Wedding Day Tips : First Looks

There’s been much ado about First Looks. A thing that’s been done time and again in our western counterparts but now, slowly catching on here in Asia. More couples have been opting to have a First Look and others have no idea what it really is, how it works and why they should consider doing it. We at Munkeat Studio have been more than glad to embrace this new (or old, for some) tradition and because we’ve done quite a number, we thought we’d share with you what we know about it!

A First look shoot is, basically (and quite literally) when the bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day. This takes place in a more private setting before making your way down the isle or just before the ceremony. No, it shouldn’t have to be a big, staged or dramatic moment like you may think. We believe that big things live in the intimate, genuine moments, so maybe you’d like to keep it simple and sweet. 

At Munkeat Studio, we love doing them for several reasons. Everyone has different opinions and takes on first looks and it is important for us to share with you this so that you can decide whether you’d like to have one or not.

It’s moments before the wedding. You’ve spent a lot of time and effort preparing for this day. Billions of people in the world and all these winding roads have lead you to this one person you’d spend the rest of your life with. You’re nervous, anticipating what’s to come, and there’s nothing that calms the nerves for both of you than finally getting to see one another before it all starts! Spend some time alone to take it all in, together. 

Making time for a First Look means that you’d be making time to say the things you want to say but you won’t be able to in front of everyone during the ceremony. Some couples even choose to exchange letters of love, share promises or even exchange their own vows during this time. It’s one of the only moments that you’d get to be alone throughout the whole day and really take it all in. From how the two of you look, to the way you feel. After all, it is these emotional, heartfelt moments that makes for the best photographic memories

Although we do enjoy documenting first looks, we do understand that it is not for everyone. If you’ve always imagine that the first sight of one another would be at the moment of the ceremony, then so be it. Having your first look as you walk into the room or down the isle is also a beautiful thing. It’s your day, and we’re all out for doing it your way!

Wedding Day Photography Tips, Part 2 : Do's For The Big Day

Wedding Days. There’s just something so special beyond words about them and the fact that we get to document priceless moments from one of the most important days of your life. A once in a lifetime event, we strive to give you all the care and attention we can deliver with heart. However (and we’ll say this each and every time!), for us to be able to make our best work at your wedding, it is important for us to share with you, based on our experience, what we’d need in order for us to achieve this together.

We’ve shared some of these tips with our couples who are in on optimizing photographic opportunities for their big day, and so far, we’ve found it to be very helpful for all of us as a collective. With that being said, here’s Part 2 of a multi-article saga all about wedding day moments.

The Big Day

Alright, so the first point you’re about to read here might not seem like it has anything to do with photography, but really, it (indirectly) does. We’re talking about time (stress) management. We’re not event planners, but being behind the lens and sharing what we do with you, we definitely feel what you feel on your wedding day. The last thing you’d want to be experiencing is the bad kind of overwhelming feeling and stressed out! If you don’t have a wedding planner, please remember that you don’t have to do it all yourself! Especially when it comes to Time and Tasks, delegate them! Depending on your financial considerations, you could opt for a Wedding Coordinator instead of a Planner to help you push the day along. Otherwise, you could always appoint someone from your Love posse to be the timekeeper so you don’t have to stress out over time vs. to do’s. Which leads us to our next point.

You’re getting married, there’s a lot to do and a lot of people you need to make sure are okay. We know! We don’t deny that it can be a lot but the one thing you need to remember is to really enjoy your day, too. After all that planning counting down to this very day, you deserve to be able to take it all in. We always tell our couples to take it slow, and we mean it. You’ll find that your wedding day flew by in a blink of an eye and suddenly, it’s the end of the night and you’re saying your goodbye’s. To be able to enjoy these precious hours means that you need to be present, not chasing for time or stressing out about the next thing to do. Don’t sweat the small stuff and be in the moment because taking things slow is a good thing and frankly, it makes for more photographic opportunities! Not having to rush allows us to translate little moments into beautiful photographic memories for you, too!

What do you mean, “going unplugged”? Well, as Google conveniently explains:

“An unplugged wedding is when you ask your family, friends and guest to turn off their phones, ipads, cameras and other digital distractions during the ceremony or reception”.

 There’s been so much debate on this topic. Some couples (and photographers) don’t find that it makes a difference if you choose to go unplugged or not and others place much emphasis and importance in regards to going unplugged. We’ve just shared with you how important it is for you, as a couple, to be in the moment and whole-heartedly present on your wedding day. Therefore, we sincerely believe that it’s worth fussing over your guests putting technology away during your ceremony. This way, instead of everyone crowding with their smartphones or ipads to get a good shot of you during your ceremony alongside your hired photographers, your guests can truly be in this beautiful moment with you.

