In Love with Paolo

I don't know what is with my ears this past week. It's been going crazy and I can't stop digging for new tracks!! I feel like a hound dog who has grabbed a whiff of a hunt in the not too far distance. The senses pick up, your adrenalin kicks in, and the ball begins to roll...it doesn't stop until the catch is in your mouth.

This week, while I've heard a whole lotta awesome audio bites, nothing has excited me more than my new best friend Paolo Nutini. Okay, so I don't know him personally :p But hey, I love his music THAT much!!

His songs are what I describe as groovy, earthy, soulful, and just down just a drop of pure awesomeness!! If you listen to this guy, and do NOT like him, I can safely say there is something wrong with you! :)

Do spend the next few minutes listening to these two tracks ok? They are so good, you are gonna want to buy them on itunes, or sign up with an account immediately just so you can get your hands on these gems! :)

Alright, I promise a post with pictures will be next. If not, then I will officially give away an itunes gift card so you can spend your heart away to satisfy your musical cravings.

Adios amigos!

(1) Last Request - Paolo Nutini


(2) Loving You - Paolo Nutini

Facebook, and Surnames

The clock showcased an 11:30am face, my stomach was howling an aggressive growl that called for immediate attention. You know, the kind that tags itself with a red exclamation mark for highest priority of service... or else. Given the day and my 3 day to-do-list which I am attempting to complete in 1 day (Did I ever mention that I am quite the ambitious little bee? :p ), I knew that running out to wait in line at my favourite Pan Mee store would not be an option. Disappointed as my stomach was, it had to settle for McDonald's home delivery (Aussies reading this, you are totally missing out - while in the long run I think it bodes better for the health that you do not get 24 hour home delivery of such fatty delights, its awesome for workaholics like myself who occasionally forget to eat in the midst of the piles of work living around them).

So there I was, dialling the imfamous 1300 13 1300 numbers, and the lady asks to confirm my identity, as they usually do...making sure I was Jenny Tan, calling from 012XXXXXXX. I had to pause for one second. Jenny Tan? A split second later, I realized that's me!! "Oh yes yes, that's correct" I quickly mumbled to the lady on the phone.

While to the business and photography world I am still known as Jenny Sun, my personal and married life carries my new surname: Tan. While I've carried this surname for months already, to be called and addressed by it, was quite surreal. Funny in fact. I chuckled to myself, and repeated "I am Jenny Tan". And continued to wonder how long most women take to adjust to their new marital name, before it becomes as common as the leg of a sofa you've had for 15 years. Months? Years? Never?

Anyway, I love both surnames I have. And I carry both proudly :)

On another note, thank you to everyone who has added me on facebook! It's been SO wonderful to finally see the faces of those whom have been reading my blog! I feel incredibly honored that you would want to add little old me to your friend list. And its been even more fun 'chatting' with you via my status lines. While I love comments from faceless visitors, I love putting a face to the names even better. Anyhow, while it was a pretty informal invitation previously to add me if you wanted to, here's a formal - IT'S OK :) - invitation to add me on facebook! I'd love to see your faces there, whether I've met you at a wedding, or you are a friend of the bride/groom I've shot before, or even if I haven't met you but you have been reading my blog/seen my work. I'd love to meet you on facebook! You can find out what I'm getting up to there via my statuses and chat with me there if I happen to be around. I promise I am not crazy, and I do not bite :)

Click the picture below to be directed to my facebook page:

See you! Have a happy thursday everyone :-)

Ear candy

One of my somewhat secret pleasures is music. I love it. No, seriously...when I have the time, I SCROLL through itunes to find the most hidden melodic gems. The ones that nobody really knows about. Those true pieces of ear candy that hit right at home with their vocal pleasantness (or greatness in some songs), the depth of their lyrics, and sometimes just a beautiful tune alone. I listen to ALOT of genres.... in fact, there is very little I wont listen to. From classical, to rock, to jazz, to pop, indie, and so on. But the paradox in all this, is that I am INCREDIBLY fussy at the same time. So when I hit the jackpot on itunes, it really sends my ears into a frenzy, and I can listen to the same track like 50 times over and over again, until I can memorize the words, the tilts in melodic changes, and the feeling... enough so I can sing it in the shower. Or take the piece to vocal class (when I do go :p haha!!) :)

Here are some tracks that have put a bright note in my week so far. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! I promise you they are all worth the listen - and if they are not, I give you permission to say I have bad taste in music haha :p (let's hope it doesn't come to that! :p)

(1) Forever Love - Anna Nalick
This is just down to earth, moody, and beautiful, without being corny. I adore it.



