’ll find a spot that looks cool, then it’s just about finding a couple that wants to photograph in that area.

I also like to push the boundaries, if it feels awkward then it probably looks AWESOME in a phoo.  It’s about building the trust with the couple so that they let you put them in that awkward spot or pose!

10. How do you feel about your job as a photographer?

Morgan Hargreaves: I think it goes without saying that I absolutely LOVE what I do! I crave wedding season and it is so much fun! I vowed getting into the industry that the second when I felt that it was “work”, I would stop doing it. Seven years later, I still feel like I get to have fun everyday.

When I work through the photos afterwards, I feel like I’m reliving these amazing moments that my clients have asked me to be part of, and that is so cool.

I’m a fun loving person who doesn’t sweat the small things.  I want to connect with my clients and be friends with my couples. I have loved watching my past brides and grooms go from engagement photos to family photos (and everything in-between).

Find Morgan Hargreaves Photography:

Website | Facebook | E-mail