singapore family photographer | bali photography workshop
Well over a month ago now I attended the Deb Schwedhelm photography workshop in Bali. It was nothing short of amazing, starting from the fact that I ever even attended it. Since moving to Singapore well over a year ago now, I have been attached, ATTACHED to my children. It all started with the transition to move here. My husband was gone and I was working full time watching two kids while living at my parents' house. My son was undone, absolutely undone by the changes. Reuniting with my husband in Singapore didn't do much to resolve his issues. Here in our new place, no family, no routine, and no comforts of home... he had me. No "I'm scared" or "I need you" was ever questioned. I did what I felt I had to do, I loved him with every ounce of my being and all of my patience and did all that I could to help restore his sense of security and self confidence. Every night I would tuck myself in next to him, scared to not be there if this was to be a night with a night terror. Shortly thereafter, our daughter caught on to this practice and she moved in to the bed with us a well. A tight nit group we became. Shortly thereafter, we decided that I would not to go back to a corporate job and I would instead focus on reestablishing my children into confident, happy, respectful children - oh, and to concentrate on my photography too!
So nearly a year later after our move, having barely left my children's side, the Bali workshop popped into my Facebook feed. My initial reaction was NO WAY I am going to be able to leave my children for two nights (it ended up being 4 nights!). But then Deb offered a free scholarship to the workshop and it got me thinking. It seemed like such a shame to move all the way to Singapore and then miss a once in a lifetime opportunity such a short distance away. I didn't win the scholarship, but by that time I was convinced. With my husband's support I went for it. We slowly transitioned my husband back into the kids bedtime routine and my course was set straight for Bali!
Not without tears, I left my kids for five days and four nights. Stepping out of my mom shell I ended up walking right into a new family - my photography family. Despite the miles that separate us now, we will always have a common bond not just in photography - but in the people we are and the beauty we see when we look through the lens. We shared a five day adventure in which we practiced Yoga together, were blessed by an ex-gigalo priest at a Balinese temple, and trekked the the rocky yet gorgeous waters of Uluwatu beach. Bali was the perfect setting to learn Deb's techniques and see her amazing water photography in action. I was even blessed to sit in as a model for which I received an AMAZING profile picture for my Facebook page.
The workshop was a revelation for a lot of us. My mind began to open and for the first time I began to see my true photography style right there in front of me. All it took was some juggling of some photographs, a few words from my friends, and some insight from Deb and there it was. I couldn't wait to get home and strengthen it. With renewed energy and spirit it seemed like the proverbial first day of the rest of my life moment.
Now I sit here today continuing my journey. Shortly after the workshop I drove by one of my favorite areas in Singapore and new and amazing idea came to mind. Tonight (please don't rain!) I will be photographing a lovely mom-to-be as part of a dream that has been dancing in my head since late August. Can't wait to share my dream with you! Before that, here a few of the photographs I took at our session on Uluwatu beach in Bali.