(2) A Song For You - Christina Aguilera
Okay, FORGET about the dirty pop star image that this singer has in the music industry. This song is all about jazz, soul, and a hint of blues. I'm a huge fan of impeccable vocals, and this song just shines out as a perfect example. Think whatever you may of this lady, but she can really SING!



(3) We Fall Down - By Chris Tomlin
This is a live version of the very famous track by this AWESOME artist. The most beautiful thing that struck me about this version was the fact that this same song can be even more beautiful sounding in a totally different language. I was mesmerized by the song in the other language :) You may need to be a vocalist to understand what crazy mumbo jumbo I am rambling on about :p



(4) Embrace Hope - Melissa Polinar
Seriously, I cannot get enough of this woman. Her voice is sweet and full of this warm timbre that I just adore. Love this track from her - stripped, live, and just showcases what a talented singer song writer she is.


Til next time! :)

Chi and Fernando: Engagement

The afternoon was painted with a glorious golden shade, that just flooded everything it touched with a warm beauty. I love it when the sky and the world brims with splendour, under it. Everything, and I mean everything, looks just beautiful beneath it. When I pulled up my car against the gravel path, and saw Chi and Fernando...there they stood, just as I expected under that magical light. Beautiful.

I couldn't wait to photograph them! We had a gorgeous location picked out, Chi was fantabulous and got her hair and make up done, Fernando was comical and full of energy, and the light was perfect. 2 hours later, and a TONNE of laughing amongst the 3 of us in between, here is what came about as a result:

I just LOVE backlit light... it's my one true addicton (apart from colours and laughter) in my shoots :p

I LOVED the flare that was pouring from everywhere that afternoon. This was probably my favourite frame from that day.

These two are so cute together. This photo below is a typical 'moment' between the two of them - cheeky but sweet. Very THEM :)

This was another fave from the session. I just ADORED the vines framing them. I can't pick which one I like more... this one, or the b&w one after it. Readers?

You always need a 'portrait' of the couple ;)

Thank you SO much Chi and Fernando! LOVED working with the both of you. I hadn't laughed so much at a shoot for a very long time before our session together. Thank you for reminding me how much fun photography can be if we just let loose, hang out, and just be ourselves :) You guys were my rockstars that day! And like you said, I can't wait to have more rockstar moments with you at your wedding next month!! It's going to be so fun :D

Much love!

Jenny

ps: I'll be saving your super sweet song selection (its a fave song of mine too!) for your wedding photos next month ;)

Stillness

This week has been quite strange in many ways. Most apparent, has been the lack of time my feet have spent meeting face to face with my white floor tiles - that's right, I've barely been home. For those who do not know, I'm a homebody at heart. Really. Being outside in the world, shooting, meeting people, and playing with my camera under the sun is bubbles of fun, but at the end of it all, I'm happiest when my back is pressed again the soft texture of my couch. Feet perched up on the glass coffeetable in front of me, cuddling my hand picked black velvet pillows.

This week, I've had none of that. Tonight, I sit here in bed, and my mind is able to be still. It's the first time I've had this tranquility of mind and body in what has seemed like years. It's only been a few weeks I know, but when you get into times where you work almost every day, it FEELS like its been years when you last rested. I know the whirlwind of never ending to do lists will crank up and start all over again when my lids open tomorrow morning, but for now, this space is mine. This quiet is mine. My only companions are the whirring of the fan, and the ticking march that my clock hands churn out. I love it. To a homebody, this is like water to a thirsty man.

