PHOTOSHOOT IN ITALY

We had the most amazing trip to Italy this September. Our long-time-yearning-for honeymoon. The weather was perfect. The scenery took our breath away, beautiful villas blended with Alpine landscape. Our hotel was situated on the waterfront of Stresa promenade. And we met the loveliest people there. I always dreamt of visiting Italy, and having my wedding pictures taken there. Unfortunately, Nikon D700 and the Olympus OM-D does not take remote control nor continuous shots on timer, so we ended up taking a single boring posed picture at one time only. My beloved probably had the most exciting 6-hour marathon in his life (whom I'm really grateful for being so patient). But we love the pictures, we love Lake Maggiore, and we love each other even more. So if you long for an ideal summer holiday, google "Lake Maggiore, Stresa, Italy", the fun is guarateed. This blog entry is solely our wedding theme photoshoot, another one will be full of pictures from our trips around the lake and in Switzerland. Stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

 

ROSIE + ANDREW - PART 2

Here are more shots from Mr & Mrs Jones' wedding. The reception was held in the Waterside Hotel, on the banks of Mersey river. It was such a beautiful day. The first day of the rest of your life Rosie and Andrew, so cheers to you!

 

FEMININE

I got to know Mai back when I was working in Vietnam. She is bubbly, intelligent and.. loves being in front of cameras! We went to the biggest lake in Hanoi, the Western Lake, in its lotus season to take some shots of her. You can imagine how much fun we had regardless of the humid and scorching weather in VN, my nifty-fifty couldn't take its glass off her.

 

LINH + HIEU

 VIETNAMESE ENGAGEMENT & WEDDING

What I love most in the traditional Vietnamese engagement and wedding is the attire. The bride-to-be wears ao dai, a tight fitting silk tunic worn with pantaloons (usually in red and gold tones). "Symbolically, the ao dai invokes nostalgia and timelessness associated with a gendered image of the homeland..", wrote Nhi T. Lieu. (I had ao dai on for our formal engagement party too :p) Nowadays, the Vietnamese brides choose to wear ao dai only during the engagement, and the Western style white wedding gown for the reception. Before the wedding, the groom and his family has to come over to the bride's home to ask for her parents' permission to receive the bride. This ritual usually goes together with many gifts for the bride's family such as: betel nuts, fruits, cakes..

It is a beautiful tradition that is still practised in many Vietnamese homes. But I guess it doesn't matter how well you are dressed or how many presents you want to give, it's all about mutual respect, acceptance and love that a marriage can last, after all.

ENGAGEMENT

SUNDAY COFFEE

Went out with my girls, Wiola and Ewa, on a windy March day. What happens when 3 best girls meet up over coffee? Yeah, a lot of gossips and dramas :P

 

AGA + PAWEL

WINTER ENGAGEMENT

Nothing makes you feel warmer than being proposed on a cold December day. I've known Aga since my high school years, and it was really wonderful to see her emotions on that special day. She has been dating this guy for quite a long time now, and I'm glad the chap finally dared to make the important move. Pawel, congratulations for you that she said yes ;-)

MARTA + MIKE & little M

Sweet little baby boy, Mikolaj (Santa Claus name in Polish), was born on Friday 13th Jan. Marta, one of my closests friends, told me it was the luckiest day of her life. I couldn't agree more. The little one is so adorable and will definitely grow up as a handsome young man. He picked his Mom's lips, although I think he is the Daddy's clone. Congratulations to the young parents, and most of all a lot of perseverance and.. caffein I must say.

But he is so worth it..!

 

 

MANCHESTER STREET LIFE

Incredibly rich and crowded. Have a sneak peek.