Romantic Comedies

I went to bed today at 5am.

I finished a job :) Its the greatest feeling once I've finished processing a batch of images I tell you! The feeling of liberation and accomplishment is fantastic :)

I am going to attempt to finish 5 more before my own wedding in less than three weeks time. I'm CRAZY I know! ;) But we all knew that about me, didn't we? ;)

Anyhow, whenever I finish a job, I always make sure I reward myself with a day off. So what does Jenny Sun do on her day off? well, usually nothing actually! I'm usually so drained and tired by the time I'm done with a job, that all I really feel like doing is chilling out. And the way I like to execute this is usually with a feel good dvd movie in my own home, with myself firmly planted on a comfy sofa :)

Today, I rewarded myself with this:

Bend it Like Beckam, I know isn't a new movie, but I am the type of person who can watch a movie over and over again if I just love it to bits! :D This is definitely one of them :)

And just look at all the other ones I've been rewarding myself with over the past month! Sadly, this will be giving you a HUGE clue as to the kind of movies I cannot say no to (and also a BIG clue as to how many jobs I've been finishing up over the last few weeks). I think my heart hasn't quite grown up yet :p I know, I know...I have an enormous soft spot for anything remotely considered funny and romantic. The Italian Job was an exception - So don't get me wrong! I also do love my heist movies, and all the drama involved in mysteries, crime and adventure!! Like my music taste, my movie taste is very broad. I just love my romantic comedies in particular when I finish a job (its like ice cream to top off a good meal!) - it guarantees that I'll go to bed feeling happy - I'm incredibly pathetic, I know! :p

Anyway, I better be off to bed. I've literally had 4 hours of sleep and want to start fresh and motivated while tackling the mountain of work left for me tomorrow morning :) Woo hoo! Can't wait! :)

ps: Check that out!! I just realized I am really THAT tired. I didn't even realize I pulled off a GERMAN version of the Bend It Like Beckham poster when I googled for it. I'm keeping it up there as proof of my insanely worn out state! haha :)

After 8 [Music Album Shoot]

Some people think, all I shoot is weddings. Or engagement/pre-wedding sessions. And that is all I know. Well, guess what? I like surprising people sometimes and letting them know that I can go beyond that niche of photography ;)

I've held back from posting these images because the album was only just recently released, but now that it is out, I'm happy to share the photos with you all!

What am I bumbling on about? Speak english Jenny Sun! haha, Ok ok. Well, I had a really cool opportunity to do a shoot for a music album :) Not only that, but I had the fun challenge of designing the album packaging and lyric book as well! The album is called "After 8" by Liang, and we decided to give the whole shoot + design a rather slick and polished, yet urban street feel, all packaged in a slightly dark overtone.

This may sound simplistic, but I mainly just wanted the images to look 'cool'. Have a look at what I managed to produce through the shoot below:

The photoshoot was done in 3 sessions. 1 in and outdoor location, 1 in a photography studio, and the last one was in a music recording studio.

Here are my some of my favourite shots from the outdoor session:

The above shot was captured by XJ, and then later processed and edited in the studio by myself.

Oh, I have to tell you all something. I LOVE behind the scenes shots. I don't normally post them up because I often forget, but its always nice to see what happens behind the lens to capture the final shot. Look at this! It was on a rooftop (yes, the things we do as photographers!)

A HUGE thankyou to XJ [who also does some pretty cool lifestyle photography. Check him out!] who was my kickass assistant through this whole shoot from beginning to end. He did alot of hopping around, moving, jumping, and cracking jokes which made all the work easier and go by faster!

Here are some of my fave shots from the photography studio session:

And, here are some of my faves from the recording studio session:

There were HEAPS more shots taken, but instead of inundating you guys with ALL the photos, I hope you enjoyed the few selected above :)

Last but not least, the photos of the actual album artwork - well, I'll post them soon so check back to this post again in the very near future! For now, here is a verbal description :) I designed it to be really really interactive, allowing listeners lots of opportunities to find and discover little things here and there about the music. You can get a sense of what I mean when I post the photos later, but grab a copy of the album to really see what I mean :) Lets just say, it isn't designed to look and open out to be your typical boring CD ;)

Thanks Liang for the opportunity to do this shoot! To all of you who are reading, do drop by Liang's official website to see more photos, but also check out his music and support his tunes! :)

Adios for now! :)

What is romance?

