Photography by Joseph
In Singapore
Wedding service at Trinity Christian Centre
Wedding banquet at the Ritz Carlton

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What I really loved about Mark and Yan’s wedding was really just much the couple themselves exuded joy and happiness throughout the day. It’s no hidden secret that wedding days can be pretty tiring, especially when they involve a church wedding, and I don’t think it is a mystery that Mark himself was worrying quite a bit prior to the day itself! (not having second thoughts, just a lot of planning!) but as the day unfolded, with Yan by his side, I think they both really enjoyed themselves, loving the moments, their families and each other.

I really loved just how many special moments this wedding had, from the tears of the parents and family, to the support of friends as they expressed their joy at such an occasion. It was such a privilege to be able to be there and capture all of that.

My sincerest congratulations guys!

Photography by Joseph
In Singapore
Wedding banquet and solemnisation at Amara Sanctuary, Sentosa

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Alvin and Vania’s wedding was like a walk down memory lane for me. Vania has literally been there since the beginning of my photography career having met her at one of the first weddings I had ever photographed and ever since then I have met her and Alvin at other of her friends’ weddings along the way. So having the honour of being able to photograph Vania and Alvin’s special day was like the epic conclusion of an amazing two year journey (she’s sort of the last girl in her group of friends to get married!).

But honestly, nothing prepared me for the rather intense gate crashing (I guess this was the last one for the girls) which was so crazy Alvin actually sweat through his suit! But, naturally, what is so intense in torture, is usually followed by a really sweet and lovely ceremony, and I just had a really lovely time with this couple who just compliment each other so well, not just in their personalities, but from what I could see, in their families as well.

Just to give you some background to the images so it doesn’t confuse you too much, the gatecrashing was in Singapore, after which they actually flew off to Malaysia for a wedding dinner and tea ceremony there for Alvin’s family, then flew back down a couple of days later to have the solemnisation and wedding lunch.

Congratulations guys, it’s been a real privilege!

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Photography by: Joseph
In: Singapore
Solemnisation and Wedding Dinner: Amara Sanctuary, Sentosa

What I loved about Justin and Xinli’s wedding was the simple focus of the day. It had the usual happenings of a wedding day, with the gatecrashing, followed by tea ceremony, and so on, but the heart in which they both approached it was so gentle and sincere. They both knew that today was about the beginning of each other, of themselves, and it shone through with shining colours with their smiles, their expressions, the words which they said to each other. It was really such a beautifully relaxed day and it was a real privilege to be able to be there with them to document it together with their close friends and family.

Congratulations guys!

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What is really funny about this is that the pageboy actually started off in front, but nerves held him back a bit while his sister was calm and steady…and then… well… boys will be boys, right?

You can’t fake or create moments like this, that is what I love about the honesty in children. They do what they want, they don’t listen at rehearsals. It’s all real. Love and be loved!

Honestly I am never sure whether people read blogs anymore. With the advent of Facebook, it certainly reminds me of how video killed the radio star… and certainly things like Livejournal and Blogger have seemingly faded from public consciousness.

But recently I must say that I have been encouraged to try and blog more, on a business perspective, but also from a personal perspective as well.

Since the last time I actually “blogged” here, it has been nearly a year, and so much seems to have changed, and yet quite a lot hasn’t really changed either. I have had to slowly change the story of my answer to the question “how long have you been doing this for?” which last year was a mere, half a year, to now, a year and a half. Soon, I’ll be answering with “two years” which is actually pretty long.

You know how they always say in sport that it is the newcomers who are the most exciting to watch, because the more experienced the player gets, the more they have to fear… well, I think the same goes for business. So much the same goes for business. So much so that it is actually scary at some times.

Last year, my first year in the business, I was fearless. This year, as I see my timetable for 2012… I am fearful of the uncertainty. I have been extraordinarily blessed to have been able to be financially stable the past two years, with clients and friends who have been amazing and incredible. Sometimes when I post on the Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/bittersweetbyjoseph ) about how “grateful” I am to clients and friends… it may seem superfluous but actually it is not. Because honestly, without clients and friends (not mutually exclusive) where would I be? What would I have? Indeed, where would any business be if it were not for clients? Perhaps some industries have it better… like petroleum. You can treat your clients like crap but they will still come back to you because they absolutely need petrol. But photography? It’s an uncertainty, let me tell you!

But anyway, I suppose that is something I should worry about less and start acting more on. Heads down, editing, and marketing. Blogging more!

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Photography by Joseph

Shawn and Liz had a really beautiful engagement shoot… I honestly don’t think that much needs to be said, but I just love the light in these images.

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What I love about these two images is the story behind them. I had talked with the bride before the ceremony, and she had bet she would cry when she recited the vows.

Sure enough, as she began to read the words of her beautiful vows (from her iPhone!), the tears began to well up, and only naturally she turned away from the guests to hide the tears. Interestingly, at that point I was the only person in her view and that’s how I got the first shot. What I love is the smile and that knowing expression that just reads “see! Told you!”

Of course, thereafter, her husband to be gently dabs the tears from her eyes in what were a pair of truly beautiful personal vows.

I said this recently, but I’ll just repeat it again. It’s these moments that really are very close to my heart, and one of the many reasons that I feel so privileged to be part of memories such as these, on days such as these.

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Every so often, { bittersweet photography } has the privelege of accompanying our couples overseas to locations such as London and Paris to capture some images. Often called pre-wedding or engagement shoots, we don’t always like to make a big deal out of it. Instead, we really just want to bring out the relationship between a couple, the love, the fun, the happiness, the laughter. These are some photographs of Stephen and May Yee in London, where they met and dated, and Paris, which, well, is just one of the most awesome cities in the world!

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Photography by Joseph
In: Singapore
Wedding Ceremony and Banquet: Raffles Hotel

For Vivek and Kathrin, this was the first of three wedding celebrations. The next two were to be in India, from where Vivek originates, and then Vienna, Austria, where Kathrin is from. Unfortunately, I couldn’t follow them all the way, but it was such a joy to be there for this really cosy, personal celebration between the two which started on the grassy lawns of the Raffles Hotel to the bars at the top of Singapore’s Raffles City. Throughout, it was just laughs, smiles and the banter of good friends, the reminiscing of proud parents, and the love of two very happy individuals who met in the smallest of cities, having travelled from the ends of the world.

You just gotta love.

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Photography by Joseph
In: Singapore
Wedding Ceremony at: Botanic Gardens

It is possible to have a garden wedding in Singapore!

This is the album of a short but awfully sweet solemnisation between Weiquan and Rachel. It was a small affair, kept to family and close friends and had just exquisite charm throughout, complete with sole violinist for the march in. Beautiful!

It is worth mentioning the wedding planner of this solemnisation was Anna from Spellbound Weddings as I thought the decor was absolutely delightful.

Congratulations guys!