Jan Shim … the accidental artist

It takes courage to dare to be different and one man has taken the road less trodden. Five years ago, Jan Shim left the corporate world. To some, giving up a stable income might be unthinkable but if you delve further, Jan is inspiring.

A stay-home dad cum freelance photographer, he says, “I want to be there for my children and not let them grow up with the domestic helper. We've read how working parents put their kids in harm’s way by trusting the safety of their children solely in the hands of maids etc. When I have to be away for extended work, I'm grateful my mother is there to help.”

Jan has carved a name as a much sought-after freelance photographer whose works are used by the likes of National Geographic and more. He adds, “My achievements are possible through the sacrifices and mutual understanding of my family. The nature of my work requires independence, mobility, odd hours and countless commuting. Work hours and demand can be unpredictable but they can be managed.”

Jan says that he is “Stubborn. Determined. Almost a workaholic. Thinker. Can be philosophical about life. Witty. Possibly creative. Personality can be larger than life or smaller than a mouse! I like people who are independent, humorous, confident and who see the big picture. I avoid pessimists and sarcastic people.”

“I grew up in a family of four. The only sibling passed away in 2001 at 29 years old after suffering from cerebral palsy since birth as a result of poorly diagnosed jaundice. My mother looked after him while juggling to raise me. I'm humbled by her sacrifices to care for my late brother until he succumbed to pneumonia on January 27, 2001. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my brother and although we never had ‘normal’ childhood together, I wish that he could experience life through my experiences.”

“I used to study in Western Australia and back here, I was in an IT firm till 2004. My wife of 13 years is in the IT profession and we have two kids, Jamie and Jewel. Having children and looking after them is a full time job.”

Photography was not one of his initial pursuits after leaving his job although a short stint in e-commerce selling motorsports parts got him to pick up photography to produce an online gallery. It was around the time of the Crown Prince’s Royal wedding when he got acquainted with the founder of Hua Ho, Pehin Kapitan China Kornia Diraja Dato Paduka Lau Ah Kok, with whom he served as personal photographer for several years.

As a photographer, his biggest challenge isn't the trade itself but the long commutes from his home in Seria to Bandar Seri Begawan where 95 per cent of his clients are based. He says, “With opportunities come choices. I try not to accept weekend assignments because I value my family weekends. I have turned down countless wedding photography opportunities. It takes a lot of commitment and sacrifices to be a bona fide wedding photographer and not just a ‘weekend warrior’. I put my family first and I almost always say no to Saturday work because that's the day my wife and I do our grocery shopping after dropping the kids off at school.” His inspiration, achievement and vision in life is to have a happy family and a peaceful and harmonious nation.

Jan has a flair for writing. “I've always aspired to get into writing someday. It seems like a logical and complements still photography very well. “

A Canon enthusiast, he explains, “The choice to go with the Canon brand has something to do with the fact that my father took many of my childhood photos on a classic Canon film SLR. My work and play camera is the EOS 5D Mark II which is abundant with significant features to complement the way I shoot.”

A Brunei permanent resident, he recently sat for his citizenship exams. He hopes to one day be able to truly call Brunei “my country, my motherland”. During his classes at Sekolah Siap-Siaga in Jalan Tutong under the strict tutelage of Cikgu Mansor, Jan has enriched his understanding of the nation’s national heritage and philosophies.

He explains, “The career transition to photography has been a very significant, insightful and meaningful step for me. Pehin Dato Lau's humble beginnings and determination have inspired and taught me about success through perseverance. My photographic journey with Pehin has been enlightening and brought me closer to my country and gave me a sense of identity and belonging. I sat for my third citizenship exam on 24th May 2009 and that too was quite a journey — the ‘Class of May 2009’ led by Cikgu Mansor was nothing short of educational and character building. Exams are over and I hope I did OK to get through. My wife and children are Brunei citizens and I look forward to the day I too become one so we can be one — the oneness of a nation and that of a family which Cikgu repeatedly drilled in us … of teamwork, unity, friendship and a bridge of peace that such values nurture.”

On his blog at www.shimworld.com, which is his voice to the public, he says, “I owe much of what I am today to my wife and family who encouraged me in the face of uncertainty. I am thankful and grateful to all my friends, associates and clients who in their own ways trusted and supported me till this very day including visitors and subscribers of SHIMWORLD.”

Over the years, Jan has captured images of His Majesty, the Crown Prince and famous personalities such as celebrity chef Bobby Chinn, golfer Tiger Woods, Air Asia’s Dato Tony Fernandes, Hong Kong actor/producer/host Eric Tsang, TV presenter Lorraine Hahn, Malaysian singer-songwriter Dato Siti Nurhalizah, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

His closing remarks? “As a Brunei PR, I aspire to be a Brunei citizen someday. Should that day come, I think I would be ecstatic beyond words. I'm extremely thankful to His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei for this opportunity.”

The Brunei Times