Please forgive my hiatus from blogging. I know it has been a while, but believe me, there have been a ton of images being shot and processed through the LingLing's kitchen - esp during this crazy wedding season. I am going to keep this short. But I will be updating this blog now and them with sneak peaks - so that those who don't follow my facebook page, can also enjoy what's going on in the LingLing image making kitchen.

I had the pleasure of shooting Nida and Vu a few months ago - which produced an absolute favourite of mine. I am really looking forward to photographing their wedding in a few short weeks time - I get to work with the amazing film masters of Papercranes :D

How can I ever complain when my job consists of hanging out with people, getting to know them and enjoying the sun?

A heap of sunshine,
Linda :D

P.S - If you haven't joined the facebook page, please do, as it will regularly update you with what's going on!! :D

About six years ago, I met a bunch of amazing people, who kept telling me that I reminded them of this fun, loud, bubbly, outgoing, Asian chick who lived in Berala that they knew of. They kept throwing her name out once in a while... Audrey this... Audrey that...

Fast forward a few years; at the beginning of year I had the pleasure of helping out with an Infants (K-2) Summer School Program with CMS. I met a ton of fantastic individuals and was able to help teach approx 220 infants about Jesus. Prior to this, I was really anxious about helping out, as I never really knew how to interact and relate to kids (Yes, that comes as a big surprise to many). However, from day one, I had a bunch of gorgeous Eurasian, Asian and Caucasian kids hang out with me - I keep thinking that this is a glimpse to the future; that perhaps I will be the proud mother of gorgeous Eurasian kids one day. God willing *wink*. One of the kids that was constantly by my side was named Calvin. He told me all about his family. It was pretty sweet... He would stand beside me, with his hands clasped behind his back, looking up at me and giving me the whole spill on his family. He kept insisting that his mother and I knew each other. He kept saying her name... Audrey... Do you know Audrey? That name sounded strangely familiar...

A week later, after the program, I received a msg on facebook from this Audrey... She thanked us for our efforts in looking after the Infants and also mentioned that Calvin was rather taken by me. Awwh! We sent a ton of messages back and forth - and it was through these messages that I realised that this was THAT Audrey! My twin sister separated at birth (and a couple of years *wink*). Since then, I have found a close friend and a mentor in her. I love our coffee catch ups and sharing our lives together. Our lives are ridiculously uncanny.

For the past few months, I've been getting to know her beautful family. They invited me over for brunch the other day and I brought along my camera. I don't typically do this, but I really wanted to photograph her family. Audrey wanted natural, "every day" photographs of her family and we had a blast shooting these!!

The great thing about this job is that I get to meet lots of lovely faces. I met Clarinda a few years back, at a wedding I shot - she was one of the bride's maids. From the moment I met her, I knew that she was a blessing to the people around her and to her future husband. She had/has a great sense of humour and she was/is zealous about life and her faith. Admittedly, I wanted to set her up with one of my closest friends...

Clarinda met Dave at their church. They were both serving together at their youth group - SWITCH. And throughout the year they would co-incidentally meet up to have really deep and meaningful conversations - this was where they developed a close friendship. It was through these d&ms that Clarinda realised that Dave is a pretty "deep guy" and that in turn, Dave knew that Clarinda was somebody who he can commit his life to loving for the rest of his life. Despite their own personal circumstances - their mutual affections for one another and desires for commitment prevailed and their relationship blossomed.

They are a joy to hang out with; they are generous, friendly and passionate. They are both incredibly zealous for the things that they hold dear to their hearts. Individually they have quite strong personalities, but they are sooo well suited for one another. They are a great illustration of how iron sharpens iron.

Their wedding is quickly approaching and I have the honour of being able to document the beginning of their lives together. Can't wait!

It was lovely hanging out with you guys the other week!! We had a blast! David brought his beloved guitar and played quite a few songs for Clarinda - and by the look in her eyes, I could tell that she was absolutely smitten by his rock star qualities! :D :D

While I was browsing through the shelves of Boarders (which have since closed down), my phone started ringing. Excitedly, I answered the phone, sat down on a wooden bench at the end of a fiction novel aisle (why I was in the aisle, I have no idea - as I don't read fiction) and my ears were greeted by the familiar voice of a friend. After a few moments of polite "How are you, going?" chatter, she exclaimed that he finally asked her out (after a few nudges here and there) and she was over the moon. I jumped up from the bench - I was truly beside myself. But not as much as my beautiful friend on the other side of the line - she reallyyy liked him. I felt like I was in primary school again - when a friend tells you of their crush... But despite the excitement, I knew that this was more than just a crush... It was serious.

After an eventful year of courtship, he asked for her hand in marriage - so that they may spend the rest of their lives growing old together and serving one another, others and their King...

