Quoc came to second shoot with me at a wedding on Saturday. After the newlyweds first dance, the bride danced with her dad. Though I was standing in the other corner of the room, the moment I listened to the words of the song and saw the father and daughter dancing, I glanced over to look at my husband and as expected, I saw him standing their with his camera, all teary. He saw me looking and smiled at me. I smiled back and then hid my eyes behind my lens as  I went teary myself. A few moments later, the groom joined the dance floor with his mum. I wanted to take that picture of Quoc to show Alannah but I didn’t. Instead I’m making it up by writing this so she can read it one day. When she’s old enough to understand. Her daddy loves her dearly.

On Sunday, while I was shooting a birthday party, Alannah had a bleeding nose and was crying so Quoc took her out to the car so I can work. When I finished, I walked out and saw him sitting on the passenger seat and Alannah deep asleep in her baby seat. He had his iPhone in his hand and told me that had found the song. And the words are just beautiful. As I read it, I went teary knowing how he felt when he read it himself.

Baby Nahnah .. I know one day you will tell me that you remember Daddy always say’ Daddy protects you’ because he says that to you all the time. I know it will be many many years down the track but it breaks Mummy’s heart to think of the day when Daddy have to hand your hand over. I know that your Daddy will cry then. Today is Mummy’s and Daddy’s 8th years anniversary and I just want to tell you and Tyler how happy your Mummy is today and that she truly feels like she’s the luckiest woman because she has found someone who loves her as dearly as your Daddy does.

Sweetheart .. you are like my shadow. Everywhere I turn, I always see you. You support me every single steps I take and for that I’m thankful. Thank you for being such a caring husband and father that you are. I love you.

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each other’s face
So much in love, you’re alone in this place
Like there’s nobody else in the world

I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one, she told me so
And she still means the world to me, just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl

Time changes everything, life must go on
And I’m not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first, I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep

And I prayed that she’d find you someday
But it’s still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful woman with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairytales to
And tucked into bed all those nights

And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

I loved her first, I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep

And I prayed that she’d find you someday
But it’s still hard to give her away
I loved her first

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep

Someday you might know what I’m going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

Something about a small and intimate wedding that I have an absolute soft spot for. An afternoon spent witnessing a couple in love tying the knot as the sun shines right behind them, a relaxing giggling session walking on the grass feeling like there’s no-one there except for us and a few kangaroos that decides to stop by and gaze upon the newly weds, a family holding hand walking towards the sunset with a gorgeous pink sky spreading over them and finally to a bride confiding in me that she loves the quote above all these years but never use it .. up until now. I am so thankful to do what I do and I will never be able to express in words how my couple makes me feel for trusting me to document their special day and particularly for expressing to me the way they feel about their relationship.

To Ever After.

oOx.

Meet David & Fiona. Two beautiful souls. As they met each other through a Dragon Boat Club, I thought it only makes sense to take pictures of them doing what they normally do together and at their best. Mind you, my couple was actually in a national competition and took home a medal … can you tell how proud I am of them? :) From boat rowing to role playing to having a nice walk and chit chatting along the way, it was one memorable afternoon for me. They make me feel so happy and in love. Just less than 3 weeks to go, I cannot wait to see her in her beautiful dress, to see David’s expression as she walks down the aisle towards him and to see how they will party with their family and friends.

I adore this type of happy cuddle!

What nice handwriting!

Hope you all had a great long weekend. I was able to squeeze in lots of quality time with my family and closest friends and though I did allow my little kiddies to overdose themselves in chocolates, they still behaved quite well! Lots of bike riding, scooting, food, laughter and cuddles and now I feel so very content. Speaking of food and laughter, this was such a cute girly party. I can’t wait to throw a similar party for my little girl when she gets older :)

Happy Wednesday everyone :)

Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights when we are one

Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love so softly love

A year ago, she contacted me for her wedding photography and booked without seeing me ( thanks to you Tam! ). Had anyone said to me that I will be the one taking pics on her wedding day many years back, I would have just laughed out loud! Now as I get older, I appreciate so much how the world spins around and how things just come together as it has for me now in a way you would not have believed.

