New Country, Big Responsibility
It was my first time in Italy. I didn’t speak Italian, didn’t understand the bus system, and was lowkey praying Apple Pay would work on public transport (spoiler: sometimes it did, sometimes it ghosted me). Honestly, I was at a point where I just surrendered and let Google Maps decide my fate. If it said walk 1.2km uphill, I walked. If it said take a bus, I better not question and follow.
I was here for one reason: to help Daniel pull off a surprise proposal at Lake Como.And when you’re shooting something that only happens once, you don’t get the luxury of trial and error.
The Spot, The Light & A Bit of Faith
There are plenty of beautiful spots around Lake Como. But after much research, we found a location that checked every box—views, variety, and a quiet elegance that felt untouched. What sealed the deal was the sheer number of photogenic corners we could work with.
We thought we picked a quiet corner far from the entrance. But a few days before the shoot, we found out it was actually right near the entrance.
…so we winged it.
Because at some point, you just gotta have faith.
We planned the shoot around light direction and crowd patterns. But when the forecast shows rain, all the diagrams in the world won’t help.
Cloudy skies? Great. Even lighting.
You just work with what you’ve got—and make it work for you.
The Storm, The Tourists & Swiss Accuracy
When I left the Airbnb, it was raining. So there I was—umbrella in one hand, gears in the my bag—making my way to what I hoped would be one of the most important shoots of the year. About 15 minutes in, the rain stopped. I thought, maybe today’s not cursed after all.
Turns out, that was just the warm-up.
I had planned to take the bus. I arrived early… and still missed it by one minute.
Why? Because the “bus stop” was a supermarket signboard on one side and a tiny bus number on the other.
Like—what?! How was anyone supposed to know?
POV: Left the Airbnb in the rain. Not sure why I was smiling. lol
Yes. That was the bus stop sign and that face says it all.
Plan B: the ferry.
I power-walked to the terminal.
Looked up—and boom. A giant “SOLD OUT” sign slapped on the counter window.
Didn’t even get the chance to queue.
Then came Plan C: Uber.
About €100 for a one-way ride.
I just stood there, stunned. Like—this is the kind of number you close the app immediately and pretend you didn’t see.
At that point, I had no choice—I texted Daniel and told him we needed to delay the proposal.
See! I wasn't lying. It was about SGD150 for a single trip.
Apparently, I picked the worst timing. The next bus? One hour later.
The Bus Ride from Hell
Eventually, I waited out the hour and got on the next bus.
It was, hands down, one of the worst bus rides of my life.
The bus was packed. No ventilation. Stuffy beyond belief.
And to top it off, there was puke on one of the seats.
I stood the entire ride—an hour of trying not to throw up while gripping my gear and silently coaching myself: Don’t mess this up. Just get there.
The view outside was stunning—classic Lake Como scenes.
But inside? Let’s just say the view was great, but I wasn’t.
Arrival & Last-Minute Chaos
When I finally arrived at the location, I rushed into position and texted Daniel:
“DO NOT walk by the side path.”
Of course, he didn’t see it.
From afar, I saw him walking straight toward me.
I panicked, shifted my position, and hoped I hadn’t just ruined the surprise.
Thankfully, Daniel saw me too—and found another way around.
Close call.
Tried my best to give clear instructions. “Don’t walk by the garden”… of course, he didn’t see it 😂
Hiding in the bushes, watching their dot move in real time like some stealth mission.
The moment our dots nearly overlapped… and I almost got caught. 👀
The Moment We Waited For
He knelt down.
She said yes.
And just like that… everything else faded away.
The stress, the waiting, the puke-filled bus ride—it all melted as I captured one of the most heartfelt moments I’ve witnessed. The rain held off. The light peeked through. It felt like a moment that wasn’t just captured, but earned.
After the Yes: A Little Rain & A Lot of Magic
Right after the proposal, it started drizzling again. But this time, it felt magical.
The couple didn’t care. Neither did I.
We wandered around the area—taking photos through the soft rain, embracing the romance of it all. Some of my favorite frames came from this part. The kind of rain that makes everything feel like a film scene.
What I've Learned
Proposals abroad aren’t about perfect conditions.
They’re about trust, timing, and the willingness to adapt when nothing goes to plan.
Sometimes, all your months of planning lead to 30 seconds of magic.
And sometimes, it rains… and it’s even better that way.
Hi, I’m Wilson — your wedding photographer and calm in the chaos.
Based in Singapore and always ready to travel, I specialize in telling love stories the way they unfold — honest, unscripted, and deeply personal.
Whether it’s a cliffside elopement, a quiet solemnisation at home, or a big celebration surrounded by your favorite people, I’m here to plan with intention and photograph with heart.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of documenting love in all forms — and each time, it reminds me why I do what I do:
Not just to capture how it looked, but how it felt.
You might be dreaming of something unconventional. Something meaningful.
Whatever it is, I’m ready to walk that journey with you — to plan, to laugh, to stay calm when things go sideways, and to create images that feel like you.
Let’s create something real, something that lasts.
Reach out, and let’s make magic (and maybe a little mess) together.
- Director Photographer of Multifolds
Let’s create something real, something that lasts. Reach out, and let’s make magic (and maybe a little mess) together.
