JonathanOng

I got back not too long ago from a wonderful workshop by Jonas Peterson & Sean Flanigan. It was great to meet the heros of the craft; and also an opportunity to network with other photographers in Australia.

On the flight home from Brisbane, I watched My Sister’s Keeper. It’s a beautifully sad story about a leukemia stricken daughter and her family. At the end of the movie, she made a scrap book of her life. The book was simply magical; a collage of memories and emotions filled from page to page.

Looking out from the airplane window after the movie, I was reminded me that there is so much more to life than we can even begin to imagine. That there’s something bigger than ourselves; that there’s something eternal. I really hope and pray that my images capture intangible emotions that help couples remember their first love for each other during the tough times. To remind them why they fell in love with each other, because we as human beings have a tendency to take one another for granted. To remind them that love never fails, ever.

Jonas & Sean showed us this video during the workshop. To show us that there’s more to life than post processing, and wide open apertures. That we should tell stories of love, not of glamour and vanity. This story tore up my heart into tiny bits. I’m sure it will tear up yours too. I fell apart when she said “Now you’ll see how much I love you.” That is what true love is – when everything goes against you but yet you love even more.

I’m looking to somehow incorporate doing one pro-bono wedding a year. I know not everyone can afford a good photographer, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve great wedding photos. Details out soon.

I will be heading to the other side of the world in August & September 2012, and will be available for weddings in London and the Europe area without the huge travel cost. Do inquire at hello@jonathanong.com.

It was at Charlie & Amy’s wedding, when the videographer and I were having a chat and he asked, “Do you still love it?” And without hesitation, I replied “Yup.”

I turned 26 a couple of weeks ago and like everyone who turns older, I took sometime to evaluate my life. (Nuji is a great website to create a wishlist. Here’s mine if you are interested.) I really thank God for the opportunity to do what I love. Yes, there are long days where my back starts to hurt from carry all my gear. And yes, like every job, there are things that I’m not always happy about. But ultimately, at the end of the day, I absolutely love what I do, and that’s what keeps me going.

I think part of the reason I love what I do is because of where I am. I love this city; which was most recently voted the most livable city in the world in 2011, despite its notorious weather. I love the fact that I get to meet all kinds of people, and experience all kinds of celebrations of love.

And at nearly every wedding, they always play one particular song on the dance floor – the Voice, by John Farnham. It gets me riled up, and reminds me that I’m lucky to be here, in Melbourne. It almost makes me proud to be an Australian, even though I’m not one. Yet. There’s a great version of it done by Coldplay together with John Farnham at Sound Relief in Sydney 2009. So here’s to you Australia.
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi.