Here you go, Son..

I am contemplating to pass along my DSLR to my son, Aniq Amirul.

My son is into photography too, just as how my Dad was. And me, after him.

Over the years, it has been really wonderful capturing images, keeping them, glancing through once in a while. But all good things must come to an end.

So, dearest Son,

Continue the legacy.

Look around. Feel what is surrounding you. Keep your eyes open and the shutter closes until it is time.

You will see something in everything that your eyes see. Do not boast nor brag as what you saw was only meant to be borrowed by Allah AWJ.

Good luck.

Signing off.

Period.

Going back and forth with the business of Wedding Photography

For about 6 months I didn't take up any wedding photography job for various reasons.
Among others, I've got a new permanent job so I was busy adjusting and understanding the demands of this new job.
Secondly, I was also struggling to get the last photo-job album done.

If you wanna see samples of wedding shots that I have charged clients for, click wedding shots over the years.

Its kinda tough when you are facing certain dilemma taking wedding shots. So, I had to be clear of what I wanted to achieve in life. Our conscience must be clear.

I don't mind taking your wedding shots with conditions. Drop me a line here if you wanna know what it is.

Hafiz and the Doctor.

Violin player during 'makan beradab. Interesting, right?

Hafiz's nieces.. married already now. Sweet like sugar.

A sweet smile, very sweet.

One of the traditional act.

Some outdoor shots.

When I started this blog way back in 2008, blogging was just starting to become a trend. I was trying to find something different to blog about. Mahligai Sari was born because I wanted to remember weddings that I go to.

I just realised that there is this entry sitting as a draft after all these years. So, this entry need to get published. And it is only proper to update what happen to the couple.

Well, the last time I checked out, they had at least 3 children. Or probably more by now.
As far as I can remember, Hafiz wedding was the starting point of my career as a wedding photographer. I have captured wedding moments for at least 15 couples by now. Yes, I know.. 15 is not that many. But I ain't doing it full time. I love doing it. Not for the money because you wont believe me how cheap I am charging them. Barely cover my cost. But what the heck, I simply fell in love doing with what I am doing now.

I wish I will find sometime to update this blog again after all these years.

May all 'Mahligai' be the sweetest moment for everyone to remember.

Nieja

WHO:

It went back quite a while ago that a whole bunch of them; the Executive Trainees join us. Shara was one of the ETs. They call her Nieja at home (Sorry dear, I still remember you said not to tell anyone). I am like a big brother to her, I like to believe that. And she is like a younger sister to me, I like her to believe that also, truly.

THE WEDDING:

The attraction of the day must be on the the lovely couple. The pelamin was set up outside the house, making it easy for the guest to see them on the pelamin. Not even a minute that they did not smile.

The food was great, we had Bubur Kacang served as pencuci mulut. A good caterer; they manage to get. Live music was on air all day long, courtesy from Rejimen Renjer DiRaja. It's like listening to people singing in Karaoke but this is even better. I think both the bride & groom family had the wedding reception thoroughly planned. Not even a single thing left unplanned or unattended.

PERSONALLY:

Nieja had once told me something about love; what love really means to her. I'll always remember what she said. And for the love that she pledged to Shamry, rest assured.. you are very lucky to have Nieja as your 'the-other-half'.

Sister, May God bless both of you. And may this Mahligai, that you built with love, last forever.

Ardy Rizal & Shalizah

WHO:

Ardy, a good friend of mine from office. An avid scuba diver. I got to know him when he was transferred in from one of the branches. Ardy and me, both hailed from the northern states, thus it was always easy communicating in the same dialect. A good friend, indeed. On 23rd May 2008, he took Shalizah's hand in marriage, at her house where the akad nikah ceremony was held.

THE WEDDING:

It was a wonderful wedding, I have to say. I think they had really made a good effort in making sure that the wedding is great. Right from the start of the akad nikah ceremony until the wedding reception (held the day after the akad nikah) things were organised smoothly, at least from my point of view. Well, we don't go to weddings and stayed there for the whole day just to see if everything would turned out to be okay, right?

A nice pack of kueh baulu was given away as bunga telur. Photo of the couple was also nicely wrapped around mineral water bottles. This is the first time I'm seeing it done. Something quite creative, i think.

