My buddy Gilbert proudly appeared in my monthly hero list again. As both of us got busier especially after I began with professional photography, it was not easy for us to meet up. He always took the effort to arrange outings with me still. I did not ask him but the meet-up for January for a “swim” was probably towards building up my health after he knew I had been sick for months. He came all the way down to my “territory” and took the trouble to push me to do a little gym work before the swim.
I posted many emotional statuses in social media but it did not necessary mean that I was always upset. Sometimes, I was just speaking up for others who were affected. Justine was one of the few friends who would text me to check me out whenever she thought I was down. She was an extremely straightforward person who could get annoyed easily, however, she seemed to be specially tolerating towards me. I was very touched.
I had helped numerous girls with photoshoot. Apart from those who were my real-life friends to begin with, none of the models had made time to chill up with me after our shoots. I had been sending models the final photos via online, unlike some “photographers” who would insist to pass them a CD during their meet-ups – I had no intention to force them to meet up with me. I appreciated friendship a lot and I was very sure most or almost all of the models felt very appreciated when they were out with me due to the respect I had given to them. Alessandra was, by far, the first and only model who had called upon me when she was near my place to chill up over coffee.
After I got myself another set of colour gels for my speedlites, I got my mum to make another band for wrapping them onto the speedlites. She got a black rubber for me this time and made two.
ET organised a gathering to celebrate Charmaine’s good ‘O’ level grades. Her parents, George and Tricia, prepared all the food even though we had insisted to split the cost. However, they took time and effort to buy and cook and heat up the dishes. When George was going for his midnight shift work, he offered to give us a lift since he was travelling from the East to West. Of course, the night was too early for us to leave. Eventually, the good thoughts and efforts of all of them were very appreciated.
Year 2014 – Professional Photography Journey Began
Smart Tuition
The tuition agency business was somehow as stagnant as before. I did not have the time and energy to “expand” it. The lack of credible and suitable coordinators was the main problem. There were quite a number of people emailing us to take up the job but we did not want to take any risk as we really wanted to help clients and tutors to our best ability and not treating it like a business. It was thanks to the existing team, especially Tricia and ET, that the business was able to sustain. We continued to meet weird people along the way and I got more and more weary of dealing with ridiculous and cunning people as well.
Photography
I took my photography to the next level by upgrading to a full frame camera. More people started approaching me and I began to take up event shoot instead of just sticking to portrait shoots. It was a tiring journey. I got to meet more people both online and offline. I was very excited to interact with all the good people in real person. However, just as there were many kind people in this world, I had encountered many eat-full-nothing-to-do people. It was irritating enough for “shoppers” to enquire for the fees when I had already stated the minimal amount on the website, but there were also many who were worse. I had entertained many people who had shown so much interest in engaging my help. We chatted for long time and I gave them advices but they eventually decided to waste my time.
Family
Things were pretty much the same as previous years, except that we were all more enthusiastic towards the arrival of my elder brother’s new BTO flat, which should be ready by end of year 2015 or beginning of 2016. By then, our current flat would be more “spacious” and there would be less conflicts. My house might still be very messy since it was my mum’s characteristic to keep everything. However, there might be a change in her attitude when we had an “extra room” while my elder brother would not help to mess up the living room again. Eventually, there would be a big problem for the family as my elder brother was a handy man. Apart from that, my mum continued to put stress to me, while I worked from home, by creating
Health
I had my right arm and wrist injured for a long period of time. The arm was due to volleyball games while wrist was because of holding to the heavy camera on a single hand for long duration. I fell sick twice for a long period of time too, taking panadol tablets more than I had ever taken in my entire life. My health was badly affected by my neighbours’ puppy who barked loudly every morning. My neighbours were helpless over the aggressive dog who was trying to destroy their main door.
Volleyball
My gang was quite active for beach volleyball games until towards the end of the year. Everyone was very busy, especially for those who were doing shift jobs. We finally had an indoor court game because of Jingkun’s request before his marriage. That was the first time I played on an indoor hard court after years.
Friendship
I felt I was disconnected with most of my friends. The struggle for work and photography had massacred every single thought to catch up with my old friends. I had no time to think of giving away presents or whatsoever. In the last three months of the year, I had to attend six wedding though and I had to be the “brother” for two of them. Photography did help me gain many new friends but not many kept in touch with me, most probably because the models were mainly into getting good photos. At least, they knew my character and felt safe to be with me.
