So, I needed to get new photos and I could have easily rented a studio and gotten anyone to shoot for me with my camera. The problem is, I needed to be shot WITH my camera. Yes I could have done it myself with a tripod, but it’s not the same you know? Being a photographer myself, I will have certain expectations so it has to be someone I trust.

I thought of Fauzi Anuar, a fellow photographer friend I met on The Big Shot Season 3, three years ago. It was a photography reality show we were both on and we kept in touch through Facebook since. He went into photography full-time after the show – check out Zee & Marina Photography – and yay, he agreed to shoot for me!

We did the photos at his home studio and it’s funny but I do get awkward in front of the camera sometimes, especially if it’s your friend! #iknowright Well, the photos turned out AMAZING! I knew I trusted the right person. Here are the photos, some of which you probably saw on my Instagram already:

Q&A with Fauzi Anuar:

1) When and how did you get into photography?

I got into photography by accident – I bought a DSLR meant for my wife in 2008 and the initial plan was to learn how to use it and later teach her. It became a hobby after that. It’s funny how I actually didn’t like taking photos before!

2) Photography was a hobby to you first; when did you decide to step out on your own then?

I believe in fate. The journey that brought me to photography is accidental. It made me believe what I wanted to be. When my last full-time employment contract ended, I decided not to renew it and chose to pursue this path instead. It was a difficult decision for my wife and I, but we both hope it will be fruitful one day.

3) What does photography mean to you?

Photography is an avenue for me to be creative. Honestly, I never had a creative background. But creativity knows no boundaries and when I started photography, I knew I wouldn’t be stuck in a rut. From a hobby to now my rice bowl, photography means a lot to me now than before. It pushes me to be experimental, diligent, detailed and a perfectionist; amongst many other traits that I picked up when I went full-time into photography. My biggest motivation is to create good images to keep my family and I fed.

4) What is the greatest satisfaction you derive from photography?

To see the end result exactly how I wanted it to be. If it didn’t turn out the way I planned, I will take it as a learning lesson and plan even better the next time. When I nail something good, the cheers from my customers, my family members and their friends are overwhelming and that’s what drives me too. I also send my best images to photo competitions to see where I stand.

5) Where do you draw inspirations from?

I draw inspirations from everywhere and I like mixing different styles, experimenting all the time. What I like most is creating ‘clean’ lighting when shooting in the studio – I only have a set of four lights and I try to use them all each time I shoot.

6) I love your composite images. Share with us one favourite shot.

Compositing is also what I love to do. My most significant shot since doing this professionally is this one I did for a mummy blogger and it’s called ‘Portrait in Pano’.