The pelamin was stunning. Brightly lit. Gold was the base colour and it blends well with the couple costume.

As my favourite food is nasi kenduri, I always have a concern in this area. Well, for food, the caterer is certainly not getting full marks from me. I think something is missing, I did not get to feel the real 'taste' of nasi kenduri. It was just not there.

PERSONALLY:
I met his wife a couple of months ago when they turned up for the Cuba Scuba session that we had organized for the office staff. I still remember how Ardy had to convince her that it is easy to do scuba diving. Although she was scared; I think she cried and she swallowed the pool water a lot yet she managed to get through. They dived in together, to the deepest end of the pool, descending slowly, hand in hand. The only thing that may have crossed her mind at that time, probably, was that her life depends on him.

It is always about the strength that grows within, when your beloved keep on telling you that everything is going to be all right. It does’nt stop there though. Your ‘life’ depends on the existing of the other. And, the spirit of going through the obstacle of life together, will certainly keep their love alive.

As for me, my spirit subsided and I lost my will in the jouney of my Mahligai.

Dean and Nur Aimi - Qil's Sis

WHO:

Sometimes, faith do have a funny way of letting our path crossed. We were on our way back from JB when we saw them. Qil drove the car while Fie, Wana, Ada and Ezum squeeze themselves at the back; they were minding their own business. After a few rounds of persuading them to contact the number I wrote on a piece of paper, they finally agreed to stop at one of the R&R. That day, Hamid and I got ourselves involved in their life, as the unofficial abang angkat. Being one, I have been trying my very best to stand by their side, whenever they needed me. Today, Qil's sister, Aimi, tied the knot to the person who needed her the most. She would be standing by his side, I'm sure. And on the other hand, I had to be there for Qil (and of course, for Wana and Ada who wanted to take a cab to the kenduri, if I hadn't offered myself to bring them over).

THE WEDDING:

The colourful reception was held at Dewan Alamanda, Seksyen 20, Shah Alam. The happy couple decided that blue should be the colour of the day. The pelamin was nicely assemble, beige in colour, of which I think does not really blend well with the based colour of blue, but then again, the couple do stand out when they sit on the pelamin. An arch was put up at the centre of the hall, which, initially had puzzled me, as I thought it should be suitably place at the entrance; probably symbolizing the door of a new life that the couple chose to venture together. As they walked slowly towards the stage and stopped near the arch, dozens of photographers took their chance of taking the best shots of Aimi and Din. Judging by the numbers, one could easily be misled thinking that the couple are celebrities. Anyway, Bagai pinang dibelah dua, they deserved it. Yet, I think they should have smiled more often on that auspicious day.

The bunga telur were of different variants but the ones that caught my attention were nicely arranged in a rattan box or a nice plastic container (could be). A sweet girl at the entrance was handing it away. She too, had caught my attention, probably it was in her smile.

PERSONALLY:

I will at least stay on guard; for Qil's Mahligai, one day.

Siti Azliyah Eli and him

WHO:

Siti Eli is an old friend. I met her when I was doing audit at FAS in Kelana Jaya. Since then, we stayed in contact although I've shifted jobs a couple of times. I suppose it's because our line of work is similar. She was married earlier to a teacher and was blessed with 3 daughters. It didn't take her long to be in love again and continued this blossomed love into a marriage.

THE WEDDING:

It was a simple reception. Only 2 khemah(s) were put up in front of the double storey house in Setia Alam, Selangor. This would easily cater for approximately 40pax each per khemah. Purple was the based colour used. The bedroom was coloured is green and white as the based, and it was decorated very simple, suggesting that the newly weds are 'simple' people.

A big mirror was hang on the wall giving the room a wider effect. Squeezing myself to take the shots were not that easy though but i did managed.

Nevertheless, the set up was very nice. Just take a look..

PERSONALLY:

Marriage is never a simple thing. And it is even harder if you come in a package. The commitment that she pledged to him would be an uphill task but she had always believed that there's light at the end of the tunnel. She never quits. I wish the courage of hers would flow through to the daughters. They would need this courage in the new Mahligai. And indeed, I would need some doses of the courage too.

May God bless you and your family.