Grace Tan

Calvin + Audrey’s Indoor Garden Wedding: Part 1

Ceremony & Dinner location: Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Wedding gown: Neoromantic
Evening gown: Sophia Bridal
Cheong sam: Emerald Brilliant
Make Up: Hebe Leng
Cake: Wong Li Lian
Flowers: Lee Wah florist
Photographers: Grace & Mark

Audrey and Calvin sure know how to have fun. There’s never a dull moment when they are around. One of the stories that was told during dinner by the maid of honour, Jessica, was about how she and Audrey sneaked out of the house when they were 16 – with Audrey ‘borrowing’ her mother’s car and driving them to 1 Utama! I love the spontaneity and creativity that is so much part of who they are. Their wedding had all these elements combined together – lots of fun, laughter, spontaneous ‘madness’, and lots of creative moments!

I totally enjoyed myself at this wedding. The first part of the day was Chinese themed, and then garden style, and finally, ending up in a classy ballroom!

Introducing… gorgeous Audrey.

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Pre-Wedding: Lisa + Henry, Balinese style Eco Resort

Hair & Make Up: Shinny Ong
Gown: That Special Occasion
Location: Di Sini, Negeri Sembilan
Photographer: Grace, assisted by Shu Wan

I can’t recall the first time I got to know Lisa, but sitting almost next to her for 2 years at the same office has definitely been a fun adventure. Lisa was one of the key persons behind The QGuides.com, an online portal for restaurant reservations in the Klang Valley, which was built by Integricity Press. She is a really really fun person to be with, always saying funny lines and making everyone laugh with her bubbly personality. I appreciated our office lunch sessions… which I will sorely miss as she has just moved on to another job.

Lisa and Henry will be signing their ROM this coming October, and I am glad to say that I will be there to witness and photograph the event! When I first met Henry, I thought that he was a really quiet person (Lisa did all the talking, you see!) who had an aura of authority about him. His quiet demeanor has a calming effect. Together, it looks like the phrase “opposites attract” are apt to describe Lisa and Henry!

I had a great time at the shoot… the both of you are so natural in front of the camera! I had a blast! Here are some of my personal favs:

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Dr Tan & Dr Helena

How apt that little Bernadette would be holding a book called “God Made”, when it is so obvious that God put His love and perfection into creating this little bundle of joy. Her twin brother, Benjamin, and older sister, Brigitte are equally precious creations in God’s eyes.

Dr Helena and Dr Tan are both gynaecologists – and they are such a warm couple. I got to know Dr Helena through Pitter Patter, an online pregnancy guide for women. I have done a number of maternity shoots with Pitter Patter, and after a few months, Dr Helena said “I’d love to have you photograph my family too!”

If you ever get to meet Dr Helena, you will instantly feel a connection and warmth that radiates from her. She smiles and laughs a LOT – which I am sure makes all the first-time pregnant mummies all comfy and less nervous! She is personable, and even has time to comment on my photos on Facebook! Hahaha…I always thought a doctor’s schedule is really hectic!

Grace Tan In For Photographers, Running a Business

Marketing yourself as a photographer

Alex and I are speaking at a photographers’ conference called WPPM, in less than two weeks. There are several simultaneous sessions and being the person I am, who is afraid of speaking to an audience of five, I decided to put together a video to try and market our session to the delegates. Please, PLEASE, come and listen to us share!

Who better to rope in to act, than Alex?

Details of our session are:

Topic: YOU, unleashed!
Date: Saturday, 14th August 2010 at 11am-12.30pm

We will share the story on how a new brand for photography was launched, the initial marketing and secrets on how we got the word out about the business. Also, you will find out tips and tricks on how the Internet can be harnessed as a vital tool for marketing yourself. If prospects cannot find you, how will you get business?

Oh, we did have a shortage of actresses, so I had to make a clone of myself! Hope you enjoyed the video. Let us know which parts you liked best. We may share a behind-the-scenes clip on how we filmed it, especially on the clones.

Grace Tan In For Photographers, Musings

Beauty Ad

Recently, we did a photo shoot for a beauty product company, and even though the talent (who was one of my previous brides!) was naturally beautiful, we had to do some digital enhancements. For all our wedding & portraiture work, we do some minor touch ups, but not as extensive as this. Would like to share with you a before and after shot for this shoot. The image on the left is taken directly off the CF card with no enhancements. And the image on the right is the digitally touched up one!

What are your thoughts on digitally enhancing images? Are you for, or against it?