Ever since I started shooting portraits professionally about 2 years ago, I never really did take any proper family photos of my own. It’s kind of strange. A lot of photographers tell me that they have thousands of images of other people, but very few of their own. One professional photographer who has been in the business for more than 10 years told me… “I don’t really have images of my children taken with my DSLR. Most were taken with a compact camera. After a shoot, I don’t feel like carrying a huge camera during family events.”
I feel the same way. During events with friends or family, I don’t usually bring my DSLR. I just want to spend time talking to people and connecting with them. On top of that, I don’t even own a compact camera. It’s either the iPhone or Canon 5D Mark 2.
Recently, my aunt and uncle who lives in Melbourne came back to Malaysia. During this trip, my 2 aunts from Malacca came up to KL as well. And so, rather randomly, I suggested we do a photo shoot together. And amazingly, everyone agreed! This shoot felt really significant to me. It’s true. Taking photos as a family brings you together.
My dad is already 77. He has Alzheimer’s which has no cure. There aren’t that many years left where we can be together as a family, having such an opportunity like this.
It’s worth it.
My family, minus my brother Raymond. Just in case you’re wondering who shot our portraits… well, it was a combination of myself, Alex and Shu Wan. :) Oh, and we didn’t try to colour coordinate. It was by coincidence that my mom, dad and I chose to wear red.
My dad and his two sisters.
On the right, my aunt and uncle from Melbourne.
I told my dad to smile, and he did this…
And then I told him to kiss my mom, never expecting it to really happen… He was a little shy. :)
My parent’s amazing maid, Parmi, who is super duper reliable and loves my family as her own.
My sister Lina and myself, and of course, my husband Alex!
One more for the road…
Hehe, kinda cheesy but cute.
Finally, tapao-ing my sister’s shoe bench back into the car.
So adorable! Beautiful photos of your family! I need to do one for my family too :D
*heart*
So warm…. *sob*
one word…. ‘beautiful’ :)
Awww… Lovely series!
My last family pic was during our wedding! Then a mini one when Haley was 1 month old. Hmmm… maybe time for another! ;) TQ for sharing your wonderful family with us!
nice pics … real! where’s Raf? Shoujld be in it too!
Awwwwwwwwwwww….. SO LOVE. :)
Love the photos. Part of photography is about preserving memories, I’m sure those pics will be treasured by everyone in your family for a long long time. :)
lovely pics grace!
Which park was this? And I started telling my family we needed a CNY family photo last year. Too bad one of my Mum’s sis couldn’t join us. :(
But family pictures are indeed very important.
Hi cameranoob, Yes, you should take the time to do a family shoot. It is really precious.
Oh, and this was taken at Taman Jaya park.
Grace, this is beautiful! Well done :) Not just with the pictures but with the love you have towards your family. Such an inspiration to me!
Awwww.. so sweet!!
This is nice Grace. Loved the bokeh.
Very nice. Wish I had taken a family portrait like this before my dad passed away. :) Good on you, mate!
Very warm captures, love this series! :-)
Your mother look rather stern in the first photo, but look so sweet in the last pic! Funny how her eyes became all squinty with delight!
These are precious, Grace, and your family, each member is Precious, I can tell.
Awww…these are sweet Grace :) Totally understand what you said about ‘togs not having enough photos of their own family. My only regret for 2009 was not arranging for a family photo when ALL my siblings (and its a large brood!) were back for my Dad’s 70th birthday. Glad you managed to get these done!
Hi Grace.. This is simply beautiful.. I love seeing the expression on everyone’s face. Very true most photographers ain’t got many pictures of their own family. Applies to myself as well.. hahahaha… Next trip back home for a family gathering, I’ll make sure I’ll arrange one too. Not anytime soon I bet.
By the way, I think I saw you & your hubby with 2 friends in the evening at the cafe next to GSC cinema at 1U sometime last weekend.. or maybe my eyes were teasing me.
Hi Anderson,
Thanks for your comment! Yes, you should definitely organize one for your family! They will treasure it, I am sure.
About GSC… yes, it was probably us! :) We went to watch Ip Man 2. Yup, not a current movie, I know!!
Grace! These are lovely!!! I really like the family portrait with the morning sun behind… The glow makes everything so warm and nice… And the cheesy photo of the old folks… they look like fun people to hang out with! :) You have a cool family!
These are really lovely photos.
I’m from Malacca too and your parents look very, very familiar to me.
I hope everyone is well.
Best wishes.
Thanks Choong Liang, I suppose Malacca is a small town and somehow people know each other! My dad was also a teacher and perhaps that could be another connecting factor!