As I explored and trekked through the mountains, forests and valleys, searching for the answers, am I able to find them? Life for me, as well as my photography, they have never been smooth sailing, it’s full of ups and downs, twists and turns, we have to weather the storm and welcome the sun to shine upon us again when it’s all over. The beautiful sounds of the wildlife calling out to us, the sound of the waves reaching the shore. The freshness aroma of the after rain, sweet fragrant aroma from the trees, leaves and flowers. 

Chasing the sunrise, the light rays shining through the rainforest canopy, patiently waiting for the sunset to end the day on a high. Is it fate, is it all about the time or they both combine together at that moment in time? 

Fate and Time, these two things intertwined into my life. Are things/we fated? Maybe it’s just not the right time. Maybe, I just have to let fate takes its course. Where will fate and time bring me? 

我们到了站，这一站叫 ____ ? 下一站是 ____ ？

Maybe I need to trust the timing of my life. Trust my own journey, my own fate and my own time. 

The post Fate and Time appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

First quarter of 2020 was cautious, start of a new era, a new decade, cautious on how the economy would pan out with potential slower growth and concerns for market downturn. As for my photography business, it was a slow start and I was realigning business plans and strategies. On my personal/leisure photography front, there were a few major community events (Chinese New Year 2020 at Chinatown, Light to Night Festival 2020, River Hongbao 2020, Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2020, Battle for Singapore 2020 tours, Arts in Your Neighbourhood 2020) that I attended before Covid-19 spread changed the whole landscape.

As we all knew, second quarter was circuit breaker plus extended circuit breaker in Singapore. In a nutshell, working from home (WFH) and home based learning (HBL) were a new normal, some businesses took a huge hit, closure of businesses, job losses, retrenchments, pay cuts were commonly heard during this period. For photography businesses, we experienced the impacts and we were not able to conduct our business. This period was really stressful and difficult, on both professional and personal level.

Moving out from extended circuit breaker, phase 1 of post circuit breaker in June followed by phase 2 shortly after, this marked the start of a slow and much needed recovery to kickstart the economy again. Things are not and will not be the same as before pre Covid-19. Safety measures and strict regulations are in place for businesses to follow and implement. On the other hand, the severity of this current downturn has affected the whole economy, any business deals and transactions will not be back up fast and furious as businesses are looking at budget cuts and cost saving measures during this very difficult and challenging period. Personal and leisure photography during that period was pretty much confined to home and they could be viewed inside my Canon EOS M6 Mark II review article.

On the topic of travel, international travel is not in any of my immediate plans, I can only dream and plan for H2 2021, keeping my fingers crossed that a vaccine for Covid-19 would be available and the world can slowly start to return back to normal, although it will be a new normal for the world. I would leave the discussion on impacts and changes to world tourism and travel for another day, in another article dedicated to this discussion. 

Domestic travel, in the context of Singapore and its land size, doesn’t really ring a bell at all probably for many people, versus countries that have different states, prefectures and their citizens can travel interstate or across the country to visit.

However, while Singapore is really small in land size, we can do something about our own domestic travel/tourism, it’s just not domestic tourism per se, reference to other parts of the world. I am looking at doing my own “Explore your own backyard” theme instead, basically, it’s a continuation of my years of exploring my local neighbourhoods, just to compile, update and present in a manner that I would need to plan first.

Back to the my photography business in the post circuit breaker period, some changes are taking place, plans and strategies have gone back to the drawing board to navigate and manoeuvre during this very difficult and challenging waters ahead. The Covid-19 pandemic has definitely open up the case for business diversification that some people may not agree even in this modern and constantly changing world, they still believe in only specialising in one industry/skill/business.

Some keywords for you to ponder, digital agency and content creation, travel marketing, digital marketing, filmmaker.

The post Reflecting H1 2020 (Photography) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Who is Knots & Gifts? What do they do?

Knots and Gifts is a newly launched gifting platform, they emerged out of the necessity of the times we live in to reinvent gifting. Unlike traditional hampers of ready-made items, they offer freshly baked goods such as pastries, cakes and breads from Singapore’s top patisseries, exquisite beverages and even cocktails prepared by an award-winning mixologist, and pampering home spa services, flowers and scents. 

This bespoke service is the brainchild of Singaporean Rubina Tiyu, who had to pivot her business from wedding planning to a one-stop e-commerce gifting platform – where she can put her talents to good use to spread joy during these tough times. The idea of receiving and sending freshly-made pastries, gourmet teas and coffees, flowers and scents also gives her an opportunity to work with some of her favourite retail shops.

