A while back, a good friend of mine was critiquing my work, and since I take my work personally, some of the points he mentioned hurt like a dagger through the heart.

With his words taken in an open minded way he was asking if I was taking my work down the right path? His criticism stems from the fact that I choose to shoot the unglamorous, and in his opinion, the unelegant sometimes. For example, the fall from my most recent “Holding Hands” video.

I believe that as human beings, we find different things romantic, and we all show our love in different ways. I’ve always taken pride in presenting all the uniqueness in every wedding, and in every couple I take. To me, there is no ONE way to shoot or edit a wedding, there are a myriad of ways, and it is my own limitation as an artist to interpret it in my own limited way, based on my own experiences.

I guess when it comes down to it, having couples that trust me is like finding a mate in a marriage. They take me as who I am, all my quirks, all my flaws and all the beauty as well. Beauty as how I define it. The simple, raw beauty that is in our simple everyday lives.

Increasingly, I find that my work attracts people who feel comfortable with themselves, and know how to love and laugh freely. I’m truly blessed to have been found by many such couples, some of whom have become good friends, and I do hope to continue with many more!

If you like to, do take a look to see what had come up. As usual, I
do welcome comments! I know there are quite a few silent readers
out there. Like all Long John Silver’s outlets, with their bells and
their signs saying “Ring for good service”, I want to say the same
thing, “Comment for good video!”

Anyway, here’s my latest venture into using Chinese music. Weimin
and Limin’s feedback was that they liked songs like Tong Hua (Fairytale)
by Guang Liang. (I can’t blog in Chinese characters, I don’t know why!)
The video made me cry like a baby, but I can’t use that song! It’s a sad
song!

I would say that this short clip felt a bit draggy towards the end, but
I felt I had to end it properly. When I get the banquet footage in, it
would probably make more sense.

?? from Why Keen Tham on Vimeo.

It took a surprising turn for me, focusing on the family, and in particular, Rebecca’s dad,
instead of just the couple. I have done this before, of course, but every story has a different
twist, I guess, and I was really touched by the moments from their day.

I Will Be Here – A Father’s Blessing from Why Keen Tham on Vimeo.

Right from the very beginning, I sought to achieve what I now do as a
basic standard for all couples, a mix of storytelling and visual entertainment,
something for everyone to watch, and afterwards, feel like they know the
couple better.

So it was for Matthew and Rebecca. Their story has plotlines like a fairy tale!
They knew each other from primary school. He was the annoying, naughty
boy from her tuition group, who grew up to become this engaging gentleman.

I Will Be Here – God’s Plan from Why Keen Tham on Vimeo.

Had a chance to chat with Eddie and Edna before their big day, and managed to get some
juicy details about their first years together. Eddie and Edna’s romance was very much tied
to Changi Airport, so when it came to thinking about the location to go for a photo shoot,
Changi was the place to go!

Edna was at Emirates, and throughout her stint there, she stayed in Dubai most of the time. So Changi Terminal 1 was the place where Eddie had to see her off every time she had to leave, and those moments where they spent at the cafe must have been excruciatingly bitter sweet.

Like Jazz music, this video was sort of an impromptu tribute to their initial years together.

Why Keen

For Cups Of Coffee from Why Keen Tham on Vimeo.

Actually the real reason is because of the difficulty to find new and suitable songs
for the soundtracks.

Anyway, that is off topic and not what this entry is about. My TOP FEAR about
blogging, and especially blogging about my work is the fact that you can dig out my
very very old stuff. My fear is that I get judged based on my old work.

Ever since I’ve started in this industry, it was always about doing my very best,
but everyone improves over time (hopefully). So I’ve decided to be open about it.
The oldest piece of work you will find on this blog is from August 2007 (here)

And… a piece of my most recent work was just blogged about at www.IchiroFilms.com,
and I’ve placed it here as well… Please watch, please comment. I’ve a long way to
go, so I’m open to criticisms…

(Video had been temporarily removed.)

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The trailer video is here though:-
View the Trailer Video at Vimeo

They asked for my mailing address before leaving for their
honeymoon in Greece, and they’ve sent a postcard all the
way from where they were.

I was so touched when I received this from them. *sob*