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Updated Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:41 am TWN, By Stephanie Low, CNA

For one bridal photographer, the job is more than taking pictures

Bridal photographer Hsu Lien-chun's relationship with newlyweds does not stop with the photos. He actively tries to promote happy marriages by urging the couples he photographs to ...

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For one bridal photographer, the job is more than taking pictures

This gave rise to his idea to promote pre-marriage education — which is common Christian practice — among non-Christian couples to accompany them through the difficult period and help them better prepare for married life.

He once offered an NT$10,000 discount on his rates to encourage his clients to take part in the courses, in which couples are usually required look at issues such as each other's family background, expectations for marriage, financial plans and ways to deal with emotions.

The bid, however, was unsuccessful because most were frightened by the idea of attending such courses.

Hsu, however, is prepared to continue the effort after finding a way to package the program and is planning to set up a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy marriages and reducing divorce, which he believes is often at the root of various social problems, such as children dropping out of school and single parenthood.

There is also a plan to provide free financial planning courses for couples, because indebtedness can be one of the most destructive factors in marriages.

Many of Hsu's ideas have been drawn from his own life experience, including a riches to rags transformation and restoration of faith after converting to Christianity.

Entering the bridal photography business when he was 23, Hsu once owned two bridal shops during the sector's boom period in the 1990s.

His business, however, collapsed overnight when his second shop unexpectedly burned down in a fire.

Struggling to repay his debts, he worked as a photographer in various bridal shops, and it was during this time that he had an affair with a colleague.

One day, he heard a sermon on marriage and infidelity at a church service that resonated deeply with him. Determined to salvage his marriage, he confessed to his wife and begged her for forgiveness.

Having gone through a marriage crisis himself, Hsu has come to realize that the recipe for a happy marriage is for couples to always remember the sensations and feeling of love that they experienced when they first fell for each other.

And that is now one of the main pieces of advice he doles out to couples as he takes their pictures, hoping not only to help them preserve the memory of their wedding but also lay down the foundation for a happy future together.

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