“Inside the Knot was a successful wedding planning and events company, but when Covid19 struck, I was stuck with a warehouse full of props and no weddings to plan. I had to quickly come up with an idea that would not only be meaningful, after all we’re in the business of creating moments and experiences, but also appeal to people during this crisis.” said Tiyu, a 37-year-old self-made entrepreneur.

There are currently over 20 sets to choose from, from highly curated hampers of baked food and drinks.

For Breakfast or tea time, check out the Butter Cake Bundle ($58) consisting of butter cake (choice of plain, almond, orange or cranberry) and 4 muffins along with sparkling tea by The Gryphon Tea Company is a great way to put a smile on anyone’s face. The Tea Party Set ($188) is another pamper-worthy gift – scones, mushroom quiches and croissants by Patisserie G, Basque burnt cheesecake by Aitor, cranberry pecan cookies, jams, fresh berries, Gryphon Tea and flowers make for an unforgettable gift for any special occasion.

Alternatively, you can bring the party to your living room with the Cheese and Cocktails hamper set ($148) that comes with two choices of cheese, fig jam, crackers and breadsticks, mixed nuts and fruits paired with Laiba cocktails made by award-winning mixologist Michael Chen.

If you are planning to get a Knots & Gifts gift set, you can choose pre-selected food and drink hampers (Munchies), omakase flowers, no two designs are the same (Petals and Foliage). There are also bundled pampering gifts (Lifestyle) or order ala carte items under Marketplace at www.knotsandgifts.com. Do check out their Instagram page @knotsandgifts, as well this hashtag #knotsandgifts for inspiraiton. Do also take note that a 48 hours notice is required for all orders to ensure you get the freshest treats delivered to your doorstep.

Check out Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Knots & Gifts!

For this year 2020 Father’s Day, you can choose the Whisky Bundle for you Dad! Choose from 6 different brands of whisky/whiskey with snacks for an affordable price of $118 only! Or choose the Donuts and Coffee hamper set ($48) comprising 6 Dunkin’ Donuts and GK Ground Coffee or the Beer Bundle ($88) with 6 bottles of beer with snacks.

There are over 20 bespoke bundles to choose from for Father’s Day 2020! For this special occasion, when you purchase Father’s Day gift ideas from Knots & Gifts, you can a 10% discount using the promo code “FathersDay” when ordering from their website www.knotsandgifts.com! 

Do share this Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Knots & Gifts with your loved ones, family, relatives and friends. Pass It On and Pay It Forward! Sharing is caring!

* Information and pictures courtesy of Knots & Gifts and Empower Marketing Asia *

The post Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Knots & Gifts appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

I have also wrote about my goals and objectives for year 2019 for my other aspects of my portfolio in the areas of writing, technology, social media and other business interests, do visit and have a read!

With regards to my goals and objectives for year 2019, I have decided not to adopt specific and measureable goals to be written down method. Some goals  and objectives are not bound and determined by figures and monetary value.

Photography

Photography business

• Looking at events photography instant print services when required, the logistics, labour and costing.
• Fine tuning photography portfolio website
• Adding more photography works to porfolio website

Seeking Collaborations and Partnerships

Collaboration and partnerships with photographers, film makers, creatives, artists for projects, assignments. I had built up a few collaborations, I am continuing to spread the networks wider and further, you never know what you might get!

Instagram, I am not going to play the Instagram game, I just be myself and share whatever photographs that I am happy and comfortable with.

Inside EOS World Community, as a EOS World Community Ambassador, I hope to contribute back more whenever possible, to pass it on and pay it forward to the Canon photography community.

Personal photography projects

• Canon Mini Photo Printer x Travelers Factory Notebook
• Food and Whisky photography
• Heritage and Vintage collections and flea market
• Photography zines
• My second photo book (topic TBA)
• Personal heritage project (maybe on the topics of disappearing places or hawker food)

Major equipment upgrade

If the finances and budgeting for FY 2019 allows:

• I am looking at adding an iPad Pro or upgrading my Apple MacBook Pro, as well as a monitor for photo editing.
• A mirrorless camera (maybe Canon EOS M50) for social media, blogging and vlogging
• 2^nd hand DSLR (maybe a Canon EOS 5D Mark III) as a backup camera for commercial photography requirements.
• A used Canon speedlite (maybe a 580EX II) for a 2 x speedlite strobist setup

