Profoto

I've Fallen In Love With You Again

"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility." -George Levinger

It is always interesting to witness how couples treat one another. Some show love by the tenderness of their touch and words, while others can be less ostentatious.

Meet Alvin and Cheryl - these two are the most funny couple in the way they express their love to each other. For example, Alvin would 'disturb' Cheryl, who is no-nonsense kind of girl. She would often 'respond' with a death stare. In return, Alvin would go all giggly and admits to Cheryl that he just loves to see her angry face. How would you get infuriated with such a lovable and sweet response?

That's what love is all about. You don't marry the person you can live with, but you marry the person whom you cannot live without.

Wishing this gorgeous couple many great years ahead!

Here are some photos of Alvin and Cheryl during their recent group-of-four European trip, that included Santorini (Greece), Rome and Venice (Italy)!

My Darling Chloe Turns One

in

Having gone through my first 365 days of parenthood, I have to say that the journey as parents is one that's fulfilling and wondrous in every way possible. Thank God for granting us the tenacity to go through our daily lives and bringing up the child in a healthy and sane manner.

As you've noticed, I took a hiatus from blogging for a month. During this period, much time was spent planning, conceptualising and photo-shooting various themes for parents and their little ones who were either turning one or have turned one. However the one most photo-shoot that I was looking forward to was none other than my own daughter's one year old photo-shoot. 

I recalled telling my wife that I would love to DIY something for Chloe's photo-shoot. She gave me a moment's look of disbelief and went ahead to tell me that if it was something I want to do to just do it. Just for the record, I was never an arts and craft person. The last time I tried to DIY something, it failed miserably. Anyway, I managed to DIY three cloud mobile and some backdrop accessories for Chloe's photo-shoot.

To sum it all up, I'm glad that my wife and I survived our first year of parenthood and we both look forward to many more years of parenthood to come. 

Have a happy golden jubilee (SG50) weekend people!


We Are Travelling

in

Great news! Kelvin Luffs Photography is heading to Europe and India this August and December respectively!

If you recall, sometime around November last year, we made a blog post about Kelvin Luffs Photography planning trips abroad for photo-shoots. True to our words, we will be travelling to the captivating island of Santorini (Greece) and romantic Venice (Italy) for pre- and post wedding photo-shoots!

Imagine having your pre-wedding pictures taken against this iconic Santorini backdrop?

Or a picture against this mesmerising sunset of Santorini?

How about posing in one of the world's most romantic cities that is Venice?

Or, if you are somebody who does not fancy the romance of either the two European cities but would like to have your pre / post wedding pictures taken overseas, then perhaps you might want to consider India.

Come December we are flying to the capital city of Punjab, Chandigarh, also known as 'The City Beautiful'.

India is filled with an abundance of unbelievably mesmerising beauty. From her lakes, mountains, glaciers, deserts, waterfalls, beaches, to their endless tea plantations, ancient temples, iconic structures like the Taj Mahal and many more. All I can say is that India will be able to offer a myriad of beautiful backdrops and it will then be my job to capture the beauty and essence of these locations together with you. That will forever be your memory to keep.

My trip to India in December (2015) is also confirmed. So if you would like to have your photo-shoots done anywhere in India (not limited to Chandigarh), in Santorini or Venice, feel free to drop me an email at info@kelvinluffs.com so that we can discuss more about your plan.

Have a great week ahead everyone!

Celebrating Massimiliano & Demptna's Wedding Day

in ,
Celebrating Massimiliano & Demptna's Wedding Day

Follow me on my journey as I present to you on how I capture life's biggest moments through the camera lens.

Read More

Home & Away

"Home is where the heart is." 

I first came across this quote on the stitched artwork at my Aunt's place when I was much younger. The artwork followed when she moved and to this day, it sits nicely on the wall at the entrance of her dining room. Home is also where Pastor and Ah Ma Evelyn lives and raised her two blessed daughters Mary (in blue) and Karen (in pink).

Earlier this year, I was invited to do a very special family shoot. When I heard their stories, I knew it would be worthy of a blog space. This has got to be one of the most 'international' photoshoot for me in a while. Well, you see sisters Mary and Karen are happily married to their husbands, and residing overseas with their families. Mary lives in Hanoi, Vietnam while Karen calls Melbourne, Australia home. Despite the distance of the two cities, it was such a blessing to have them all come back home to spend some quality time with Ah Ma and her lovely grandchildren.

Sometimes, the most challenging part of such shoots is in capturing the smiles of the kids, but once we are fortunate enough, getting those shots can be extremely endearing. In my photo assignments, my clients are always advised to be themselves and have fun, occasionally putting on that smile in case their kiddos exhibit that 'perfect' smile for my frame. Due to their very short attention span, children are unable to just sit there and pose. And as a photographer, I learn to 'read' when they are about to reach that border of boredom. Name it any way you like - tickles, carrying them high up in the air rocket-style, saying a trigger word, or even telling them 'not to smile' can have a great effect on getting them to smile. And their smiles make a whole lot of difference to an overall photo as you shall see below.

To me, happiness is having a large loving, caring, close-knit family, whether at home or anywhere in the world. Singapore will always have a special place in their hearts and Pastor Evelyn now has a beautiful and complete family photo to remember for a long time to come.  

At Kelvin Luffs Photography, we are able to tailor to your specifications including location and style of shoots. We endeavour to create images you will smile to each time you look at them. Please drop us a message and we will be more than happy to discuss your preferences. Making each click worthwhile.

Chloe & Melanie at 7 Months

in

True story: Babies grow very quickly. I think not many parents or grandparents will refute that.

Looking at how these two little cousin-princesses, whom some mistake for twin-sisters, have grown, certainly make their mommies' and dadda's hearts aflutter!

As a parent, I am told the most important changes take place in a child from age four to seven months. Chloe and Melanie have progressed well in terms of the coordination of their emerging perceptive abilities and their increasing motor abilities such as rolling over, sitting up, grasping and even crawling (with Chloe!). 

Moreover, you can't go wrong when your Papa and 姨丈 (yi zhang or mum's sister's husband in the complicated Chinese family tree) is an avid photographer. My idea for this shoot was really simple. It was to capture the bond between the cousin-sisters with a limited number of props.

What you need:

- A photographer
- A play wagon
- Some cute balloons
- Stuffed toys
- The baby stars!
- And lots of enthusiasm!

Though they are still young, I hope that one day, when these two little sweethearts are a little older, they will be able to look back and admire the pictures here capturing their beautiful smiles and cheeriness. We can't turn back time, but we can freeze that exact moment in time, with photography, at the very least. I <3 you two.

 

----------------------------------------------------------

Hope you are enjoying your visit. If you liked what you have seen so far, please call me at 9820 1295 or email to info@kelvinluffs.com so we can discuss how I can help you capture those precious and endearing moments of you and your loved ones.  Kelvin Luffs Photography - making each click worthwhile.

Pie Ling's Pregnancy Journey

in

Had a wonderful opportunity to be the person behind the camera capturing the bliss of Pie Ling's pregnancy together with her hubby Martin during our recent outdoor and indoor maternity photoshoot.

I enjoy talking to my clients and am glad Pie Ling shared with me the story behind her pregnancy. All I can say is there is a story behind every bump - One that women especially mothers or mother-to-be can relate to.

Behind every bump is a story. What's yours?

Inspired by Cole Kor of 2ofusphotography.

