Category Archives: photoshoot

Sue and Rayne’s wedding in Hong Kong

By ken | Published April 4, 2010

Wow its been a long time since I’ve blogged. Where does the time go? I’m going to try to catch up on blogging starting back in January, with the wedding of Sue and Rayne.

Festivities began inside the bride’s family home in New Territories, before making our way to the beautifully sunlit King Huy Hall in Clear Water Bay for the marriage ceremony. The day ended with their banquet held upstairs at Lee Theatre in Causeway Bay.

Also posted in wedding | Tagged Causeway Bay, Clear Water Bay, HK, hong kong, King Huy Hall, marriage, wedding | 1 Comment

Elephant Community Press writing workshop

By ken | Published February 17, 2010

Last month, the young authors of Elephant Community Press got a chance to showcase their talent during a book launch at the Culture Club Gallery on Elgin Street in Hong Kong’s Soho area. The party celebrated the publishing of 8 new books written entirely by the kids of ECP’s writing workshops.

Having attended several of the book launch parties before, I am always amazed at the sheer maturity and creative talent of the students. So when it became time to share excerpts from their writing, it did not surprise me to see each young author fearlessly step up to the microphone and read to the large room of family and friends. I really admired them, and the sense of pride in their parents’ smiles made me think that they did as well.

The afternoon ended with each student signing autographed copies of their final published works. Proceeds from sales of the books went to support the Room to Read charity.

Also posted in events | Tagged culture club gallery, elephant community press, events, HK, hong kong, kids, photoshoot | Leave a comment

Saosin Live in Hong Kong

By ken | Published January 29, 2010

Last Saturday night on January 23rd, you would have found me at Grappa’s Cellar at Jardine House shooting Saosin perform live to what had to have been the most amped crowd at a show I’ve ever seen in Hong Kong. Let me preface by saying that I had not heard Saosin’s music before, but thats also because I am about as up to date on my music as 90′s MC Hammer would be with fashion. If I ever managed to own a car here in Hong Kong, I would probably be playing Stone Temple Pilots or Soundgarden CDs on a Sony Car Discman powered by a lighter kit glued to the top of my dashboard. If none of that made sense to you it is probably because I am much older than you (or younger).

And to be honest I was a little bit skeptical about a concert at a venue where I normally order squid ink pasta. But once I saw the place fill up and opening act Hungry Ghosts do their thing, I knew it was going to be a fun night. And when Saosin came on the place simply went apeshit and I just started shooting like crazy. By the second song some dude jumped on to the stage and frontman Cove Reber put him in a headlock like they were boys from the playground. The atmosphere wasn’t angsty like I am used to in shows in the U.S. but it was more just rocking out and appreciating the band which was amazing to watch. I really hope Grappa’s does more shows like this one, the venue simply works well for these shows.

Did I mention that Saosin rocked out also? I’ll be hitting their iTunes store soon.

Hungry Ghosts

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Saosin

Also posted in events | Tagged concert, events, HK, hong kong, hungry ghosts, photoshoot, saosin | 2 Comments

family portraits with Venice and Wilson

By ken | Published January 25, 2010

On January 7th, 2009 Venice and Wilson celebrated their 4th anniversary with a family portrait session in Hong Kong Park. Their adorable 11 month old baby SikSik also came along for the shoot.

I had scouted a few locations in the park that I liked the day before, but beyond that we also revisited a few spots near the marriage registry office to reenact some shots and poses from their original wedding photos from four years ago. Awwww! great idea!

Also posted in family, portraits | Tagged anniversary, family, hk park, hong kong, portraits, wedding | 1 Comment

Legend Fighting Championship 1: Fight Night

By ken | Published January 13, 2010

Last Monday on January 11, after covering the weigh-ins and taking some website profile photos, I was fortunate enough to cover the inaugural Legend Fighting Championship in Hong Kong’s Star Hall at HITEC in Kowloon Bay. I had actually been there a few times before to shoot some other fighting events, a comedy show and a wedding. Quite a versatile venue.

To be honest, I genuinely would’ve really enjoyed putting down the camera and just being a fan in the stands. But shooting a sport that I have grown to absolutely love in what I considered to be a historical event for HK was way too good to pass up. So when the night began the pressure was on. I claimed my ringside corner and my client took his seat at the judges table behind me (with clear view of my camera LCD display the whole night, yikes).

Overall production was great. Music that matched the brand, dramatic walk-ins (can never go wrong with a smoke machine), great announcer, a few knockouts etc. so there was plenty for me to shoot and it was incredibly fun. Despite that it was physically draining as the event lasted about 4 hours, and I had to worry about blocking fans’ view of the ring all while trying to keep my focus points locked on through my viewfinder. Simultaneously, I was importing CF cards and generating previews on the laptop because I knew I’d have to get some media shots to the PR guys immediately afterwards. I got water (well, maybe some spit too since it came from a fighter’s mouth) sprayed accidentally on my face, and blood nearly got on my camera, but I consider that part of the fun =)

Special thanks to Ralph Berrett for his great shooting MMA tips. He’s got a great podcast that I hope comes back online soon. Here are some of my favorite shots from the night.

The multi-talented Vivek Mahbubani