So, instead of having everyone like This

You might have the day documented like This

We understand that the idea of an unplugged ceremony isn’t for everyone. In fact, it can be really cute having your Uncle Bob with his DSLR taking pictures at your wedding. Whether you choose to have one or not, we’d truly appreciate it if guests steer clear of the main aisle or walkways, are aware that your photographers are there to document these moments for you (and everyone else!) and that they take photos whilst remaining seated in their seats. We move around a whole lot during weddings and we love documenting the little things. Be it everyone’s emotional reactions when you say “I Do” and the pre-ceremony excitement, to your elderly’s accidentally dozing off. These little things go unnoticed by you and our couples have loved seeing and reliving these moments after.

This way, we won’t miss anything, either!

Wedding Day Photography Tips, Part 1 : Beautiful Wedding Mornings

We’ve travelled far and wide for love across the globe and we are humbly proud to have been a part of so many wonderful weddings. We’ve covered over 270 uniquely beautiful weddings now and with each one, we are reminded time and again how insanely special it is that we are able to witness such an important day of your life.

What’s even more special is that we get to document these intimate, priceless and lovely details, moments and emotions of that very day. A once in a lifetime event, we strive. to give you all the care and attention we can deliver with heart. However, for us to be able to make our best work at your wedding, it is important for us to share with you, based on our experience, what we’d need in order for us to achieve this together. Your trust in our eye, style and what we do does mean a lot to us but with that comes our responsibility to help you create the best setting for us to do what we do, for you.

We’ve shared some of these tips with our couples who are in on optimizing photographic opportunities for their big day, and so far, we’ve found it to be very helpful for all of us as a collective. With that being said, here’s Part 1 of a multi-article saga all about wedding day moments. 

We love preparation/getting ready shots. It really is one of our favourites to capture. So many details, emotions and genuine excitement that sets the mood for the rest of the day. It’s a beautiful, intimate moment. However, it doesn’t take a lot for this beautiful morning magic to be taken away. Here’s are some pointers on making the best out of your morning. 

Natural light. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. We love natural lighting! If and when its possible, do get made up and ready in a room full of natural, window light! This also means that maybe you’d like to start your day a little later that 6AM in the morning. We’re used to starting wedding days early, but having it too early means that we won’t get that beautiful morning light. We love it when we get to rely on just window light for your images and your make-up artist will love it, too! This also applies to someone else who’s just as important - the groom!

Not all of us are as crazy about organization compared to others. It’s normal for your room to not be a 100% photo ready all the time, especially days leading to the big day. Sometimes, it can be really overwhelming with all that’s happening and going to happen, but do try to have your clutter sorted, moved and hidden away. We usually help out, doing one final sorting of the area as we arrive, too! After all, more space to move around makes for more angles to photograph these tender moments of you getting ready for this beautiful day. 

Having your bridesmaids and groomsmen over in the morning is also a good idea! Getting ready can be really fun with your girls (and guys) and this makes for more candid photographic memories! How often do you get to dress up all together this way? It’ll be such a memorable moment for you and your loved ones, and we’re all in for documenting that! 

Tips : Do's For Your Family Portrait Session

The saying goes that what’s important to you is defined by what you dedicate your time to. Apart from loving and devoting ourselves to every facet of our craft, we at Munkeat Studio have one other thing in common; Our devotion to love and family. What better way is there to share this with you other than letting this part of us flow into what we do, for you?

Today’s little moments turn into tomorrow’s big things. Authentically you, documenting these wonderful moments of you and your loved ones is (and should be!) an amazing, fun-filled experience. Understanding the importance of creating an enjoyable, comfortable environment for everyone during these sessions, here we are sharing our take on family portraiture for our photographers and families out there.

Anytime is a good time to have a family portrait session! Why did we have to include this pointer, then? On one hand, we have families who’ve made it a tradition to have photographs taken every year and on the other, families who don’t take them at all. Maybe you’ve had a few photographs taken at family events, parties, weddings, but having a series of photographs of your family taken means a whole lot more to us than just that.

It’s a beautiful thing to be able to look back at photographs, moments frozen in time. Whether you’re celebrating one of life’s many milestones, a special occasion or just wanting to document your growing family, these photographs ultimately become a heirloom, enjoyed and passed down for generations to come. 

