ISSUE 31 JULY 2020 WWW.THEWEDDINGNOTEBOOK.COM
THE WEDDING
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THE WEDDING
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THEMES
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LOVE STORIES
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managing editor CHAIYEN WONG contributing editor SOPHIA GOH
THE TEAM
art direction CROSSLINE STUDIO writers MABEL HO CHERYL POO contributing fashion writer MONICA FUNG sales and marketing ANDROS XAVIER CHAN cover photo by PROUDRAD PHOTOGRAPHY For advertising, please email ads@theweddingnotebook.com For submission of real weddings and interesting products, please email submit@theweddingnotebook.com
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www.facebook.com/thewednotebook www.instagram.com/thewednotebook THE WEDDING NOTEBOOK magazine is published by Crossline Studio (001420387-H). ©2020 Crossline Studio. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced whether by photocopying, recording or any other means whatsoever without the prior permission of the publisher. Views expressed in The Wedding Notebook magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.
FONTS
Here’s one of the fonts we used in this issue that you can use for your wedding.
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PHOTOGRAPHERS
mothica
by Olexstudio
This is a fluid handwritten script font with a fun vibe that looks great when used for titles and quotes. Pair with a simple sans serif font for reading text, use pop colours for a fun tropical theme, or print on kraft paper for a vintage look with a sustainable feel. Looking for a more contemporary design? Try this font in a white on white theme with an embossing or debossing effect on white stock paper.
COVID-19 WEDDING CHECKLIST SOPs, tips and more
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Photography by Manoj Photography
S U S TA I N A B L E + PHILANTHROPIC
THEMES
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THEMES
C
ould this be the new norm for our wedding industry? Instead of lavish, inward-looking celebrations that
focus solely on a once-off event, we are beginning to see more laidback weddings that are environmentally conscious and that focus more on giving back. This styled shoot led by Eventistry is not only great inspiration for what is possible during this time, but it is filled with sustainable, eco-friendly and philanthropic ideas. Also, the setup shows how current trends can still work with social distancing requirements and look good!
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PHOTOGRAPHY MANOJ PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHY ACE OF FILMS VENUE ESCAPE23, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA WEDDING PLANNING EVENTISTRY BRIDAL GOWN STUDIO WONKYU+ HAIR AND MAKEUP SHUEN MAKEUP ARTIST DÉCOR LYS WEDDING & EVENT STYLING BRIDAL BOUQUET SEMULA FLORAL PROPS RENTAL JUST RENT IT! MALAYSIA WEDDING CATERING PICHAEATS ART AND STATIONERY ACADIA CARD CALLIGRAPHY PEANUT BUNNY JELLYFISH WEDDING FAVOURS DOROTHY SCENTS (SOY CANDLE) FACE MASKS AND WALLET KOMUNITI TUKANG JAHIT LIVE STREAM PSYCHOACCOUSTIC SOUND & LIGHTS MODELS JEAXIN AND JASON
LOVE STORIES
LOVE IS NOT ABOUT GRAND INTENTIONS. IT IS ABOUT S M A L L AT T E N T I O N S . ROBERT BREAULT
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Photography by ProudRad Photography
zooming into
love VIANKA & COBY
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THEME AND DETAILS
rustic+bohemian Getting hitched in Covid-19 times meant everything had to be coordinated online and delivered via Grab and Lalamove. The bride wore a wedding gown that one of her bridesmaids and best friend had made – Janina Saspa of Heleyna Bridal, who is also a wedding designer. The groom, on the other hand, already had a wedding suit prepared – he’s a musician and wedding performer, after all! Vianka: “With Canva, we made a quick template poster, and I drafted a deck of guidelines (when the wedding would happen, what to wear, what to prepare, timelines, etc.).”
LOVE STORIES
DOWNLOAD VIANKA’S PDF DECK HERE
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VENUE
zoom at home Being in lockdown meant that this couple’s wedding venue was already decided for them – there was no decision paralysis. There’s something so intimate about making this once-in-a-lifetime declaration at home, with only your nearest and dearest present while the rest of your “guests” dialed in via Zoom to witness the special day. Vianka: “When we decided to move our wedding day up and get married at home, we realised that the interior design, with our wooden furniture and plants, perfectly suited the theme that we wanted. We were able to ensure social distancing and follow Community Quarantine protocols as we were a household of four people living in a 280-sqm house. The Master of Ceremonies was our good friend, Carlo Sumaoang, and our Zoom technical director was my bridesmaid Keina Sabay.” Showing that she was indeed surrounded by the most talented of friends, the bride’s maid of honour also served as her hair and makeup artist. Meanwhile, her brothers, both of whom also lived in the house, acted as event stylist and food coordinator respectively.
