Grace Tan

RedNinja.tv got Mojo? camp

After a few months of planning, our first RedNinja.tv event has finally taken off the ground! The got Mojo? seminar and camp was a huge success. We had a lot of fun with so many talented photographers in the country, some who are thinking of making the leap into full time wedding photography. Many photographers said they learnt a lot from Wiki Lee and his wife Ilona, who shared their hearts to everyone. On top of that, they felt the personal mentoring sessions by the team mentors (Jon Low, Mark Leo, Jenny Sun and I) were really beneficial.

I hope that after this camp, a lot of these photographers will put what they learnt into practice – whether it is regarding honing their style in photography, posing a couple, or about how they run their business. Here are a few behind the scenes shots taken at the camp in Corus, Port Dickson.This is Wiki doing some ninja impersonation with Ilona by his side.

Thanks to Canon, we had a few prizes to give away.

Things you learn at camp: As a ninja photographer, you need to be agile. Very agile – like being in this squatting position for hours.

Wiki giving tips to the photographers during the model shooting session.

I managed to take a few snaps as well even though I was there to mentor the team. Here’s Sonia & Reyhan looking really good! All model make up was done by Shinny Ong, who did an amazing job. The beautiful gowns are sponsored by Pretty in White.

The following photos were taken by Mark. He recently made the switch from Nikon to Canon. (yay!) Here’s a photo of Mark looking like he’s doing the macarena. On the right, Jon Low, who was one of the key organizers for the event and on the left, Ian Chong, who surprised us by showing up at the camp unannounced. Ian is one of the other photographers who I have worked with closely over the past few years.

These are Mark’s shots. Models are Rachel & Ser Young.

Shu Wan, Stories’ amazing digital artist was there at the camp as well. This time, she took up the camera and was shooting away instead of touching up images! Here she is in blue (her favourite colour!)

And these are Shu Wan’s shots.

And finally, a group photo of the team I was mentoring. I had fun with all of you!

Grace Tan In Life, Musings

The all new Stories Facebook Page

Yes, it’s official! We now have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Stories.my. About half of the number of enquiries that we get originate from Facebook, so it only made sense to have a page where everyone can interact, discuss questions regarding wedding photography (or your gown, or deco even if you wanted to!). It also features ongoing promotions, and contests in the future. To launch the new page, I created a video of myself… It’s tough being in front of the camera, especially when you have to speak! After a few takes, I managed to come up with something ‘acceptable’. :)

Welcome to our Stories Facebook Page!

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Sara, Charles & Kayne

Sara is a close friend of my sister’s, and I’ve known her for many years (since I was still wearing school pinafores). My initial impression of her as I was growing up was that she came across as a pretty ‘garang’ or fierce person, but once you get to know her, she’s really friendly. Sara has since moved from Malaysia to Beijing and has been living there for many years now. Charles is a really warm person too, and I’m glad to have been able to photograph their family while they were back for a holiday during the Chinese New Year season.

Kayne is super duper cute. He has this way of weaving into your heart and leaving you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Gee, that nose biting thing looks scary!

Luckily Charles’ nose still looks pretty good after that good biting session.

After all that excitement, we settled down for some reading time.

But Kayne would not sit still. Sara kept ‘bribing’ him with ideas of “A good roti canai breakfast if you behave!” phrases.

Lastly, I discovered that Kayne is a pretty good actor too. We told him to look ‘cool’ and this was the look he gave us…

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Engagement Portraits: Mak & Elsa

He cracks a joke, and she laughs. And when Elsa laughs, the whole world smiles along with her. Mak & Elsa are a pretty laid back couple. They are willing to try anything and are pretty sporting even when I told them to sit in a cracked bath tub on the roof top of the Heritage Hotel!

It was a hot, humid day when we did this shoot but Mak was a sport. He willingly stepped out into the hot sun in his suit and smiled away. I sometimes wonder how is it that we’ve come to adopt this ‘style’ of dressing in Asia. The weather is HOT near the equator. Suits were made for cooler countries! Mak doesn’t really look like he’s sweating buckets here, but I am sure he was hoping for an air-conditioned room!

Elsa’s gorgeous gown is from Pretty in White, one of our recommended gown partners.

The lace details on this gown is intricate and beautiful.

A change of gown, location & flowers…

Another gorgeous gown from Pretty in White. I love gowns with bits of colour in them.

Shooting from sunset till night gives you lots of opportunity to play with lighting…

Looking forward to your wedding in May!

Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Siva + Sumitha: Temple wedding

Ceremony: Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple, Shah Alam
Dinner Reception: Rumah Puspanita
Photographers: Grace & Mark

It has been 10 years since they started dating in college. The rain, an umbrella, and a ‘mamak‘ session brought Siva & Sumitha together. Their friendship blossomed over time, and soon, they discovered that they truly enjoyed laughing and poking fun at each other.

And now, 10 years later, they are married. I have never met a bride who slept 2 hours the night before her wedding day, woke up at 2am to do her hair and make up (for 4 hours! I admire Indian brides for their tenacity!) and then stayed energetic throughout the whole day till the dinner ended at 10.30pm.

She was still smiling from ear to ear. Way to go, Sumi!

Here are some of my favourite shots from their Hindu temple wedding and dinner. If you’d like to view their engagement portraits that I shot sometime back, click here.

Click to watch the same day slideshow. Press play, then pause for it to load fully before playing again.

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Sumi is just gorgeous in that turqoise saree.

This temple is so full of character!

First part of the ceremony is for the groom. He has to undergo a series of rituals before he sees his bride.

Then the groom leaves, and the bride comes in for her part of the ceremony.

After these 2 ceremonies take place, the bride and groom see each other for the first time. And another round of ceremonies happen until the highlight of the event – the Thali tying. The thali symbolizes the fact that the bride and groom are finally married! Sumi waiting in anticipation of the tying of the thali.

Siva & Sumi’s dinner location had really funky lighting!

Halfway through dinner, Sumi’s sister gave a wonderful singing performance. She sang about how Siva and Sumi met under the rain. :) You’ll find a similar theme (umbrellas and rain) in their engagement portraits!

Siva & Sumi, I appreciate the both of you, and the fact that we’ve become friends over these past few months. Thank you for giving Mark and myself the opportunity to document this beautiful day.