I can't think of a better suited couple than these two beautiful people.

Melanie and Matthew have known each other for a handful of years through FEVA. They began as friends and as the years progressed, so did their blossoming friendship. They both love the arts (Mel is a painter and Matt is a graphic designer), music, culture and Jesus. They are both beautiful individuals and I have the pleasure of calling them my friends. I can't wait to photograph their wedding in a few weeks. Knowing them, it's going to be a delightful celebration.

"Waddup, waddup?"

Tien is super cool - she naturally just oozes out style, class, hotness and attitude. Not surprised that Richie liked it and put a ring on it. Richie is a quirky kind of guy - it's pretty difficult to tell if he is serious or not; as every word that comes out of his mouth is dripping with dry wit. However, he is a man of integrity and of great faith - much like his Tien.

Kate and I had the pleasure of documenting their joyous union before their loved ones. We are incredibly blessed to be able to be part of people's life story in this way. At times, I can't believe that I get to do what I do.

We also had the pleasure of working with Santo and Ferry from Papercranes. We had such a blast from the last wedding we worked together on (where Tien was a bride's maid) - and I have been eagerly awaiting to work with them again. They are a super rad/fun/inspiring duo.

"Oi, you're good"...

Here are some of my favourite frames from their wedding. Thank you Tien + Richie for allowing us the honour of experiencing and photographing the day for you guys.

Helena and Phil are a cool and stylish people. There is no doubt about it. Helena fell in love with two gorgeous Pronovias gowns - and couldn't choose between the two, so she bought both! She wore one of them for the portrait session - and boy I can't wait to see her actual wedding dress! It was also through Helena that I discovered Viktor and Rolf's fragrane FLOWERBOMB. If only photography had smell-o-vision, because MYHAT, she smelt oh-so-good! I wanted to sniff her all day! But that would've proved very awkward!

They are an incredibly sweet and intelligent couple. Despite having been together for years, there is still that young and giddy affection that runs through the two of them; from Helena's giggles to Phil's sheepish grins when she cuddles him or nuzzles his face.

It was great hanging out with them a few months back. We had lots of fun discovering new places and doing all sorts of silly things - one of which consisted of throwing confetti everywhere. It was quite a challenge to pick everything back up again. But it was all in good fun and great photographs!

Thank you Helena + Phil for making my job, fantastic!

MINI POST. MINI POST. MINI POST.

I shot this session all the way back in February and I had the honour of shooting their wedding a few weeks ago. So I know this is long overdue - I just haven't had the opportunity to post it. Yes. Shame on me. Lame excuse. Apologies.

Char and Jay are a sweet couple. Char is one of the sweetest chicks I've ever met with a big warm heart for people. She is calm, patient and lovely. Jay is incredibly manly - He rowed the boat through THICK weeds on a sunny day and hardly broke a sweat - well, he did sweat a little. He didn't complain - but willingly complied to my harsh instructions - they worked harder than I! It was great hanging out that Friday afternoon.

The first time I met Julienne and Dave was at Thu and Bao's wedding - the second wedding I ever photographed. Julienne was one of Thu's bride's maids and I noted that she and her beau, Dave (a.k.a Rugged Dave, as she liked to call him), were a pretty fun and not to mention good looking couple - at that time, they had only been dating for a few months. Despite that, I was determined to photograph their wedding day; if they were ever to marry. After a few years, I was elated to find that Julienne had finally emailed me; telling me that she was keen on having me take her wedding photographs. I did a bit of a celebratory fist pump. I suppose my prodding-Thu-to-get-Julienne-to-contact-me-if-she-were-to-ever-get-married worked. But incidentally, Julienne had been following my work ever since I started. Wow, humbled.

After having shot their engagement session a few months prior to their wedding (well in fact, prior to their official engagement *wink*) - I knew that David and Julienne were going to celebrate their wedding in style (yes, I would still call it classy despite the groom's men doing a Maccas run during the bridal party portrait session). Alas we had a ton of fun. Not only were the bridal party members rocking but also we had the amazing Santo and Ferry from the award winning Papercranes team grace us with their awesomeness!

The photographs speak for themselves; the day was filled with so much joy. It was definitely a celebration. Indeed a memorable start to the beginning of their lives as husband and wife.

Who knew that you would find your future husband/wife on the train at peak hour?

April and Jared absolutely adore one another: the sort of love and affection that is infectious. Yet, the maturity and commitment that they show surpass their age by decades and yet they shower young and giddy affection to one another. They absolutely love animals - My mind boggles at the thought of  how many pets they have - the last time I counted (through truly ole' facebook) they had a kitten named Rowan, mice and a bird called Hervey - ironically they all live together quite harmoniously. They love baking (April + Jared - not the animals *wink*). Going on dates. Taking happy snaps. Connecting with their Connect group from church. And knowing Jesus. They are surrounded by loving, supportive and hospitable friends and family: It was amazing to witness and document the union of these two families on their wedding day - there was soo much love! Heck, I even felt like I was part of the family!

