New perspectives By MARZUKI ODIN Pictures courtesy of Kid Chan Where does a professional photographer go to shoot his wedding photos? Instead of flying off to some foreign destination - as may be expected - Kid Chan and bride-to-be Shirlyn Lim opted for Kota Baru, Kelantan! Shot from a fresh angle, with unexpected contrasts, the effects are electrifying. KUALA Lumpur-born and bred Kid Chan, 26, graduated from Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Australia, in International Business. Upon his return, he joined the family firm Portrait One, first as manager and then as one of the eight photographers. "I was a keen amateur photographer while in Western Australia. What started as a hobby took a serious turn when I decided to train under Studio 88, a commercial studio," explains the engaging Chan. "I started as a fashion photographer though I also took product shots for brochures, prospectuses and advertising." Neither Chan nor bride-to-be Shirlyn Lim, an audit assistant from Klang, were born in Kota Baru (KB). "In fact, we have never even been there!" says Chan. "My friends thought we would go Down Under to pose with the kangaroos, koalas and cockatoos. But we are Malaysian and an event as important as our wedding portraits should be taken right here."We collected Colours of Malaysia brochures and quickly fell in love with KB. Based entirely on the photos in the brochure, I felt KB and its surrounding beaches would be the perfect backdrop for our wedding shots. We were right! The Kelantanese were so friendly, easy-going and hospitable, we felt instantly at home despite being there for the first time. They were very amused to see us in full gown and tuxedo walking about KB." In KB's famed Central Market or Pasar Besar, they were cheered and offered Kelantanese sweets by the vendors. A trishaw peddler, whose vehicle they borrowed, took them on a tour of KB and refused to accept payment.

"We collected Colours of Malaysia brochures and quickly fell in love with KB. Based entirely on the photos in the brochure, I felt KB and its surrounding beaches would be the perfect backdrop for our wedding shots. We were right! The Kelantanese were so friendly, easy-going and hospitable, we felt instantly at home despite being there for the first time. They were very amused to see us in full gown and tuxedo walking about KB." In KB's famed Central Market or Pasar Besar, they were cheered and offered Kelantanese sweets by the vendors. A trishaw peddler, whose vehicle they borrowed, took them on a tour of KB and refused to accept payment. "He insisted that the ride was his wedding present to us! All he asked was for me to send a photo of us sitting in his trishaw!" says Chan. "I love the contrast of rustic kampung houses against Western outfits. The beaches at Bachok, Sabak and Pantai Cahaya Bulan were wonderful with dazzling blue skies and swaying coconut trees. The children would stop, stare and start chatting with us, pleased we had come to their beautiful beaches." Though it was their first visit, all it took was a few phone calls to sort out the logistics. "We stayed for four days in KB. Distances were not great from one place to another, though we were often waylaid by batik factories, silverware shops, songket weaving and various places of interest. We drove there from KL, so getting around was no problem. Once or twice we got lost but some of the best shots were taken at these areas! It was a great, unforgettable, made-in-Malaysia wedding photo session!"

The deepest irony? Chuckles Chan, "I have seen photos of newly weds against a backdrop of what I could have sworn were taken somewhere in Langkawi, Pangkor or one of the east coast states like Kelantan or Terengganu. The pictures were actually taken in Seychelles or Mauritius! Why spend so much time and money when you have everything here!"