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CEREMONY At the end of the day, all that really matters in every wedding is the bride and groom together, holding hands, exchanging vows and looking into each other’s eyes. Focusing on what’s most important, this couple kept everything else simple – tying the knot barefoot, their ceremony set against a macramé backdrop from Kim Tendido of Makrama Wall Hanging, who is a friend of the bride. For their “recessional décor”, they opted for simple yet pretty paper planes, a nod to their original plan of travelling for their honeymoon. Vianka: “The theme was #LetsMakeItHappyn: we can make love and happiness happen in every situation, which we believe is something that goes beyond our wedding. We wanted to document our day – something to show our future kids when, hopefully, Covid-19 has become a thing of the past.”
WHILE IN QUARANTINE, W E H A D B E E N C AT C H I N G U P WITH FRIENDS ON ZOOM AND T H AT S PA R K E D T H E I D E A O F HOLDING A ZOOM WEDDING. A LWAY S C H O O S I N G L O V E I N A N Y C I R C U M S TA N C E , W E D E C I D E D T O G O F O R I T. W E G AT H E R E D O U R L O V E D ONES TO WITNESS AND C E L E B R AT E W I T H U S THE SOONEST POSSIBLE WITHIN OUR RESOURCES. VIANKA
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after party After the ceremony, the newlyweds had a wedding cake and food ready for those in their home to celebrate with them. Everything went without a hitch and there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere! Can you believe they achieved all this in just five days? “It ended up being just a two-hour online wedding, but the five-day preparation was an adventure for us,” shared Vianka. “It was a source of happiness and breath of fresh air during this time of uncertainty, not only for the both of us but also our guests.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY PROUDRAD PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE HOME, PHILIPPINES VIDEOGRAPHY GABRIEL LORENZO BRIDAL GOWN HELEYNA BRIDAL HAIR AND MAKEUP BEAUTY BY TINETTE HERRERA ENGAGEMENT RING AND GROOM’S WEDDING BAND GOLD ’N GEMS DÉCOR MAKRAMA WALL HANGING WEDDING CAKE TAZZY CAKES WEDDING FAVOURS KITCHTINETTE WEDDING CATERING THE BURROW CAFÉ WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT KIDDO AMURAO
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Photography by Trees On The Moon
unconventional beginnings ADELINE & ANDREW
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THEME AND DETAILS
rustic+black
The exposed brick walls and gravel floor of the venue made it easy for this couple to keep things classic and neutral. There wasn’t enough time to do much anyway, given how quickly they planned everything! The bride wore a beautiful gown while her groom and bridesmaids were all dressed in black. Her simple bouquet of eucalyptus leaves and white roses perfectly complemented the minimal décor and textural additions of lace and nude tones.
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CEREMONY The closest they could get to getting married at home, the newlyweds said “I do” at a local guesthouse, where they were able to hold a small ceremony in the common room. How lucky were they that the venue had this beautiful exposed brick circle? It’s an instant arch! Adeline: “Thankfully, Andrew never gave up hope and as soon as the announcement that gatherings of 20 people were allowed, he got to planning a small-scale ceremony with just our immediate family and closest friends. With Andrew’s family residing in Australia, we also did a live stream so they could be ‘present’ to witness our matrimony.”
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I T WA S N ’ T T H E W E D D I N G WE FIRST PLANNED, B U T I T WA S P E R F E C T NONETHELESS. THIS SEASON MADE US R E C O N S I D E R W H AT WA S T R U LY I M P O R TA N T T O U S O N O U R W E D D I N G D AY, AND IN THE END, W E W O U L D N ’ T H AV E H A D I T A N Y O T H E R WAY. ADELINE
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Yam Seng After months of worrying about whether their May wedding would go ahead as they had planned, everything worked out in the end, just not the way they had originally imagined it. The couple followed up their simple ceremony with a casual Korean BBQ feast, and like most Chinese weddings, it wouldn’t have been complete without a boisterous traditional toast of “yam seng”!
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PHOTOGRAPHY TREES ON THE MOON VENUE SEKEPING JUGRA, KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA WEDDING PLANNING EVENTISTRY BRIDAL GOWN OLIVIA CO. HAIR AND MAKEUP MLAB.CO WEDDING BAND 3125 BRIDAL BOUQUET ARRANGED AURA WEDDING CAKE BELLEDREY WEDDING CATERING HAN WOO RI
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LOVE STORIES
Photography by Louis Gan Photography
i do , just the two of us EILEEN & NICHOLAS
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THEME AND DETAILS
burgundy+textures Featuring deep reds and coral hues, the bridal bouquet was the perfect centerpiece for the blushing bride. The happy couple were surrounded by a variety of textures such as dried flowers, feathers, wheat stalks and lush leaves and plants, complemented by rustic chic rattan furnishings and soft brass touches. Tying it all together were their happy smiles and eyes only for each other, and indeed it was just the two of them, for they had postponed their wedding in light of Covid-19 and were taking their pre-wedding shots at their intended wedding venue instead.