Love
Boy-girl-relationship was a flat zero score for me. Due to photography, communication with people was mainly about the hobby. I did not really find new net friends to chat, except for a few occasions, I was curious with some sites like OKcupid, Omegle and the phone app Tinder. I was too busy to utilize them. Besides, it was not my forte to fight for attention with thousands of guys.
Conclusion
My life was stagnant except for the progress in photography. I did not party nor meet friends often to chill up together. To many people, my life was boring but I was glad that I was living it differently and meaningfully. Some people might be seeking to enjoy their lives to the fullest by partying around, some wanted different experiences of sexual partners; I sought to establish a name for myself and be remembered positively after leaving this world.
Printable 2015 Calendar Planner
Try downloading and printing out Calendar Planner for year 2015, which is done by me!
Every year, I’m creating this Calendar Planner for everyone. It is something simple and I’m glad quite a number of people have complimented me over this free tool.
Someone be nice and print out a copy for me as well!
Spread the Love – December 2014
During my photoshoot with Lurvelle, Kelvin Sim joined in and offered very great assistance. He was able to even get safety pins during late night at Clarke Quay. During the entire shoot, he had been taking other great initiatives to offer his help. It was a culture shock for me because “escorts” of models were usually not more than “security guards”. I was very impressed with his courtesy and humbleness.
While helping Lurvelle with her three young models for their portfolio shoots, Kelvin Sim, Lester and Jacky joined in. Apart from rendering help, the presence of the three great guys made me feel heartwarming. It was good to hang out with people who were sincerity nice and had no secret agenda.
Mingfa’s youngest son, Elnathan, turned one year old. Weitat was too busy with his work could not make it down. Despite he was the main “organiser” for our usual outing, his absence did not hinder our trip down to attend the party. Gin, the great one took over the role and made arrangements. His timings were good and I was very impressed. Jingjie was another hero who actually took the trouble to ferry us (Gin, Bernard and I). It was an enjoyable trip with them to collect the cake for Mingfa. He also dropped me at Clementi MRT at the end of the day. Besides, it was illegal to stop at the bus-stop and Jingjie actually made a round by dropping me at the car park instead. Last but not listed, Jingkun also made his offer to fetch me from Bukit Batok, even though I took Jingjie’s car instead.
Mandy and Sharon Yeo were the hair and makeup artist and assistant during the couple shoot with Terry and Lynwen. They were very kind and easygoing, and also, literally strong. They rendered great helps during the shoot, including carrying of my heavy camera bag at times when we were shifting locations.
Terry, the man who made both Lynwen and I laughed throughout the shoot was the man who really made the shoot a success. Since the couple did not want any posing during the shoot, Terry had to make his wife smile in order to get natural photos. It was to the point that I forgot to snap photos while I was too entertained by him as well. He also gave us a treat at the end of the shoot.
During Christmas Eve, Gilbert asked me to go downstairs to meet him. I knew he was “up to no good” but gladly abide to his request. As expected, he passed me my Christmas present. While I had been spending all my time on work and photography, I did not leave any room to plan what to get for my friends during their birthdays and festivals. Gilbert was the only person who did not mind not receiving anything from me and instead, kept giving the little “smiles” and support that I needed.
While most of the time when I messaged Tricia Lee, it was for the sake of my photoshoot stuffs, she was glad to help me. Over time, guilt piled up but I continued to disturb her. She was always there for me, even during Christmas Eve.
It was Kachua’s wedding dinner, the sixth and last wedding for the last three months of year 2014 that I had to attend. Gim Young texted me and offered to give me a ride. Since he was staying in Holland Village, Orchard was actually very near his place. He ended up taking a much longer route to the hotel eventually because of me.
+095487821 Singapore Phone
I have just received a missed call from this number +095487821. After doing a Google search, I realise many people have received the call from this weird number as well. It’s definitely not safe to pick up the call!