In moments like this, my mind stops running in circles trying to chase and lassoo down all the items on my checklists. Instead, it likes to run towards God, and the things that have made my heart smile in the last few weeks despite some downs in between. For one, God continually surprises me - just when I think I could not be blessed even further with the most wonderful people to work for and with - He shows me otherwise. Some people I've had the pleasure to photograph in recent weeks have been absolute gems - you know, the kind you just want to hug and thank a million times over for making work, just not feel like work. You are truly wonderful Heavenly Father for bringing such blessing. I hope that I may be able to always praise your name. Not only in times such as these, but also in the inevitable moments that life brings where our soul is downcast. But for now, thank you for letting me do what I love. I am always always aware that not everyone is able to enjoy such a blessing, and I am ever mindful of the small beginnings I started on when I shot my first year of weddings with a 350D and a single 50mm lens (some shots to date taken from that setup are still on my website!)...being teased for having 'small' gear, being second guessed about my ability to take worthy photos...and having to fight for respect just because I wasn't a male in this industry...so I pray that I never take your blessing for granted. 

To those who are still chasing their dreams, keep praying, keep running...don't give up whatever your challenges are because God willing, you may be standing on the other side of the line saying 'I did it' one day. 

Here is a photo from a wedding I shot just yesterday in KL. You will have to wait a while to see the rest, but I promise you they will be worth it :) It's split second moments like these that really plant golden rays of sunshine in my soul. 

Ling and Tak: Engagement

To those who left comments, and those who sent emails, and not to mention the messages on facebook, THANK YOU. Your warm words were really much appreciated. It was just as awesome (YAY to facebook for powerfully connecting so many of us on the web!) to finally see faces to the names of those who have been faithfully reading this corner of the web, as well as meeting for the first time those who have been following this blog but haven't as yet surfaced in the comments field :) Huge appreciation from me :)

And just to clear things up, I didn't write the last post with the motivation to attract attention or sympathy. My blog is and always will be a personal and pictorial documentation of my life, and sometimes in life we are thrown in the deep end - I'd rather be known as, and related to as a real person, with feelings, dreams, and disappointments just like the rest of you, than a perfectly always-happy photographer who takes pretty pictures :)

Anyway, onto the photos. This post, and the next will sadly be short on words and won't be playing a slideshow due to the extreme squeeze on time, life has pressed upon me these days. However I thought showing some photos is better than none right? :) I just know that if I had to blog the way I would love to blog each and every time, some of these photos might never make this face of cyberspace! And that would just make me sad.

So, without futher ado! Introducing Ling and Tak. This lovely couple spent a few hours scurrying around Sydney with me one recent afternoon getting their snaps done, and here are some of my favourites!

I have to admit, I'm a real sucker for shapes, and lines :)

I loved the backlighting that was pouring in, in this alley.

Mmmm...you know I can never pass up yummy flare if I see it!! :)

This was one of my favourites from the session. The lines, the colour of the sky, the light - just loved it! :D

Most of you know I hardly EVER take wide shots, but I just loved the lines that were part of this backdrop. I couldn't resist! :)

And here my favourite :) I will be the first to admit here that multiple layered shots are not a new idea, however it has been something I have been wanting to try for about a year after being inspired by the AWESOME kaisers! Finally found a backdrop that I thought was interesting enough to fit the idea :)

Thank you Linda who helped me out, and thank you to Tak and Ling for hanging out with me, bearing the cold, and doing all the crazy things your photographer asked you to do. Much love!

Okay, its 3am, I'm off to bed! I have to get up in about 4 hours!! :)

Another post with a shoot, in line for Friday! :D Til then!

Enough

There are those things in life that are nice to have, but you can live without. And then there are those other things that are piercing necessities. Today, one of my nice-to-haves became a piercing necessity. I'm talking about those big comforting hugs at the end of a bad day.

In my case, a bad week. And bad would be an understatement. Horrible. Unlucky. Down right rotten. Whatever negative adjective that you would like to use, that would fit in the umbrella that has been my one week I wish I could just erase.

