Sunday as you all know is usually reserved as fun with the family day. And that’s exactly what we had in the studio with Lysha and the family. While the girls (Kaitlyn insisted) had their makeup being put on, the boys decided to get warmed up with some shots of their own. Once the girls were ready we went straight into it. All along the way it seemed baby Kayven needed some coaxing so we must have promised him 2 of every flavor of sweets and ice-cream known to man and alien (1 for Big Sis).

The kids took a break and Lysha and Kim had a few shots of their own. I had to insist because I liked Lysha’s hair and hubby Kim was being such a good sport. Then it was off to the changing room for the 2^nd look; white on denim. This was my favourite because it looked like a GAP ad!

By this point everyone was pretty much warmed up and into it so we just went with the flow. Somehow, we ended up playing Simon Says and everyone got their turn. This was where the inner director from baby Kayven came right out as he demonstrated over and over again how everyone should perform a twirl for the camera.

Kaitlyn and Kayven are no strangers to the camera having been in the studio once before. Kaitlyn in particular remains one of the best models I’ve ever worked with. The girl can hold a pose for minutes on end and take instructions while having seemingly limitless energy.

Throughout the shoot, everyone had insisted that Kayven’s favourite flavor of ice-cream was chocolate. I’d been told that they were going out for Ice-cream as soon as they were done. So for the last shot I asked Kayven what his favourite flavour was. He gave a shy smile. Vanilla…

And here are some shots from a couple months back when I first met Kayven & Katelyn…

Aviators from Witchery @ the Melbourne airport. Hat from roxy at 40% off. Kiehls kids SPF 25 sunblock spray. Neutrogena body mist sunblock SPF 30. Banana Boat tanning oil SPF 8. Bobby brown face lotion with SPF25. Holidays are just expensive but it’s all worth it in the name of relaxation! I’m ready for the sun, sand and sea!!

It’s been a long time since my last beach holiday. In fact, it’s been so long I really can’t remember! That IS bad!! Like my friend once said, he needed a holiday from my holiday and that is exactly what I need right now after a fun-filled-hectic 10 days in Melbourne! It’s time for some unwinding and I’m taking a chill-pill!

We’ll be heading to Pangkor Laut Resort for this year’s FIFOTO company trip! (We went to Phuket last year and it was a blast!)

I’ll leave you with a preview of the portrait shots I took in Melbourne!

Pauline & Ben

Michelle & Gerald

Gia

If there are 2 things MAS can do really well, it’s satay and nasi lemak. Nothing beats going to sleep eating satay and having nasi lemak for breakfast in true blue Malaysian style.

So… After 10 fantastic days in Melbourne, I’m finally back to the land of dull, hazy skies, slow internet and traffic jam!  I was so so so wrong when I thought I’d be able to catch up on work while in Melbourne! It was indeed a good working holiday (80% play, 20% work)! My impression of the city has completely changed this trip, compared to when I was back there in 2002. This time, I really got to immerse myself in the Melbourne culture.. The food, the coffee, the art, the outdoors, the wine and the nightlife. Having taken the bus into town and hopping onto trams and trains, I really do feel like a loco! Going from one place to another is so convenient! The public transport here is clean & efficient and a day pass (AUD10) can get you around many places!

I arrived on a Friday night and the mission for the evening was to prepare for Derby day the next day! My task, specifically, was to make jello shots while Gia’s was to disguise alcohol as food or other liquids and sneak it into the party! Derby day is another world of its own! And I’m glad I had planned my trip to experience it! All the women, decked in pretty cocktail dresses, came in their fancy fascinators and high heeled shoes. Derby day was as much a fashion event as it was a horse racing event! And just for the heck of it, I bet on two horses that day: OneMoreNoMore (coz I liked the name) and Primson (coz it had high odds). Of course, that was the last I’d seen of my AUD40! But all the excitement of seeing your horse go and rooting for it was worth the 2 mins (or less!)! .. although I really couldn’t tell which horses were mine!

The rest of my time in Melbourne was left open for me to explore! We did an impromptu mini road trip to Yarra Valley and visited a number of wineries, I explored the city (more than once!), Chapel St (which I absolutely love and it reminds me of Austin with it’s quaint vintage shops, cafes and local fashion boutiques), Fitzroy (I didn’t have time to explore this area but got the chance to hang out at Little Creatures for a bit and my favorite beer is their Pilsner!) and event went to Point Cook for a shoot!