VENUE
KLoé Hotel, Kuala Lumpur A brand-new chic boutique hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur, KLoé Hotel aims to be “a home for the creative and the curious”, with 80 rooms and 5 artist lofts surrounding a central courtyard. Inspired by a little wordplay on “Kuala Lumpur” and “Chloe” (a Greek name meaning “fresh bloom”), KLoé believes that a home away from home should be a cocoon: a safe haven in an unfamiliar city with spaces that inspire. Weaving the fabric of KL’s creative spirit into every part of the hotel, it is a lovely space indeed, one that showcases furniture, ceramics and artwork from the city’s renowned artists and designers.
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J U S T R E M E M B E R T H AT A LT H O U G H YO U R W E D D I N G CAN NO LONGER GO ACCORDING TO PLAN, T H AT D O E S N O T M E A N T H AT L O V E I S C A N C E L L E D . TRY TO REMAIN POSITIVE A N D F O C U S O N W H AT ’ S R E A L LY I M P O R TA N T – T H E L O V E YO U H AV E FOR ONE ANOTHER. EILEEN
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Exchanging Custom ised Vows Deciding to postpone their wedding wasn’t easy, but this couple made up for it by honouring their original wedding day with a bridal portraits session at the intended venue. Just because the event itself had to be postponed didn’t mean they couldn’t still declare their love for each other on that day. Not to be deterred, they wrote their own vows and began their (unofficial) journey as man and wife - right in the middle of a pandemic! Eileen: “We decided to do this because we wanted to commemorate what was supposed to be our big day and also have something special to remember it by. We wanted to do something that would make us both happy, instead of staying at home and thinking about what could have or should have been while being sad and disappointed.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY LOUIS GAN PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE KLOÉ HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA BRIDAL GOWN 7TH HEAVEN BRIDAL GALLERY BRIDAL JUMPSUIT ASOS BRIDAL BRIDAL SHOES BADGLEY MISCHKA HAIR AND MAKEUP SHUEN MAKEUP ARTIST FLOWERS HWA FLORAL DESIGN
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love in the tropics NAIA & TADAYUKI
Photography by Helium Hearts
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THEME AND DETAILS
tropical colours Keeping things casual yet classic for their Covid-19 wedding, this couple stuck to the main things: social distancing, a small number of guests and facemasks! The groom wore a handsome suit and his bride wore an elegant knee-length lace dress. Everything else, from the bride’s lush bouquet to their gorgeous natural surrounds, helped to make things extra festive by adding pops of bright colour to the mix.
CEREMONY It was a simple civil ceremony for these newlyweds, a vow exchange captured in images that will go down in history books, with facemasks being added to the attire of the bride and groom. This is the true giveaway that we’re living in Covid-19 times. While most of the world slows to a pause, some parts of life still carry on. For this couple, the pandemic certainly didn’t stop them from saying “I do”, complete with his and hers facemasks! What a unique way to begin their new chapter together as partners in life.
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RECEPTION The reception was held at the Merlin Pavilion in the Compostela municipality of Cebu, an island in central Philippines. Even better, the venue is just by the bride’s provincial home. Drawing upon a throwback era and surrounded by nature, this lush tropical pocket is equal parts romantic and vintage! With only 10 guests in attendance, the newlyweds implemented strict social distancing rules, with guests seated a distance away from each other. The cosy celebration was topped off with a simple cake-cutting ceremony, speeches from both sets of parents, and of course, toasts to the happy, tenacious lovebirds. Truly, this is love in the time of a pandemic!
