I’m here in Berlin to prepare for my own (two) wedding celebrations which will happen in two months – one in the summer in Berlin and the other two weeks later in Singapore.  Alas, I am in the shoes of a bride, feeling exactly how my clients must feel. How very exciting! It is truly a wonderful time.

For the time being till August, there will be no client meetings in Singapore. Scheduled photoshoots will continue to take place. For those waiting for your pictures, I will continue editing and delivering images to you.

Also in this blog, without letting too much out of the bag, I’m excited to share bits of my wedding preparations and inspirations and will be posting images as they come along in the category ‘My project wedding’. Thank you for reading and sharing my joy!

First up, a visit to the florist this morning. If only these Spring flowers were going to be in bloom in July. The colours inspire a new palette.

Just before it snows… Water droplets start to freeze, like jewels hanging off barren branches. What a pretty sight.One of the benefits of not living on the equator! For a photographer, its the long shadows to play with, the longer time for the sun to set, hence, a really golden hour. Regrettably in Singapore, we often get a golden five minutes.Brandenburg Gate. Where East Berlin meets West.On the way to the Christmas market.A blurry self-portrait of Maddy and me. I like it, this blurriness, like my memoryHilarious buskers, they’re pretty good at what they’re doing and take prideA taste of Gluhwein, a traditional beverage drank on Christmas. It’s like smelly Toufu. In liquid form. Scorching hot, and shiok!Got really happy after the wine.
On the steps of Gendarmenmarkt overlooking the square and the market. I was so amazed people bring their dogs everywhere – shopping, flea market, christmas markets.Aren’t the lights simply gorgeous?On a quiet night…Fresh snowRandom dog comes up to say hi. Another random dog walking towards me…Turns out I was standing on his pee spot. Damn!The magic forest of Spandau covered in snowAnd even more dogs, surely, I have to focus on being a dog photographer someday.
Along Unter den linden and its row of lights. The horse and carriage, its click-clock click-clock and the snow, just manages to take you back in time.Even Mr Lego Giraffe, outside the Lego Museum, had a snow cap and snowy nose.Smint, who wears my scarf, gloves and beanie. Androgynous, he/she’s the first snowman I’ve ever built. Boy, that was quite a workout! Build a snowman everyday and it will strengthen your back muscles I swear! The next day, Smint was gunned down by the boys in the park. A week later, it died a terrible death. His head dislodged and found under a nearby tree.Pink bluish sunset, and golden afternoon light. Seriously, who needs photo filters?Summer palace Charlottenburg in the snow, shot from a carDucks in the river! They must be freezing, tough cookies!In one of my most favourite alleys in Berlin.A Morris covered in snow, how cuteSelf portrait successful Thanks Maddy for taking these nice shots of me. I should hand you my camera more often. Lena, Rif, Mad, and me.. We went sleigh-riding up a hillWheeeeeeeOnce the fun is done, you have to climb back up.
Yes, it really hurt.Three on a sleigh, hah.

I got Olga to loosen up by dancing around the grass. One must enjoy the shoot as much as I enjoy shooting. Snap, snap, snap and it’s over.

Little blooms I could observe from the window were such a simple delight that put on a smile in my heart. Trees were sprouting new leaves in magnificent shades of greens.

When the sun turns golden, I leave my computer for a walk, or a jog, or just to wander among the trees with my camera. You can spot all kinds of dogs walking with their owners. Furry ones, skinny ones, mixed breeds, Dalmatians, poodles, russells, spaniels to name a few. I also sneaked in some yoga poses among the leaves when no one was watching. If you find a pool of light among the trees, stand under its glow and look up into the light, it’s as if your whispers will be heard by a greater unknown.

Here are some pictures to share, of my time in the forest. Sometimes shivering. There were so many more Kodak moments (of beautiful dogs!) that I missed because I was jogging and not holding a camera. There’s only so much of life one can capture!

By the way, as some of my Singapore clients already know, Berlin is one of the destinations I’m offering under this year’s overseas wedding photography packages. It is also the most attractive in terms of value, starting from SGD $4,500.

If you are keen on a pre-wedding shoot or an engagement shoot in Berlin, please write to me mindyshoots@gmail.com for detailed pricing. I also did a winter shoot here, check out the pictures.

Will post more of my time in Berlin soon!

The first buds

Some Easter eggs I painted, using crayons

Love the details on Maddy’s clothing against the sun 

I plan to have a picnic right in the middle of this field one day

Isn’t this church just gorgeous? If only someone was sitting on that chair.

Wonder where this path leads to…

Walking where the trains end

We certainly weren’t working in comfortable temperatures so my mind was working ahead of locations all the time, who to shoot what, from where, and what expressions there was to capture.

Because of the reflection of the snow, (and because I stubborn shoot only on manual), there was some getting used to with the camera readings, everything tends to be overexposed by one to two stops depending on the intensity of the sunlight.

This trip to Berlin’s actually the first time I experienced snow up close and personal.
Countries I visited before during the winter always snowed a day after I left, first in New York, then in Seoul.
But this time, it realllly snowed out.

Pictures below, and more on the main wedding site.
cheers

I’ve spent two summers there so this time, views will be different and I’m extremely excited.