Miscellaneous

• Printing my own TGH Photography polo shirts
• New unorthodox 2-in-1 business name cards for photography busines and social media marketing

Travel

On a personal basis, I hope to find travel photographers kakis that like mountains, rainforests, nature, national parks. I have a list of travel destinations that I hope to fulfil in this year 2019

Destinations:

Mt Bromo, Indonesia

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Kansai region, Japan (Autumn)

Hokkaido, Japan (Spring or Summer)

Northern Lights, Finland (Winter)

On a professional basis, travel photography assignments or projects are not easy to get, I still have a lot of areas to work on.

Last but not least

Last but not least, this is a reminder to myself to keep learning, adapting and improving. I must never be complacent and think that I know everything and anything.

Year 2019 has its own challenges and difficulties. We must keep on striving forward, adapting and conquer all the obstacles ahead.

The post Goals and Objectives for YR2019 (Photography and Travel) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Sharing a photograph from my collection, year 2017 new year eve countdown fireworks, since I didn’t chase year 2019 countdown new year eve fireworks as I decided to stay at home instead!

A new year, a new hope, a new beginning, for the business side of sole proprietorship photography business with the start of the new financial year 2019. On the other side of things, my personal photography is a mix of continuation (and revival) of my current photography works/projects, as well as the start of new photography ideas, works and projects that I had been brewing during the last week of the year 2018. I would be sharing some insights, thoughts and goal settings for my photography business and personal photography plans soon! Keep a lookout!

I would like to say a Big Thank you to everybody for the support and encouragement in the year 2018! Once again, wishing all a Happy New Year 2019! Good luck and all the best in the year 2019, hope you have a wonderful time with your family and loved ones too!

The post Happy New Year 2019! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

While reflecting and looking back across all aspects and segments of my photography, I realised I got quite a bit of photography thinking, reflection and updates, turning into articles for the year 2018. In a way, I must had quite a number of thoughts and feelings for this year 2018!

Sole Proprietorship Photography Business

My sole proprietorship photography business, has its fair share of ups and downs in  year 2018, just like my other aspects of my life too. Comparing it to my first year that I started my photography business in 2017, the year 2018 had seen improvements and growth, although the absolute total revenue is still not consistent and stable to a decent level yet, even though it did improve. That’s still a lot of room to grow and expand.

Personal Photography Projects

Ever since I established and registered it as a business in 2017, my personal photography projects were kind of non-existent because they took a back seat while I was putting a lot of time and effort to make my business stable and running properly.

I sincerely hope that I can revive them again in the year 2019, with a test of my strategic management, planning and time management. There are some personal photography projects in mind, keep a lookout!

Partnerships and collaborations

Chiang Mai, Thailand with The Epiphany Duplet

I had worked with Tiffany and Peps of The Epiphany Duplet for a few collaborations together. When the opportunity arose in January 2018 to visit Chiang Mai, Thailand, I decided to join them for this trip, collaborating on travel photography and content together, we exchanged our talents, my travel photography for their travel videos!

There were also partnership and collaboration that haven’t taken off the ground and delayed, I am not sure if it would take off in the near future. I still hope to establish more partnerships and collaborations in the year 2019 and beyond.

Mini Milestones in 2018

Creative Commons Musical with ikibook

I was part of a legacy, the world’s first creative commons musical with ikibook, a unique and interesting experience to be part of this group of diverse creative talents from all walks of life.

EOS World Community Ambassador

In other news, I was appointed EOS World Community Ambassador for the year 2018. This is a big honour and recognition for me, I hope that I can contribute and give back to this photography community in some small way or another, as well as the EOS World community platform helping me to grow my photography.

Internal and External Battles

There were a number of internal and external battles with people and their words, actions, emotions, hurt, disappointments etc etc … There were times of anger, hurt, agony and burnt out, there were times when I had to fight my own monsters inside me too.

There are many people in the world that are not in the person’s actual shoes, they are not “on the ground fighting the battles” and yet they think they know everything and they will tell you what you should do.

There will be internal scars, no doubt about that. That’s how we can learn and grow from all these various experiences, handling people, handling emotions, fighting the internal bad wolf inside us.

Summarising my year 2018 Photography

There had been improvements and growth in my sole proprietorship photography business, along with its fair share of ups and downs, hits and misses, happiness and disappointments. There is still a lot a lot of room for growth and improvement.

