I have been assigned to help my friend with his pre-wedding photo next week and I am kind of in a fix because:
1. I do not take portrait photography..or more like nor my forte
2. I do not know any good locations in Penang (although I grew up there. Ironic isn't it)

I would appreciate it if you guys could share with me some nice locations other than what I can think of.
On top of my mind are a few spots like Beach Street/Heritage enclave/Spice Garden/Botanical Garden/Straits Quay Boardwalk.

I would very much like to go to a nearby paddy field to grab some photos but not sure how to go about. Whom do I need to ask permission from?

And tips on locations that I should be aware of?

Tasik Mengkuang and Penang Hill?

Depends on what you / they like.

Straits Quay on a quiet day could be interesting.

Gurney Paragon is nice too, try the upper floors open area. Could do day scenes or night scenes. Up to you. Just make sure you get permission.

Too bad the coastal area outside Queensbay seems to be under construction or renovation.

Alternatively, there are many stretches of beach along Tanjung Bungah / Batu Ferringhi. Perhaps go towards the north of even to the other side of the island where the water is nicer.

there is an abandoned football field with knee to waist height grass along Jalan Permatang Damar Laut

it is by the beach in front of the Penang airport runway...

paddy field u can come to Prai... if u just snap beside the field i think sud be ok... besides, u can drop by St Anne church too...

E&O Hotel

Thanks for all the helpful advise mates. I really appreciate it.
I will definately have Mengkuang dam considered. I forgot about that place.

If I want to shoot in provate properties (like malls/shops/cafe's), Whom do I get permission from? the management? and will they usually charge a fee for photography?

For E&O hotel, It isnt allowed to shoot portraits there unless you are having your reception there. That goes for Lonepine.. its a shame really.

Another note, I would be doing it during Saturday and Sunday As I will be back only for the weekend. So I would try to avoid any crowded areas.

Straits Quay has quite some crowd over the weekend.

As for permission, you approach the building management.

Actually la, Straits Quay has a convention center. If there are no events then it should be quite empty.

If the day is bright then you can have quite some light for portrait.

Below was the lighting I got from Straits Quay Convention Center, upper floor.


か わ い い メ イ ド (kawaii meido - cute maid) at Culture Japan Convention 2013 by goldfries, on Flickr

Batu Ferringi Beach.. and hard rock hotel.

Ok So i have narrowed down to
- Heritage area (specific street suggestion?)
- Beach Street
- Mengkuang/Teluk Bahang Dam
- Spice Garden (maybe) or Botanic Garden.
- Straights Quay
- Indoor shots at my friends House.

I think its quite a lot of areas to squeeze into 1 day.
If I can have another day, I may go to some paddy field...

Just an update. for those that might be interested in using the following location for your photo shoots.

- Straits Quay requests 500$ for 2 hours of shooting around their Marina and fountain area
- Spice Garden is charging rm65 for 4 pax for using their venue as a locaiton

Did you have a look at Gurney Paragon?

Gurney paragon is the same.. You need paid some fees and get permission from management or else they will chase you out. It's happen to me few month ago but the end I go spice garden

ouhh they smart already, make place nice nice than charge people. Many places are doing that now.

ya lo...all charge is RM300 to RM500.. .. cheapest is spice garden...

Or.. unless you have a good net of connections that could get you a cheaper (if not free) deal.

So now it makes sense why are you paying so much for a proper pre-wedding photoshoot. Because the venues are charging so much for it.

Here's some suggestions. I been there before and watch people do photo taking, portrait there. I also do photo taking, still newbie

1) Teluk Tempoyak beachside and its small bridge(Good for sunset/sunrise portrait and Free Of Charge)

2) Sungai Semilang(Got paddy field and kampung feel)

3) Beach Street(Near Standard Chartered Bank)

4) Fort Cornwallis, Padang Kota Lama

5) Pengkalan Weld jetty and the clan jetty