LMFF 2009 - Target Rocks Red Market Runway 2 at Peninsula

This is the last runway of the 2009 L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival and one I really like. Many of the models walked down the runway accompanied with beautiful smiles (actually even more in the TRRM Runway 1). The models danced (and did that really well!) and were having fun enjoying themselves. In the little time between the two TRRN runways, between about 1:30pm and 2:15pm, artists came out to graffiti the runway, obviously to add more fun and a youthful theme to the show. A couple of models (twins) made a little contribution of their own to the runway also. Fantastic! What a fitting end to a wonderful festival.

Job well done, LMFF! Salut.

LMFF 2009 - POP UP 4 at City Square

One really nice thing about the L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival is... Actually, 4 really nice things about the L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival are the free to public outdoor "POP UP" runways. The first POP UP runway even showcased the 15 designs shown at the invitation only opening party. God was good to us that the weather was great for every single one of them.

Enjoy.

LMFF 2009 - Fashion Collection 4 at Malvern Town Hall

It was a mad rush running from one runway to another. Thank God for the Official Loreal Runway Shuttle Bus. Made life a lot easier and really grateful for the drinks and show bags also. Before I forget, the bus was done up really nice on the outside *as well as* on the inside! Love the cushions and white seat covers, music and friendly staff. Thank you.

LMFF 2009 - Fashion Collection 3 at Malvern Town Hall

Light at the fashion collections were pretty dark or otherwise harsh at times which called for some really slow shutter speeds. But the result was amazing. I really like it. Hope you like it too. :)

Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) 2009

Thank you Darien and Pamela. Darien, thank you so much for looking after my stomach. Really appreciate that. Great to catch up with so many friends - Brett, Patrik, Brad, Mag, Christine, Paul, Caz, Meg and made new friends - Xui (I am still waiting for your email), Maree (looking forward to visiting your gallery) and many other.

Thank you Lord Jesus for sustaining me and helping me through the difficult week due to the passing of my dad and his funeral. I believe my dad is in a better place now. He is with my God. Mag, hang in there for your family. Your mum and you are in my prayers.

Philippians 4:4-6 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Gavin, just got the card from you. Really appreciate your kind thoughts. You don't know how much your encouragements have touched me. Yes, I also wish that our friendship will last for a very long time!

All, enjoy these slide-shows. Appreciate any feedbacks.

2009 L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival

Ah. you have to wait for this one... Stay tuned.

Happy New Year

I had intended that this blog only contains photos that I took. Here are two that I did not take and are photoshopped... Well, I couldn't take them because they are pictures of me I found, in The Age newspaper web site, of the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. I hope this has not set a precedence for the future. :)


2008 was an amazing year. I had so many photo opportunities. I still can not believe it. God was indeed very kind to me. I worship you, my Lord. He has blessed me through many people. People who gave me opportunities to photograph events - thank you Emma, thank you Paul and Caz and friends at AEMA. Thank you Clint.

At NAB, I was able to mix business with pleasure, literally. Thank you very much Jill, Amanda, Jessica, Suzanne, Belinda, Nathalie, Craig and so many others. Many encouraged me and inspired me like Brett, Christine, Magdalena, Patrik, Wayne, Gary, Matt and David, I've learnt heaps from you.

Thank you very much John, your eagerness and dedication humbles me. Thank you Catherine, Marilyn and Boby for giving me opportunities to serve you. Hopefully, I can serve you again very soon.

All, thank you so much for your friendship, I wish you every success, happiness and good health in 2009. Looking forward to rubbing shoulders with you again in 2009.

To all who were in front of my camera, I thank you too. The pics were good because of you. There have been some amazing people I've come across - Wendy, Simon and Kerrie just to mention a few. You guys inspire me.

Lou, I am going to miss you in 2009, love to do a shoot together, of Taekwondo or whatever. I am going to miss Olivia. ;_;

A big thank you to my dear wife for your love, support and encouragement throughout my photography journey in 2008. Thank you for the many opportunities to photograph food (and get to eat them too). They look great and taste even better. Now that we are both armed with dSLR camera, I hope my role has not become redundant. Guys, you should check out her work here.. makes mine look like child's play...

Last but not least, thank you all for reading my blog. I hope you have enjoyed it. All the best for the year 2009. God bless.

Lao Silk & Craft

Lao Silk and Craft is a company that seeks to help and support Lao producers enter markets that appreciate the distinctive arts & crafts of Lao. Boby, the founder says, "I believe that supporting trade is a way out of the poverty rural communities face. I want to encourage the villagers to become self sufficient and preserve their culture and traditions. I want to ensure the continued development and training of local farmers and weavers."

Lao Silk and Craft is the only Lao business enterprise recognised by the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) for its practice of fair trade with the Lao mulberry farmers and silk weavers. Here is a good blog with more information.

