Every glance, every smile tells our love story in poetry. We’re so excited for Joshua and Mabel, the beautiful couple who won the “Poetry of Love” pre-wedding photography contest! As a couple, Joshua and Mabel radiate joy and love, and their excitement to get married was beautifully captured on photos and in video. This contest organized by AWP Malaysia and our photography and videography team from Stories made it happen, in collaboration with the following vendors:
The traditional Chinese wedding garment “Kua” has been rather popular among young couples these days. Here is some information about this traditional garment – the significance and the meaning of this timeless and elegant garment for brides.
The traditional Chinese wedding ceremonial garb is known as the Qun Kua (裙褂). Unlike the white bridal gown, which follows fashion trends, the Chinese Qun Kua is timeless. This is because white bridal gown’s design changes over time, based on the current fashion styles and trends, while the Qun Kua remains pretty much the same over the years, since it was first introduced in the 1950s.
These days, the term “Kua” is being used to refer to the garb as an entire garment. However, the “Qun” actually refers to the skirt, which is the bottom piece, and the “Kua” refers to the top piece, known as the jacket. The top piece is a zipped jacket and the sleeves are three quarter lengths in order to display the gold bangles and bracelets that would traditionally be gifted to the bride by her family and in-laws. The bottom piece is a straight-cut long skirt in loose fit. The skirt symbolizes fertility because it is open and signals that children will issue forth, which is why trousers can never be worn to replace the skirt.
In Chinese culture, it is common to see the combination of dragon and phoenix. This combination signifies the perfect union (Yin and Yang 阴阳) between masculinity (symbolized by the dragon) and feminine beauty (symbolized by the phoenix). Other auspicious motifs like bats, clouds, goldfish, ducks and peonies are some of the commonly seen symbols on the Qun Kua. There is a certain way as to how the symbols are placed. Since bats are airborne they must appear higher up in the design composition; while goldfish, a symbol of abundance, swims in water so it goes near the bottom.
Generally, the base color of the Qun Kua is bright red which symbolizes prosperity. The intricate, auspicious motifs are then embroidered with gold and silver threads by hand of a skilled sifu or master. This is one of the main reasons why Qun Kua is very expensive and it takes anywhere between a few months up to a whole year to complete one set of Qun Kua.
The common misconception is the Qun Kua is similar with the QiPao (旗袍), known also as Cheongsam. Only a bride can wear the two-piece Qun Kua during a wedding whilst the Qipao is a figure hugging one-piece that can be worn anytime. The designs of the Qipao can be unconventional with different colors and patterns but the designs on the Qun Kua are unalterable. Due to this, more modern brides are more inclined to the Qun Kua due to its symbolism and rich heritage. They do this as a tribute to their Chinese culture. Since the Qun Kua has such a significance, many brides wear it during the Chinese Tea ceremony. The skirt is designed to be loose which makes it more convenient to kneel down and get back up during the tea ceremony. The shape and cutting of the Qun Kua is more forgiving and fits most body shapes and sizes well.
The traditional Qun Kua may include “children and grandchildren belts,” vertical brocade pieces sewn at the front of the dress which was believed to bring offspring to the new couple. Although many modern designs opt out of this feature, its inclusion can deepen the connection to the cultural heritage and familial aspirations. If the bride were to embrace the full tradition, it is essential to wear a red silk undergarment. This will envelop the bride in auspiciousness from the inside out, enhancing the ceremonial importance of the Qun Kua.
Having the bride’s mother help her get dressed into the Qun Kua is a beautiful tradition still observed nowadays — the mother is said to pass down her luck to her daughter. There are so many symbols, traditions and heritage that one wedding outfit can carry. We hope this article helps you see and appreciate the beauty of this timeless and elegant traditional Chinese wedding garment.
Since it’s Malaysia Day, I was thinking about how we can incorporate Malaysian culture into our family photo sessions. My heritage as a child born into a Peranakan family in Melaka is colourful, but personally, I have not embraced much of the culture in my daily life (except to wear the kebaya and eat pong teh occasionally). My children certainly do not identify as being Peranakan.