I was one of those quiet ones in high school. Hardly ever out. I was one of those girls that would not dare to not follow the rules. I painted my life with similar shades of colour. Pastel colour as I would describe it. I take an interest and even admiration towards to those with colourful life. I love hearing their stories and I admire them because of their strong character. There are those that choose a highway that takes them right to the destination, and then there are those that just happen to find themselves on roads with so many speed humps. Whatever road it may be, arriving at the destination is always an achievement, a joy, a call for celebration. I think the greatest outcome when reaching your destination is meeting those who have been waiting there for you patiently, no matter what the weather has been like. To see how proud they are of you that you’ve finally arrive. You know then who the loves of your life are.

Ly sent out her invitation announcing she was doing everything backwards. First the kids, then the house, now ” I do “. On her wedding day it was raining. At times it poured, at times it just sprinkled and there were times the weather hinted a hope of sunshine. Although it rained most of the time, Ly was still smiling and happy. It didn’t seem to matter too much. Regardless of the weather, she held her smile and made it one of her best days.

Ly was nervous as she didn’t have time to prepare her speech. Despite this her heartfelt speech made everyone teary. The speech I heard that night put me in tears many days after the wedding. I saw a daughter pouring her heart out in tears to her parents acknowledging how stubborn she can be and how she realised that she had divided them in so many ways and she loves them for always being by her side to support her and hoped that on her wedding night, she has made them proud. I saw a mother wiping her tears away with a smile and a father who held his hand to his heart signalling to his daughter that he loves her and that he is proud of her, with tears in his eyes. I saw a mother expressing her love for her daughters and I saw a wife that acknowledged their differences to her husband but that she loves him.

Ly & Thuc .. thank you. Thank you for trusting me. Your daughters are just sooo adorable that every time I look at the pics, I just remember their princess smiles and just want to give them a big hug. Ly, your words were so raw that it makes me cry. Through my teary eyes I captured an image of your parents and I can only hope that it gives you the magic you were after. I wish your family  a lifetime of happiness. Hug, Anh.

I can’t believe I’m standing here
Been waiting for so many years and
Today I found the queen to reign my heart
You changed my live so patiently
And turned it into something good and real
I feel just like I felt in all my dreams
There are questions hard to answer
Can’t you see…

Baby, tell me how can I tell you
That I love you more than life
Show me how can I show you
That I’m blinded by your light
When you touch me I can touch you
To find out the dream is true
I love to be loved by you

You’re looking kind of scared right now
You’re waiting for the wedding vows
But I don’t know if my tongue’s able to talk
Your beauty is just blinding me
Like sunbeams on a summer stream and
I gotta close my eyes to protect me
Can you take my hand and lead me
From here please yeah…yeah…

Baby, tell me how can I tell you
That I love you more than life
Show me how can I show you
That I’m blinded by your light
When you touch me I can touch you
To find out the dream is true
I love to be loved, I need to be loved
I love to be loved by you

In the month of October last year, I gave myself a project and spent one sunday just capturing Quoc and the kids interactions, breakfast, fixing bike and a day out at the beach. The house was not in a perfect condition, they  weren’t in their best outfit but it was gorgeous. It brings back such beautiful memories. I even managed to make Quoc teary with my slideshow :)

A few sunday ago  I got invited to capture these precious moment for a cute family. This is my first time doing this type of session. I didn’t know what to expect from it. It was just a very simple session of documenting how this little family interact with one another. So I spent my morning watching a little boy napping, then waking up sitting his cot with a smile, to him curiously searching for the roosters living next door to his mum reading his favourite story book to him to his dad playing their favourite boys game. It was so relaxing and ohhh just so cute. I can think I can spend my sunday like this :)

Your family is so gorgeous Alicia. I really want to munch Xander! I hope that these images will bring back good memories of your Sunday. oOx

If I can translate what love is to me through my lens .. this session is definitely my translation. While editing these pics I had tears in my eyes. Andrew and Jenny .. you guys are just so sweet for each other! I wish you guys the very best for the upcoming changes and enjoy every moment of having your baby girl in your arms. I enjoy every second of indulging myself in my kids love and I know for sure that you both will as well :) oOx