Grace Tan

Grace Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, News, Portraits, Studio

Huggies!

Some time back, I was commissioned by Red Communications to photograph Amber Chia and Kartini Ariffin and their two adorable babies for Huggies. A number of people packed into the studio that day – everyone from the director to the graphic designer and even the maid. It was a pretty noisy shoot with people clapping hands, singing, jiggling toys, making funny faces… all to attract the attention of the kids.

I was happy with the results of the shoot, and though we took more than 50 different shots from this session, only 2 could be selected for the main key art. There were many I liked, but these 2 were selected for the pack.

Have a super Friday!

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Keryn & the boys

Photographer: Grace

I love boys with character. So much so I married one with a huge personality! But sad to say, Alex is not the only one who has captured my heart. Every now and then I meet other boys who are simply irresistible. Such as the ones below, Ethan and Lucas. I am sorry to inform you, Alex that there are other boys cuter than you…

The other thing that make these boys so adorable are the rosy cheeks. It must be the weather in Australia where they live. Lucas is only 2 months old, and this was his first photo shoot.

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

God is Writing Their Love Story…

Photographer: Grace
Location: Some random park in Subang

It was 8am. I arrived at Aaron’s home in Subang to be greeted by his warm and welcoming family. In a matter of minutes, they made me feel at home, our conversation drifting from what they do for work to why I shoot portraits for a living to pieces of artwork on their family wall. For an hour, I took some informal photos of Aaron’s family. An hour later, Sheena arrived at Aaron’s place, having rushed over from work not too long ago.

She had just completed her night shift at the hospital, and hadn’t slept at all. After her shift ended, she rushed home, got dressed, did her own make up and made her way to Aaron’s place. I was really amazed at the energy this girl had! I was concerned that she would be really tired for our portrait session, but Sheena made everything look so easy.

The both of them are super easy to photograph. They kept laughing at every little thing I said (or didn’t say!). Our shoot location was no where glamourous. In fact, it was a tiny park across the road from Aaron’s home. I hope these photos show you that it doesn’t matter at the end of the day where we shoot, what matters most is the connection between the couple. Aaron and Sheena were so comfortable in their own skin and in front of the camera. Sometimes I felt ignored. But that’s totally fine with me. :)

Grace Tan In Life, Musings, Relationships

The Day It Began…

Clearing my house has helped me rediscover gems hidden in boxes and in files. Not only did I find old recipes my mother wrote to me when I was in university, I also found some old letters and cards I gave to Alex when we were dating. I admit, I am a hopeless romantic. On our 1st anniversary together, I created a simple set of handwritten messages for him – 12 pages for the 12 months we were together. I wrote these messages because I wanted him to remember… how we started, why I love him, and how our struggles can bring us closer.

So, though it’s a little embarrassing to be sharing this with everyone, I thought I’d include a short excerpt from this card (taken from my journal).

8th June 2004

I can’t believe it… Alex and I are getting together. I don’t know if this is the right thing to do, we both have our doubts and worries and are afraid of taking risks… but… our hearts… tell us to go forward.

Dear Lord, is this the right decision? And is this the right timing? Are we even compatible? There are so many considerations to think about… I don’t know how it all fits into Your plan, but Jesus, I commit myself and Alex into your hands. I am afraid of getting hurt, but if we don’t take risks, we’ll never know. There are so many worries Lord, but I do commit us into Your hands and give it all to You.

Alex and I during our Lake Toba holiday in August 2004

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Amanda, Ivan & The Pang Family

Climbing over fences. Water bomb parties. Watching movies. Eating Mamee snacks. Silly school theatre productions. Watching Oliver the musical. Literary & Debating Club activities.

Some great childhood memories just last a long time. And some great friends last a lifetime. Even though you might only see each other once every few months, or once a year…it doesn’t matter, because every time you get together, it feels like old times again. Amanda is one of those childhood friends who totally fit the bill. Since our primary school days to secondary school and onwards… we grew up together, saw each other through the ugly years (when I still had braces!) and through all the hardships a teenager would normally go through.

Mance, thanks for all the fun memories from our days in Malacca… I wish I could be there on your wedding day, but unfortunately, that date has been booked by another client months ago. I am glad that I managed to photograph your family portraits and some casual shots of you and Ivan though! Nice meeting Ivan for the first time, but we definitely have to sit down for a proper chat over a meal soon! Maybe after your wedding?

Hope you like the photos and slideshow!

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