This number called me just now. I picked up but did not say anything. If the caller is sincere to reach you– they should atleast say a word.
yes it’s just called me 4 time and I just dun wanna pick it up, my friends picked up some call and starhub charge him hundred dollar for nth. From sg too. Damn all these nonsense calls
+095487821
Received call, asking me if I can talk in Chinese. I said no, call got disconnected immediately
I just picked up this called and she mentioned that is some sort of restaurant opens in botanic gardens and letting people to have free food to try out next Friday from 10am-10pm. I go search around i don’t think it does exist! oh [***]! I gonna see my next month bill. (ps: I’m staying in Singapore too)
Received these calls a few times on different days. Didn’t pick up cause my friend say they trying to talk nonsense for 1 min or 2 to get money from the phone line bill. They charge our service provider and starhub m1 singtel charge us. The number is +095487821.
Spread the Love – November 2014
It was my birthday month. Other than the advanced birthday present given by my best friend, Gilbert, my sister-in-law had given me a present – a bottle of perfume.
Max, the cute little dachshund, was migrating out of Singapore with his parents. His mum organised a farewell party for some of the closest sausage dogs and their parents. This Japanese lady was so generous that all the guests were very well fed with good human food in the pet friendly cafe.
It was Jingkun’s wedding month and he asked for playing of indoor volleyball for his “bachelor night” since we had not played on the court for years. Weitat ended up arranging for it by himself. He took the trouble to find an indoor volleyball court, paid for it himself and also gathered the large number of players.
Jingkun’s gate crash was in the early morning. Weitat had to work overnight and thus did not want to house me since it was quite inconvenient (I did stay over at his house before when we both teaching at ITE Clementi). Besides, he wanted me to rest properly on my own bed and not having to carry extra items (clothes, toothbrush etc) along. Therefore, instead of I took the trouble to travel to his place the night before, he actually drove over to my house to pick me up in the early morning. His place was nearer to Jingkun’s house and he had to wake up much earlier to travel all the way to central to pick me up and drive back to the west.
Tricia’s maid had left Singapore and she had finally decided that she was too jinxed to own a proper maid after changing around three to four of them within a year. She was very unlucky. Hence, she had become the new maid of the Foo family for the first time after over ten years of being a “tai tai”. Due to her detailed character, she became very busy. Despite this, she helped me to look through some of my photoshoot work.
While I was too cheapskate to get a flash band to tie my colour gel on the flash head, I thought of doing one by myself. To be honest, the main problem was I was afraid of getting a wrong one through eBay. With a mum who was working as a seamstress, other than having to live in a poor family, it was easy to get some rubber and sew one properly to cut cost.
Promises are Meant to be Broken Not
Dejection, disappointment, frustration – these are just part and parcel of lives. However, within this two years of my life, I have been encountering them probably on a weekly basis on average.
It all begins with my photography journey, from a total rookie to a confident photographer who has a portfolio solid enough for models and clients to approach me regularly.
Sometimes, people will ask me how I have managed to find so many models. I will tell them honestly that every beginner has to approach his friends or pay for freelance models, and when people start seeing nice work from him, they will approach him instead. Unfortunately most of the new portraiture photographers who can afford to pay for freelance models are mostly into sexy hotel kind of shoot and thus their skill is more difficult to be improved since they have to think with two heads during every shoot.
Only experienced portraiture photographers can understand the hardship I have gone through all these while. For every 10 potential or cannot-make-it models you approach, depending on your personality and popularity, probably three will be discussing enthusiastically with you. However, out of the three, two will promise to “get back to you” once they have gotten their schedule. The final one is quite likely to postpone the shoot once somehow.
Even after I have started taking projects from clients, I would still need to look out for potential models to collaborate for themes that no good-looking client will be paying for, partly for marketing purposes. There are also some friends whom I wish to take nice photos and do good write-ups about them. Model-wannabes of all shapes and looks have been approaching me. With all the friends and model-wannabes who have talked-about-heaven-and-sea with me, it is no surprise that I have been facing huge number of empty promises.
“No matter how often people are breaking their promises to me, I would never play the same game to hurt others.”
Some people say “promises are meant to be broken” but I will never agree with it; this theory is simply from people in despair and I uphold my principles till this day.
Also, I have this good friend telling me that those people who have promised me anything are nice enough to have promised me, which I have to disagree. If you are not interested in something that can benefit you as well, do not waste time and then cause more severe disappointments.
Of course, how many people still keep promises nowadays? The very few losers.