And what could be a better way to end a vacation than a Malaysian-style potluck dinner, hosted by Wanda! She made delicious tandoori chicken, which I must admit, beats the ones at Lotus anytime! Brett, Wanda’s husband (who by the way is Irish/Australian!) made superb beef vindaloo. Carrie made her famous and very yummy beef rendang. Gia & I brought salad and ice cream from Trampoline (well Gia made the salad while I packed my bags!) and Amanda baked really good and sinful chocolate souffle!

Nindia, Wanda, Amanda, Saras & Gia

Wanda + Brett, the Poser

Lena + Nic

Wanda + Amanda

Gia + Wanda

Here’s a scene from the GodFather

On Monday when everyone else had to go to work, Ferny, Lena, Nic & I drove to Yarra Valley

This was one of the most interesting pieces of work exhibited at the Yering Station.

TarraWarra Estate

Our plan was to have lunch here but they were closed, which was a blessing in disguise! They directed us to Giant Steps instead!

Ferny’s impression of “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. She did the background music too!

I love Bulldogs! This one was looking forlorn but awfully adorable! And patiently waiting for his master to finish his beer at Giant Steps, Innocent Bystander… This is where we discovered the Innocent Bystander Moscato!

The food here was DELICIOUS!

I was mesmerized by the scene at Degraves St & at Centre Place (off Flinder’s lane)… it felt like Europe, with cafes and quaint little boutiques that lined the alleys…

Graffiti is a huge part of Melbourne and you can find them at every corner!

At Brunswick/Fitzroy area…

Inside Napier Hotel, a local pub. Gia brought me here to try Australian pub food; Parma & Pot

This is Will, the jogging buddy who pushed me to keep pace going up a 45 degrees-steep slope, on my 4th km!!! (Ok ok ! It was good motivation!) We ended up doing 8.25km (2 rounds around the Botanical Gardens) and I broke my record for longest and fastest jog thus far!

We bar hopped on Thursday night and I think the best club/lounge we checked out was Spice Market! The music and venue was HAPPENING!!!

We dropped by Carlton Hotel for a Vintage sale… The hotel, people and stuff for sale were very interesting and turned out to be one of my favorite spots for photography!

Isn’t this surreal? I mean.. seriously??

Back on Bourke St (I think!)

Finally had the chance to try KOKO Black on the 2nd last day of my trip! The iced chocolate was yummy but filling! But the desserts at Max Brenner’s is also another must-try if you visit Melbourne!

I love the arches at GPO (GPO = General Post Office. It has been converted into a high-end shopping mall)

Section 8 is a container bar on Tattersalls lane. I returned 3 times during my stay there - twice for my portrait photography!

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to  wonder woman, Gia who played host all week long, showed me her side of Melbourne city which I absolutely fell in love with! And even assisting me on all my shoots all weekend long, bearing the hot summer heat and withstanding hay fever! Did I mention she’s Wonder Woman? (yes, this is the same girl who stuck her hand in a loaf of bread and stuffed it with a plastic bottle filled with whisky!)

To all my girls- Wanda, Christyn, Joy (who flew in from Sydney just to spend a day with me! Thank you!), Ferny, Lena, Pauline, Purdee and the boys- Brett, Nic, the 2 Justins and Ben… It was great catching up, hanging out and partying with y’all!

A big shout out to all the people I met and the new friends I made- Amanda, corporate power woman by day & up and coming baker by night/ weekend, Will, jogging buddy and muse, Michael, Carrie, Jo, Laurent, Kieran, Kim, Josiah, Pia & Dom, Candice, Saras, Nindia & Yota, Michelle & Gerald! Keep in touch!!!

I’m all packed and about to leave for dinner! Wanda is hosting a mini potluck dinner before my midnight flight tonight! Brett is cooking curry and Carrie is making beef rendang!! YUM!! I can’t wait!!

I’ve had a great time in Melbourne and these past two days involved shooting 3 wonderful couples; Ben & Pauline, Michelle & Gerald and Chang Chang & CJ! It was a lotta fun!!!!

Here’s a preview of Chang & CJ’s pre-wedding photos from today’s shoot!