Alvin & Mabel's Solemnisation

in

A secondary school student recently asked during my talk (invited back to Greenview Secondary School) about becoming an entrepreneur - why I chose the path of becoming a photographer? Well, this question hit me really hard and as I paused for a moment to think about my response, I can see the anticipation the students had in their eyes regarding my response. Here are the reasons I responded with:

  • I get to capture and preserve memories for people
  • Being a photographer allows me to slow down, observe and appreciate the beauty of my surroundings
  • I get to witness love, warmth and affection
  • Lastly, I get to connect with people

Therefore in my line of work, I am always very privileged to meet with many people. People who are in love, people who love their unborn child, people who love their families and many more. I have to count myself as being very fortunate to be an indirect recipient of their love, warmth and affection because it helps me improve on my personality as well.

Alvin and Mabel was definitely one of those couples who portrayed so much love and affection for each other that they inevitably made me reminisce the time I took my vow together with my wife.

May the both of you flourish in each others' love and affection.

Sophie Rose's Princess & The Pea Party

When my wife came to me and asked if I was interested to photograph a first year old birthday party with cake smash, I remembered vividly my reaction was - "Huh? What's that? Why smash the cake? Is it something new?". Well ok, please pardon me for my ignorance and somewhat lack of the Western exposure of traditions (haha). It seems that the tradition of Cake Smashing has been gaining grounds both locally and around the region with parents now going the extra mile just to learn new recipes to make preservatives and flavouring free cakes for their little ones' cake smashing and birthday parties.

So basically, the tradition of cake smashing is for the little one who's turning one year old. Parents would usually prepare two cakes, one big cake for the guests' consumption and the other, a smaller but much creamier cake for the little star of the day. The goal of the cake smash is simply to encourage the little one to attack the cake with his/her hands, fist, face, legs etc. The whole idea is to get as messy as possible and what comes after that would be the endless cheers, claps, laughters and photographs of the little dainty but very messy birthday super star.

Here are some photos taken during Sophie Rose's Princess & The Pea Party. Thank you LittleBowGirl for giving me the opportunity to capture Sophie Rose on camera. I'll definitely be doing a cake smash for Chloe my daughter when she turns one.


Aerisha's Maternity Series

in

Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone! Hope that you've been prospering with good health and wealth in the year of the goat.

To me, being able to document a couple's milestones is truly a privilege - 

Back in December 2013, Kaden had engaged my services to photograph his surprise wedding proposal to Aerisha at Sentosa's Songs of The Sea. It was definitely a proposal to remember.

Just last year (2014), I was yet again present on their wedding day to witness and capture their most magical moments while walking down the aisle. Their wedding was so heartwarming that it brought tears to many who were present during their wedding ceremony.

Fast forward to January 2015, I am once again presented with the opportunity to help the couple capture images of the their pregnancy. They are indeed a gorgeous couple!

Congratulations once again to Kaden and Aerisha and welcome to parenthood!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Destination Pre-Wedding: Nicholas & Fion

in

I got a call one morning in late December last year from Nicholas asking if I was willing to accept a last minute booking to shoot their pre-wedding in mid January 2015 of which I gladly accepted.

Basically the couple had already booked a short getaway to Batam, Indonesia to escape the hustling and bustling rapidity at work. So in the midst of planning for the trip, an idea struck the couple that since they were already heading to Batam, they should also get their pre-wedding shoot done there.

While places like Bali and Bintan are common places where couples travel to to have their pre-wedding photos taken, not too many have ever considered Batam for their shoot as most people do not perceive Batam to be as beautiful as it's neighbours.

Well I have to admit that this perception did cross my mind while I was doing my research. Perhaps by pure coincidence, I chanced upon this phrase while doing my research; it read - 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade' though more philosophical than photography related, it hit me like a tonne of bricks. It basically reminded me that I must make good of whatever that comes my way. Throw me anywhere in any conditions and I'll still give you stunning and memorable pictures for keep.

To those of you who were wondering, yes some of the pictures were shot right smack in midday when the sun was directly above us and there were also instances where I had to shoot directly into the sun - at times the glare was so intense that I had to shoot with both eyes closed and completely trust my equipments and technical knowledge fully to get The shot. 

