Pretty Little Venus!

Location: Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur

When: During Lil’ Venus 3rd session for “The First Year” baby portrait photography package.

Note: This little girl is now 9-month old! It’s so amazing watching my clients grow!

28.02.2010

Little Angela

Location: Taman Tun Dr Ismail Park

When: During Little Angela’s baby photo session with her family.

Note: Her “kai-ma” aka God-Mother brought this drawer along for the photo session. Really appreciate such effort!

01.03.2010

Twins!

Location: Petaling Jaya

When: During Little Devya and Little Devesh baby photo session at their home.

Note: They’re my first twins! That piece of furniture they’re on is an antique, I tell you!

02.03.2010

Little Adam

Location: Kuala Lumpur

When: During Amin & Shareen’s Wedding Anniversary photo session.

Note: This is their youngest son, waiting to dress up for their family portrait session.

03.03.2010

Vrrrooommm!

Location: Petaling Jaya

When: During Little Seth’s birthday party

Note: This is one of Little Seth’s car toy. So cool, eh?

04.03.2010

Yummy Thumb!

Location: Subang Jaya

When: During Little Jayden’s newborn photo session

Note: This little (big) boy was only 3-weeks old and he’s managed to bring his own thumb into his mouth! Clever boy!

Alritey! That’s all for today.

If you like what you’ve seen so far, why not try your luck at ALP’s Birthday Contest to win a FREE photo session with me? There are e-vouchers to win as well, so go check out the details and we’re looking forward to seeing your entries soon!

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This post will be a “sticky” until the contest is over, so please scroll further down for the latest blog post. Don’t worry… I’ve not forgotten to post more cutie pictures.

UPDATED: Deadline of contest submission has been extended to 18th March 2010 (Thursday) at 8.00 p.m. local time (GMT +8.00).

Hello hello hello!

So today’s the day! Nope… it’s NOT my birthday… YET… But it WILL be in a month’s time. In fact, I’ll be sharing my birthday with my little girl, Haley, (whom I fondly nickname as my cheeky Little Mouse) next month and she’s turning ONE!

Our upcoming birthday is a special milestone not only for Little Haley, but for myself, my husband and my own mother. Why so? Well… I’ve been reflecting a lot lately and I came to review the many challenges we had gone through to raise our little girl.

Sacrifices.

The pain & time I had to endure to have my baby. The sleepless nights we had to go through when Little Haley was trying to adapt into this new world. We sacrificed our social lives, our own personal time and our own desires & needs in order to be there for her while she’s growing up. Endless sacrifices…

And we did it out of LOVE! From the very deepest part of our heart & soul. Because we WANT to…

Hence, to celebrate Little Haley’s birthday and mine next month, we’ve decided to do it in a more intimate way. But that’s another story to tell later on.

And I’ve decided to make something special for you, my ever supportive friends, fans & blog readers. A blog competition based on the title “To Sacrifice, To Love”. This is my first time organizing such competition for ALP, so please bear with me if there are mistakes & such throughout the process. I promise I’ll try my best to do it as right possible!

OKAY! Here are the details:

To Enter:

1. Write a blog post (or for Facebook members who do not own a blogsite, write a Note) with the title “To Sacrifice, To Love”.

Write something about a meaningful sacrifice you’ve experienced in your life with a loved one/s, or something. Be as creative as you can. It can be in a form of an essay, or a journal, or a poem, or a cartoon strip, etc. Get my drift?

At the end of the post, write briefly on what you’d like to do with ALP’s winner gift.

2. Link your blog post (or Note on FB) back to this blog-post. If you’re not too sure what’s the link address, here it is:

http://astherlau.com/2010/02/26/special-announcement-alps-birthday-specials-a-contest/

3. In addition to that, email me (asther@astherlau.com) the link to your blog-post (or for Facebook members, PM me the link to your Note) along with your details (Name, Email & Contact Number)  This is so I KNOW you’ve entered and contributed and I can head on to reading the entry.

4. The last date to submit your contributions will be on 5th March, 2010 (Friday) at 8.00 p.m local time (GMT +8.00). I’ll start downloading my email inbox at that hour to receive your final contributions.

5. Sit back and relax while waiting for the next blog post announcement from ALP!

The Judging:

1. There will be two judges from ALP. Myself and another ALP’s friend.

2. We will shortlist FIVE (5) favorite postings and announce them on ALP’s blog a day after the submission deadline. For FB members who posted a Note as an entry, ALP will re-host your entry on ALP’s server so everyone can go & read it.

3. These FIVE (5) favorite postings will be opened for public voting for the final winner! Voting will end on 26th March, 2010 (Friday) at 8.00 p.m local time (GMT +8.00).

4. Winners will be announced on the 28th March, 2010 on ALP’s blog. Emails & e-vouchers will be distributed out to the winners soon after.

