I realized, when I was preparing to write this post, that this is the third time that I will be blogging about Z’sams and Alfred. The first one was during our Hong Kong trip, the second one was during their official prenup session (where I shot as the unofficial photographer), and the third time is during this session, which Z’sams (unexpectedly) won at last year’s February promo. I asked my friends to join the contest to support, but I didn’t think any of them will be picked. And no, the contest was not rigged. LOL
In their six years of marriage, Z’sams and Alfred have been through a lot, more than any married couple could normally bear. Z’sams has chronic kidney disease and in 2017, months before this photo session, she had a kidney transplant. It took them years to mentally, emotionally, physically and financially prepare for the transplant. Shortly after the operation, however, the new kidney had to be removed due to complications. Although it was difficult to accept and understand why things had to end the way they did, Z’sams and Alfred have grown more committed to be with each other and support one another. From their story, I realized that while there will always be uncertainties in life, it makes a world of difference knowing that you have someone who unconditionally loves you, someone willing to stick with you through all the uncertainties.
Although we never planned on doing this shoot, I was glad to have taken their couple portraits that time, to somehow document how far they’ve gone months after the transplant. It’s also a way for me to share their story and hopefully, inspire other couples who might be going through extreme difficulties.
I’ve known Z’sams for almost 10 years already, but I didn’t know a lot about their love story. So I took this as an opportunity to ask them to share a little about the wedding, the proposal and their favorite moments together as a couple.
(These photos were taken at Subspace Cafe, which sadly closed down late last year.)
At the time this session was done, Z’sams and Alfred were already married for 5 years and 6 months. Alfred proposed to Z’sams at Alba’s restaurant on an ordinary work day. According to Z’sams, Alfred picked her up at her office and said he wanted to eat at Alba’s. Z’sams already had a hunch that Alfred was up to something. True enough, Alfred proposed that night. Alfred admitted that he was supposed to propose during the Hong Kong trip the month after but there were people congratulating him already even before the trip. He didn’t want people congratulating Z’sams even before he actually proposed.
At the wedding, Alfred cried and Z’sams did not (according to Z’sams. Hehe).
When I asked them what is one interesting fact they found out about each other after they got married, these are their responses:
Z’sams: Alfred takes up more time preparing/dressing up than me.
Alfred says he knows Z’sams too well so he did not find out anything new about her.
(According to Z’sams: I think he’s just too shy to say I look even more beautiful without makeup.)
Their most memorable couple binding time they had was during their honeymoon in Palawan, their first trip as married couple. Their advice to couples is to enjoy every moment with each other.