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.

With that, I shall conclude this lengthy post with a Wefie with my clients after a day's shoot. Have a great weekend everybody!

Joy's Joyful Maternity

in

Greetings everyone! Hope you've had a great week so far. If you've not, hangin' there, you're not far away from the weekends.

So here's a maternity shoot that was done back in late November last year. Joy had contacted me over facebook (FB) regarding a maternity shoot. As we communicated over FB, I soon realized that Joy was expecting her second child and I was all excited! Well, you might say that's no biggie.. but to me, it was a wonderful opportunity to include a kid into someone's maternity pictures. 

Having photographed mainly first time mothers, I've always wanted to undertake maternity assignments that include kiddos albeit the warnings from other photographers that kids are hard to handle and they'll ruin whatever photos I'm taking etc.. well, I beg to differ!

My experience from this shoot?

  • I love the spontaneity from a child 
  • Their unpredictability keeps me on my toes
  • Their natural smiles melt hearts
  • Their innocence when querying me makes me giggle just thinking about the questions

But of course, there were moments during the shoot that even the parents were at wits end trying to get the child to stop running all over the place. But in the end, everything went well and don't be too surprised that kids (with the right technique of pacifying them) can cooperate quite easily.

Well that's all from me folks, here are some photos from the shoot for your enjoyment!

Have a great remainder of the week peeps.

Best Friends

in

If you've ever watched sitcoms like 'Friends' and 'How I Met Your Mother', you'll notice that the characters in the sitcom portray what best friends should be really well. 

Here are the similarities I gather from the above sitcoms I've mentioned

  1. They hug each other all the time
  2. They apologise when they're wrong (eventually)
  3. They tell the truth (although sometimes it can be hilarious or mean)
  4. They are honest (that's why they tell the truth)
  5. They respect each other (although sometimes NOT)
  6. They push you and encourage you to reach your goals (Drink more BEER!)
  7. They laugh at your jokes although they don't know what it means
  8. After laughing at your joke, they make a joke out of you by teasing you
  9. They are always connected to you (Whatsapp / Telegram chatgroups)
    .
    .
    and the list goes on..

So having the opportunity to document the friendship of these ladies (Phyllis, Winnie, Shanice & Amanda) gives me a chance to rethink what friendships should be.

These ladies were so joyful (even though we started the session really early),  they enjoyed each other's company, teased one another and laughed to their heart's desire. Friendships should be like that. Don't you think so?

Anyway, have a wonderful 2015 everyone!

Blessed Christmas Everyone!

In this christmas, Kelvin Luffs Photography would like to wish one and all a blessed Christmas. May your life be filled with an abundant of joy, happiness and love. May each new day bring about moments to cherish. Merry Christmas everyone!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
                                                                               Romans 15:13

Project 100 Heads

Hi readers! Hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far.

So, something struck me last week while i was in the midst of my daily work of shooting and editing and I asked myself just how many people actually think about having a portrait of themselves taken. As everyone go through with their daily routines, some just miss the fact that our faces age and change by the day.

Are you one of those who will look into the mirror some mornings and comment about yourself in the mirror - "wow.. I've really aged a fair bit. How nice if I had a beautiful / handsome portrait of myself during my most youthful and most energetic days".

Well, the more I think about it, the more I feel that I should start a personal project on compiling Singaporean faces. And so, I've decided to commence my personal Project 100 Heads.

Upon reaching 100 heads, my plan is to have them compiled into a book and perhaps have it published - some would ask "who will buy this book and why will they buy?" - Honestly, I have no idea. It may be just one reason for me to start this personal project.

Because my aim is a hundred head portraits, I may invite friends, relatives or just about anyone via the social media to participate in this personal project of mine. So if you're invited, all I need is just an hour of your time and you'll have yourself a nice head portrait taken for your own keep. 

Here are some of the portraits I took over the weekend. Enjoy!