The thing is, growing up, seeing my mom cook all her Peranakan dishes using the batu lesung, listening to my parents speak the Peranakan lingo, and being asked to pin the kerongsang on her kebaya didn’t feel like heritage. It felt like a normal, everyday part of life. I didn’t know what I had until I lost it. Of course, I never had the opportunity to document most of these everyday memories, as cameras were a luxurious item we didn’t own back then. This photo of my parents taken in front of our home in Melaka is a precious memory for me. It is not fancy, but it is meaningful.
We value the things we once took for granted as we age. I wish my parents were still alive so I could take a beautiful portrait of them in their element. If I could do it again, I would photograph my mom in her kebaya holding a bakul sia filled with her homemade pineapple tarts, which she used to make every Chinese New Year. I would create a mini-video documentary of everyday life snippets, filled with stories from yesteryear.
As a family photographer, I have photographed so many different cultures in Malaysia. Family photo shoots are more than just a moment in time—they are a celebration of history, heritage, and identity. Interestingly, as more and more inter-racial marriages take place, our cultural identity becomes even more diverse and fascinating for the next generation!
So here are some ideas on how you can infuse Malaysian family culture into your next photo shoot and create something that resonates deeply with your family’s story.
1. Cultural Dressing
Clothing is one of the easiest and most visually striking ways to incorporate culture into family photos. In Malaysia, we are blessed with beautiful cultural garments that can be beautifully showcased in a photo shoot. Whether you are wearing the baju kurung, cheongsam, saree, or any East Malaysian traditional costume, these outfits can look especially striking because most of them are rather colorful! These outfits can carry deep meaning, reflecting your family’s roots and values.
2. Locations
Malaysia’s diverse landscapes are another wonderful way to integrate cultural elements into your photos. Choosing locations that are meaningful to your family’s background or that hold cultural significance can create a profound visual story. For some of you, your family home could be a heritage site or museum on its own! You could take photos in your hometown, whether it is the city or the kampung. When making a choice, think about the significance of the locations to you. It could even be a simple location like the family swing, where you used to enjoy moments as sisters growing up.
3. Props
Props are a fantastic way to add personal and cultural touches to your family photos. Every Chinese New Year, my family would dress up for a family photo. It’s a great time to add in props like Mandarin oranges, lanterns, bakul sias, baskets, and angpaos! Other ideas could be incorporating old family photos into the current image. It’s a great way to remember how far you have come and to see how everyone has aged gracefully.
4. Extending the Shoot: Coffee Table Books and Family Videos
After your photo shoot, you can enhance the experience by crafting keepsakes that narrate your family’s story more comprehensively. You could do it with a beautifully designed coffee table book that allows you to showcase the photos in a way that tells your family’s story. You can organize the book chronologically, starting with older family members and progressing to the younger generations, or you can group photos by theme—such as family traditions, celebrations, or important milestones. This family went the extra mile in creating their coffee table book—it was a huge family project that incorporated their family tree, written stories, and scanned letters from great-grandparents!
A video is another way to capture the essence of your family’s cultural heritage. We’ve created short family films that combine video clips from the shoot with candid moments, and sometimes even interviews with family members. Imagine capturing your grandparents sharing stories about their youth or your children talking about what their heritage means to them. This turns your family photos into a living, breathing memory that you can pass down through generations.
Documenting heritage through photos and videos can be a wonderful way of passing a piece of life to the next generation. This is why we do what we do at Stories—our vision is to touch lives by building visual stories for the present and future generations. As a photographer, it’s a joy and honour to capture these moments, knowing they’ll be cherished for years to come.
A great way of celebrating that baby bump growing inside of you is through a maternity photo session. The best time to do this is between your 30-36 week of pregnancy. You should be nice and shapely then! If you are planning for a maternity session, you should also give some thought to the props that you could bring along to make the photo shoot more fun. Props can add depth, meaning, and a touch of personality to your photos, making each session unique. Here are some creative prop ideas that can elevate your maternity photo shoots.
1. Ultrasound Photos
The ultrasound is your baby’s very first photo! This tiny glimpse into the life growing inside of you adds a personal and emotional touch to the images. It’s a great prop to also reuse in your newborn baby portrait session. It never gets old!
2. Baby Clothes
Including a favorite baby outfit or onesie in the photo shoot can add a cute and personal element. This prop is not only adorable but also creates a sense of anticipation of the future.
3. Baby Shoes
Tiny baby shoes are an adorable addition to any maternity photo shoot. You can place the shoes on the your belly, in your hands, or next to other props. It’s even more fun when you have matching shoes too!
4. Personalized Signs
Personalized signs with the baby’s name, a due date, or a meaningful quote can make a maternity photo shoot feel even more special. These signs can be simple chalkboards, wooden plaques, or even banners. Have an older sibling hold the signboard, and that can be really meaningful as well.
5. Floral Crowns and Bouquets
Flowers can add a soft touch to your session, creating a serene environment. You can opt for fresh flowers that match the season, or choose faux flowers that align with the colour scheme of the session. If you are planning on a photo shoot in a bath tub, you can also add petals into the water.
6. Books
Books are a wonderful prop that can represent the story you will share with your child. There are many personalised books options nowadays, and you can include your baby’s name in the book as well.
7. Sentimental items
You could bring along items that hold a special meaning for you. For example, this could be a piece of jewelery, your wedding bands, a family heirloom, or even your own childhood toy.
We hope this article gives you some ideas on how you can personalise your maternity photo session with props. It brings us great joy to celebrate the anticipation of a newborn. View our maternity portfolio here or contact us to schedule your maternity session!
We may or may not have realized, but traditions are a huge part of our daily lives. From wearing traditional clothing like “Baju Kurung” or “Baju Melayu”, to giving money packets or known as “ang pao” during occasions other than Chinese New Year for example during birthdays or weddings. Keeping tradition alive in weddings, especially in a diverse and culturally rich country like Malaysia, has several significant benefits:
Cultural Identity
Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous traditions. Maintaining wedding traditions helps preserve these unique cultural identities and ensures that they continue to be part of the nation’s heritage.
Family Connection
Traditional wedding practices often involve family members in meaningful roles, strengthening family bonds and connections. For instance, traditional Malay weddings include rituals that honor both the bride’s and groom’s families, fostering a sense of unity and respect.
Cultural Education
Weddings are a great opportunity to educate younger generations about their heritage. By participating in traditional customs, younger Malaysians learn about the significance of these practices and the stories behind them.
Respect for Ancestors
Many traditional wedding customs are rooted in honoring ancestors and paying respect to those who came before us. This respect is a way of acknowledging the wisdom and values passed down through generations.
Unique Celebration
Traditions can add a distinctive and personal touch to weddings. Malaysian wedding traditions, such as the vibrant Chinese lion dance, the colorful Indian mehndi ceremony, or the elegant Malay bersanding, provide a unique and memorable experience that sets each wedding apart.
Community and Social Cohesion
Traditional weddings often involve the wider community and foster a sense of social cohesion. They can serve as occasions for gathering friends, family, and neighbors, strengthening community ties and creating shared memories.
Spiritual Significance
Many traditional wedding rituals have spiritual or religious significance. For example, the Hindu saat phere (seven steps around the sacred fire) or the Islamic akad nikah (marriage contract) carry deep religious meanings that underscore the sanctity of marriage.
By keeping these traditions alive, Malaysians can honor their past, celebrate their cultural diversity, and create weddings that are both meaningful and memorable. If you’d like us to capture your Malaysian heritage through photos or videos, please drop us a message!
We value the things we once took for granted as we age. I wish my parents were still alive so I could take a beautiful portrait of them in their element. If I could do it again, I would photograph my mom in her kebaya holding a bakul sia filled with her homemade pineapple tarts, which she used to make every Chinese New Year. I would create a mini-video documentary of everyday life snippets, filled with stories from yesteryear.
2. Locations
3. Props
4. Extending the Shoot: Coffee Table Books and Family Videos
Unique Celebration