What to expect in the Year 2019 ?

My strategic plans, goals and objectives are still a work in progress behind the scenes, I hope to share a bit more details in January 2019.

Last but not least, Thank You!

Last but not least, I want to say a big Thank You from the bottom of my heart to all those who have helped me, believe in me and supported me throughout my photography journey, through my ups and downs, reading my boring and lengthy rants on social media networks and websites.

The post Reflection – Photography 2018 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The festive season mood didn’t really sink into me, I had my paternal grandmother’s memorial service on the last week of November to attend and upon returning back to Singapore after that, I had three events photography shoot over three consecutive days, during the first week of December followed by some editing work for one of my events photography shoot. Last week, I covered another events photography shoot.

Overall, the month of December had been special for my four events photography shoot, they were recommendations by friends and contacts, that chose me to take on those events photography assignments. Those might be small scale assignments yet it meant something to me, in terms of trust and the power of referral.

Meanwhile, I am going to slow down for the last two weeks of December, wrap up and prepare to close FY 2018 on 31^st December 2018. On the other hand, I have started some strategic planning for year 2019, I might share more insights and details into them when the opportunity arises. Right now, I am also working on clearing some backlog for my photography and travel articles before 31^st December 2018.

During my most recent portraiture and events photography shoot for my friend’s business operations, I had a very good catch up with them and I realised it had been a few years since we last met.

They are business owners and entrepreneurs themselves in their fields, having their own ups and downs, sailing through their own choppy waters. Hearing their most recent stories that took place, understanding more about what happened, running a business and partnership is never easy and straightforward.

As we chatted and catch up, my friends gave encouraging words and support that I am doing something right even though the journey had been a really tough one. That’s something that I really appreciate and thankful for. While we sail and battle our own seas, weather and battles, we help, support, partner, collaborate, whenever we can.

Life is full of ups and down all year round, my strobe light broke down after my most recent portraiture and events shoot, I hope to find a place to repair it and pray it is not too expensive!

Recently, I was reminded that my portraiture photography is not as good as my landscape photography. Considering that I spent a large part of my photography years on travel and landscape photography, that is certainly one of my stronger photography genres. On the other hand, my portraiture photography portfolio is only about 2-3 years old and I started it from scratch, from nothing to something today.

I will continue to strive forward, learning, improving and expanding my portraiture photography portfolio. There are a group of friends and supporters that believed in me, giving me the opportunity to build up my portraiture photography with them. I sincerely thank this group of people from the bottom of my heart.

Have a great festive Christmas 2018 holidays folks!

The post Photography Updates, Thoughts and Feelings  – 17th December 2018 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Updates

Adding more content to Format

I have a variety of photography content in certain genres, adding more to my Format photography business portfolio collection. I also know which photography genre that I need to build up and I am working hard towards it!

Growing a photography business

Started in January 2017, this is still a  tough and difficult stage, I am running out of adjectives to describe my inner most thoughts, feelings and emotions. Growing very slowly and in small steps, it can be very draining and stressful running a small sole proprietorship business.

There is also a need to build more partnerships and collaborations with different partners from agencies, photographers to businesses from other industries.

Thoughts

Speaking the language of Light

I met one of my mentors recently, a senior that I knew from my Dragon Scout Group days, he was one of my leaders when I was a Boy Scout. He is also a very experienced and skilful photographer that gave me advice along the way when I started off freelancing photography.

In a most recent meet up with this mentor of mine, he shared about his visionary movement – Speaking the Language of Light. I wrote down the points that he shared into my Travelers Notebook! All his sharing, views and vision resonates with me inside my photography heart and soul.

Stay tuned for more updates on this movement!

Taking the first step

During Singapore Night Festival 2018, I was visiting this Night Lights artwork installation – The Leap of Faith. While immersing myself in this interesting and interactive artwork, I happened to meet the artist Kai Wei, had good chat with him and the theme behind his artwork.

Taking the first step resonates with me a lot! This is about faith in taking the first step in whatever you do in your journey towards your goal, your destination.

Taking the first step is always the most difficult, whether you are a young kid or an adult. Faith in taking the first step, the leap of faith, makes you grow stronger in your journey.

Loyalty? Is it still relevant in today’s market?

There were a few case studies as I would like to classify them that makes me wonder, think and analyse about this word loyalty, is it still relevant in today’s market?