I've had the misfortune of suffering all kinds of blows and losses this week... all of which were unintentional, but still hurt in all the nooks and crannies that existed withinin my body and soul nonetheless. Yesterday, I had to just sit, and the overwhelming frustration of everything uncertain came to a screeching peak..and boiled to the tip... and I just burst into tears. You know, the burying-your-face-in-your-hands kind of crying, because you feel absolutely helpless... in that instant, all I could conjure was a less than glorifying plea to God to lift my sailing spirits. I wish I could have prayed for something more worthy like world peace, or solving poverty, but all I could muster was - help.

As most of you may have already realized, I don't normally blog about the less than pleasant things that happen in my day to day existence, in fact, there are a lot of entries that I have written, but never pressed the published button for fear of judgement or laughter at seeing the slightly more raw and less than perfect side of this girl behind the lens. But then I think, presenting a 100% happy and positive outpour of thoughts wouldn't be very real of me wouldn't it?... and being real is important. So here's to pressing the publish button this time.

So today, to cap off a 0/10 kind of week, God answered my prayers in the little and strangest of ways that He usually does, with a hug. The 'it's going to be okay, chin up' kind of hug from Ju. It may not solve war, or poverty, or give world peace, or erase the black spots that have marred my week, but it does make me smile. And sometimes, that is enough.

Enough to muster up the strength and grin an I AM soldiering-on grin to defeat. Enough to start the whole 7 day cycle again. And enough to be better at it this time around.

Happy post, with some happy engagement photos to come in the next day or two! (fingers crossed that life doesn't get in the way again!) If you can't wait, check them out on my facebook page (you will need to add me as a friend if you have not done so already to view, so the invitation is open) :)

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ps: It has come to my attention (thank you to a few clients who have persevered in trying to contact me) that some emails have not been received/sent, even though I know I HAVE sent them! - so if you have not heard from me for sometime, PLEASE drop me another email. I am tied up with appointments/shoots almost every day this week so if you cannot get my via phone, PLEASE sms me or email me at the very least. Thank you! :)

Darrel and Nydia: Engagement

There are moments, when the planets align and everything falls into its alloted meant to be place. Where perfection almost seems real. In my line of work, this usually equals perfect light, perfect location, and ultimately an awesometastic couple!

Darrel and Nydia fell into this category, and owned it 100 times over. No, really :) When Nydia stepped out of that white car that breezy afternoon, with her big sparkly smile, I knew we were in for fun. I had such a blast with them on our session together, it almost didn't feel like work!

The images speak for themselves. I'd love to take credit for these pictures, but when I look back at them, I realized that it was Darrel and Nydia themselves that made these photos so special. Why? Because I always tell my client to relax and just be themselves...just love, just enjoy each other's company in my frame and the photos will naturally happen. If I had to share a perfect example of what that means, I would say just look at their session :)

Thank you Darrel and Nydia for taking time to hang with me for a few hours. For putting so much thought into your clothes, makeup, hair, bearing the CRAZY wind (no kidding, Nydia, you are a real trooper!), the sand gusts, running through the water barefoot, and most importantly for loving each other and letting that shine through and through the frame. I hope these images find a special place in your heart.

I seriously can't wait til your wedding at the end of the year. It will be a lovely way to cap off 2008, I'm sure of it :) Will save your lovely story for your wedding images ;)

Here are my favourite from their session:




Watch these two laugh. They laugh ALL the time - I LOVE it :D






This is probably one of my faves from the session :) They are so natural with one another, its beautiful!




Mmmm... yummy flare!












Backlit goodness :)






Always need to have a good 'portrait' of the couple!










There's that trademark Nydia laugh :)


A rare wide-ish shot from me!


I love this one...


Did I tell you that Australian sun is FANTASTIC (when it comes out haha)??




I took SO many frames of these two playing in the water. You have to watch the slideshow to see how much fun they were having! This was my favourite... Not many people can run through the water and look like they are having so much fun like these two! :)


Saved the best for last. Absolutely love this one. The light is gorgeous, and I couldn't believe how sweet these two looked even while Darrel was carrying Nydia! You two are champs. No wonder I loved shooting you both so much :D


And just for you two, here is a slideshow with the rest of your images along with a song that I have just ADORED of late :) Thank you again to you both for rockin' my world that day :D

Enjoy!