Singapore wedding: Paolo & Melody

I flew to Singapore last May to document a wedding for Josephine Sicad Photography.  She imported her second shooter from the Philippines. Ain’t that great?? Couldn’t say thank you enough.

It was my first time in Singapore. On my first night I was feeling a bit home sick.  I missed the sounds our house makes at night — wind chimes, neighbors, television, air conditioner.  Those lull me to sleep.  But in Singapore it was different.  People there live in buildings.  I remember telling myself, I’ll die if I live here.  I need trees and space.  I guess what I am trying to say is I need familiarity.

I remember waking up really early forPaolo and Melo’s wedding.  It was a five in the morning call time.  I love the taxi service in Singapore.  Some taxi drivers were courteous and kind, while others were utterly mean.  They speak english quite differently.  It ends with a la! Found it cute and funny at the same time.

My friend Jo assigned me to take photos of the groom.  “Grooooommmm? You sure?? Why groom?”

You see when I document weddings, I’m always with the bride.  My focus is the bride.  My second shooter usually takes pictures of the groom during dress up.  My mind went on a panic mode.  I tried to remember GQ cover photos.  How should I photograph the groom?  Usually when I shoot the groom and the groomsmen they’d freeze and just look at me like I came from space.  I mustered enough courage to ring the groom’s hotel room and made my presence known as their photographer.  Thankfully I didn’t make them feel uncomfortable.  Yyyyaaayyy.  They laughed at my instructions and were basically happy to be photographed.

I was in Singapore for just four days.  Four days wasn’t enough to go around.  I should go back and give myself a chance to embrace the unfamiliar.