Thank you for allowing me to be part of the beginning of your lives together! You guys are incredibly blessed!

I met Alisha and Wilson briefly last year at a RICE REGENERATE event. A few months earlier they had sent me an email, inquiring about my services, however they never got back to me. So being the slightly obnoxious, forward and impulsive person I am, I put them on the spot... "So... Have you guys found a photographer yet? No? Ahh, I know of this photographer who can do a pretty good job..." *wink wink, nudge nudge* Literally. Two weeks later we met up at a cafe and had a great time getting to know one another. I suppose being slightly obnoxious, forward and impulsive pays off sometimes. Sometimes!

Alisha and Wilson are sweet. They met through youth group and have been an item ever since. We frolicked around one lovely overcast afternoon at Pyrmont and Callan Park in Rozelle. From the few short hours we spent shooting, I noticed how sweet, loving, thoughtful and generous they are. They even refused to drop me off outside the centre where I parked my car, but rather, drive into the centre and drop me off right at my car - it was such an inconvenience, and yet they went out of their way anyway. Love it! I am really looking forward to shooting their wedding in June. I will also be shooting her sister's wedding a few months after as well! Bring it!

[PERSONAL POST] It has been a pretty tough start to the year for many. Trials upon, trials, have been thrown right at my face, testing me, pushing me, to trust in the One who is in control. And amazingly He never ceases to guide, help and provide. There have been moments where I wanted to throw in the white towel, give up the business, dig a hole and crawl into it. It's been difficult. Esp when I have to put up this front of being crazy, collected and giddy (yes it is odd having those words in one sentence) - as that's what is expected of me. But I am human, yes I broke down in the middle of doing a formal family portraits during a wedding. Yes, I did run to my car, slammed the door and balled my eyes out. Yes, I have disappointed people and it is agonising... But all these things have taught me humility (despite how sucky it feels), to trust, and to keep perservering to do my absolute best!!!

As easy it is to be swept up in the cloud of pride; thinking that I have it all and all is well, it is indeed a long way down to fall back down to earth...

It is all part of the learning curve of running a business. The fantastic ups, and the humbling emotional lows. I still feel as though I have so much to learn still. It's quite exciting actually!

I am so thankful for all my supportive family, friends and clients - without their encouragement and emails/SMSes filled with excited exclamation marks and smiley faces, I would not be where I am now. Breathing freely and thankful.

It's because of clients such as Maddie and Tim, who I had the pleasure of hanging out with a few months back for their engagement photographs, I really see how blessed I am to have a job that I absolutely love! Despite the emotional lows and pressures that I may go through (a lot of it is self inflicted, if I were to be truly honest with myself), I am so incredibly blessed to be part of these beautiful people's lives. My "issues" are overshadowed and I realise how foolish and silly I am. Really... I am blessed! With this in mind, it pushes me, challenges me, to give them my best!!

Nia and Johan are simply rad. After having shot their engagement session (their story is worth reading), my excitement and adrenaline levels went through the roof when the day arrived where they would promise to love one another unconditionally till death do them part.

I was welcomed by a lovely group of bride's maids when I arrived at Nia and Johan's appartment. They were bubbling with excitement and nerves at the prospect of walking down the aisle with hundreds of eyes staring at them. But as Nia slipped into her gorgeous Monique Lhuillier dress and walked into the living room, they held their breath and the nervous thoughts of "stacking it" vanished as they gasped and exclaimed at how gorgeous Nia looked. She was calm and collected - it was infectious. She is simply beautiful!

Johan slipped an Eclipse mint into his mouth as his boys surrounded him and patted his shoulder cheering him on. They weren't ashamed to show their affections to one another. They reeked of bromance. I took a mental note at how dapper the boys looked and that it was definitely going to be a ripper of a day hanging out with them. I sensed a hint of nervousness as Johan hooked a finger around his collar and pulled it to the side... He was sweating!! 

As Nia and her father rounded the corner and entered his line of vision, his released the breath he held on for what felt like forever and bleamed widely as his bride walked towards him... He stole a couple of glances throughout the ceremony. And all hint of nervousness and rough/tough tradie'ness vanished as he promised to lead, protect and love her.

Their wedding was elegant, beautiful, personal and full of the LOL kind of laughter (they had an epic bridal party)! Enough words. I hope the images speak for themselves!

You find out everything through facebook now days. Information such as when a friend's birthday is coming up (and you completely forgot), or when friend A is now friends with friend E (and you thought to yourself, wowsers, it's a small world), or when someone is "In a Relationship".

