In its first 12 months, Singapore-based global wedding photography platform PhotographyOneThreeOneFour has expanded to more than 12 destinations, providing work for more than 120 photographers.
Connecting couples with photographers in different cities around the world, the online marketplace lets them compare the prices and details of photoshoot packages, and browse portfolios.
“Korea and Bali remain our most popular destinations,” says co-founder Scott Ng, talking exclusively to Inside Retail Singapore.
“We have added more than 10 Korean wedding studios that offer a seamless wedding shoot, including gown rental and makeup.
“We definitely hope to connect our couples to even more exotic destinations in future. Our furthest connection was booking a Singapore couple with an Italian photographer for a shoot in Venice, and next month our photographer in Japan will be doing a surprise proposal shoot in Tokyo.”
Over the past months, most couples have used the company to book a photographer for their engagement shoot in Bali or Seoul.
“While our marketing focus has been on Singaporeans, we have had couples from other countries – a Russian couple booking a honeymoon shoot in Bali, an Australian couple booking wedding-day coverage in New Zealand’s Hobbiton, and an Australian couple heading to Seoul.”
Photographers involved also love the concept. “Potential clients can find you quickly and this platform and know your rates before contacting you,” says Bali Pixtura photographer Ivony. “Booking and payment are easy as well, without any confusion for either client or photographer.”
Couples are offered a layer of protection by OneThreeOneFour, with payments to photographers being withheld until after the photoshoot.
“By engaging a local photographer, couples can tap into their deep knowledge of their cities and their network of local vendors,” says Ng. “Couples will also enjoy significant cost savings as they do not have to pay airfares or accommodation for the photography team.”
OneThreeOneFour’s system is easy to use. Couples first choose their destination then can view a list of photographers there, along with their portfolio and packages. They can chat directly on the platform with the photographers if they have any questions, and can confirm the photoshoot by booking and paying through the platform.
“As locals, these photographers can take you to some of the best hideouts in their countries,” says client Valerie Kor.
OneThreeOneFour was launched after Scott Ng and Eve Law wanted their pre-wedding photoshoot in Bali, but were intimidated by the tedious process.
“You have to sieve through Google search, find quality photographers and ask them for quotes one by one. You also have to worry about safety and reliability, as most require a deposit payment,” says Law, an economics graduate who leads design and community at OneThreeOneFour.
Ng, who leads product and community at OneThreeOneFour, is a business management graduate.
Also involved is Future IT Business Leader award-winner Lee Xiang Rui, who leads front-end development at OneThreeOneFour. He is a summa cum laude graduate in information systems management. Back-end development is in the hands of information system management graduate Chan Wei Tian.
All four studied at the Singapore Management University.
