One day, I brought my son out with me. My son got curious as the whole family usually goes out together. He asked me why is there only the two of us and I explained to him that it’s ok for just the two of us to go out at times. It is a rather romantic thing. And then my son asked what is romantic? I was stumped as I can’t explain it to him. It was then that I realized that the perception of romance is different throughout the world. After I received Wei Hong and Abby’s information, we met for discussion. They brought photos to show me.
From my interaction with them and the photos, I feel that they want photos that exudes a romantic feeling. I believe that every bride wants their wedding photos to be romantic. But the kind of romantic that she requested is understood by me. She didn’t specially request or emphasize that she wanted the romantic theme in it yet I knew what she is implying. Our shoot location is at Melbourne, Australia. I familiarize myself with the characteristics of the locations the couple wanted to go to. This ensures that my sense of direction for the concept is correct.
For me to capture that particular effect, there are a few conditions. Firstly, we need a clean and comfortable environment. Secondly, there must be lighting with a spacious feeling. You will be able to detect it, for example, maybe through a backlight with a flare effect. This enlarges that spacious feeling. To put it simply, some photos will contain natural lighting from the sun. It creates this capacious feeling that I am emphasizing on. I didn’t choose to use some props or grand poses as I fully comprehend what the couple need and their innocent themed romantic concept.
There is no need for too many props and poses that scream exaggeration. The whole concept is directed at simplicity and purity. The whole process is cheerful and we received good care and hospitality from the kind couple. They arranged everything with great care to accommodate our stay at the land down under. We stay at their house and get the chance to eat hearty breakfasts made by Wei Hong himself. Every morning we look forward to this meal with coffee that make our mornings energizing. We are thankful for their warmth that helps our shoot to proceed smoothly. We also feel pretty much at home with them.
During the shooting process, Wei Hong is very participative. He would ask us if it’s possible to achieve a certain effect. We found out that he likes photography and has done research in it. After discussion, I came to know that what I arranged is what the couple needs. At the start, I didn’t make it complicated for fear of confusing them. I simplified everything for them only to find out later that what we prepared is what they want.
This is because the couple didn’t specify it during discussion so we piece everything together through the data we collected from the survey form and the photos they shown us. During the last day of our shoot, there was a shower. Coincidently, luck was on our side as it didn’t rain at the time we shoot at the location. It only continued to rain after we ended the shoot.
We had Korean food for dinner below the couple’s home as our last meal in this adventurous land. When we reminiscence about the shooting process, we can’t help but stay within the moment of the process’s atmosphere, that brims with love and romance. In the end, everything is satisfyingly completed.
This is a very eye-opening experience for us. We are thankful towards this wonderful couple for choosing us to embark along in this romantic-filled journey.