A wedding lasts only one day, but the memories captured will be treasured for a lifetime.
For Sony Alpha Pro William Ooi, every wedding is more than an event to photograph about preserving emotions, relationships and stories that couples can relive for years to come.
α7RV | SEL135F18GM | 125mm | F1.8 | 1/160s | ISO 320
With over 20 years of experience in photography, William's journey didn't begin with weddings. Before becoming a professional photographer, he was a design and photography lecturer. Although he enjoyed teaching, he wanted to challenge himself and pursue photography full-time.
Along the way, he explored different genres including event photography, family portraits, children's photography, as well as commercial products and food photography. Each experience helped him grow as a photographer, but wedding photography was where he found his true passion.
"A wedding photograph is more than just a beautiful image," William says. "It's a memory, a story and a moment that belongs uniquely to that couple."
α7RV | SEL24F14GM | 24mm | F1.4 | 1/1600s | ISO 100
The Story Behind Every Photograph
For William, the best wedding photos aren't always the perfectly posed ones. Instead, they are genuine moments filled with real emotions.
Before every shoot, he spends time getting to know the couple. By chatting with them and making them feel comfortable, they're able to relax and be themselves in front of the camera.
"The more comfortable they feel, the more natural the photographs become," he explains.
This approach allows him to capture authentic smiles, laughter and emotions that truly reflect the couple's relationship.
One of William's most memorable shoots took place in Taiwan over 14 years ago. Together with his team, he carried all his camera equipment up a hill to photograph a couple with Taipei 101 in the background.
It was physically challenging, but the effort paid off. The photograph later received a Merit Award from the Master Photographers Association (UK), making it a milestone in his career.
"That experience taught me that great photographs often come from going the extra mile."
α7RII | SEL1635GM | 16mm | F5.6 | 1/100s | ISO 100
William's Tips for Wedding Photography
Wedding days move quickly, so photographers need to be ready for changing light and unexpected moments.
William prefers shooting in Manual Mode with Auto ISO, giving him full control over shutter speed and aperture while allowing the camera to adjust to different lighting conditions automatically.
He also uses Continuous AF (AF-C) with Eye Detection, making it easier to keep people in sharp focus, even when they're moving.
Another tip is to always shoot in RAW. RAW files preserve more image information, giving photographers greater flexibility when editing later.
Let the Light Tell the Story
Low-light environments are common at weddings, but William believes photographers shouldn't rely too heavily on flash.
Instead, he often uses fast prime lenses like a 50mm F1.4 or 85mm F1.4 and works with the available light to preserve the atmosphere of the moment.
He also encourages photographers to pay closer attention to White Balance.
Many people overlook it, but getting colors right can completely change the mood of a photograph. He also recommends experimenting with Sony's Creative Look settings to create colors and tones that match your personal style straight out of the camera.
α7RVI | SEL135F18GM | 135mm | F1.8 | 1/500s | ISO 125 | Creative Look: IN
See Beyond the Camera
After more than two decades in the industry, William believes the most important skill isn't knowing every camera setting but learning how to tell a story.
"Don't just learn how to use a camera. Learn how to see."
Today, alongside continuing his photography work, William hopes to inspire the next generation through education and mentoring. He also plans to explore more conceptual photography and create projects that celebrate Malaysia's rich culture and diversity.
For him, photography has never been about taking more pictures.
It's about creating photographs that people will continue to treasure, no matter how many years have passed.