A while ago, I noticed Tara (this awesomely top chick who I met through FEVA mission) changed her status from being "Single" to "In a Relationship" with a strapping young man with blue eyes and blonde hair. Naturally, being in this industry, everytime someone gets into a serious relationship, I always have my eyes pealed and wait with anticipation until the "In a Relationship" status is changed to "Engaged". So I waited... And not before long, I noticed with glee that Tara's status was changed to "Engaged". I almost jumped out of my seat and punched the air (but I resisted). I thought... "MYHAT, they are a hot couple... I hope they contact me!" So I secretly hoped that they would contact me... I tried sending some "Taraaaaa... Contact Lindaaaa" vibes to her.

I suppose it worked, because I almost fell out of my seat when I saw Inbox (1). IT WAS FROM HER!!

"Hey Linda. What's been going on? So what's your September like? Sunday the 26th to be exact. If you haven't been fb stalking, you might not know that I'm engaged to this nice boy called Andrew. Anyway we need a photographer for our wedding and you're the first person that I thought of. I've been fb stalking your albums - loving them.."

It was then, when I actually punched the air with glee and did a little happy dance...

A few months later, I was walking down the aisle to greet this "nice boy" called Andrew for the first time (just moments before Tara was going to make her grand entrance to the church), he shook my hand (which I noticed was slightly clammy), greeted me with a smile, introduced me to his groom's men and made me feel like we've been mates for years (despite having only met him 2 seconds ago). He was eagerly awaiting for his Tara to walk in! While she was walking towards him, he was beaming with happiness. Throughout the ceremony, I noticed that he stared lovingly at his Tara and smiled. It's moments like these that I love. The loving glances. Placement of the hand on the small of the back. Holding hands; fingers intertwined and thumb carressing the back of the palm. A stolen kiss on the left temple right after their first kiss as husband and wife. Andrew absolutely adores Tara. No doubt, Andrew will love, lead and protect Tara till as long as they both shall live. 

The day was beautiful. There were plenty of laughs! It was a great day to remember the beginning of their lives togerher.

... When Tara updated her status to "Married", I smiled widely and punched the air with glee "Yes! I was able to be part of that day!!".

I praise God that I have an amazing job!

I met Aaron a few years ago at an event run by FEVA (Fellowship for Evangelism in the Visual Arts). We had some pretty rad chats about theology and life (conversation wouldn't end unless we bagged each other out about something petty). Although he was/is quite a joker (he had this ability to get people into hysterics), it was quite evident that he was maturing into a wise individual. Not the sort with white hair + beard. But rather, one who was serious about life and Jesus.

Aaron and Laura met through mutual friends. Initially Aaron thought that Laura was totally out of his league. Their friendship developed and as they got to know each other more, their zeal for Jesus and to see His name made famous fused them together and they were inseparable!

The first time I met Laura was at a FEVA wedding just over a year ago. Aaron had his hand placed lightly on the small of her back as he waved hello to me and said "Hey Linda, this is Laura... We're dating...". We smiled at each other and shook hands. I noticed that she had gorgeous blue eyes and blonde curly hair. What a hottie! But in all seriousness, although they were only dating, knowing Aaron, he was pretty serious about this chick.

A few months rolled on and the next time I saw Laura, she had a ring on her finger and a gorgeous smile that graced her face. It was from then on, we started getting to know one another (esp since she was super excited to have her photographs taken by a particular crazy Asian girl - the crazy Asian girl was also pretty excited). The more we spoke, the more I saw the beauty in her that Aaron fell in love with. She is funny, has a warm hearty laugh, super loving, supportive, gentle and honest (she can also dance - which makes her super rad).

... They are so right for one another. Their love for God will strengthen their love for one another. No doubt, they will be used to make an impact in people's lives.

Kelvin was a mate of Jamie's cousin. When they met for the first time (when Kelvin tagged along with the cousin to Jamie's house), Kelvin was absolutely smitten by Jamie (who wouldn't? She is so flipping cute), however, time and circumstance hindered Kelvin from pursuing her. So he pushed her to the back of his mind. A few years later, they bumped into one another at church and Kelvin remembered his friend's cousin, yes, the cute one, Jamie, the one who he was smitten with. Time and circumstance permitted him this time, so he pursued her. He hunted her down, so to speak (HA! not really). And over time, their newfound friendship grew to a deep seeded love for one another.

There is something endearing about their story. It taught me that there are times where "now" isn't the right time. But if it's "meant to be", it will happen and if not, then it's all good in the hood. We need to trust in the One who is in control over all, that His plans are greater than ours...

We had a lovely time hanging out and getting to know each other. We explored, talked, laughed together and took some photos here and there. I seriously love my job! Thanks God! :D :D :D