5. No other correspondences will be entertained and judges’ decisions are final.

The Winning Prizes:

ONE (1) FREE portrait session with yours truly worth RM500 consisting of:
* 2-hour outdoor/indoor session, 1 location within Klang Valley, 50 high resolution digital photos in DVD + ONE (1) FREE A3 poster print (which is worth an extra RM100).

FOUR (4) ALP’s e-vouchers worth RM100 each for redemption of any of ALP’s portraiture packages.

Winning prizes valid up to 1-year from date of issue & they’re transferable!

The Rules & Regulations:

1. Each post entry should not be longer than 500 words. Keep it nice & short for easy reading.

2. ALP’s e-vouchers are only redeemable for portrait sessions within Klang Valley. I may consider for outstation location IF winner is willing to bear transportation, accommodation & meal costs for me.

3. ALP’s e-vouchers are only valid for non-promotional packages.

4. Only your names & links to your posts will be posted on ALP’s blog. Your emails & phone numbers will stay Private & Confidential within ALP’s care.

5. NO plagiarism please!

6. You can submit up to 3 entries.

Wokay! Did I leave anything behind? Do let me know and I’ll try to update this contest so it serves everyone properly. So let’s get blogging!

As for Project 365 (Year 2010) for today:

Smudgy!

And I’ll end this post with a quote from Napolean Hill:

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.

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18.02.2010

Wet is Hot!

Location: Kuala Lumpur

When: During Yiannis & Alison portrait session

Note: This couple just rocked my day by playing along with this concept!

19.02.2010

Sun-Shiny Couple!

Location: Lake Gardens

When: During Darragh & Kim portrait session

Note: We had such a beautiful sun-shiny morning that day! I was like “woo hoo!” all the way!

20.02.2010

Por-Por and Grand Kids!

Location: Bukit Jelutong

When: During the Sheh’s family portrait session

Note: This photo makes me all warm & fuzzy inside!

21.02.2010

Little Ryleigh

Location: Penang Island

When: Little Ryleigh just woke up & was waiting for my arrival from Kuala Lumpur.

Note: Her baby cot was next to a huge window that lets in such beautiful morning sunray!

22.02.2010

Chris!

Location: Layang-Layang Island, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

When: During a honeymoon dive trip.

Note: This is Chris Tan, a dear friend who’s working for ScubaZoo.

23.02.2010

Bubbles Time!

Location: Kota Damansara, Selangor

When: During Little Alexis’ portrait session

Note: Little Alexis & Mommy J enjoying some bubble time!

24.02.2010

Floria

Location: At home

When: Just another day.

Note: Bought a new bunch of flowers for the house.

25.02.2010

Hand Bouquet & Bridal Shoes

Location: Thien Hou Temple

When: During Jordan & Sharon’s registration of marriage (R.O.M) ceremony day.

Note: I love detail shots during R.O.M or weddings.

Wokay! Come tomorrow, I’ll be announcing a birthday specials for you, dearest friends, fans of ALP and readers of this blog. So do come back sometime after dinner time for the special news. (Cos I’ve got shoots both in the morning & late afternoon, hence, will only be posting the announcement after am home.)

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I’m sure glad I could and did! Lil’ Meagan took some time to warm up to my presence. Poor girl had to endure our tropical heat (although it was early morning but she’s been so used to the weather in Aussie, you see…) and she was all smiles after some food, accompanied by her fluffy “woaw-woaw” aka her soft-toy doggie, then we let her play in the little stream available in the park.

We had a wonderful time together. Both daddy & mommy were very open to my suggestions during their toddler’s photo session. I was very happy cos Little Meagan and her parents were so warm together infront of the camera. Come look for yourself!

Little Meagan asking for daddy & mommy

Pick me up!

Awww... she was upset cos daddy & mommy left her alone just now.

So Mommy P took some time to calm her down.

What a sweet moment with pretty morning sun!

Sharing some giggles with Mommy P!

AND she's ALL SET!

With her fluffy "woaw-woaw"!

Ooohhh! Bubbles!

What a sweet smile!

Ooohhh! What's this?

She's sooo happy to be in the water!

Splish-Splash!

Awww... time to dress up. She wasn't very happy when fun time with water ended.

She looked so fresh!

Now some family photos!

So warm & lovely!

What a beautiful family!

With Mommy P

Beautiful girl!

Taking a slow walk with Daddy TH

And they saw a squirrel up on the trees!

She's tired now and all she wants was to suck her thumb. Awww...

And this photo will be part of my Project 365 for today.

I love this family! I can seriously feel the warmth of love by just looking at them together!

Thank you so much for sharing a part of your family life with me that day. Hope to see you all again, (maybe in Melbourne) sometime soon! *hugs*

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I started with some awake-shots and we didn’t get a peep out from her. She was sooo accommodating, with some little baby wriggles & stretches once in a while. Otherwise, she just let Aunty Asther do whatever she wants with her little self! Mommy S eventually fed her baby girl and Little Natharsaa went into milk-coma for the remaining session.