Spread the Love – October 2014
– My wrist rescuer
It had been long since I injured my right wrist due to an event shoot for JGC and the injury gave me problems during my Sunday volleyball games. I started by using my old wrist guard but it was bulky enough to prevent me from playing. Desmond lent me his wrist band and it helped a lot during the game play even though it was not as strong as mine. When I told him it was difficult to get the wrist band, he tried helping me to get one as well.
– Birthday came early
Gilbert asked me to go downstairs my house to pass me something. At first, I thought it was a souvenir from overseas since he had just returned from his holidays. After meeting him and receiving the small item, he told me it was because he was going overseas again the following week. It took me a few minutes to realise it was my birthday present.
The present was a piece of magnet with my photo on it. It was a brilliant gift, which I could do it for other friends in future. However, it also made me feel so guilty and helpless that I was not able to think of anything creative in return for him.
Spread the Love – September 2014
Since my younger brother was working under MOE, he was able to get free passes to some local tourist attractions. Each time, he was able to get only four passes though. He took my family and I to River Safari, and paid for the extra ticket and lunch. It was the effort to arrange everything that was really tough.
It was Geraldine’s birthday celebration. I was not very keen in taking up this shoot initially because she was busy with her school and thus replied me quite slowly. However it would be my greatest regret if I had given it up. The party was filled with nice and cute people. Eventually, her mum gave me extra money when she saw my effort. I felt very appreciated.
During my corporate shoot for JCL shipping group, I was greeted by very friendly people as well. During the first night when I knew none of the participants, one of the guys, Peter, kept asking me to put down my camera and grab some food by the side of the pool. At the end of the shoot, Peter got me a glass of beer. On the following day when their conference began, I realised he was the president of the group.
On the last night of the JCL shoot, one of the participants from Sri Lanka, Sunil, passed me a National Geographic magazine. He told me he got it free from the hotel room because he knew I loved photography. Even though he did not pay for the magazine, it was really nice of him to specially bring along to the Gala dinner and give it to me.
I had my worst period of the year – reservist. Not only I had to delay my photoshoot with my models, I also had to turn down clients for event shoots. It was totally a time-wasting period for me. Luckily, I had great company over there and the instructor, Liangwei, was one of the nicest guys I had met. Liangwei was very patient and understanding and he took care of us well.
Spread the Love – August 2014
For the early morning bikini photoshoot with Esther and I roped Gilbert in since he was a creative person. He did research over the net to find poses of models and even printed them out. Even though my actual plan was to do a more natural lifestyle shoot instead of model posing (because Esther was completely new to modelling and we did not have a makeup artist involved), Gilbert’s instruction to pose did help a lot. To find a friend who would sacrifice so much time and effort was rare.
I did a couple portrait shoot for Michael and Valerie with fireworks as the background. It was my first time doing this kind of shoot, which was rare but Valerie trusted me. They hosted me well in their home and shared their precious wine with me. Both of them even invited me over for a second time on the actual National Day.
I forget to bring my tripod along for the second shoot with my favourite couple as mentioned above. It was crazy for night shoot would definitely require the stability. Even though I turned up early and my house was a few bus-stops away, it was too rush for me to get home. I called Samuel immediately and he gladly prepared his tripod stand for me. I dashed over a few buildings to collect it from him. He saved my night.
I initially had a photoshoot with a girl who had approached me. She wanted to do it at an indoor location. ET’s dad gladly agreed to lend me his house. Eventually, the girl went missing-in-action as expected.
I had a photoshoot with Claire. The outfit was meant to be more revealing and thus it was definitely sensitive to a girl. For my usual fashion shoot, some of the models would bring along an escort in the name of “a curious friend” who wanted to watch how a photoshoot was done. So far, none of the “assistants” was really helpful. Besides putting pressure on me, it was a great insult to my professionalism. I appreciated the trust from Claire who went alone for such sensitive theme. She was not a bimbo who would not taking precaution – she did research online about me before approaching me. Besides not treating me as a pervert, I was glad that she did not waste my time like many other girls. I was really amazed because the way she chatted with me made me feel she was not that keen in having a shoot. Claire had indirectly enlightened me that I should not be pinning too much hope on girls who approached me with great enthusiasm.
I had a great gathering with the volunteer gang at Nancy’s place. Nancy hosted us well again. Other than this, she had also agreed to lend me her place for photoshoot, even though our available dates did not match.