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OLAM Pictures, Jakarta (2026)

31/03/2016

I have never known Adel nor Medi before. But when Adel saw my pictures posted by her friend somewhere, she decided to drop me an email. I replied her back and soon we were chatting with each other. That is, basically, how I got to know Adel and Medi.

A few days later, we arranged a meetup at a cafe near my neighbourhood. Adel introduced me to Medi, her soon-to-be husband, and we started to chat while waiting for Adel making her order at the counter. Just from the first five minutes or so, I could tell that this couple is special. Adel is cheerful and warm, and Medi seems more reserved but very polite–a perfect combination.

So after some introduction and a little background of ourselves, Adel explained her wish to be photographed together with Medi before their wedding day. I had no objection, of course, but there is just one problem. I did not feel like Adel and Medi was convinced with the idea of doing an outdoor photoshoot at the locations I had proposed earlier. They did not explicitly say ‘no’, but I just could feel it in the air. Something was off. At first, I thought it was the locations, but later I realized that the word ‘outdoor’ was the main problem.

It appeared that Adel had already had a concept in mind. Her eyes were filled with enthusiasm when she showed me the pictures in her gallery that she had gathered from the internet. Those pictures are great, I have to admit, but they were taken in a studio!

I then explained to Adel and Medi that I am specializing in outdoor and travel photography. I have never even thought of building my own studio because for me, being demanded to work creatively in a four-walled confined space is simply frustrating. But you cannot just ignore a couple with their lovely ideas of how they perfect wedding pictures would be like… Even if you can, I did not have the heart to reject the wish of this very sweet couple.

So, I said ‘Okay’.

What follows next was weeks of rigorous research to find a good studio that is located not too far from our neighbourhood, wardrobe shopping (I can imagine Adel doing all the works while Medi sitting at the corner), and even props hunting (Adel was dying to have a picture on a ladder!). As for myself, I reopened my photography books just to convince myself that I knew what I was doing.

But the universe seemed to side with us. We found the right studio and the right time in my busy schedule. We even found two lovely headpieces in the studio wardrobe that we used for the photo shoot! So when we finally wrapped up the photo session, it was sooo delighting to see the results of our works.

I cannot say anything else but ‘Thank you’ to Adel and Medi for this wonderful experience. I enjoyed working with you and I wish you happiness throughout your married life. ‘Til death do you apart…

14/03/2016

Do you ever wish you were born into a different family?

I did.

I wish I was born into a Japanese family, to be able to celebrate spring festivals in yukata and enjoy Japanese food every single day. A French family might also be a good option. The language is so pretty and I would really love spending summer among lavenders and sunflowers in Provence with my siblings. What about an American family? My Christmas moments would have been so romantic, I guess.

But you know, all those dreams will never come true.

Each of us has been born into a family where we were meant to be. And no matter how hard we try, we cannot change it. It might not be a perfect family, but it is definitely the best. We are here among our parents and siblings for a reason, a reason we might not know yet at the moment. If we just try to accept our family and love them as they are, we will learn something from them. And we will grow.

The photos on this post are taken from my recent photo shoot with my friend Sas and her little family. She is now expecting her second child, and I sincerely believe that the little baby would be happy to be very born in this family. She would have a cheerful mom, a caring dad, and an adorable brother. And most importantly, she would have a cool uncle to take her pictures… (that’s me for sure!)

14/03/2016

“When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you, believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you, so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth, so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure, then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor, into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears. Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; for love is sufficient unto love. And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; and to bleed willingly and joyfully.”

[The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran]

14/03/2016

Jogja has always had a special place in my heart. It is not the most beautiful place on earth or what, but every corner keeps reminding me of the moments when I met some of the greatest people in my life. That is probably the reason why I get so excited every time I need to do a photoshoot there. But Jogja is also a wonderful place. Not only we can easily find pretty places to explore, there is also something about Jogja that adds magic to the pictures.

These pictures of my friend Lhuri and her husband Taufiq were taken two years ago, during our trip to visit my brother. They were so in love, and Jogja provided the best atmosphere for me to capture their chemistry. We visited a wide range of places: cafes, museums, temples… and each of them added a unique feeling to the pictures.

Oh, how I really love the results! No wonder there is a saying “Jogja Istimewa”, because it is indeed irreplaceable.

14/03/2016

I have known Mawar for almost six years. We have been working together in a number of projects that served as a medium for our friendship to grow. There were, of course, times when we disagreed with each other, but she has always been a good partner to work with and a good friend to share stories with.

There are things about Mawar that I am not really fond of–like how she spent too much time and money for make-up, or how she can be such a drama when it comes to love–but in the end, those things have become funny memories that also shape our precious relationship. We all have our own minuses: bad habits, bad taste in choosing a partner, whatever… But a good friend does not really care about those. Instead, she can use those things to tease you without hurting your feeling. And that is exactly how I see my friendship with Mawar.

When one day Mawar told me that she was getting married with a guy I have never known before, I freaked out a little bit. I mean, she just knew this person, so how can she be so sure? But just as what I always did, I supported her anyway. I agreed to attend her wedding and take her pictures.

That was when I first met Idries, the partner she chose for life.

It does not take a long time to convince me that Idries is really the best partner Mawar could ever have. He is warm, easy-going, smart, and caring. But most importantly, he knows how to treat a lady with love. He gives Mawar the right amount of freedom: he lets her make her own decisions while at the same time gives her directions. He lets her be herself.

So, Mawar and Idries, I wish you both happiness and all the best for your marriage!

14/03/2016

What’s the best thing you can get from being a photographer?

For me, it’s the connection you create with your clients. Seeing them smile and enjoy every moment is a beautiful experience no words can describe. It is something that can always drive me forward, something that makes me want to pour all my heart out to my works. And my little clients are no exception.

Working with Nic for my latest project was an amazing experience. He’s smart, cute, lovable… but most importantly, he is almost two. And just like every other kid his age, he is always energetic and curious. No one can make him still for more than a minute, and asking him to pose is simply impossible.

So, I decided to let him be himself. He can play whatever he loves to, and do whatever he wants to. I would run and follow him around, trying my best to get the right shots at the right moments.

Later after the session was over, looking at the results, I would admit that getting a technically ‘perfect’ shot was indeed difficult with this little fella. But I think I’ve made the right decision.

Nic’s session lasted for almost 6 hours (which is actually very long for a little kid like Nic), but there was not a single time where he lost his mood and ruin the photoshoot. We did change the locations for our photoshoot, and that really helped us a lot in keeping Nic entertained.

When I returned home from the photoshoot, his father texted me. “Nic keeps looking for you,” it said. I smiled. I remembered how Nic refused to let me go when we were about to leave our last location. I also remembered when I first chat with Nic a few days before. He was shy, but then we became good friends. And I think this friendship would last for a lifetime.

14/03/2016

No matter how many times you have visited London, there is always something it has in store for you to discover. Just take a look at these pictures I took during my vacation last spring. Being bored with my dissertation project, I decided to have a getaway to outer London and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Greenwich and Mayfield.

I was fascinated with the beauty of these London suburban areas, and realized that London is not only about Big Ben and the Royal Family. Just about an hour drive from the busy traffic at the heart of London, lavenders bloomed beautifully and the sun kissed my skin with the warmth I had been longing for. It felt super amazing!

What made my day even better was, of course, a company of a good friend. Mahadi, my Balinese friend, is a great person to travel with. He is so organized, but easy-going at the same time. Our common interest in exploring new places and taking photos made my trip so enjoyable. I mean, what can beat the combination of a perfect weather, a lovely place, a good friend, and a day off during your dissertation period?

OLAM Pictures

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