Traces of Love in Taichung . You Jing & Clement
Couples : You Jing & Clement (from Singapore) / Location: Taichung, Taiwan
"Hi Ronnie, once again thanks a lot for today. Really appreciate your help and professionalism. Words can't express our gratitude towards you!"
- Clement
As someone whose primary market is Hong Kong, this was my first time photographing a 'Traces of Love' session in Taiwan. This session is different from traditional engagement or wedding photography; instead, I shoot with a documentary approach to capture the relationship and emotions of couples or soon-to-be newlyweds. I named this session 'Traces of Love' with the aim of presenting the real lives and stories of couples through candid pictures. The subjects of this session, You Jing and Clement, are a couple from Singapore. They often travel together and chose to visit Taiwan during Christmas. What makes this particularly special is that Clement planned to propose to You Jing during the session. I, of course, kept this a secret and made sure to surprise You Jing when the moment came.
Taichung’s transportation is far less convenient than Hong Kong’s, and the sightseeing spots are more spread out. Clement made special arrangements to stay in Taichung, hiring a car to take us to various locations.
We first went to Tai Hang Pink Lover’s Bridge, and enjoyed some local desserts nearby, before heading to the Lavender Forest in Xinshe District. This location was far from the city and surrounded by nature. It was here that Clement chose to propose to You Jing on a viewing platform. I pretended to let them admire the distant mountains while I took pictures from behind. At the moment when You Jing was least expecting it, Clement knelt behind her and took out the ring. When You Jing turned around, she was, of course, both surprised and delighted—this was a successful and sweet proposal!
During the 'Traces of Love' session, the focus was primarily on capturing real moments of the couple interacting with each other. However, in some scenic locations, I still took a few posed shots for them, though I made sure the photos maintained a spontaneous feel. In the afternoon, we visited Zhongshe Flower Market, followed by the famous sunset spot in Taichung, Gaomei Wetlands. The day ended at Fengjia Night Market, a must-see for any visitor to Taichung. Though the shoot came to a close, this day marked the beginning of a new chapter in You Jing and Clement’s life!
以香港為主要市場的我，首次在台灣拍攝 ‘Traces of Love’ session。這是有別於傳統訂婚或婚紗攝影的拍攝，而是以紀實手法拍攝情侶或準新人，我以 ‘Traces of Love’ 命名，旨在通過真實的照片呈現情侶之間的生活或故事，和他們之間的情感。這次拍攝的對象 You Jing & Clement，是來自新加坡的情侶，經常結伴外遊的他們，選擇在聖誕期間到台灣旅遊。特別的是，Clement 計劃在拍攝期間向 You Jing 求婚，直至 Clement 行動那一刻，我當然配合全程保密，讓 You Jing 感受這份驚喜。
台中的交通，固然沒有香港那麼方便，景點也相當分散，Clement 特意安排在台中留宿，並在拍攝當日包車前往各個拍攝地點。
我們先到大坑粉紅情人橋，品嚐了東東芋圓，再前往新社薰衣草森林。這裡已經非常遠離市區，是相對大自然的環境。Clement 選擇在一處觀景台，向 You Jing 求婚。我先假裝讓他們眺望遠山的風景，並從背後拍照，趁不為意時，Clement 就在 You Jing 的背後跪下，並取出戒指。You Jing 回頭一看，當然是既驚且喜，這自然是成功和甜密的求婚！
‘Traces of Love’ 過程中主要是拍攝情侶相處的真實時刻，但在景色優美的地方，還是可以為情侶們進行少量的擺拍，但我會堅持讓照片看起來自然。下午我們前往了中社觀光花市，和台中的知名日落景點 - 高美濕地，最後以同樣是遊客必到的逢甲夜市，作為全日拍攝的終點。拍攝需然結束，但這天卻標誌著 You Jing & Clement 邁向人生的新一頁！
TRACES OF LOVE . TAIWAN ENGAGEMENT . SINGAPORE ENGAGEMENT
DOCUMENTARY VALENTINE PHOTOGRAPHY