Tag Archives: engagement shoots

Wedding Photography

Beyond the Aesthetics: Isa Photography

There are tonnes of photographers in town these days (they usually stick out like a sore thumb with their ginormous cameras or carrying their smartphones and snapping at everything they see) but it’s not often you get to come across a talented individual who manages to bring a photo to life. Isa of Isa Photography, another ex-professional who ditched the legal world (can you hear the cheers?) has done just that. Her fresh take on engagement shoots focuses on the couple’s genuine happiness and love story whilst giving off a playful vibe at the same time.

Before the couples go in front of the camera, Isa talks to them at length to get the know them and plan the photo session, from styling to clothes and props. Sometimes couples are shy (c’mon, not everyone dreams to be a celeb or model) and Isa’s trick “is just to make them feel like I’m not there and let them sit, chat and laugh”. The relaxed nature of Isa’s photos have been inspired by Jose Villa and Jonathan Canlas, two film photographers (not many do that nowadays!) who have, in Isa’s words “the ability to go beyond the aesthetics of a photo and really unwrap and present a relationship as it really is”. Bravo, because Isa has got it right. One of my favourites is her capture of young love, Michelle & Andy, whose affection for each other just shines from their eyes and their smiles. It goes to show that you don’t need a dramatic background in order to achieve beautiful photos. When you’re in love, nothing else in the world matters.

 

p.s. Isa Photography can now be found at Localiiz, the Hong Kong directory for all your lifestyle needs!

Photo credits: Isa Photography

Bride Groom Personal touches Wedding Photography

Engagement Shoots: Natural is Best.

Photo credit: La Belle Bride 

I’ve never been a big fan of engagement shoots/pre-wedding photos because in this city, photographers concentrate on overly styled photos that are more editorial than portraying a couple in love. You’ll often see girls traipsing round the streets of Central in a long rental wedding dress or evening gown with full-on make up, whilst her other half is sweating like a pig in his shimmery silver tux trying to please his princess. Oh pu-lease. Unless you want to get run over by a double-decker bus, why would you take a photo in the middle of a zebra-crossing? Not to mention that ordinary people don’t walk around wearing a white wedding dress except for on their wedding day.

Save yourself the stress of hiring outfits that you’re scared of damaging and the embarrassment of wondering around the busy crowds (no, when a stranger stops and stares, they’re not admiring you as a loved up couple, they’re thinking ‘you fools hahaha’) by going natural. It simply means wear casual clothes, go for minimal make up, act like how you normally do and smile like you mean it. The photos are meant to be a reflection of your love, your commitment, so go to places that hold a special meaning to you; be it a quiet street where you first held hands, your favourite cafe or the place you first laid eyes on each other. Tell your photographer what you want, the style you’re looking for and let them do the work to bring the photos to life. They may add props to show who you are, what you like; a tennis racquet for tennis aficionados, books for bookworms, tv controller for the movie buffs. 

In the next week, I’ll be introducing two very talented up-and-coming photographers that all couples should keep a lookout for (as you know, natural isn’t exactly HK’s forte). Both ex-lawyers, both girls and both believe that ‘natural is best’.