This is Kommaly Chanthavong. In Febuary, 2008 during the Sustainable Living Festival, I was fortunate enough to meet Kommaly, Boby's mother, who is the inspiration behind Boby's business and founder of the non-profit organisation, Lao Sericulture Co. in Laos.

She is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee in 2005. Fantastic achievement!

All products are hand-weaved together and takes months to do. Natural dyes are used which is responsible ethically and friendly to the environment. Read this to find out more about the benefit of natural dye, and this about the labour intensive process (17 steps) to produce this wonderful product.

Lao Silk and Craft's products include traditional, hand-loomed Lao silks and traditional Hmong appliqué, embroidery and batiks transformed into beautiful fashion accessories, babyware, homewares and décor - including silk scarves and shawls, bags, cushions, quilts, wall hangings, table items, kitchen items, and baby items.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2008 - Slide Show

Just uploaded a slide show to YouTube. It contains most of the pics already posted plus more. It is my first post at YouTube. All feedback welcome but please be kind. After all, this is my first attempt at fashion photography.

Thanks and enjoy!

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2008 - RMIT

Work by 4th Year RMIT Design (Fashion) students.

Shooting the models as well as the projector screens showing name of the designer in between proved to be a real challenge. Different white balance (yes, I was using manual white balance), different shutter speed (yes, manual also). I hit myself for getting it wrong a couple of times.

Perhaps I will try at least automatic white balance next time... unless I want to spend lots of time in front of the computer afterward correcting each one.

There is no repeats like the official parades so there is no second chance.

This concludes my week long experience with the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2008.

Hope to do it again in 2009. Thank you to all the photographers and videographers I crossed path with (Thank you Brett, Gary, Julian, Rob, Meg, Wayne, Matt, Christine, David and those I am sorry I didn't catch your name). Thank you Arts Events for the fantastic opportunity. Caz, Paul, Yolanda, Darien and Meg. Thank you. You guys were all wonderful. Julian, thanks for the beer.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2008 - Girls Day Out

Decjuba Fashion Marquee at the Flemington Racecourse.

Managed to get a quick snap of Race 7 where jockey Michael Rodd took the winning spot. Congratulations.

It was my first time shooting at a race and my first time at the Flemington Racecourse so I didn't know what I was doing or where to go for a good shot (well I could have worked it out if I wasn't rushing to the next parade). This one was taken just outside the marqee... Checkout Mark Dadswell's much better pics here. Amazing job, Mark. This amateur got much to learn. :P

Everyone (models and guests alike) were all frogged up and looking great.

This girl below laughed so much I took several pics of her. Her laugh is contagious and lifts my spirit every time I look at her. I hope you feel the same too. Doh, I didn't get her name or number... Anyway, Thank you very much!




This is Amy Pearson from the UK performing. I killed rolls of film (not really because I shoot digital but you know what I mean) photographing her. Great hat/hatinator, dress, shoes, wonderful performance and very photogenic (aka pretty). She lives in Australia now according to wikipedia.

Go Amy!

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2008 - Catwalk

Do I even need to say anything??

....and the photographers (and videographers)! Gary Richardson, sat at my spot in this pic.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2008 - Runway

The runway was very beautiful. While it wasn't exactly very long, it was not a simple one length runway but there are 4 levels (include the floor) and models walk everywhere on the runway and around it also. Austage did an impressive job putting it together.

For Kaleidescape, the runway was transformed into a garden with loads of flowers and pedals everywhere. Stage set up is indeed a very elaborate exercise, setting up the lights, projectors, sound system, speakers, runway, tiered floor, chairs, and show bags and more show bags just to name a few. Even the dressing rooms were set up from scratch.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2008 - Backstage

Make up, hair styling and choreography...
This is Kevin Murphy, responsible for hair styling. He has a whole army of people following him, taking instructions from him and learning from him. Likewise for make up, Napoleon. They only have a couple of hours (between 4pm and 6pm) to get both the hair and make up done before the parades.

First picture is Sally Graham, the face of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and Kevin Murphy.

The choreographer (the one writing on her notepad) is hard at work in the last photo. Sorry, I don't know her name. I think she must have dancing background and her work is amazing.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2008 - Opening Party

Spent a week photographing the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. It was an unreal experience. I am still trying to work through the mountain of pictures I took.

These shots were taken at the exclusive VIP opening party at Silk Road, a very beautiful venue indeed. So much was happening I almost missed the first picture (and the food). I love the costumes, the colours and the flowers.

I felt so small standing amongst really great photographers. Thank you everyone who shared the platform with me and Caz for giving me such a fantastic opportunity. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.


This picture was taken across the bar which must have been at least 20m away. Thank God that it is still sharp. It is cropped obviously.

Don't they look absolutely stunning!