Okay… enough said, here are a few of my fav from the day.

A big-little yawn!

Zzzzz...

Tu-Tus! TQ Mommy S for getting this for the shoot!

Sweet!!!

The head-band & basket were prep by Mommy S too! *heart*

Little Toes!

With Mommy S. Look at that cheek!

And this will part of my Project 365 for today;

Newborns are just sooo flexible!

Thank you so much, Mommy S, for having me over that day. Love all the props you’ve prepared & for being so receptive to all my little ideas in the session. All the best in mommy-hood!

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"Spiky!"

Location: Home

When: After her dinner.

Note: My Little Mouse sweats so much these days, especially during meal times. This was taken after I tried to wipe off the sweat from her head and the result was too cute not to be captured by my camera! She showed me her cheeky face while I was photographing her.

14.02.2010

"Look!"

Location: Home

When: During a chill time at home.

Note: Little Mouse loves to play with my laptop and here’s her announcing to us she found a “mouse”! Hahaha…

15.02.2010

"Rings"

Location: Thien Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur

When: During Sharon & Jordan’s registration of marriage (ROM) ceremony.

Note: I unofficially started work today by starting on my editing frenzy again since my mum’s back in KL with us to help with Haley. Edited this ring shot and I think it’s my best ring shot to date! Starting work tomorrow with a newborn photo session!

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She has always been a good listener to my various rantings & what-nots. I’ve shared with her intimately on my dreams and my worries, my crazy ideas and my daily goings. Needless to say, she’s always there, accepting me for who I am and never even once judge me for my foolishness & silliness on certain events in my life.

The best memory I had was during our photography rendezvous around Kuala Lumpur; Putrajaya, The Butterfly Park, etc. I just picked up land-photography (previously I was only into underwater photography) and I always admire Alison’s arty-fartsy work on her paintings and photographs taken from her P&S. She’s been such an inspiration to me! Hahaha… Check out her work here:

Pics @ Deviant Art

Paintings @ Deviant Art

Blog @ Blogspot

She finally got swept off her feet by a Greek guy & moved to Greece few years back. I miss her a lot since she left. Where else can I find a crazy female buddy like her who is always open for crazy ideas & impromptu decisions to go for something on that very second?! Sigh…

This Chinese New Year holiday, Al finally found a chance to return to Malaysia and along with her is Yiannis, her long time sweetheart. They had their marriage solemnized in church, infront of God & her beloved family members on a ridiculously hot & humid evening. Her poor beau was literally melting while waiting for his bride to arrive! Hehehe… But he told us this,

“… if this is what I gotta do, I WILL do it for her!”

and he said it with a big warm smile.

I attended the wedding as a guest and my heart was filled with such warmth & happiness for my best pal. I managed to snap a few during the ceremony, followed by the dinner reception at the church’s common hall. Albeit simple & small, her wedding was planned out with such warmth & love from her family members and the little details made the wedding  just as beautiful as a big wedding would!

Here’s a few I managed to capture that evening.

The beautiful church of St. Francis Xavier.

A Chinese (Lunar) New Year decor in the church.

Beautiful flower arrangement decorating the aisle.

Yiannis trying to act cool although he's literally melting under the tropical heat!

And here comes the bride!

Look how beautiful the church altar!

Being blessed by the priest.

Al putting on the wedding band for hubby.

Mr & Mrs Hadjirallis!

Here's the wedding car. Love those flowers!

Bridal bouquet. *heart*

Beautiful tropical orchids decorating the tables at dinner reception

Cutting the cake

Sparkly sprinklers!

And this one will a part of my Project 365 photo of the day.

The First Dance. Awww...

Here’s wishing you two a blessed & endless love for each other, a life filled with continuous happiness and may you travel this journey hand-in-hand till eternity!

With lots of love, Asther. xoxo

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So today is another poll day regarding teething in infants/babies. Let’s see what’s the most common symptoms of teething and what other weird symptoms that might have happened to your babies. Let’s share again, mommies & daddies!

More info on teething babies:

@ Teething Tots , @ Teething-Teeth.Com , @ emedicinehealth

As for today’s Project 365, this is what I first captured…

"Cheeky Face!"

… when I asked my lil’ girl to show her little teeth. I was making this “eeeee” sound for her and she took it as me asking her to make a cheeky face expression!

And finally…

"Pearly Whites!"

… a photo showing off her two new pearly whites!

That is all for today. ALP is in a midst of planning out a birthday giveaway surprise to ALP fans & blog readers sometime soon so do come back or stay tuned!

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"Family Time"

Location: Bandar Utama

When: During Little Te Yong’s family photo session

Note: Chinese New Year is near and families are gathering together to celebrate the Lunar New Year!

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"The Look of Joy"

Location: Petaling Jaya

When: During Little Devya and Devesh’s photo session.

Note: This is Devya and her mommy. She just woke up and what a joy to see mommy’s smiling face! That makes a very happy baby indeed!

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