We’re talking about the Client – Photographer relationship! We place much emphasis on breaking the ice. Be it via filling out a survey form or meeting face to face, laying out expectations and having a photographer that jives with you and your family makes everything that much better for the both of you. Radiate good, positive vibes, everyone!

Get Outside!

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, we never confine ourselves to the parameters of a studio set. Why would there be a need for that when the great outdoors has so much to offer? From parks and open fields, to nature reserves and hiking trails, a family portrait session might just be the perfect excuse to go outside! Bask in the sun, have a picnic, run, play – being outside means that your family session can very well feel like its a fun family day out, and having fun makes for the most beautiful photographic memories!

Staying in

Maybe heading outside isn’t for you and you really enjoy a good day staying in lounging, dwelling in the presence of home and family. Well, aside from all the fun we could have outside, we also really enjoy having quiet, cozy family sessions in familiar settings like in the comfort of your home. Sweet, beautiful and in your homey element, what’s not to love about it?

Picking out what to wear in your family photos can be just as challenging as getting your coordinate the kids for the perfect group photo. There isn’t a right or wrong when it comes to styling, but we do tend to look out for a few things when consulting with our families.

Instead of having completely matching outfits, try coordinating colors instead! A good thing to look out for when shopping for kids are collections in stores that have a common thematic color and style scheme to them. We also love how neutral colors turn out in photos. Adding a pop of color is good, too! However, do be wary of patterns because it can be distracting in regards to group photographs. 

Whichever route you choose, maybe, just maybe, you’d like to consider letting go of the good old “safe” option of wearing the ever so popular White tee on Denim ensemble. No that we’re against it but, you know, we’ve done that a tad bit too often and we don’t know why, either!

*Image courtesy of Google Search.

Need we say even more? Pets are considered family for so many of us and they bring so much life into these session. We’d never, ever say no to including these furry family members of yours. 

Here at MunKeat Studio we keep things simple, emphasizing on moments, connections, life and all it’s beauty as they are. Getting the perfect family portrait is can be hard, but don’t sweat the small stuff and instead, try searching for the little things and moments that make up this family session of yours and capture all of that, too! Documenting the very essence and elements of your family is what drives us, and that means allowing them to truly be themselves! Remember, the best moments are always unplanned, so have fun on your next family session!

Tips : Do's For Your Newborn Photography Session

There’s just something about this genre of photography that we absolutely love. Documenting the arrival of a little one that is half you and half the person you love is an amazing thing. Warm, tender and precious are what newborn days are but yet, they are so fleeting. Saying this from a Photographer’s viewpoint, we know how important it is to document the details of life’s beautiful chapter, so here’s one for our photographers (and new parents!) out there.

Possibilities are endless when it comes to a shoot location. However, we at Munkeat Studio like keeping things cozy and comfy at home or in a home-like setting. Both you and your newborn will be more at ease, and you can never beat the comfort of home!  We never confine ourselves to the settings of a studio and besides, we don’t think it’s a good idea to shuttle your baby to a studio, set flashes off and expose your newborn baby to studio set lights. We love going au natural with lighting (and we’ll get to that in a bit down below!). 

There isn’t a right or wrong in regards to picking a day for a newborn shoot. We’ve done some as early as 3 days and others into the second week of a newborn’s life. It wouldn’t be fair if we were to pinpoint say, within 3-5 days because sometimes, babies don’t settle in or get to go home that soon. No matter what the case, our favorite has got to be within the first week that your baby comes home with you.

These precious little ones are major snoozers within their first week of life. Clocking in about 20 hours of periodic sleep a day makes it much easier to for us to move them around and get them into these adorable newborn poses we love doing during these sessions. Our hearts melt for these! 

Think womb situation. All that your baby has known and felt is the warmth and confines of your womb. That’s why we always try to recreate the situation a little during our newborn sessions. Cozying up your baby by wrapping, swaddling and cuddling during the session will definitely help in creating a pleasant experience for everyone which hopefully, will be cry-free and ensure that your baby is happy. Also, if your baby is getting a wee bit restless, don’t push through! We can always take mini breaks in between your session as needed to do what you need to do. 

Just like what we said about picking a day to have your session, there isn’t a right or wrong to setting the temperature, either. However, we always go by one rule: YOU need to feel comfortable. Our part of the world (Malaysia and the region) can get overwhelmingly humid. Air out or switch the Air-conditioner on in the room or space you plan to take photographs in at least a half hour beforehand. It can get pretty warm for everyone, especially your baby who’s all wrapped up and cozy! Sharing from experience, your baby will tell you if she/he is uncomfortable, so always keep a lookout for tiny gestures and body language. 

