As a wedding photographer, I’ve come across many interesting clients from all around the world, which is what makes my job particularly fascinating. On this occasion, I photographed a wedding portrait series for Viktor and Svetlana, a wonderful couple who had come to Hong Kong all the way from Russia for their honeymoon. 

Viktor and Svetlana loved the view of the Victoria Harbour, so chose to stay at the Ritz Carlton, the tallest hotel in Hong Kong which overlooks the impressive vast beauty of Victoria Harbour. Prior to the shoot, I had only communicated with the couple over email, so it was a delight to finally meet them. They were a tall and classy couple who, dressed in their stunning wedding gown and handsome suit, had an elegant demeanour, which suited the grandeur and sophistication of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. 

As I wanted the photographs to reflect the magnificence of the location, we did the shoot in a renowned Chinese restaurant at the Ritz called 天龍軒 (Tin Lung Heen). In the restaurant, the dark mahogany cabinets and the warm yellow and red tones were complemented by large panel windows that brought in beautiful sweeps of natural light. Viktor and Svetlana looked very comfortable in that setting – it seemed like they’d chosen the perfect place for their honeymoon. The restaurant also had an incredible corridor where the ceiling, walls and floor were made entirely from glass and crystals. It looked a lot like Yayoi Kusama’s brilliant installment of Infinity Mirrors, giving Viktor and Svetlana’s wedding portraits an opulent and futuristic touch.

It was truly a unique experience to photograph Viktor and Svetlana’s wedding portrait during their marvelous honeymoon. After the shoot, the lovely couple even extended an invitation for me to visit them if I am ever in Russia. Russia is a beautiful place; would anyone fancy having a wedding shoot over there?

Photography: Patrick Photography / Venue: 天龍軒 Tin Lung Heen

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Apart from weddings, I also shoot many maternity and family photos. For these types of shoots, I typically like to get my clients outside to enjoy the lovely weather and nature. I find that the fresh air, warm sunlight and green expanse provide an air of tranquility and freedom that is hard to replicate in a studio setting. The spaciousness of the outdoors is particularly appealing to young children as they feel more at ease to play and express themselves. As a result, the photos that come out of a shoot outdoors tend to feel more natural with my subjects content and carefree.

Hong Kong has a myriad of accessible, beautiful environments with large green spaces. For this maternity and family shoot with Lucosa and Ken, we chose to do it at a green patch under the late afternoon sun and during golden hour. This meant that we could avoid the harsh sun and shoot some warm, creamy, soft-lit photographs in anticipation of welcoming the fourth member (their second child) into their family. A great combination of heartwarming and playful moments were captured of the couple and their daughter that day. It was truly a lovely process to witness and photograph.

I can still remember photographing this family a few years ago when their first child was born. It’s crazy how quickly time has flown by! Kids grow up so fast, so be sure to take more photographs with them to remember the heartfelt and joyful family moments together.

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The photographs of Yulanda and Darren’s wedding are some of my favourite images of late. A key reason is because of the choice of location. In the heart of the bustling city of Hong Kong, the Murray Hotel is a beautifully refurbished establishment that once stood as a government office building. One of the great things that make it the perfect wedding venue is the bright white, gold and bronze accents that you can easily spot in their lobby to the outer walls. These elements are simple but elegant. To add to this detail, the windows of this building were designed precisely to avoid direct sunlight whilst letting in soft natural light to brighten up the rooms. This thoughtful consideration was perfect for creating beautiful indoor shots whilst the bride and groom got ready. 

Outside, old trees that were planted many years ago still stant to give the space a natural touch and a pop of green. By the entrance, we found a large ancient tree that made for a fantastic backdrop for Yulanda and Darren’s wedding shots. We took a lot of photos there including some candid photos of people enjoying and celebrating Yulanda and Darren coming together as husband and wife – I have no doubt that the environment added just as much to the tenderness of the wedding as the event itself!

Finally, one of the most significant spots we photographed the couple at was a slope going up to the hotel that had once been a car park. Whilst it has been remodeled, through the help of careful composition, you can see in the images that it still retains elements of its own historical structure. 

Besides our appreciation for the venue, we were thrilled to be able to capture the energy and emotions of Yulanda and Darren’s wedding. We were very lucky that Yulanda and Darren’s wedding venue and vision matched our own natural and candid photography style. I’m very happy with how the photographs turned out and I am thankful to the newlyweds for letting me photograph this important event in their lives.

Photography: Patrick Photography / Venue: The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel

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When picturing these sceneries, the images invoked are likely to be those of scandinavian forests and hawaiian coastlines. So, an initial glance at Chris and Michael’s pre-wedding photos may lead you to believe that they had travelled far for the shoot and a holiday. It may be surprising but in fact, these pre-wedding shots were taken just on a beach and the countryside in Hong Kong!

Hong Kong is a place like no other, in that you can be out of the bustling city and transported to a jungle of green within minutes. For Chris and Michael’s pre-wedding shoot, we found a spectacular woodland in the countryside with large, sprawling branches that created natural archways. The sunlight between the leaves printed on the ground like patchwork, which made for a dreamy and glowing environment to shoot in. Chris’s pastel pink dress complemented the green muted tones, which gave an air of enchantment and elegance. Hand in hand, Chris and Michael strolled through the woodland as relaxed and happy wanderers. It looked like something out of a fairytale.

As the day progressed, the couple found themselves at the beach. The late afternoon sun was warm and soft whilst Michael and Chris enjoyed their time together walking across the shoreline and listening to the calm waves. Stood in front of the majestic mountains, the couple looked radiant with love.

To find beautiful natural landscapes for pre-wedding shoots in Hong Kong, you do not need to go far! If you’d like to explore some of these places and have lovely photographs taken of you and your loved ones, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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As a wedding photographer, it should come as no surprise that I love photographing weddings. One of the best things about the process is witnessing the connections between friends, family and the bride and groom. The affectionate atmosphere is often felt throughout the day and recorded in the captured moments. 

April and Ivan’s wedding day was filled with warmth and cheerful spirit. I still remember the gentle beams of sunlight pouring through the windows of April’s hotel room – a sign of a good day – as she got ready for the Chinese tea ceremony. That morning, Ivan picked April up from the hotel and brought her to his beautifully decorated home, adorned in orchids and intricate paper cut outs to complement the traditional tea ceremony. Ivan’s mum even wrote her own blessings in calligraphy and stuck them to the living room wall. In the offering of teas, from the bride and groom to their seniors, the familial love was strong and all encompassing. 

The couple chose to host their wedding at the Gold Coast(香港黃金海岸酒店) as they had both always wanted a wedding in the outdoors upon the green grass. April’s spectacular wedding gown with the long train, was stunning in the wonderful soft light of the day as she walked down the aisle with her father. From Ivan and April saying their vows under a myriad of pastel flowers to April throwing the bouquet to her fellow bridesmaids and guests, these special moments in the greenery were precious and a joy to photograph.

Thank you Bride and Breakfast HK for featuring: An Elegantly Decorated Wedding Celebration at Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel

Photography: Patrick Photography / Venue: Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel / Bride’s Gown: Simply Love Wedding, 錦發繡莊 / Makeup Artist: Luscious Wedding / Bouquet and Floral Decorations: Pride-to-Be Wedding & event Decoration /  Bridesmaids’ gifts: Made of Pearl / Wedding Cake and Dessert Table: Bakery Plus

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