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INTERVIEW
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In addition, photography involves interaction with my clients. I am lucky to
have had very understanding and fun clients over the years who have given me
lots of encouragement and support. The moment when photos are delivered to
my client and you see tears – that satisfaction is priceless.
Howdidyouget intophotographyas a career?
I attended Central Academy of Arts after high school and graduated with degree in
graphic design in 2003. After I graduated, I worked as an assistant photographer
in a bridal studio in Kuala Lumpur from 2004-2009. Over this period, this bridal
studio expanded tremendously and grew to become the largest bridal studio group
in Malaysia. The expansion of the studio gave me good exposure to various clients
as well as providing a very good learning path. I was thankful and honoured to have
been promoted to Art Director in 2008. During this period, there were a total of 10
photographers and 4 assistant photographers who worked under my supervision.
Whatwas thebiggest challenge about settingup alone?
To be on my own was always my destiny. There were definitely some challenges,
such as the other aspects in addition to photography (i.e. admin, finance, com-
munication with clients and publicity), but I believe these are part and parcel of
setting up my own. With determination and discipline, coupled with passion for
photography, all these challenges can be well contained and overcome.
What do fewpeople realise aboutweddingphotography?
Some people might think that wedding photography is just to capture the beautiful
bride, bridegroom and the people surrounding them. A wedding only occurs once
in the lifetime of the bride and groom. What matter most is for the photos taken
to capture the atmosphere, emotions and feelings at that very moment; photos
that, years after the wedding, will remind them how they felt at that very moment.
In Search Of Beauty
Photographer Adam Ong may now take wedding photos for the rich and famous,
but he was set on his career path by a tragedy that shaped his relationship to images
forever. Hechats to
SarahRees
about his journey fromKajangschoolboy tosuccessful
photographer.
Whatwereyour earliest ambitions?
Since I was small, I have always liked
beautiful things. When I got slightly older,
I started to like beautiful things with char-
acter. At high school, I wanted my future
profession to be something connected to
the arts, perhaps even sound engineering.
When did you become interested in pho-
tography?
The most influential incident that lead me
to photography was a house fire when I
was around 12. That fire was devastating
and all of our family property, including
photographs of my family members,
were destroyed. I felt so sad to see all
the precious photos gone and started to
realise the importance of photography in
capturing moments in life.
What doyouenjoyabout photography?
When I see a picture, I always try and see
the story behind it. I try to understand
the purpose of taking that particular pho-
tograph, and I enjoy looking at different
photos. To me, photos are more powerful
than telling a story through text.
Together, we dance and light up the darkest night
AdamOng