Grace Tan

Grace Tan In At Home, Beautiful Everyday, Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Maternity, Portraits, Studio

What You Wear Matters More Than You Think

Let’s be honest. The first question before any shoot is always, “What should we wear?” Usually followed by a few outfit changes, a bit of overthinking, and at least one “does this match?” moment. And fair enough, it’s not always the easiest question to answer.

But maybe the better question is, “What tends to work well on camera?”

Because while a good outfit can elevate a photo, the right choices can really help everything feel a little more natural and put together, without taking attention away from you.

Let’s talk colours

Colours don’t just sit there looking nice. They’re doing quite a bit behind the scenes. They reflect light, affect skin tones, and influence how a photo feels overall.

Very bright colours can sometimes reflect onto the skin more than expected.
Very dark tones can feel a little heavier in photos.
And when there are too many different colours in one frame, it can start to feel a little busy. And not always in a good way.

This is why softer tones, neutrals, and earthy palettes tend to work so well. They keep things balanced and let the focus stay on people. Also, they are generally easier to match as a group, which helps when everyone is trying to agree on what to wear at the same time… which is usually where things get a little chaotic.

Things that tend to work better

Over time, we have noticed a few things that tend to photograph more smoothly:

Coordinated over matching
Outfits that complement each other often feel more natural than everyone wearing the exact same thing. A little variation actually makes the whole photo feel more alive and a lot less stressful to put together.
Simpler patterns
Smaller prints or textures tend to photograph more cleanly and keep the attention where it should be. Nothing too loud, nothing too distracting, just enough.
Softer colour tones
Muted or toned-down colours are usually more flattering on camera and easier to work with. They also tend to age better when you look back at the photos later.
Comfort matters
Outfits that feel easy to move in help you stay relaxed and present during the shoot. If you feel good, it shows. If you don’t, that usually shows pretty quickly too.
Staying true to your style
Photos always feel more natural when you look like yourself, just a little more put together. No need to suddenly become someone else for the day. You don’t need a whole new personality just for photos.

Where everything starts to click

So instead of overthinking every detail, here’s a simpler way to look at it. Think of your outfit as part of the overall frame, not the main focus.

Soft, balanced colours.
Simple textures.
Pieces that move easily with you.

And most importantly, something you feel comfortable and confident in. That usually does more for a photo than anything else.

If there’s one thing to take away

Photos are not really about the outfit. But the right outfit can help everything come together a little more naturally. More than anything, it’s about how you feel in what you’re wearing. When you’re comfortable, when you feel like yourself, it shows in ways you don’t have to think about.

So keep it simple, comfortable, and true to you. Because the best photos are the ones where you feel like yourself in them.

Oh, and this year’s colour of the year

Oh, and speaking of colours, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2026 is Cloud Dancer. Which, yes, is a very nice way of saying a really good shade of white. It’s a soft, airy white that leans slightly warm. Calm, minimal, and very easy to work with. The kind of colour that feels clean and effortless. It also photographs really well. It doesn’t compete for attention and pairs nicely with almost everything. It’s one of those colours that just works without needing too much effort.

You don’t have to go all in, but it works nicely as a base or layered with softer tones. And if nothing else, it’s a very safe option when no one can decide what to wear. What do you think, something you would wear for a shoot, or more of a background kind of colour? If you would like to read more about colours, check out this other blog post we wrote.

And if you are ever unsure what to wear, we are always happy to guide you through styling for your session.

Grace Tan In At Home, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

A Decade of Raya: 10 Years of Memories with the Nasimuddin Family

Ten years ago, producer/director Peter Chin introduced me to the Nasimuddin family. At the time, it was simply a request to photograph their Raya family portrait.

I did not know then that it would become a decade-long tradition.

Every year, on the first day of Hari Raya, the extended family gathers at the home of Puan Sri Zaleha Ismail. Between greetings, laughter, and the joyful chaos that comes with a house full of relatives, the Stories team arrives with our cameras to capture a moment that has now become part of the family’s annual ritual.

The family includes Puan Sri Zaleha, her children and their families: Datuk SM Faisal, Nur Diana, SM Nasarudin and Marion Caunter, Faliq and Chryseis Tan, as well as Nur Nadia and Hamzah.

It is a big family. And when everyone gathers together in their Raya outfits, the house fills with energy.

In the early years, photographing the children was an adventure in itself. Toddlers rarely sit still for long. I still remember little Liam crawling away from the sofa during one of our sessions while the adults laughed and tried to coax him back.

Fast forward a decade, and those same children now walk into the room with growing confidence and personalities of their own. Some who once needed to be carried now stand tall beside their parents. Along the way, new babies have joined the family, and every year the group grows just a little bigger.

For Marion Caunter, the yearly portrait has become a moment she looks forward to.

“I do photos for a living, but family shots are always the most stressful,” she laughs. “But it’s so fun every year to do them with the kids as they grow older and more babies enter the family. You see the family grow, and it’s just chaos but in a good way.”