Just around the corner, is my wedding date. It's been staring me in the face fairly intensely these last few weeks, and in an unsurprising fashion, the inertia of it all has poked me to think about love.

I watch people get married week in and week out. Its beautiful every single time. I have to admit, as much as my anti-corniness exterior may deny it in person, the whole thing makes me soft on the inside. You see, deep down, I'm still a sucker for romance. For love. And all the beauty that it brings.

I think that is one of the reasons why I love wedding photography so much..... I get a spot in a couple's life for a brief moment, a special behind the scenes pass on their love, and permission to document it, imprint in history. I get to see, and hear what brings two people together, and what they want to give to one another for the rest of their lives. I really mean it when I thank couples for that sheer honour! :)

I was asked recently what kind of moments really capture my heart/eye at weddings since I see them week in and week out. Well, while grand theatrical gestures of love can warm the heart, its the small moments that go completely unnoticed that completely melt mine. Believe me when I say that I notice almost all things, right down to the smallest at a wedding. The most touching recently was when I noticed the groom holding his bride's hand almost at every opportunity he could. Even when they were listening to speeches, I could see his hand extend under loose folds of the table cloth to embrace hers. His fingers clasping hers and intertwining with his. It was like his own way to say. I love you, I need you, and I don't want to let you go. Awhile ago, in a song I just love called London Rain by Heather Nova, she sang "And when somebody knows you well/ Well there's no comfort like that/ And when somebody needs you/ Well there's no drug Iike that" That moment reminded me of these lines.

And in this trickling of mental notes from me, I have to say that my idea of romance may be different to alot of people out there. Sure, I love gifts, presents, special dates for special reasons, but in reality when I think about the sweeting things that I have been given - I realized they are the small things.

A hug, after work, so tight just because they are so glad to see you.

Notes left on your table or in your wallet, just to say hello.

Being told not only that they love you, but that they need you.

Being taken out somewhere nice, for no particular reason but to spend quality time with you.

Or getting flowers, just because :)
Not long ago I was greeted with these at my doorstep :)

Thanks Ju, for these. Thank you for giving to me for no special occasion at all. Thank you that they were for me... just because :) You made my day! :)

To all the boys reading this, why don't you do something for your girl today? For no reason, but just because you love her. Just because :)

William From FInding Forrester: "The key to a woman's heart is an unexpected gift at an unexpected time in an unexpected place."

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ps: I still have TONNES of shoots in 2007 and 2008 to post up and share with you all. Yes, I'm UBERLY behind in blogging, but do bear with me :) I am trying :)

On leave!

Things have been pretty busy around here. But then again, that is an understatement! If you really wanted the truth, you'd be sitting listening to my incessant rambling for an indefinite period of time. Thankfully, I still have enough sense in me to spare you from that torture!

Seriously though, wedding season has been in full swing for awhile now, and while I am tempted to shy away from this blog space and continuing my editing, I find it refreshing to separate myself from the palettes of colours, and the clicking of my mouse, and turn to this spot to think for a bit. I have to admit, It's been rather strange having my macbook pro as my side companion these last few weeks. I've begun to think I can literally memorize all the spots and marks that sit on the screen that has been glaring at my eyes. So much so, that I think I could give them names. Sad huh?

I was planning to tell everyone why I have been doubly busy, after March, but I figured - if you knew, then at least you could understand why my eyes look more like thin lines on my face these days :)

Well, I'm getting married.

That's right! The wedding photographer, the girl behind the lens is actually getting hitched! And no, I did not pick up the guy online or in any other random place in the spur of the moment, nor did we decide to commit to marriage in the last minute. I have known my guy for 8 years, and we have been engaged for almost 1 :)

The proverbial questions that get thrown at me (and believe me, it happens EVERY TIME! Literally. haha) are :

Are you taking your own photos?

Who are you getting to do your photos?!

Your wedding will probably look stunning since you've seen so many and have picked up so many ideas!?

Well, in traditional JSP style, I like shying away from the conventional as much as possible. So as much as I would LOVE to shoot my own photos (I'm kidding), I'm not.

