Taking a boat up the Chao Phraya River to the incredibly ornate Wat Arun and then onto Wat Po before heading to MR Kukrit Pramoj Teak House and endeding up high above the city in Vertigo Bar, Banyan Tree Hotel’s sky high bar. I hope Lee and Trung had a great wedding back in their hometown of Hanoi and I look forward to seeing them next time in Bangkok!

Aidan

We took a boat from the resort through the rolling countryside to ‘The Golden Triangle’  before carrying on to Chiang Saen to visit the local market and temple. The afternoon was spent at the resort elephant trekking through their picturesque grounds before ending the day at ‘Sundowners’ bar.

The Four Seasons Tented Camp lived up to their high expectations and the staff were superb. Billy and Viv had a very memorable experience and thank you for inviting me to be part of it!

Aidan

IMAGES BY JULIAN

IMAGES BY AIDAN

“At the beginning of June I photographed Helena and Ade, a lovely young couple from Jakarta, in Saigon. The two of them were great subjects, had lots of ideas for style – from classic to street to traditional – and had chosen some beautiful locations. We started early one morning at Notre Dame Cathedral, visited a few more places around the centre, and then finished up in the evening at the Fine Art Museum and Jade Emperor Pagoda. I wish them all the best for their wedding this November and for their future together.”

You can see more at Dominic’s blog Needs Cheese!

We met in Bali for a portrait session, which gave me an opportunity to explore some great places with them that I’d never been to, including Tanah Lot and Taman Ayun temples. Even with the crowds, Tanah Lot was impressive. Fei and Leon were game to get close to the great big waves pounding the rocks around the temple, and we all had a great time making pictures and getting wet.   

They had a holiday coming up in Thailand, I was working in Koh Samui at the time, so the stars aligned and we met in Chewang for an early morning stroll along what is, I have to admit, a pretty tired looking main drag. But we were on the hunt for images that were a little bit different, so backing off the beach and into the rundown parts of town actually worked really well for us.

We had big plans for the afternoon session, which were completely derailed by an epic car ride getting lost in the mountains (roads had been washed out by severe flooding the week before), and then a hike up a waterfall that severely tested my ability to breathe. Both Kelsey and Travis are, shall we say, just a tad fitter than me. I had to stop and catch my breath a few times as they bounded up the sheer slopes.

So, we decided to make up for the lost afternoon by having another late afternoon shoot at a great secluded beach area on the north side of the island the next day. And it couldn’t have worked out better. Plus, we got to hang out for an extra day, which was pretty awesome. Hopefully they’re moving to Phuket this fall, and it would be great to be able to see them from time to time. Maybe Travis can help me with my backhand.

Aidan: I spent 3 wonderful days with Vinh, Jessica and their families and friends who had traveled over from the US to Vietnam for their wedding.

Starting out in Saigon for a photoshoot around the city, we were only 30 minutes into the day when I had my camera snatched by a passing motorbike! Luckily I had another body and lenses on me so after a quick composing coffee we carried on and made our way from Notre Dame Cathedral to Ben Thanh market and finally to the gardens around Saigon Zoo. They were such a game for a laugh and fun to be around that I didnt even think of the loss, although it hurt the next day!

After a couple of days relaxing in Mui Ne, I met up with them again in Nha Trang where we spent the morning taking pictures along the beach. The weather was unusually unsettled but stayed dry long enough for us to get some shots. That evening we had dinner at The Sailing Club and the storm hit; high winds and heavy rain throughout dinner but it didn’t phase anyone. Vinh and Jessica decided that whatever the weather the next day, and even if it meant everyone wearing rain coats, that they were going to have their wedding on the beach! Love that attitude!!

The wedding was to be held at The Evason Ana Mandara, one of the first and best resorts in Vietnam. In the morning Vinh and his family made his way from The Sunrise Hotel by cyclo to The Ana Mandara for the Don Dau ceremony. Despite having to move from the garden into the bar they both looked great in their Ao Dai.

In the afternoon, the sky was dark and it threatened to rain all day. But come the ceremony it stayed dry and they had their wedding on the beach! A beautiful ceremony was followed by a quick photoshoot before a spectacular buffet dinner and dancing and laughing long into the night.

Thank you to Vinh, Jessica, their families and friends for a wonderful week. And a special mention to Hoa at The Ana Mandara who brilliantly organised the whole wedding only to have a motorbike accident the night before. We hope you have fully recovered x

Slideshow song “Use Somebody” by Pixie Lott.

As usual, its the images that you least expect that you end up happiest with.