The magic of Canterbury Road, and why I won’t be back in a hurry

Pre-Weddings

Apr 15

When clients come to me to shoot their pre-wedding pictures, other than another popular location which I often go to, there’s often one place that either comes to their mind, or otherwise mine; Canterbury Road.

Canterbury is very well known among the wedding photographers’ circle as a prime spot to shoot sunset pictures. The sun’s rays beam down at golden hour, bathing one and all in a majestic glow.

The rolling slope serves as a great spot to run around, lie down, or even have a romantic moment in the fading light. Even the drain that runs down the slope can serve as a beautiful runway to traverse. It’s no wonder that you see the occasional family shoot, an organised proposal or the teeming mass of bridal couples strewn across the plain with their photographers in tow.

In the right season, the grass grows long and you even get to spy the autumn foliage and hay-like lalang blanketing the floor, serving as a great spot to lie or even throw at each other. I mean, where else can you find such a spot?

But a little known fact to most people is that the beauty of Canterbury Road lies not just in the slope and its glorious sunset, but rather the hidden spot that goes beyond the winding path below the slope itself. As one journeys on, you’d find yourself walking along a small canal. I daresay the canal itself is worth stopping for, having shot more than just couples here too.

At the end of the canal, you’ll find even what seems like a hidden Japanese bamboo forest, almost sticking out like a sore thumb amidst the scattered colonial houses. I remember the first time I chanced upon it, I actually had to stop and stand there to marvel and its grandeur… Then I had to keep moving because the mosquitos started attacking me!

Our wedding photographers’ circle has a running joke about certain photographers owning a territory where they shoot the most. To them, i’m the king of Canterbury. That in itself surprises and tickles me to no end! But after shooting here for years, while the wonder and magic of the place never ceases, I feel like i’ve explored all that i’ve needed and made the images that stand out and showcase the area more than most. It’s almost a sign to myself that it’s time to move on and make new images at new locations.

As the metaphorical sun sets on this place for me, it’s not that I intend to call it a night and never come back. Canterbury Road will always be my homeground. But as they say: “Home is not a place, but a feeling”, and I feel it’s time to get out there to challenge myself to make the whole of Singapore, not just Canterbury, my homeground.