As much as I would LOVE to hire the most fabulous and expensive wedding photographer ever which would leave me broke and eating air for the rest of my life. I'm not.

And as much as the idea of having a details/decorations fest for my wedding, with everything colour co-ordinated, with all my guests getting super cool out-of-this-world fabulous favours, and having little drops of culinary delights smothered over all our palettes, show casing a fully choreographed bridal dance, a tiffany & co wedding band, and having a 10 tier cake.... I'm not.

In my own opinion... our wedding, compared to alot that I have seen and shot, will be left fairly humble. Not tacky, but just humble. You know?

Why? Because to me, people matter. Sharing the day with friends and family mean the most to me. So if my cake ended up being the wrong flavour, or if my flowers ended up the wrong colour, even if it rained. I'm not too fussed.

Weddings are about love. A celebration of that union, and that is what I hope people remember about our wedding. Not the decorations, nor the food, or the place :)

So, in JSP form, where I try to have a photo in each post I make, here is my engagement ring! Disclaimer: This was not posted to show off or ANYTHING of the sort ok? (it was the only thing wedding related I could find!)

Now, can you understand how crazy its been? :) Brides, try imagining all the wedding planning you have been doing, and now multiply it by 100 times and that will give you and idea of how I feel because I am not just organizing one wedding, but two, and each on different continents plus at the same time I'm thinking of, and looking after alot of other brides in terms of their photos, albums, prints and much more! :) I'm crazy huh? haha. That's what I've been told, and I think there is some inkling of truth to it too! ;)

Which brings me to my point... FINALLY (sorry, I have this amazingly annoying habit of saying way too much and being uncontrollably long winded :p). I will be 'on leave' from the 1st February until the 10th March, just so I can do the right thing and concentrate on my marriage.

Shoots are still on, and the albums that have been sent to me to this point are being taken care of, and so is editing of photos. However any other albums/prints sent to me during this point in time will be taken care of after I get back.

Thank you for your beautiful understanding!!

ps: This was not a post meant to put down beautifully adorned weddings. My point was just that we wont be doing it that way, and I'm okay with that. Shooting those kind of weddings is still uberly fun though :) I'm a sucker for anything eye-candy worthy :)

Ken and Tania [Engagement]

Well, you guys all know of Ken and Tania so I don't need to roll out another story :) As promised, I said I would post up some of my favourite images from their engagement shoot.

Here they are! Thanks for being such troopers Ken and Tania! Even despite the less than perfect weather, and the fact that you were in between big exams at the time, you guys rocked the lens!

Oh and here is their slideshow: [HERE] Enjoy!

Ken and Tania

Yes, I know! Its been generations since I last posted!! Sorry... things have been so insane with the girl behind the lens. I literally am working around the clock, and TRYING very hard to sleep enough and not get sick. All will be revealed in march as to why things are just incredibly nutty in my corner of the world at this point in time, but for now, I hope you will put up with my sporadic blog posts - I do promise you I am trying whenever I get a smidgen of spare time :)

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Persistence. And some love from up above.

Those two ingredients I believe were the key to their beautiful love story.

Ken, from the moment he laid eyes on her, had affirmed in his enamored heart that she was the one for him. He knew that this woman would either become one of his best friends, or become the woman that he would one day marry.

Conviction such as this, is so rare in today's commitment phobic society.

Tania, on the other hand, did not possess the same smitten sentiments about ken.

You see, Ken had decided to follow his feelings, and had asked Tania gently if he was able to get to know her better. To be allowed the chance to peel back those layers and discover more about this person who had completely captured his heart. She said no. Not once, but twice. And was firm about her decision about wanting to remain friends.

And ken, being the person that he is, graciously respected her decision. Divine intervention had other plans for these two though, and on the third attempt Tania accepted. From there, God allowed their relationship to blossom and flourish quickly, and they eventually fell in love. What followed was the natural intertwining of two hearts that clung onto one another in deep affection - Ken asked Tania to share the rest of his life with him on the 25th April 2007. In the cold, enveloped between gusts of frosty wind and rain, Ken asked Tania to marry him. And again, his persistence and unwavering love for Tania shone through because she kept interrupting him and not understanding what was going. When it finally dawned on her, she accepted with tears of happiness that had given birth in her eyes.

