December 23rd marked the final job of the year for me, and I couldn’t ask for a better wedding to close off 2009 for me. Thank you Ziyao & Jean, for taking really great care of me during your wedding day, and I trust these teaser images of mine will bring back memories of the 23rd, as we bid farewell to 2009 and embrace what 2010 will bring. Love you guys!

Broke my record yesterday covering the smallest wedding celebration in my career. 8 people, including the JP and myself, were present to witness the union of Jorgen & Stacy. Small weddings are great – the people, the simple & private atmosphere, and the absence of any commotion. The silence gave everyone the chance to soak in the reality of the occasion. I am extremely happy to have been given the opportunity to witness the ceremony, which happened quietly atop a little hill at the Botanic Gardens.

A story about an old Bendix washing machine helped one man get through the valley of loss.

His parents acquired the washer when John Claypool was a small boy.  It happened during World War II. His family owned no washing machine and, since gasoline was rationed, they could ill afford trips to the laundry several miles away. Keeping clothes clean became a problem for young John’s household.


A family friend was drafted into the service, and his wife prepared to go with him. John’s family offered to store their furniture while they were away. To the family’s surprise, the friends suggested they
use their Bendix while they were gone. “It would be better for it to be running,” they said, “than sitting up rusting.” So this is how they acquired the washer.


Young John helped with the washing, and across the years he developed an affection for the old, green Bendix. But eventually the war ended. Their friends returned. In the meantime he had forgotten how the machine came to be in their basement in the first place.  When the friends came to take it away, John grew terribly upset –and let his feelings be known. His wise mother sat him down and said, “Wait a minute, Son. You must remember, that machine never belonged to us in the first place. That we ever got to use it at all was a gift. So, instead of being mad at
it being taken away, let’s use this occasion to be grateful that we had it at all.”


The lesson proved invaluable. Years later, John watched his eight-year-old daughter die a slow and painful death of leukemia.  Though he struggled for months with her death, John could not really begin healing from the loss until he remembered the old Bendix. “I am here to testify,” he said, “that this is the only way down the mountain of loss…when I remember that Laura Lou was a gift, pure and simple, something I neither earned nor deserved nor had a right to. And when I remember that the appropriate response to a gift, even when it is taken away, is gratitude, then I am better able to try and thank God that I was ever given her in the first place.”


His daughter was given to him to love and nurture. She never belonged to him, but he had the awesome privilege of sharing her life for a while. When he realized that simple fact, everything changed. He could now begin healing from the tragedy of her loss by focusing instead on the wonder of her life. He started to see Laura Lou as a marvelous gift that he was fortunate enough to enjoy for a time. He felt grateful. He found strength and healing. He finally knew he could get through the valley of loss.


We all experience loss — loss of people, loss of jobs, loss of relationships, loss of independence, loss of esteem, loss of things.  What if you view that which is lost as a gift you were given for a time? Perhaps that simple choice of trying to reframe your loss will change sad memories into thankful ones. And perhaps it will get you unstuck and back on the road to healing and wholeness.

* Story from TRACKS OF A FELLOW STRUGGLER, by John Claypool

Took this group shot of Sharon’s siblings on her wedding day.  I love black pianos that are clean. Hahaha!

There are days when I wonder why I do this for a living, and then along comes a wedding that puts that wonder to rest once again. A part of Lynn’s speech gave me a better appreciation of “Thank You” speeches, and carved a more personal reminder of how much I regret not giving one on my wedding day. Yes Wendy, I know you told me so.

My parents don’t visit my this blog of mine, and I doubt they even know it exists. Nevertheless, one day when the time is right, I may pluck up the courage to tell them how much I respect them, love them, and thank them for how much they’ve done for me.

In Lynn’s words,”Thank you Mom, for making this perfect for me.”

10 years is a long time.  I haven’t even been back in Singapore for that long, and yet See Teck & Sharon have been living thousands of miles apart for that span of time. Hats off to the both of you, but I hope going through the customary wedding ceremony will spur you guys on.

Auntie. There’s no better time than now.
(AND NO – IT’S NOT 12 INCHES)

I feel compelled to warn others of my horrific experience at RedDot Brewhouse, which I now regret going to for my wedding anniversary dinner!

1955hrs – order was placed for Frito Misto appetizer, Pan fried scallop pasta and grilled ribeye. Was told that food would take a little longer since it was crowded. Fine, I’m a patient person. 

2020hrs – Ribeye arrives. My wife tells me to eat first since beef sucks when it’s cold. 

2030hrs – We alert the staff about our remaining orders.

2040hrs – Staff comes by to check what hasn’t arrived – we tell her “EVERYTHING!” 

2045hrs – I’m LONG done with my steak.  In fact, I felt so bad eating alone that I gave Wendy part of it.  

2046hrs – Staff arrives with Wendy’s pasta, but I refuse to accept it.  So it’s now my turn to watch my wife eat or what??!! Besides! Where the hell did my appetizer go??!!  We cancelled the rest of our orders and left. VERY bad restaurant management.

Passing by the kitchen, I see only 2 cooks in the kitchen! TWO! I’m going to call up the owner tomorrow and tell him that he’s got some SERIOUS issues at his restaurant.

Yesterday was one of the proudest moments of my life.  I was awarded a Licentiate grade for my Master Photographer grading, along with about 20 other photographers of various fields including wedding photography.  The work starts now, as I’m aim to get my Associate grade next year….possibly even a Fellow grade if I manage to find the right switches to flick.

Les Brown once said, ” Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

Captured this image back in 2008, and as my life progresses, I find that my editing work changes accordingly. As we evolve as husbands & wives, brothers & sisters, son & daughters, so will our preferences in life…hopefully for the better.

That’s right folks! I’m headed off to Tokyo this evening, and won’t be back in Singapore till the 16th of October 2009. Should you have any lingering questions about what I can do for your photography needs, send me an email, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.