LOVE STORIES
PHOTOGRAPHY HELIUM HEARTS VIDEOGRAPHY RR PRODUCTION VENUE MERLIN PAVILION, MAGAY COMPOSTELA, CEBU, PHILIPPINES BRIDAL GOWN GRIFFINS MALAZARTE CREATIONS MAKEUP NICKO DELA PENA GROOM’S ATTIRE GRIFFINS MALAZARTE CREATIONS FLOWERS AND DÉCOR FIRST OF APRIL WEDDING CAKE CHEF SAMANTHA DENISE COLINARES WEDDING CATERING THE MOBILE BANQUET, KUSHIYAKI CHIKUZENYA ART AND STATIONERY VICTOR CANTAL
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LOVE STORIES
Photography by Jasmine. A Photography
union spontaneous MELISSA & JIA JUN
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THEME AND DETAILS
flexible+intimate The theme was there was no theme! The first thing they did once they were out of their 14 days of quarantine after coming back from Singapore was to get registered to be married. Everything came together and any gaps were filled by the bride and groom’s family, such as the antique hairpin from the bride’s grandmother, and the dress that the mother of the bride had rushed out to get for her. She was almost going to wear a non-white dress! Melissa: “The idea was to keep it small – 10 people from Jia Jun’s side of the family, 10 people from my side of the family, yummy Afro-Caribbean food, a photographer and champagne!”
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VENUE
JOLOKO, Kuala Lumpur “We had lunch at JOLOKO a few days before our ROM. We thought that the restaurant was beautiful and the walnut hummus was delicious. It ticked two important boxes: ample sunlight and ground floor dining that was accessible for our elderly grandparents,” shared Melissa. JOLOKO is an Afro-Caribbean restaurant offering a delicious selection of spicy Caribbean style BBQ from the grill, mezcal and tequila for cocktails, and a variety of natural wines and drinks that will make you feel that chilled tropical island vibe. Housed in downtown Kuala Lumpur, its high ceilings, exposed brick interior and lush tropical flora make for a special wedding venue.
BE FLEXIBLE! GETTING MARRIED IN 2020 IS C H A L L E N G I N G B U T YO U A R E G O I N G T O FA C E O T H E R CHALLENGES IN LIFE TOO SO USE THIS FIRST ONE TOGETHER AS PRACTICE! MELISSA
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FAMILY LUNCH After years of being in a long-distance relationship and uncertainty about where and how they were going to stay together, the newlyweds finally sealed their union. It was certainly a long time coming, ever since they met in the US by chance at a house party. What are the odds that they would have gone to the same high school in Malaysia? Their wedding day was one to celebrate for sure, where two families became one!
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LOVE STORIES
LOVE STORIES
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PHOTOGRAPHY JASMINE. A PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE JOLOKO, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA BRIDAL GOWN JOSLIN STUDIO HAIR GRACESALON BANGSAR MAKEUP AMELINE LOK MAKEUP GROOM’S ATTIRE BRITISH INDIA, UNIQLO WEDDING CAKE VANILLA PODS BY KIM
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IDEAS
"the dunes are changed by the wind, but the desert never changes. that's the way it will be with our love for each other." PAULO COELHO
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IDEAS
Marrakech to the Sahara BY SUPERPANDA PRESENTS
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IDEAS
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SYLVIA & ADRIEL
CONCEPT
T
his album gives us a glimpse of Morocco’s diverse and beautiful scenery. Rich in culture and colours, it’s the ideal destination for bridal portraits. These photojournalistic
shots, complete with Insta-worthy poses, make this set all the more gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this with us, Superpanda Presents. Here, the photographer talks about this beautiful trip and the process they went through for these portraits. Why did the couple choose to do their bridal portraits in Morocco? I showed them photos from my previous trips there and they thought it would be a fun adventure. Can you please share your itinerary with us? We made our way from Tarifa, Spain, to the Port of Tangier in Morocco. There, we hired a driver and headed south to the Blue Town, Chefchaoen, for the first part of our shoot. Then we did a stopover in the ancient city of Fes before heading to Merzouga in the Sahara Desert. We stayed at a tent camp overnight and did a sunrise camel ride the next day. After that, we headed to the busy city of Marrakech, stopping along the way to take photos at random locations that looked interesting. For the last part of the shoot, we went to the seaside city of Essaouria (a.k.a. Astapor for Game of Thrones fans). What was the most memorable part about this trip? Seeing the sun rise over the Sahara Desert while we were riding camels was probably the most epic moment.
PHOTOGRAPHY SUPERPANDA PRESENTS LOCATION MOROCCO
IDEAS
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around the world “Never lose an opportunity to see anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.” CHARLES KINGSLEY
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PHOTOGRAPHERS
YOGYAKARTA BY TERRALOGICAL
PHOTOGRAPHERS
KUALA LUMPUR BY SHARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
BANDUNG BY SHEERSS
MALDIVES BY KURTAHS STUDIO
KANDERGRUND BY JACKIE YONG PHOTOGRAPHY
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LESS IS MORE This year might be all about doing the bare minimum, but don’t confuse that with lack of character. Each of these gowns carry a certain unique personality, and if done right, will result in timeless looks that your future self will thank you for.