Brands say customers are no longer loyal, I think that’s quite true, given the number of choices customers have today. On the other hand, there are also brands that are not really loyal too, that’s why customers leave them too.

Are we chasing the wrong things?

I have been asking myself this question many times than before. To some extent, I have been chasing the wrong things and I will be the first to put up my hands to admit it.

Plans

Collaboration with a mixed media artist on the cards?

Collaborating with another artist from a different sector of the creative and art industry has been a dream, a goal that I would like to acehive. I had sounded this idea to a mixed media artist friend of mine, who is now based in Bangkok, Thailand, she is one of my supporters of my photography. I would still like to collaborate with her when the opportunity arises! Check out her FB page – The Wandering Treehouse!

After meeting Kai Wei at Singapore Night Festival 2018, we chatted about collaborating to produce a mixed media artwork with my photographs! This is on the cards, I am unable to give any more information, taking one step at a time , many things to brain storm and discuss. Keeping my fingers crossed and let’s see how it goes!

A new setup on the cards?

The name is in place by my Chef friend, the idea then came through a moment of inspiration. This would be on food, photography, media and writing. I need to do a white paper – Agenda, About, Constitution, Goals, Directions, Whisky, Food.

Rediscovering my personal photography projects

I had started personal photography projects a few years back, it’s still ongoing and I think it is time to relook at them on how I would like to close or continue expanding on them.

There are also other personal photography projectst that I might embark upon or starting those that I have planned in the past 2 years that didn’t get kickstarted due to setting up my photography business.

Journaling and travelers notebook

I never knew the therapeutic enjoyment and fulfillment when I entered into the travelers notebook world along with my traveling. This was a slow start, I can finally say that I am doing something with them! While I am not so much of an artist that can draw or paint, I can concentrate on my strengths through my writing, journaling, decorating it with ink stamps and stickers inside my travelers notebook.

下一站，起飞？

Next stop, take off?

Like this deliberate motion blur photo above, there are many times whereby everything looks very blur, out of focus, lost. Many people, if not most people nowadays only see the end result and not on the journey, the blood, sweat, tears, pain and disappointment.

To all those relatives and friends judging and criticising me, through your eyes that you see, everything is a blur to you, just like the photograph above.

To all those who have been supporting and helping me, you can admire the beauty and fruits of my labour at various goals that I have accomplished in my photography journey. For that, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart!

The post 25th August 2018 – Updates, Thoughts, Plans appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

What is so special and unique about it? First and foremost, this is the world’s first ever Creative Commons musical, “What If” presented by ikibook. The “What If” musical is a crowd sourced, organic collaboration with heartlanders (our everyday folks), talented and creative musicians, dancers, artists, singers, perfomers. A complete collaboration that unites creative and talented folks from different walks of life, coming together to create a legacy in the creative, music, peformance and artistic world, based on something unheard of in most, if not all industries, a Creative Commons musical.

Who is ikibook? What do they do?

Ikibook is a newly founded social enterprise whose mission is to save meaningful content in the world. It does this by building an ecosystem of creators and to enable collaboration and support via blockchain.

Website: http://www.ikibook.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ikibook.global/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikibook/

The founder of ikibook, Iris Koh, a music director, songwriter and entrepreneur shares the reasons behind this musical. “It is one of my bucket lists to write a musical one day, but the thought of writing it is very daunting. So instead of writing it myself, I thought, what if I could put songwriters, playwrights, actors, musicians and dancers together and with everyone’s input and creativity we could begin writing this musical and let it take on a life of its own?”

Source: ikibook press release

I found ikibook at Tech In Asia Singapore 2018, I discovered and knew more about them and what they do. Thereafter, I wrote briefly about ikibook in my earlier articles that I published on my photography/travel website/blog and personal/technology website/blog. After Tech in Asia Singapore 2018, I attended ikibook events at their office and slowly got to know more about what they do.

Then came an email out of the blue, on an open call to participate and be a part of the world’s first ever Creative Commons musical. I went and listend to their pitch and decided to join in as a photographer (behind the scenes, rehearsals, musical performance). Personally, working on Creative Commons is something I know about yet I do not implement, since I work on All Rights Reserved due to the commerical and professional aspects of my photography business.

During the past week, I managed to attend two of their rehearsals, capturing photographs behinds the scenes of their rehearsals and preparation. The amount of talent and creativity is beyond my imagination, a gathering of creative and talented individuals,  who may not even know each other in the first place, creating a musical within a month! The singing, the dancing, the musical performance, the play, you have to watch it, to believe that it is entirely possible for the creative industry to produce a Creative Commons musical.

