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January 2014

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Alexis

Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2014


NEON - THE ORDINARY CO. 
Model: Alexis Chen
Photography: Myself
Styling: Yaleryn Tan & Myself
Make up: Diana Yap (Min)

Just a couple of my personal picks from another shoot for The Ordinary Co. I was going for a kind of Terry Richardson / The Coveteur look with the direct flash, and these two were the only ones I was properly satisfied with. I'd say that when it comes to photography that I definitely am lacking in the right equipment. Yes, I shoot with my rather cranky Canon 500D, and yes, I wouldn't mind a fancy full- frame 6D, but the fact is that most of us can't afford fancy top of the line cameras, so we just have to work within whatever means we are given and rely on ourselves and our own talent afterwards. That said, I've been getting some pretty positive feedback otherwise for my photos, which is really encouraging. (On another note) Sometimes I wonder why it's so hard for some people to give compliments (but you find out in subtle ways that they did like it), while others are much more forthcoming and supportive. So I just figured that in the end, just do what makes you happy. 

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Tea for Three

Posted on Sunday, January 26, 2014


Raphael and I had been planning this little decadent tea session for over a month while chit chatting over many meals we've cooked for ourselves on exchange, and decided to save it for the last few days in our cozy little house in Karlsruhe! Of course, we were joined by Annette, Raphael's beau to make this a tea party for three! (Photos were declined because everyone was in PJs, haha!) I spent all of 5 minutes laying out the meat and cheese board with the extra olives in the fridge (which was my accomplishment of the day, really), along with complementary Moscato from Mr. Foo and we were set!

One of my guilty pleasures over the short 4 months I was in Karlsruhe would be buying a packet of Prosciutto di Parma or Jamón Serrano whenever I came back from a long trip away to nibble on by myself (which Raphael can attest to). I've only picked up the love for cured meat in the past year ever since Justin brought back my personal favourite (but really expensive) Jamón Iberico from Spain, which makes me think that maybe I should have gone there for exchange to truly get my fill! Indeed, some of the things I'll miss most about living in Europe are the awesomely affordable ham, cheese and wine.

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Columbia Road Flower Market

Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2014


ASOS Longline Coat | Topshop Jeans | Camden Market Wool Hat | Primark Chelsea Boots
C&A Scarf and Gloves | Coach Bag

It isn't spring, but you can still find flowers lining the street along Columbia Road's Flower Market in December! Although it was located in the rather dodgy side of London, the bright weather definitely didn't make Pei Li and myself feel threatened at all. London's East End has this fabulously dirty feel to it that you either love or hate, with make shift tin shops, graffiti lined walls punctuated with wildly coloured mosaics. I half felt like I had stepped into another city (Berlin is that you?) and it's hard to believe I've been to London so many times and not checked out this side of it. The market itself was pretty crowded as it only opens on Sundays - people bustling about with their beautiful bouquets, and kitschy shops lined with the cutest fabrics, cooking tools and knick knacks. My biggest regret of the day was not buying the lovely bundle of dried lavender (£5.00!) but the fact was that it wasn't practical to fly them home to Singapore :'(

Anyway, this is my last post for London (finally)! I've hit the ground running ever since coming back for exchange with all the work and catching up I've had to do that I've hardly had time to feel sad that it's over, but don't worry, it'll hit me soon.

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Auf Wiedersehen, Deutschland!

Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2014



The end of exchange! I haven't really had time to process fully how I feel right now whilst overcoming jet lag and the weird sense that I dreamt the whole thing up but yes, I do feel sad yet happy at the same time and I'm still kind of coming to terms with it (as I'm sure everyone who has just come back is feeling). I'm no good at doing those "look back and reflect / comment on everything in summary" posts. I travelled, I made new friends, I opened myself to other cultures, I passed all my exams, I learned to cook, I shopped too much... all the usual stuff one would hope to achieve from exchange. Anyway, this photo was taken in mid-December at the Karlsruhe Schloss, if you look at the map of Karlsruhe, the city is designed in a hub-a spoke style, with streets radiating out from the Schloss. So yeah, it took me a good 3 months to visit it, but I did feel a funny little pang leaving this small little town at the end of it all, and just the fact that the dream is now over. I know good things have to end, but why did it have to end so soon?

Photo by Wong Pei Li

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The Ordinary Co.

Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2014


NOIR - THE ORDINARY CO.
Model: Rachel Wong
Photography: Myself
Styling: Yaleryn Tan & Myself
Make up: Diana Yap (Min)

If I had the chance I would shoot like this all the time! Being seriously new to fashion photography, I've been searching for so much inspiration, debating what kind of style really suits me, and I feel that I really enjoy this aesthetic - clean, minimal, fuss-free, vanilla with that little bit of fuzzy imperfection that one draws from film. Also, it's not every day that I get to be part of the styling process, and after lots of discussion and brainstorming sessions with Yaleryn, I think we've definitely hit close to what we both visualized for the shoot! The Ordinary Co. aims to make accessorizing part of her customers lifestyle - and every-day ordinary that is simple, classy and whimsical. The Ordinary girl is simple yet sophisticated. We just had one of those moments where we fed off the beautiful, open and airy surroundings, and let the environment inspire and guide us. The actual shoot itself was relatively fast, a little under an hour because I'd definitely say I work surprisingly fast, and it helped that model Rachel was responsive to directions so we got the shots we needed in no time! :)

I'm also looking forward to working with some gorgeous friends of mine once I head back to the +65 to build up my portfolio! There's just so many commitments when I get back, I think I'll die under the weight, but it's a very happy, self-voluntary weight I have to try before I take the next boat to the adult world.

So yes, I am looking forward to more opportunities to shoot and get more experience in this arena. For my rates, do email me at monica_lie@hotmail.com (the usual address, really). Session fees are free for now as I am new to this, which means it doesn't cost you anything to meet up with me to brainstorm!