saplanet originals

When I was preparing for my own wedding which took place on 01 Feb 2007, I only had under 3 months to oversee the arrangements. 

Amongst all the ‘necessary’ arrangements, I was most particular with photographer. I am not a fan for studio photos though, I would go for impromptu candid takes. Personally, I am a firm believer that the photographer ought to have the ‘person’ interaction with the couple, or simply have a great sense of moments and being.

My photographer was Wayne Ng from Jon Keng, the deciding factor to engage him as our wedding photographer was his sincere approach towards our inquiries.

We made a swift decision by the following day that we met up with Wayne. A photographer who was willing to listen and attempt to understand the needs of the couple is the key reason why we decided to give him the job.

Here, I am recommending Tommy Leong. I have not met him in person, and I have not entrusted him with any job, however, I do have a good feeling about him which led me to visit his 0nline gallery and I am loving his style of photography.

What is important to me is that a wedding photographer needs to understand that every wedding job he takes, regardless of how many years he has been doing this, he has to always remember that each wedding is someone else’s life event. These moments of joy can only be frozen in time, capturing the best of the emotions and joy in the day through the eyes of the photographer.

This set of photos will be accompanying someone for many years to come, and to be shared with many loved ones. I am talking about a photographer who doesn’t just take this job as a job, but takes joy in his work and takes pride in the output. Only a ‘heart’ photographer attempts to see joy like his clients. In the rush moments of a wedding event, often, the couple’s time is very much shared out with many other things going on at the same time, there may be many missed moments that we may only rely on the photographer to capture.

When I browsed through Tommy’s website, I feel tingling of joy and ‘hear’ laughters of the events. I sense the sincerity of his work. A photographer who merely wants to help capture and create unforgettable memories.

I am a ‘feeler’, I believe that a picture speaks a thousand words. A picture although still, is capable of delivering imaginary motions and buckets of joy simply because the person who captures them wishes as much to present beyond just still pictures.

I have came across snobbish photographer who thinks too highly of himself, that he failed to ‘feel’ his work anymore. Awards are merely time of recognition which fades overtime if we allow the standards to drop or disregard the essences of photography.

Personally, I would not land a job to anyone who doesn’t even care to listen. Like I mentioned, I have not met Tommy, but we had been bouncing emails and I trust that he is one who respects, listens, and willing to comprehend. That, is the kind of quality I seek in a wedding photographer. No job is the same, for every job is someone’s life memories.

(To clarify: I had already engaged Wayne as my photographer when Tommy approached me for my wedding photography. Unfortunately and fortunately, I am not likely to hold another wedding, so I can’t have Tommy as my wedding photographer, but I can surely recommended his service!)

Taking an excerpt on Tommy’s philosophy:

This way of keeping both eyes open enable me to keep an awareness of things around me. So often in a wedding, there are so many planned and unplanned things going on. Spontaneity of weddings makes is so much more interesting. 

It’s hard to re-create, even if we try, the spontaneous expression of the guests as the wedding couple marches in, the moment the mother realises her daughter is leaving home or the tender moment of the couple in a quiet corner.

Such are the moments that makes my work truly worhtwhile and lasting.

Tommy Leong’s contact:
+ tommy’s wedding gallery
+ tommy’s photo diary (blog)

cell: 65 9139 6395
eMail: info[at]tommyleong.com
Add: Basewerk, 514 Pasir Ris St 52
03-103 Singapore 510514