Grace Tan

Grace Tan In For Photographers, Musings, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Tips + Ideas, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

Behind the Scenes: Aaron & Chrystin

Videographer & Editor: Weiming

A week ago, I posted some photos from Aaron & Chrystin’s pre-wedding shoot. It was such an elaborate set up that I knew we had to document it with a video. What you don’t really see in this image below is the many piles of cow dung that we had to avoid stepping on in that field. The shoot was done at UPM, where cows graze freely at certain times of the day. Thankfully, I managed to find a cow-dung-less spot to set up our little picnic mat. So hope you enjoy the video and do leave a comment behind!

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Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

A Nyonya Pre-Wedding: Jackson & Julie

Photographer: Grace
Location: The Wok Cafe

Some time back, Weddings Malaysia organized a virtual treasure hunt competition for brides and grooms. We participated as a vendor and offered a pre-wedding session as one of the prizes. And that was how I got to know Jackson & Julie. Over a cup of coffee at Starbucks, I got to know the both of them and chatted about what we could do for their pre-wedding session. Since Julie is a nyonya just like me, I suggested we do a vintage shoot in a typical Peranakan cafe. While The Little Nyonya show was playing on TV, we spent 2 hours exploring every corner of this place (in between bowls of cendol, of course!)

Jackson & Julie will be getting married this coming December… so I wish you all the best for the future!

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Love is in the Air: Aaron & Chrystin’s pre-wedding

Photographer: Grace, assisted by Weiming
Location: UPM, Bangi
Make up: G Fauziah Ismail
Production Design: Kenneth Fong & Jackee Chong from Squarefeet Studio

Aaron & Chrystin’s pre-wedding photo session was so well thought out and detailed, they immediately made it to my ‘Top 5 most prepared bride & groom’ list (next to Jamie & Ann, Alvin & Melissa, Kenny & PC and Kevin & Katherine – to be blogged after their wedding). I was really amused when Chrystin emailed me a detailed list of what props she would bring, the colour theme of the shoot (CMYK), and other important details like Chrystin’s right side of the face look better sometimes. I hope you’re not embarrassed about this, Chrystin, but I do think it’s great that the both of you are super detailed and communicate these things to me.

Both Aaron & Chrystin work in the creative line (Aaron is a freelance graphic designer with his own t-shirt brand Individium, whereas Chrystin is a multimedia executive). I got to know the both of them some time back when we were all involved in a media conference called Charge Up, organized by LiveWire Media. Aaron & Chrystin are really talented individuals, and it wasn’t a surprise that they planned their pre-wedding shoot to be so graphically interesting. Everything was done with excellence in mind, and it showed in the end. But of course, it couldn’t have been done without the help of their good friends Jackee Chong & Kenneth Fong (a behind the scenes video will be posted soon!).

Grace Tan In Life, Musings

Let your life speak

An excerpt from “Let Your Life Speak” by Parker Palmer

I must listen to my life and try to understand what it is truly about… That insight is hidden in the word vocation itself, which is rooted in the latin word “voice”. Vocation does not mean a goal that I pursue. It means a calling that I hear. Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am. I must listen for the truths and values at the heart of my own identity, not the standards by which I must live – but the standards by which I cannot help but live if I am living my own life.

As I was clearing through some old papers and files from my ever disappearing floor the other day, I came across my old journal writings. This excerpt came from a book I read years ago, when I was in the process of discovering myself and who I am. I remember thinking and asking questions like “Why am I on this earth?” and “What excites me about life?”

Ten years later – I think I have discovered my passion. Passion for people and for making a difference in other people’s lives. That’s why doing what I do now gives me so much satisfaction. But I am not at the end of my journey, I am still discovering myself, day by day. The day I lose excitement about life is the day I lose myself.

Grace Tan In Chinese Weddings, Weddings

A policeman & a lady: The Wedding of Kim Chuan & Elaine

Photographers: Grace & Alex
Dinner Reception: Hotel Equatorial, Malacca
Cake: Choffles
Wedding Invite: Tinggi Press
Night hand bouquet & flowers: Excellent Sense

“Congratulations, you are married to the force now. We will watch out for your family as one of our own.”

I overheard the Malacca Chief of Police saying to Elaine during the wedding reception. It’s a huge promise, but I am sure one that Kim Chuan (also known as KC) and Elaine appreciate. It’s not everyday that I get to photograph men in uniform (their guests were excited too!). During the dinner walk in, these sword bearers were there to welcome KC & Elaine into the ballroom.

I’ve known KC since I was still running around Malacca in my light blue school uniform (not such a cool uniform compared to what he’s wearing now). We went to tuition together, and it was nice that there were some of my old school friends who were there during the wedding as well. Elaine is from Malacca too, but I only got to know her much later. Since Elaine works at PJ Hilton, her standards of what is good is really high! It was great that she had a few hotelier friends to help in the wedding coordination.

So both KC & Elaine grew up in Malacca, got married in Malacca, and hired a wedding photographer who was originally from Malacca.

And the best thing about it?

Both KC, Elaine and I come from Peranakan families! A typical Peranakan/Baba Nyonya family would have lots of laughter, talking (really loudly at times!), singing and drama all in the same pot. Proud parents from both sides of the family.