Creative writing hasn’t been easy for me. Although technical writing is something {IMO} I’m good at thanks to countless term papers, project studies, thesis from university, and working in research & development for six years before I went into professional wedding photography.

I always have this fear that what I write isn’t good enough, and might put off some people in the process. I agonize over getting it right and procrastinate over it for as long as possible.

This is exactly what happened for this post. I had this feature up and ready last week but the words just didn’t flow as easy as I had hoped. Watching American Idol, The Voice battle rounds, and Grey’s Anatomy didn’t help either but at least that kept me sane with all the work that needed to be done hehehe!

I have promised myself that after the workshop with Jasmine Star, I will try do something about it and share my experience in every post. So this is me exposing myself to criticism and possibly harsh feedback from my peers. And oh, go easy on me grammar police hahahaha.

The World Photo Fest Malaysia was held last April 26-28, 2013 at the beautiful Hard Rock Hotel in Batu Ferringhi Beach Penang.

We arrived in Penang Malaysia on the second day of the photo conference and just managed to catch up with the workshop by International Wedding Photographer from Greece Nik Pekridis.

The third day of the photo conference was the VIP session with International Wedding Photographer from California USA, Jasmine Star.  She talked about marketing, branding, shooting, and how to build a business.  You can read about her first time experience in Asia on her blog.

I first knew about Jasmine Star back in 2009 when we just started our photography business.  I was randomly looking for international wedding photographers and she was just named as one of the top ten wedding photographers by American Photo.

I went through her blog and I immediately fell in love with her, her photography style, and her vision.  And man, this girl can talk! hahaha.  And we lurrrve her for that!

I’ve learned so much about photography and the business just by going through her blog posts.  I subscribed to her feeds and has been stalking following her on all social media platforms ever since.

Going into the workshop, I always kept in mind that I am there to learn, discover myself as an artist, connect and be inspired.

Despite the limitations of shooting alongside with other amazing photographers, I’m happy that I was still able to shoot for our brand and apply new knowledge from the workshop.

Thank you Jasmine Star for being soooo accommodating and patient with us. We were just sooo Starstrucked!

Thank you so much to the organizers of the WPF2013 and WPPM, Patrick Low, and Alvin Leong for bringing Jasmine Star to Asia. That’s one wish ticked off my bucket list! Yay!

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Penang to attend the 2013 World Photo Fest in Malaysia. It was not just any wedding photography conference, for me it was “THE” conference to be at because one of my favorite International destination wedding photographer from California USA, Jasmine Star, was one of the keynote speakers.

I am very happy that I took this trip together with my friends, former RPS bride & photographer Josephine Sicad-Minerva  and Jeff Garban of Green & Purple Photos.  It was a super fun weekend and I wished there were more hours in a day so we can just hang-out, share life stories, discuss future goals, and of course talk about creative stalking techniques our idol Jasmine Star.

I will share embarrassing yet funny stories with our official first stalking meeting with JD & Jasmine, about my experience with the VIP session with Jasmine Star, and our last day in Penang on my next post.

For now, enjoy some of the photos I took during our mini photowalk around Batu Ferringhi beach and Georgetown in Penang Malaysia.  I must say I have fallen in love with this beautiful island.  I would love love love to shoot an engagement session or wedding here

xoxo, Jeff

Couple: Jammy Ong and Sashi Yu
Beach wedding ceremony: Dakak Park and Beach Resort, Dapitan

Hair & make-up: Dino Lazaro
Wedding videographer: Ian Cruz Films
Dakak wedding photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography

Couple: Leo Sto Domingo and Lynette Ang

Preparation: Radisson Blu Hotel
Ceremony: Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
Reception: Oakridge Pavilion

Hair & make-up: Wenwen Zaspa
Gown: Philip Rodriguez
Flowers: Pink Flora
Coordinator: Snoogie Mata

Cebu Wedding Photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography

Couple: Grant Go and Janika Tantoy
Hair & make-up: Wenwen Zaspa
Cebu wedding photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography

Couple: Amrit Bhagnari and Sneha Adnani
Hair & make-up: Gari Son
Venue: Shangrila Mactan Cebu Resort and Spa
Indian wedding planner: Stanz Catalan
Indian wedding photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography

While some people are dreaming of their perfect grand church wedding, our Russian couple Mikhail and Marina are making their dreams come true by following their heart and have an intimate beach wedding ceremony.

As much as we love a big weddings, we have a bit of a soft spot when it comes to elopements. There is just something so sweet and lovely about impulsive romance.

This simple, yet beautiful, nautical themed elopement took place at the beach of Malapascua Island in Cebu Philippines.

This is just proof that it is not necessary to have a big affair to show the world your love. For Mikhail and Marina, they just needed each other, spend the day together, exchange vows, and start a new chapter of their lives together.

Couple: Mikhail Burdo and Marina Kirsanova
Wedding Date: March 12, 2013
Location: Malapascua Beach, Cebu Philippines

Wedding coordinator: Joseph Otep Arnejo
Hair & make-up: Margarette Bud
Cebu Philippines Wedding Photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography

Couple: Dantley Apuhin and Christina So – Apuhin
Engagement shoot stylist: Rabbithole Creatives
Manila wedding photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography

Couple: Reylan Gayas and Dyan Daphne Dy

Hair & make-up: Vanessa Gamus
Coordinator: Snoogie Mata
Bride’s gown: Philipp Tampus
Bride’s shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom’s suit: Philipp Tampus

Tweed bouquets & boutonnieres: {etc} Handmade Goodness
Event stylist: Pink Flora
Lights & sounds: Gap Mobile
Band: On the Cover Band

Preparation: Waterfront Lahug Hotel & Casino
Ceremony: Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
Reception: Grand Convention Center of Cebu

Videographer: MVP Digital Video
Cebu wedding photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography