Photobook Lobang

For those of you who wanna try make your own photobook, but don't want to spend too much on it, you can try artscow. Here's a referral http://www.artscow.com/?Ref=520451

The promo now is 1st 20pages 8x8" book is free. Just need pay shipping at
However, it is really worth the bet. If you print something like this on your inkjet, you can expect to pay about S$30-60 (photo paper, ink, etc), and without the hard cover.

Also printed 80x 4Rs and 5x 8Rs (they gave 50 free 4Rs and 5 free 8Rs) last night and this afternoon recieved an email said they had shipped the prints^^ For the prints I paid less than US$13, and also made 1 photobook with artscow just now for less than S$12. All prices I'd gave are with shipping.

Will share you all again on how the artscow and just1book prints turned out^^

BTW here's our artscow ROM photobook^^ http://www.artscow.com/share/fyxs4k25m6px

Some feedbacks I google up
http://williamandalicia.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/oooh-a-package-from-hong-kong-an-artscow-review/
http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/2008/05/arts-cow-review.html
http://www.aggietha.com/2008/11/16/artscow-book-review/
http://planetalien.blogspot.com/2008/08/got-my-free-artscow-photo-book-today.html
http://www.mdanganan.com/?p=894
http://dianemiraballes.com/2008/11/28/my-artscow-photobook/

Photo Book sent

Zeek sent in the photo book for printing today. just1book will be printing it for us; http://www.just1book.com.sg/just1book/

The price seems really good, they are giving clubsnap members 20% discount (ends 31st Dec) A 8.5"x11" hard cover 20 pages cost $45, after 20% only $36^^

For those who doesn't know this, if you print a full page color photo on inkjet, most likely it'll cost you about $4 per page^^; So $36 for 20 pages is really worth it^^ Those interested better be quick.

ROM Photo Book

Zeek had completed editing all photos and did the layout for the photo book. Any comments?

We hope to send in for printing before 30th^^

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

From ROM - Book

Special Thanks:
Venue: LoveThatBinds @ Acte d'Amour (Helen & Mr Tang)
Photographer: Nathaniel (Shoe-String Wedding Photography - AD) / Zeek (Studio)
Make-up: Cleo Chang
Gown: Bridal Closet (Elsie)

AD Photos Continue

Doing a few more today, hope Zeek can complete editing and layout for a photobook over the weekend. The photo album for our AD is http://picasaweb.google.com/zeek10d/ROMAD

From ROM - AD

From ROM - AD

From ROM - AD

From ROM - AD

From ROM - AD

From ROM - AD

AD Photos Collected

N & D from shoe-string are really nice, they gave us a 4R framed photo. Also the DVD came in a handmade card. Many thanks to them.

N took about 200+ shots and selected 40 to edit. The photos are OK, but somewhat felt a little disappointed, maybe we had high hopes after being impressed by N on our ROM. Zeek felt it might be the O system shoe-string used. The original photos colors aren't as impressive as from N, F or P system. Not much bokeh and the flash/light/ISO control could be better. However, these are from a photographer point of view. They are still good photos.

Here are some shots Zeek had edited;

There are a lot still need editing. Will share the full album later^^

Excited over photos

Got a call from Shoe-String Wedding Photography just now, was told the ROM photos DVD is ready for collection tomorrow^^ Really excited to see how the photos will turn out.

All family members who attended the ROM are really impressed by the photographer. Unlike those freelance photographer you see on ROM/Wedding, those that normally cover the event quietly, then ask the couple to pose without much or little directions. N from Shoe-String Wedding Photography is really motivated to capture the best shot possible. He'll give detail directions on how to pose, where to look, etc.

N is also a wonderful guy, he makes an effort to understand the couple and let the couple to know him. He's patience and take note of minor details. As photographers ourselves, we can tell he's really experience and he captured shots in some interesting angles.

His rate for ROM is only $100 for 2 hours with softcopies returned in DVD. Zeek feels his rate should easily be around $100 to $150 an hour. But how good are his shots? We'll find out together tomorrow^^

Best B'day Gift for Agnes

Today is our ROM and Agnes B'day. Very pleased with our ROM, while we wait for the photographer's photo of the event. Here's some studio shots taken by Zeek after our ROM lunch.

Our DIY Overseas Photography Part 2

Thanks to budget airlines, we'll be able to keep our photography within our budget. For those interested here's the breakdown;

Return Tiger airways to Shenzhen for 2 S$584
Shenzhen airport hotel 1 nite S$75 (Tigerairways arrived in Shenzhen very late)
Guangxin Hotel 7 nites $390
Visny package $1750
曼城印象 package $660
Return Jetstaraisa to HK for 2 $470 (This is for collection of albums, if by DHL it'll cost S$500+)
HK hotel 2 nites $??? (Will book 28days advance via http://www.wotif.com/)
Everything should be within S$4.5k^^

It was only after we booked Tiger airways that we discovered it'll be easier and safer to goto LoWu from HK^^; Seems like cheaper also. lol

Just hope after all these Agnes will have leftover leaves to go honeymoon at the end of the year. Our schedule are so packed, we'll return from HK a few days before the Malaysia wedding dinner. Then a day after returning from Malaysia, Zeek needs to attend his reservist. On that Sunday will be Singapore tea ceremony cum lunch. Luckily Singapore ceremony is really simple only consisted of Zeek closest family members.

Our DIY Overseas Photography Part 1

After all the searching and studying of the packages available, we finally settled for Vinsy. Yuki and Michelle of Vinsy are really helpful, answered all our repeated questions with great patience. They even helped us booked hotel right next to them. The location is good and had many good feedbacks from HK couples. They are HK company that branched out to Shenzhen and had appeared in Magazines in various occasions. You can get in contact with them via MSN vinsy1@hotmail.com Do mention Agnes from Singapore introduced.

We'd joined their old RMB 7999 package (abt S$1750/RM4200);
Suits/Gowns: 6 Sets with 6 make-ups
Total shots: 300 or more with all softcopies returned in CD/DVD
Edit shots: 80 post-processed shots for album with softcopies returned in CD/DVD
Locations: 1 day within Shenzhen & studio + 1 day outskirt of Shenzhen
Albums: 1x18 inches 20pages 30shots + 1x15 inches 20pages 25shots + 1x12 inches 20pages 25shots
Single Photos: 30X20 inches laminate photo + 60X24 inches signature banner + 10X8 inches white crystal framed + 10X8 inches black crystal framed
2 days 1 to 1 service consist of Photographer + Assistant + MUA
Free gift: 7 inches photo album

We had selected 百万葵园 (http://www.bwky.cn/) & 深圳坝光 (http://www.vinsy.com/p3wp5a.html)
Those interested in Vinsy client gallery can leave your email with us.

However, a few weeks after we paid the deposit. We found a new BS (曼城印象 http://www.szmcyx.com/) in Shenzhen very near Vinsy. It's started by an award winning photographer Fei Ge (飞哥) As photographers ourselves, we can't help but to be impressed by his indoor studio shots. Lighting control on white gowns aren't as easy as many think. He's able to bring out certain feel to his studio shots which many photographers can't. We went for Vinsy mainly for the flower/outdoor shots, but was not impressed by their indoors.

After reading on the feedbacks, we just have to ask if Fei Ge could help us take. 冰宇 iceyu09@live.cn of 曼城 helped us a lot. Fei Ge normally will only take for those higher end packages, but our budget only allowed us to take the cheapest RMB 2999 package. 冰宇after knowing we're from Singapore didn't want to disappoint us, so she helped us to get Fei Ge to agree to take photos for us. It'll be whole day session. Normally in Singapore, to get a porpular/award winning photographer for a whole day is about S$2.4k, so it is a steal. The best thing is they accept western union.

One other reason why we joined 2 packages is that Vinsy cannot 100% promise us we'll get the albums within 2 months (they promised 90%) but 曼城 promised us it'll be ready in 45days.

曼城 RMB 2999 package (abt S$660/RM1580);
Suits/Gowns: 4 Sets with 4 make-ups
Total shots: 120 shots with all softcopies returned in CD/DVD
Edit shots: 23 post-processed shots for album with softcopies returned in CD/DVD
Locations: 1 day beach + garden + studio
Albums: 1x16 inches 20pages + 1x12 inches 20pages
Single Photos: 30X24 inches painting photo + 16X20 inches painting photo + 10X8 inches crystal framed + 2x2R wallet size photos
1 days 1 to 1 service consist of Photographer + Assistant + MUA

We urge those interested in 曼城 to take up higher end package and request for Fei Ge. We would had joined the RMB 4999 package if our budget allowed.

Do note most of these BS have a few photographers, if you don't request for a senior photographer, you may end up with a newbie. It'll be good if you can judge the photographer by their portfolio. Don't believe everything you read or see on their website, do your own research. HK forums will be a good place to get feedbacks.

Really hope everything will go smoothly from reaching Shenzhen to collecting the albums back^^

Our ROM plan

We were late with our ROM filing and 22nd Dec 08 was full. Without knowing any solemnizer, in desperation we book with LoveThatBinds @ Acte d'Amour http://www.lovethatbinds.com/ Price is $288 + $26 (filing) for half hour. Don't think it's a good deal, but we were desperate lol.

We decided it'll be a pretty rush event and wanted to keep it simple, so only 2 immediate family members are invited. Booked 2 rooms with Furama City View for Agnes family, and Zeek parents choose a Chinese resturant in Grand Plaza Park hotel for the lunch.

For the ROM gown, we choose Bridal Closet (http://bridalcloset.multiply.com/). Elsie offers really good, honest and friendly service. Help us choose the gown, accessories and even reminded us what else we'll need to do or get. She assigned Cleo to be our MUA, whom seems to be very responsible. She requested for Agnes recent photos and the gown she'll be wearing. We joined the $199, but added $40 to upgrade to a bridal gown. These are just some quick shots, Agnes does look sleepy after work, but it's mainly due to not wearing her contact lens^^;

We managed to get the bridal shoes from OG at 20%. U.P. $69 from ViVie. It's simple and matches ivory white gowns. Most importantly Agnes feels comfortable in them.^^

For our ROM photographer, we ran into some trouble. The original one seems to be busy with his full time job and since ours is on a Monday, can't really bother friends. The lucky is clubsnap has an experienced AD photographer for budget couples. They are a couple team called Shoe-String Wedding Photography. They charge $100 for 2 hours, but you'll only get the softcopies. http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=441307

Our hand bouquet we managed to order from Rasing Star Flora Creation near our home. It'll be with 2 bears, 3 roses and small flowers. Paid $30 for self-collect.

And for the most important item, our wedding band. After looking around various jewelry shops, we finally decided on Meyson. The wedding bands are more to what we are looking for and value for money.

Now just hope 22nd Dec 2008 will be smooth sailing^^

Search for overseas photography

We wanted our pre-wedding photos to be special, yet didn't want to spend too much. Taiwan and Korea were some of our choices in the begining. That's till we stumple upon someone in Malaysia went to LiJiang for photos. We were drawn to the idea instantly. Beautiful scenery that you can't get in Singapore or Malaysia.

This set our research on photography in LiJiang, then set our sights on these bridal studios;
http://www.ffei.com.cn/
http://www.v2.net.cn/
http://www.angel-de-art.com/Index.asp

V2 is one of the leading BS in China but is more expensive. We couldn't get much feedback on ffei so we weren't comfortable with it. Angel-de-art didn't reply our email when we asked if we can set off from Singapore. Also we'll need travel a long journey to get there, was kinda put off by it.

So we hunt around HK forums for other ideas and found that quite a number of HK couples goto Shenzhen for photos. Our impressions were Shenzhen where got good places for photos. But we were very wrong. After visiting a few Shenzhen BS websites, we found our new hope.

The fact that there were quite a few feedbacks of happy HK couples gave our confidence. They are really cheap compared to local BS. A 8000 RMB package can give us stuffs that BS in SG or MY charges for S$3.5k/RM8k. Add 2500 RMB to the budget you're likely to own a wedding gown and a suit. 10500 RMB less than S$2.3k/RM5500

Best thing is you'll get to go shopping in Shenzhen and Hongkong. So it's like a shopping holiday cum photo shoot. Also the fact there're budget airlines around, air tickets and hotel for 2 likely set u for less than S$1k per trip.

I'll leave you with some choices we had shortlisted;
http://www.vinsy.com/ (Vinsy)
http://www.szmcyx.com/ (曼城)
http://www.3vwed.com/ (3V)
http://www.pakchee.com/ ( 栢芝)
http://www.love-99.com/ (麦田)
http://www.szsese.cn/ (色色)