One of the highlights of each session is Marion’s now legendary “catwalk moment” with her daughters Leia and Lana. Year after year, they stride toward the camera together, turning a simple walk into a playful tradition. When you watch the images side by side across the years, it becomes a beautiful visual timeline of childhood unfolding.

That is what makes these annual portraits so meaningful.

A single photograph captures a moment. But a series of photographs over time captures a life story.

When we look back through ten years of images, we see children growing taller, cousins forming bonds, and the subtle ways families evolve over time.

For us at Stories, moments like these remind us that photography is about much more than a single photoshoot.

Every family we photograph becomes part of a larger narrative. In that moment behind the camera, we are witnessing a slice of life that will one day become part of a family’s history.

That is also why we take archiving seriously. Over the years, we have invested in terabytes of storage to safeguard the photographs we create. It is our way of protecting these memories so that if families ever lose their copies, those moments can still be recovered. Because photographs are not just images. They are pieces of a family’s legacy.

Looking back at the Nasimuddin family’s portraits over the past decade feels a little like flipping through a living archive of Raya celebrations. Each year tells a slightly different story, but the heart of it remains the same: family gathering, laughter filling the home, and one shared moment in front of the camera before the day unfolds.

For us, it is always a privilege to be invited back again the following year to continue documenting that story.

Ten years later, we are still there. Camera in hand. Witnessing the next chapter.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes snippet from one of the shoots we did! Contact us if you’d like to start your own family legacy of images.

Grace Tan In At Home, Beautiful Everyday, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

How to Arrange People in a Family Photo (Without Losing Your Sanity)

With Chinese New Year and Hari Raya coming up, many families start thinking about taking a proper family photo. What often sounds simple can quickly become stressful. Who stands where? How do we fit everyone in? Why does it look awkward even though everyone is smiling?

The truth is, most family photos don’t fall apart because of the camera or lighting. They fall apart because of arrangement. When people are placed with intention, the photo instantly feels more balanced, connected, and meaningful. It took me years to learn some of these lessons the hard way – by evaluating my photos and finally understanding what worked and what didn’t. Thankfully, 17 years later, I have refined my thought process during every photo shoot. So here are some practical tips to help you elevate your DIY family photos, whether you’re working with a small group or a big extended family.

1. Start with the number of people and the space you have

Before thinking about poses, first be clear about how many people will be in the photo. A group of 10 people needs to be arranged very differently from a group of 20. The size of the group determines how much space you need and how creative you can be with positioning.

More space makes things easier. It allows you to spread people out, create layers, and adjust without rushing. If the space feels tight, you will need to be more intentional about who goes where. This is exactly how I plan my family sessions, especially for larger groups.

2. Arrange people by relationships, not by height

One of the most important things I look at when photographing large families is the family structure. For extended families, I often ask for a simple family tree or a list of names and relationships. This helps me understand how everyone is connected.

For example:
Grandfather and grandmother
Their eldest son and his wife with two children (with age)
Their second son and his wife with two younger children (with age)

Once relationships are clear, the arrangement becomes much easier. Knowing the age of the children helps me a lot too because positioning a 1-year-old would look different from positioning a 16-year-old. I usually place grandparents in the centre as the heart of the family. Each nuclear family stays together, with children close to their own parents instead of being placed randomly in the group.

This approach does two things. Visually, the photo feels organised and intentional. Emotionally, people feel more comfortable standing with those they are closest to, and that comfort shows in the photo.

3. Create layers to add depth and interest

Flat rows tend to look stiff and uninspiring, especially for large groups. Instead, try to create layers by mixing sitting and standing positions.

Some people can sit on chairs or the floor, while others stand behind them. If you are outdoors, use stairs, low walls, tree roots, or rocks. Indoors, stools, boxes, or even the edge of a sofa can help create different heights.

For groups of 15 people or more, you may need two to three layers. Don’t be afraid to let children sit on the floor or stand on a higher surface with support. Layering helps everyone be seen clearly and makes the photo feel more dynamic and natural.

4. Look for triangles and varied heights

Once people are layered, pay attention to height differences. A tall person doesn’t always need to stand, and a shorter person doesn’t always need to sit. The goal is to create gentle triangular shapes throughout the photo.

These triangles guide the eye and make the composition more interesting. Think of it as creating small peaks and slopes rather than straight lines. Move people slightly, adjust where they sit or stand, and see how the overall shape changes. This is something photographers constantly fine-tune during a session, so take your time and enjoy experimenting.

5. Using a sofa without making it look boring

Sofas are common in home photos, but they can easily look dull if everyone sits in a straight line. Try mixing things up by asking someone to sit on the armrest with their legs turned sideways, or placing a few people on the floor in front of the sofa.

If there are people standing behind the sofa, bring them as close as possible to those seated so the group feels connected. For those sitting, ask them to sit slightly forward rather than leaning back fully. This helps with posture and keeps faces closer together.

Every sofa is different. Some are deep or bulky, so not every pose will work. Adjust accordingly and see what looks best in your space.