I find their love story incredible. Not only because despite multiple rejections, these two are finally married (although that is amazing!), but because they are so in love with one another. Ken's affections for Tania were especially touching... he mentioned a few lines in his speech at the reception that gave me the tingles (guys who are preparing to write their wedding speech - pay attention!). Note the following lines have been paraphrased:

"I don't deal well being away from Tania" [Ken spent a whopping $1200++ on his mobile phone once when she had left for Broken Hill for medical training, just so he could talk to her]

"I can't wait now to wake up next to her everyday for the rest of my life"

"She is just as the song says - feels like home - Tania you feel like home to me. You're where I belong".

I thought that was just beautiful. Not really because of the words he uttered, but more so the pure sincerity that exuded from those words. You could tell he meant every bit of it 150% (yes, believe me I can tell the difference between verbal fluff, and humble honesty), and that is what made it beautiful. Even I felt teary at that stage!

And just so you know, they danced to "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk for their bridal dance. You can hear it in their slideshow [HERE]

And in traditional JSP style, here are some of my favourite moment from their wedding day which was celebrated at Scots Presbyterian Church, and then Doltone House in Sylvania Waters. Enjoy viewing!!

Tania getting ready at haircom in lidcome.




Her beautiful gown.


The bridal bouquet.


The bridesmaids bouquets.


Tania with her girls, getting ready.


Just before we left to the church we grabbed this one shot of Tania. She looks radiant!


Ken's face as he saw Tania for the first time when she walked down the aisle. I think this has to be one of my favourite moments at any wedding. I notice it particularly because I've realized the groom is always fairly nervous as he is waiting for his bride in anticipation, but as soon as she walked down that aisle, the first glimpse of her causes him to almost always break out in an amazingly warm smile. So a note to grooms, do take the time to savour this moment! It lasts a brief few seconds so just breathe it all in and love every inch of it :)


The gorgeous bride walking towards her groom.


At Scots Presbyterian Church, Sydney. The bridal party.




There were many lovely moments during the ceremony. Here are few of them I particularly liked.






This moment was really special for Ken and Tania because they had both made the decision to share their first kiss with each other when they got married. You don't see many couples like this today who wait to share their first kiss til they are married, so I really respect them for this! Of course, there were plenty of kisses shared together on this day! :)


I had HEAPS of stiff competition on the day. Check this out! And believe me when I say this was not the only moment I snared a shot of a WALL of other photographers! haha :)


Officially Mr and Mrs Chin!


The whole gang in one shot! All 400+ of them!



Then of course, we have the location shoot where we get creative with the bridal party. Or at least try to! haha. Here are some of my faves.


Of course, there is the 'jump shot'. I love doing this with brides and grooms only because it is SO FUNNY! This was the biggest attempt ever. 10 people! I love this shot only because of the facial expressions, and the fact that some people were trying to catch up with some of the others. haha :)




I HAD to attempt a flare shot ;) The sun was so good to me that day! And my camera loved it for it :)


The cake.


Oh, Ken and Tania had the FUNNIEST speeches at their wedding. Check this out:






They also played some hilarious games during the night - they had so much fun, and you can just tell. Look!


I think during the reception, the bridal dance is my favourite moment. Ken and Tania's was so beautiful - you could tell they really love each other in some of these following shots.




Then they broke out in crazy break dancing, choreographed in a way that told the story of their courtship. Amazingly funny stuff!! They were cheered on immensely by their guests.


The bouquet toss!


And finally the get away at the very end of the night :)

Thank you so much Ken and Tania for allowing me to photograph your wedding, and trusting me with your precious memories. It was such an honor, and an even bigger thanks for embracing me as a friend throughout the day. I had a tonne of fun, even despite the insane heat that saturated the air that day.

Hope you had an incredible and memorable honeymoon in the Maldives!

Much love,
Jenny

ps: Remember, you can see HEAPS more images [HERE] in their slideshow :)
pps: I did Ken and Tania's engagement session a couple of months back. Now that they are married, I can show you the images! I'll probably post about it tomorrow, but here is the slideshow anyway: [HERE]