it's not the pictures, it's the memories.

Up till recently, I’ve always thought children’s parties are just about kids laughing at the clown’s antics, chomping down on MacDonald’s, blowing out candles on birthday cakes and collecting presents. It’s always easy to shoot compared to a wedding—-no tears of happiness/sorrow, no nervous brides barking at bridesmaids  etc.

However, I realise shooting a children’s party involves being a sensitive and politically correct photographer too!

I’ve shot a particular child’s birthday parties more than once already, and coupled with the sibling’s parties, I’ve seen the girl many times over the years. I remembered a quiet, shy and reserved girl staring at the camera all the time. Last week, curiosity finally got the better of me and I asked the mum if her child has become happier, since I saw a lot more smiles in the latest batch of photos.

Then came the surprising answer: “She’s angry with you because many years ago you didn’t take a lot of pictures of her.”

Ok, from now onward, I’m going to shoot a birthday girl like I shoot a bride.

//kc

Ariel & Belle turn 2!

Jiaxuan’s 4th Birthday Party

Yet another old acquaintance…….Thomas was my primary school and JC mate and we both hailed from Johore Bahru. His wife, Tricia is a bubbly character whose cheeriness can infect anyone within kilometres of her. Luckily, when I was shooting her wedding to Thomas and then her hitherto complete family, I was right on Ground Zero and it was always fun and cheery with her around. It was with great pleasure that I help document their son, Lucas’ milestone on a very cheerful Sunday morning.

//kc

Riding on the current “family” theme, I’ll like to share some pictures of a happy family. Valerie and Darren are my long-time clients who booked me to shoot their wedding years back when I was still a moonlighting photojournalist with the newspaper. That’s like definitely more than five years ago!

I’ve witnessed their blissful union at their wedding, to a family photoshoot when their eldest son Ryan was one year old, and now the first birthday celebration of their second son, Reyes. It was like a mini-reunion of sorts, and I delighted in seeing some familiar faces, with the likes of their parents, uncles and aunts.

The food was good, the light was good, and the company was good.

//kc