Bridal Photo Shoot: Behind the Scenes

On the first working Monday of January, Jhon and I made another visit to Versari Ade for our pre-wedding bridal photo shoot! To be honest, I was nervous because well, low self-esteem. I knew I could trust Abg Hadi and his skills (I wouldn't book VA if I didn't) but I was just worried I would be all awkward and stiff. It also didn't helped my mom kept asking me to be mentel/ cheeky when that trait never ran in my blood!

For the photo shoot, we brought our shoes, Jhon's under shirt & belt, I worn my corset & girdle and drinks with buns just in case we got hungry because it's going to be a long day!

Our appointment was at 10am and the first 2+ hours was just for me and my makeup. Jhon got to wait at a waiting/studio area but he only managed to get a 20 minute nap. kwang kwang.

Abg Hadi was sweet and friendly as always. He calmed my nerves by just being himself and we just chit-chat and while he did his handiwork. You know, when we tried and choose our outfits 2 weeks ago, no doubt we love the outfits but to have the make-up and hairdo to match, fwar! I knew it and it still blew my mind.

Our first photo shoot outfit was our Green/Gold songket. Geared with my 'cucuk sanggul', I was just amazed how wonderful everything looked together. Cucuk sanggul for the win! All the sequins and all that gold really sparkled. It was funny that (as usual) I looked more of a convert than Jhon when we wore the outfits.

[Pardon for the mess. Monday is busy day following the wedding weekend]

Our second outfit was the traditional royal Javanese outfit. At this point, everyone was laughing because Jhon really look like an Indon model and could sell 'jamu' or something. He is really a chameleon, 'semua kena'. We were busy with our 60's Cheongsam outfit when Fizah suddenly messaged me. She saw Abg Hadi had posted a candid shot of me and Jhon. She was super excited and said I looked like 'puteri kayangan'. hahaha Compliment 'tahap maxima'. We are the type of people who rarely compliment so when 'kena', really sincere punya.

Thank you to Abg Hadi for making me look so pretty and also taking a candid shot that makes me look even prettier. Don't mind Mr Lim, Invogue Photography's photographer. He is silly and silly always makes me laugh.

Like I said, 3rd outfit was a trip to our Chinese roots. All I can say is that my features is totally meant for the 60s. Sorry if I 'carry my own basket' (lol) but really, I looked good and therefore, I felt good. Jhon wore a red/maroon suit and all that was missing was a cigarette holder.

Lastly, was of course, a western white dress. I didn't know we got a studio shoot for it too besides an outdoor so that was a lovely surprise. 

To be honest, Jhon and I haven't decided where should we do our outdoor photo shoot only 2 days before the appointment. We couldn't decide because we were simply fickle minded. Every spot is beautiful. We just knew we didn't want Botanic Gardens nor a cityscape. That didn't narrow much at all. lol

Until Jhon decided Mount Faber Park and Henderson Waves. We used to trek there (trekking activities halted because don't want to get tanned on wedding day. haha) and Jhon cycled there once in a while. Anyways, since those 2 locations are nearby, instead of restricted to just 1 scene, we can get both botanical AND structural location! Tadah! Smart or not? =P

We just happen to be lucky that Mr Lim brought us to Telok Blangah Hill Park, Terrace Garden (Jhon mentioned it as an idea, not a decision) which also happen to be along the way so technically, we got 3 locations. We were  blessed that the skies cleared up just in time for our photo shoot too.

No doubt the ground was wet but it was manageable. I felt bad that the dress got wet and a little dirty though.

Our next scene was at the Henderson Waves bridge. When I saw the beautiful sunset with Reflections at Keppel Bay building off to the left of the scenery, I knew we were really blessed because unexpected sunset photo!

After that, we took another short ride to Mount Faber. We just took pictures with the vines, in a cable car (lol), on the colorful stairs leading to Spuds & Aprons Restaurant and the at the Bell of Happiness. Basically, we roughly had about 5 different scene which was good. It meant a variety of backgrounds. But then right, we will only get an album with 20 pages (excluding table top & wall picture frame), it's not that we can narrow down to a lot. 

Not purposely kiasu ah... Just happen to have plenty of different spots to work with within those locations. After Mount Faber, we headed back to VA's office. By that time, it was about 7++pm and I can't wait to get out of my corset.  

It was a tiring day for all of us but a fruitful one. Jhon and I ended the day with no complains except of tiredness and hunger. haha I can't wait to see and choose the photos, 

***

Mr Lim and Jhon had agreed for an appointment to choose the wedding photos the coming Saturday but days later, he SMS requesting to meet up on Thursday. The earlier the better right? hehe All I can say that we were spoiled by choice especially with the outdoor shoots. In the end, we also bought 40 additional soft copies for keepsake. haha I can't wait to see everything in hard copies. hehe 

   

Visiting Matin.

Since I last visited Fizah and Matin, I just can't get enough of him. I wanted to 'play' with him more.

So as soon as our weekends were open, Jhon and I visited.

I got to say, Fizah looked good especially for a first time mom who has just gave birth weeks ago. She lost a good amount of weight and despite feeling exhausted and still in pain, she still looked good.