LOOKBOOK
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Smaller and more intimate weddings often mean less extravagant gowns, but rest assured you don’t have to give up on style and character – in fact, quite the opposite. Different fabrics and cuts can project different personalities so choose your dress wisely. This timeless boat neck longsleeved number from Galia Lahav is classic and elegant, while the Jolie Bridal look exudes a sexier vibe. Opt for this Viktor & Rolf short dress to make a chic statement and stand out from the crowd – it’s especially perfect for small weddings! Pair these dresses with statement heels or simply go minimalist all the way. GALIA LAHAV / VIKTOR & ROLF / JOLIE BRIDAL / GALIA LAHAV / VIKTOR & ROLF
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LOOKBOOK
ALL WHITE
BACK BEAUTY
LOOKBOOK
Simple designs that show off the back, whether with interesting straps, ruffles or bows, are the way to go. Galia Lahav surprised us with an unusually clean Ready To Wear collection that did not compromise on the label’s iconic sexy back – look at those rhinestone details! Make sure you get your hairdo right for these dresses, whether you choose to put your hair up in a simple bun or pin your hair to one side. It’s time to truly let your back shine. VIKTOR & ROLF / GALIA LAHAV / GALIA LAHAV / DAALARNA COUTURE / GALIA LAHAV
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LOOKBOOK
If plain white isn’t your thing and you also don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard, we have two words for you: subtle details. Who can resist a touch of lovely lace? These dresses are the ideal middle ground for an understated look. The sweetheart cut on the Jolie Bridal dress is a romantic touch, and regardless of your sleeve length preference, different textures and elements, such as rhinestone details or lace, are a great way to set the tone and feel of your wedding. Choose something that goes with your theme and you will be all set. DAALARNA COUTURE / GALIA LAHAV / DAALARNA COUTURE / GALIA LAHAV / JOLIE BRIDAL
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SUBTLE DETAILS
Since its beginnings in 2008, AndroidsinBoots has evolved from being just a pair of brothers into a team of 16 with their own studio. This energetic and dynamic bunch of young photographers always brings something new to the table, and together, they have quickly become the voice of a new generation of wedding photographer. We speak to Wilson Chua, one of the brothers who started it all.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
ANDROIDSINBOOTS THE VOICE OF A NEW GENERATION
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Who inspires your photography? Annie Leibovitz and Terry Richardson currently. But I’m also heavily influenced by photographers from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia, which I follow on social media, as well as my fellow AndroidsinBoots colleagues. How did you start out in photography? I actually started out shooting mostly fashion related stuff. Once I was hired by a really cool couple who read my blog and decided to hire me as their wedding photographer despite my not having any wedding experience. We got along very well, and that job really changed my perspective on what a wedding photographer could be. Tell us about the AndroidsinBoots team. We started the brand two years after I came out of the army. We started doing a lot of outdoor photography, which wasn’t popular back then, and every time we did
“BE LIKE WATER. DURING TIMES LIKE THESE, I FEEL THIS IS MOST SUITABLE AND RELEVANT.”
a shoot all of us would be wearing boots and cutting through forests.
a diverse group of young team
doing things, and will always have
We liked the word ‘android’ because
members who bring their own fresh
room to explore and evolve.
it was futuristic and unconventional.
perspectives to the table. There’s this spontaneous energy in the office
What’s one of your favourite photos
that we thrive on, and the occasional
and why? Hong Kong has always
workout and beer sessions are highly
been special to me, and I’ve shot
encouraged. At times we do have
there often since 2012. Sham Shui Po
our disagreements, and we’re still
is one of the ghetto neighbourhoods,
learning how to best work with one
and one of my favourite things to do
another. But we trust each other’s
is observe the neighbourhood from
artistry and that’s most important
the rooftop. I was glad to be able
- to have creative freedom upheld
to capture this and show a different
Working with each other is always
with constructive feedback. This
side of Hong Kong to this couple who
creatively exciting. We have
way, we won’t settle on one way of
trusted me.
We’ve come a long way from being just a pair of brothers. Throughout the years, we’ve met many couples, each unique and different, and we strive to illustrate and give voice to their stories. Our work is an extension of who we are as people, and it gives us our identity.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Vital Statistics STARTED
2008 PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE
Our photography style is rather versatile in a way that’s somewhat customised to the couples. AVERAGE NUMBER OF WEDDINGS A YEAR
The team generally shoots around 300 weddings a year, for both photography and videography. NEXT GEAR ON THE LIST
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PHOTO BY IRENE YAP PHOTOGRAPHY
LAST FRAME