It really is tedious, getting that lighting situation down. We generally stick to one rule: Use that Window. Windows are a beautiful source of natural light. Filling up the space with quiet sunlight whilst casting soft shadows, what’s not to love? Don’t forget to bring a reflector with you, just incase you need a little more fill light. 

Like we said, these moments with your newborn is ever so fleeting. Take the time during the session to really take it all in. The love you pour flows into every frame, and that’s what makes for beautiful photographic memories. 

Pre-Wedding & Engagement Photography : Tips for Going Casual

We’d like to insert somewhat of a foreword here to highlight that no, we do not have anything against traditional, conventional engagement sessions. In fact, we enjoy doing those, too! However, we can’t deny that couples who prefer a more casual, intimate narrative to these images celebrating their new chapter in life to be a breath of fresh air, and we’re glad that it has become more common, too!

Going against the norm with on location shoots and picking a wardrobe that does not consist of full-fledged gowns or suits can be slightly over-whelming, especially if you haven’t considered going down that route prior to this. On the other hand, you might also find that all that effort of make-up and elaborate hair styling might not be for you, and that’s all right! These images should reflect on you and the love you have together, anyway!

So, because we’ve done quite a number of these in our time, we’ve put together a collective of pointers from all of us at Munkeat Studio revolving around these cozy, sweet and heartfelt sessions.

Why the need to confine yourselves into the parameters of a Studio set when nature and your city have so much to offer? From quant little café’s the two of you visit often or a stroll around the city, to beautiful scenic spots filled with lush greens or waterfalls that’s just a hike away, pick a location that pulls on your heartstrings. You wouldn’t even have the need for props, just your love!

Quiet and intimate without any distractions whatsoever, have you considered an in-home session? It’s so heart-warming, documenting love and life in the space you love and live and to be able to catch your true selves.

From backyards and gardens, to parks and open fields, a simple space can go a long way with a little love and styling. We’re always skimming through Pinterest and pinning things to our Boards (come on now, we all do it!) wondering if we’d be able to pull that setting off. Of course you can! Whether you’re opting for DIY options or hiring a stylist, some simple decorating can do a lot!

We at Munkeat Studio have a really soft spot when it comes to your love stories, and if you’d let us, we’d love to incorporate bits and pieces of you into your photographs. Picking, revisiting and taking photographs at sentimental places that tell stories of how you met, how you fell in love and what you’re all about are the sweetest!

Su-Li & Lee Shih

Su-Li and Lee Shih both are dragon boating enthusiasts and love the sport together! Rowing in love every weekend, of course their session had to revolve their favourite thing!

Keeping up with romantically simple vibes, you can never go wrong with solid, neutral colors. They’ll always look good no matter what location you pick. If you’ve got a vibrant, printed sundress or maxi, go with it! Flowy, patterned dresses are very flattering, too.

This has been talked about a lot, and it is safe to say that there have been many different theories in regards to the best time of the day to shoot. Soft light, harsh light, golden hour, blue hour, you name it. What’s the best time of the day to shoot? Well, that depends on you, of course!

Mornings

Although Sunrise does seem like the perfect idea, you’ll have to take into account your preparation time. Yes, this one goes out to our ladies. Sunrise definitely is beautiful, but waking up hours before sunrise to get ready and make the journey to the chosen location proves to be a rather stressful task. This day should be easygoing and fun – something for you to remember, always! Starting your session at 8 or 9AM means getting that beautiful, quiet sunlight and getting some dramatic, sweet backlit frames later on, too!

Evenings

You guessed it: Sunset. When aiming for Golden hour moments, we tend to start our session at about 5PM. Warming you up in front of the camera and stealing shots whilst waiting for the moment to chase that light is all part and parcel of sunset fun!

Blue Hours

We Mentioned Blue Hour earlier on. What’s that? According to trusty Wikipedia, “blue hour comes late in the dusk each evening, when the Sun is at a significant depth below the horizon and when the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue and purple shade.” Moody and romantic, but not appreciated enough - we’d stay back past sunset to use that brief blue hour, too!

& here’s the most important piece of advice we have for you - Be yourselves. Have fun, let loose, make each other laugh and play! These moments-in-between make for the best photographic memories.