6. Keep faces close and take a test shot

A simple tip that makes a big difference is encouraging people to lean in slightly towards one another. Small movements like shoulders touching or heads gently angled closer can instantly make the photo feel warmer and more connected.

Always take a quick test shot and review it. Look out for gaps, hidden faces, or anyone feeling too far away from the group. Make small adjustments instead of starting over. This is exactly how I work during professional sessions.

A final thought

Family group photos are not easy, especially when there are many personalities involved and different dynamics to the relationships. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for connection. When people feel comfortable, seen, and close to one another, the photo will naturally feel right.

And if arranging everyone still feels overwhelming, that’s completely normal. This is where having a professional family photographer helps. My role is not just to take photos but to guide families gently through the process so they can relax and enjoy the moment together.

Grace Tan In Musings, Running a Business

Year-end reflections

Every year as December rolls in, I find myself slowing down, almost instinctively counting the blessings from the past 12 months. 17 years in this industry still feels surreal!

I started this journey with nothing more than heart. I was naive, lacking any form of photography or business skills, but just a desire to tell stories. I made many mistakes but learnt many lessons along the way too. Somehow, one year folded into the next, and here we are in 2025.

17 years as a photographer and business owner

I used to remember every client’s name and face in the early years. These days, after thousands of portraits, the details blur a little (could be perimenopause too!). Still, what stays with me are the seasons I’ve journeyed through with so many families. Watching little ones stretch into teenagers, seeing couples weather the years with grace, and at times, hearing about losses that break our hearts. I am reminded over and over again why photography matters.

This truth became even clearer when my aunt passed away this year at the age of 86. She lived alone in Melaka as a single person, and my family were the closest relatives since the rest live overseas. One moment she was line dancing with her friends, the next we were facing an aggressive illness we didn’t see coming. When we put together her obituary photos, I felt grateful for every little memory we had documented as a family. In the end, these pieces of our lives become priceless.

My family with my aunt

To every client who has trusted us with your stories, thank you. Whether it is through photography or a video documentary of your life, your memories matter to us. We want you to feel joy every time you look through your photos.

This year brought fresh stories. Families with their pets, travellers exploring Malaysia, couples falling in love, and of course, one of the most memorable shoots of the year—documenting our past prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s 100th birthday party.

Our team covering Tun Dr Mahathir’s 100th birthday

We also relaunched our Flight of Imagination storybook, now available in an illustrated version for younger children. If you’re looking for a meaningful gift for kids below 8, you can personalise the illustrated Flight of Imagination. Add your child’s name, choose the relevant illustration, and include two of your own family photos. It’s RM120 and makes such a sweet keepsake.

I’m also leaving you with a video from Danny and Tanya, a family we’ve walked with for many years. What they shared captures the heart of why we do what we do. If you’re thinking of a family shoot, don’t wait too long. We’re feeling extra festive and have packed Christmas Blind Box gifts worth up to RM2,000 for bookings this season. Wishing you a meaningful year-end with the people you love. I hope our paths cross again soon.

Grace Tan In Parties & Events, Portraits

Parti 100 Tahun: Behind the Lens at Tun Dr Mahathir’s 100th Birthday

This Malaysia Day, we find ourselves reflecting on the people and stories that make our nation unique. A few months ago in July, our Stories team had the incredible privilege of photographing and filming a very special occasion — our previous prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s 100th birthday, celebrated alongside his wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah’s 99th.

And what a celebration it was! The theme was playfully called Parti 100 Tahun — and no, it wasn’t a political party. Guests were invited to “vote” for their favourite version of the Tuns across different eras of their lives, from young doctor and student days, to the many roles they’ve held through the years. Party flags and button badges added to the light-hearted spirit.

Before entering the ballroom at The Majestic Hotel, guests could wander through a foyer filled with exhibits from Tun’s life. There were iconic photographs from his journey, reminders of his past achievements, and even a charming mock-up of his old clinic. We loved the special caricature of the couple drawn by our beloved Malaysian cartoonist, Lat. The exhibits made the guests feel like they were stepping into a living museum — a chance to walk through the decades and see the story of his life up close.

Inside, the beautifully decorated ballroom set the stage for a warm and joyful evening. The highlight for us was watching the family come together to celebrate their beloved patriarch. There were heartfelt performances from grandchildren, moving tributes and even a beautifully crafted AI video that showcased Tun’s life through the years. We love how personal and warm the event was, especially seeing their guest list including people like Tun M’s long-time barber, Tun Hasmah’s violin teacher and even manicurist! Emceed by Alif Satar, and with special performances from Dato’ Sheila Majid, Dato’ Yusni Hamid and even an impromptu one from Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza, the night was fun!

As photographers and filmmakers, we often say our greatest privilege is being invited into people’s most meaningful moments. This was one of those occasions that reminded us why we do what we do — to capture not just faces, but the spirit of love, connection and legacy that will live on in memory.

This Malaysia Day, as we honour our nation, we also honour the people whose stories have shaped the nation. Leaders, yes — but also families, communities, and everyday Malaysians who make this country home. Happy Malaysia Day!