For now, I would only share some behind the scenes, rehearsal photographs. Keep a lookout as I cover Campus Party Singapore and ikibook on my Twitter, Facebook Page and Instagram, leading up to the “What If” musical performance on Sunday 8^thJuly 2018.

If you like to know more about Campus Party Singapore, more information is available below:

Website: http://www.campus-party.org

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/campuspartysingapore/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/campuspartysingapore/

Twitter Campus Party Singapore: https://twitter.com/campuspartySG

The world’s first ever Creative Commons musical, “What If” by ikibook is taking at Campus Party Singapore 2018 on Sunday 8^thJuly 2018. Spread the word, Pass It On, come on down to Campus Party Singapore 2018 and catch the world’s first ever Creative Commons musical “What If”.

For those who are attending Campus Party Singapore, remember to keep a lookout for “What If” musical presented by ikibook. Let’s hope this would be an inspiration to you to create your own story that you want to tell the world, whether you are a creator, entrepreneur, techie, creative, visionary, to be unique and bold, taking a big step forward to be the change and make a change. What if … you can do it?

What If … you can create something to make a difference in the world today?

The post The World’s first ever Creative Commons musical “What If” by ikibook appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

First and foremost, let me start on the business aspect for my photography:

1. Slow and small growth, not exponential, in this current economic climate, it’s still pretty difficult on the ground level.
2. Photography business portfolio is expanding, need to upload and showcase more diversification when the opportunity arises.
3. A partial travel familiarisation trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand during end January to early February 2018, a golden opportunity to add on to my travel portfolio and hopefully gain more traction for future travel opportunites in the near future.
4. Phootgraphy and travel blog/website is back working again, my content still needs repairing and tweaking, this would take some time. At the same time, I am looking at making changes and improvements to my blog/website. A change of template is coming soon!
5. Not chasing “numbers” anymore, I am chasing quality content over other benchmarks.
6. Photography business can be cyclical, I must always be prepared, continue my marketing, content creation, awareness, engagements, collaborations, slow and steady growth is my motto.
7. During Q1 2018, there had been hits and misses, all these are part of running any business and life. Learn from the life lessons and carry on moving forward.
8. Always learning and improving my photography knowledge and skills, constant reminder to myself.
9. Avoiding negative people and those people who “put me down” in my life, whether in business or personal life.
10. Partnerships and collabroations: The foundations had been laid and built since last year, looking to grow and expand this segment even bigger, wider and further. Check out Hpility SG, The Epiphany Duplet and also Love At Second Sight project.
11. During the most recent UQ alumni networking event in Singapore, I had the opportunity to catch up with my alumni seniors who holds management/executive level positions in their organisations, it was humbling to chat with them, listening to their advice on the difficulities in running a business (no matter how big or small). They were encouraging and helpful to share their work experiences, invaluable and priceless to me.

Next, let me share and reflect on my personal aspect of my photography:

1. Less time for leisure/personal photography: when I am not doing commerical/work photography, majority of time were spent on planning, marketing, pitching, discussion, content creation etc etc
2. Spend quality time on quality personal projects: Returning to my inner most photography self, taking on photography works/projects close to my heart.
3. Commit to fewer organisations: Some organisations don’t deserve my precious time and photography. It’s time to reduce my commitment to just a few organisations.
4. Not chasing “numbers” anymore, I am chasing quality content over other benchmarks.
5. Always learning and improving my photography knowledge and skills, constant reminder to myself.
6. Avoiding negative people and those people who “put me down” in my life, whether in business or personal life.

As Q1 2018 draws to a close, Q2 2018 opens, I am currently reading this book “The Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese way to finding your purpose in Life”. 生き甲斐 a.k.a Ikigai, has been my guiding principles for my photography, in both personal and business aspects.

Here are the 5 pillars of Ikigai (I brought this book along when I traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand)

That’s me, reading “The Little Book of Ikigai” in Chiang Mai, Thailand; Peps Goh took this photo.

My journey continues, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who have followed and supported this journey of mine that I embarked on. It has been very very tough and difficult journey, no words can describe it. There were times when a small pat in the back, or even pulling me up when I am down, small achievements and recognition lifted me up and kept me striving onward.

The post Reflecting Q1 2018 (Photography only) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.