She said her postpartum masseuse was great. She tends to sleep and snore almost every time. I have to take note, you know... for future references. haha

Anyways, it was nice to sit down and catch up with her because we had the house to ourselves. Meanwhile, Jhon took some photos for fun.

It's also the first time I see Jhon fully interacting with a baby. Usually, there are other people around so he tends to be reserved but since it was just the 3 of us in the house. He went all out.

There was one time, while Fizah and I were in the kitchen as she was whipping something quick for dinner (thanks Fizah! I told you no need), we heard all kinds of sounds in the living room. Not only sounds but also different types of voices; high and low. We were giggling, saying it sounds like there was a group of people in her living room.

If only we live nearby, I would probably visit more often. haha sibuk je.

   

DIY Marco Lens & Photography

Thanks to Pinterest, I decided to try their DIY marco where you extract the lens of a laser pointer and attached it to your handphone.

Things I used.

Mini flashlight at S$4.90 (lens of laser pointers I found are too small)
Hairpin (I have plenty lying around)
Handphone of your choice. (My Sony Xperia Z3)
Pliers to dismantle the mini flashlight.
Tape to fasten to handphone.

I had Jhon to help me to remove the lens with a pair of pliers and I taped to the handphone.
Immediately, Jhon and I went into a photography frenzy. It works awesomely!

How close up can it get? We took pictures of S$10 up close.

MASMASMAS
Words you can't see with the naked eye.

Mak witnessed our little project and she lend us her jewelry for close ups.

I noticed that if the item is not very small, the edges do get blurry. It actually works better if the item is really small.

Of course, must attempt at the eye photography. It's not perfect but it does it's job and quite commendable for a DIY lens.

More random pictures

This DIY Marco lens works well. Give it a try!

   

Checking Out RiverSafari, Singapore

This is the last set of photos that was backdated. We actually went to River Safari on 21 December 2014!

It was really spontaneous. Jhon had borrowed a Nikon 70-200mm lens for photo shoot and he had 1 more day to spend time with it. Just out of the blue, he asked, "Wanna go River Safari?". Obviously, I said yes.

Unless you like animals, this is will be a boring series of photos but in terms of experience, River Safari was rather interesting. It's like zoo meets underwater world meets bird park.

First stop was passing through the rivers of the world. The Mississippi River, Congo River, River Nile, Ganges River, Mekong River and the Yangtze River.

 The Mississippi paddlefish.



The cutest crocodile I've ever seen, African dwarf crocodile of the Congo river.

As you can see, I am still awesome at awkward poses. Checking the giant catfishes at Mekong River.

 

My favorite photo of Jhon thus far.

Passing through Yangtze river to see the lesser adjutant stork.

Yangtze Alligator.

Next was definitely one of our favorite spots; Giant Panda Forest. Not only because it's cooling habitat but the the pandassssssss!!!

Sharing the habitat, there were colorful golden pheasants. Their colors are so bright and concentrated. Pakai apa eh? Breeze eh?

Okay, I knew the red panda is cute but to see them in real life, I squealed like a little girl and I could've sworn my ovaries almost popped. My maternal instincts went bonkers and I want a red panda to call my own.

Okay, this guy looks grumpy but I swear he is shooocutteeee..

We also managed to meet Kai Kai and Jia Jia. To be honest, the ads and commotion made them so overrated but they were legit cute. Just like the red panda, I could stare at them the entire day even though all they ever do is eat and laze around.

Look at that fury cuteness.

After the Giant Panda Forest, we headed to the Amazon River Quest. I think our expectations were a little too high for it. It was a some what rather short ride with little bursts of excitement.

Spider monkey look so kesian.

Jaguar says what?

Jaguar says WAZZZZUPPPP!!

Pretty Caribbean flamingos.

Scarlet Ibis. Not Iblis eh?

 After the Amazon River Quest, we walked past the Wild Amazonia just to see the River Safari Cruise just for fun. You basically boat around the perimeter of the place lah. Just enjoy the breeze, surroundings and try to catch a glimpse of the animals.

 We even managed to see elephants and giraffes from the Singapore Zoo nearby.

After the boat ride, we noticed a side entrance to somewhere. In the map, it states, Golden-headed Lion Tamarin. Unfortunately, it was closed but we came upon to the animal trainers training a toucan. It was amazing to see the bird in action and real up close.

Continuing to Wild Amazonia, we saw the Jaguarmundi, Silver Arwana, Squirrel Monkeys and the green anaconda. Not much pictures taken here onwards because we were too hot and cranky to take photos and just want to enjoy the rest of the route.

 Why you so cute?

We spent most of our time at the Amazon Flooded Forest which was the last exhibit and my second favorite. It's no open ocean like the S.E.A Aquarium. But it was still surreal. Again, not many photos were taken plus, it was quite dark.

I had always been indifferent about the dugongs but seeing them floating and swimming around in such a big space somehow managed to steal a piece of our heart. No joke.

And yes, we were suckered to buy an overpriced photo. But it's an only couple photo we got and I think we were on our panda high. Too happy to say no. Look at the cheesy thumbs up and my gummy smile.