Grace Tan

Grace Tan In Life, Musings, Relationships

Welcome, 2017!

As I sit in a hotel room in Dhaka, Bangladesh on the last day of 2016, I reflect on all that has happened this year. It’s been a year of ups and downs, at times filled with beautiful memories, and at times, financially stretching for us as a company. Yet, perhaps with some childlike faith, I have hope. I am hoping that 2017 will be one that is great. A year that will bring about change, as we have set into motion some plans for the year.

Recently, in between our wedding shoots here in Bangladesh, I had time to walk the streets a little. We bumped into an old curiosity shop that looked like it sold antiques (or lookalikes!). I was drawn to a hourglass that had a compass at the top and bottom. That afternoon, as I was praying about the year ahead, I felt God telling me two things: That I need to depend on Him as the compass of my life. He would give me the direction I seek desperately. And the hourglass reminds me that my time on earth is short – what am I doing daily that makes a difference to the world?

Naturally, my thoughts go to my children and leaving a legacy in their lives. It would be tragic if I spent so much time working on my business but neglected the welfare of my kids (and husband!). If today was the last day of my life, would I feel happy with all I had done in life?

Let’s make each day count. Happy New Year from us in Dhaka and have a great start to 2017!

BTS-day1-bangladesh *Thank you to the random waiter who suggested we have a photo together after the holudh event, and who actually took it for us on our phone! (Left to Right: Jamie, Grace & Jennifer)

Grace Tan In Maternity, Portraits, Studio

Maternity Portraits: Marieke

One of the biggest gripes most pregnant women have is that they feel bloated, almost elephant-like in nature approaching their 3rd trimester. Feet sometimes start to swell, spots appear, or the linea nigra line appears right across the belly, together with a protruding belly button. With Marieke, she didn’t appear to have any of these problems! She just looks so gorgeous with a baby belly! Taken in our studio by Jamie, these images remind us that every pregnant woman is indeed beautiful, because she carries a precious life inside of her. Praying for a safe delivery and we look forward to seeing the little one in the future.

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Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

Family Portraits: En Ruey & Jas Min

20161128-FAMILYPORTRAITS_ENRUEY_JASMIN-115 I love my job because I get to see families growing. I got to know En Ruey and Jas Min in 2013 when we photographed their pre-wedding photos and then subsequently, their wedding. And now, with their little baby who just turned 1! In a way, we get to do life together. Our photos end up as their family legacy, which makes me feel really proud and happy. And of course, emails like these gives us the encouragement to keep on going strong!

“We were totally blown away by the photos from our session on Monday! We are amazed at all the beautiful shots you managed to get despite our son not being the most smiley of moods that day! How in the world did you manage to capture all that?! We were quite disheartened after the shoot that day being absolutely convinced the photos might not come out as nice thanks to Mr. Grumpy but you have once again showed that our worries were for naught. =) Just like our pre-wedding and wedding and family shoot, the photos you take are amazing.

And btw, I showed some sneaks of the baby wearing pictures to some of my baby wearing friends and they all LOVED pictures. You totally made me look like a professional baby wearing model. =D They all want pictures like that for themselves now, so you may or may not be getting some requests for baby wearing shots in the future. ;)

Please never stop doing what you do as the world will be a much sadder place without all your amazing smile inducing pictures. =)

Thank you so very much.

Regards,
Jas Min & En Ruey

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Grace Tan In Beautiful Everyday, Life, Musings, Portraits, Relationships

Happy 4th Birthday, little Krysta

20160813-ALEX_GRACE_10TH_ANNIVERSARY-151 Dear Krysta,

It’s been an amazing 4 years together, as your mum. One day, when you read this, know that I love you fiercely with all my heart. We’ve shared laughter together, tears, and silly moments practicing karate chops on imaginary bad people during our storytelling sessions. Just yesterday, I struggled through the day being your mum… it started out as a great day, going out with your Ee Ee (aunty Lina) to the mall…but when we came home, you were really tired and I had a really hard 3 hours with you and your brother, trying to put 2 over-tired toddlers down for their afternoon nap. After 1 hour, I realised a nap is nowhere in sight, so I decided we’ll just have an early dinner and put you to bed.

I guess it’s a combination of me being overly tired too, and temper tantrum outbursts that led me to my own outburst. I am sorry for the times I scolded and disciplined you out of my own anger. Part of me wants an obedient, compliant child, but I know that you have a mind of your own and sometimes, our personalities clash, resulting in crying moments (for both of us). You touched my heart when you saw my tears and took a tissue to wipe the tears away, and suggested that I drank water so I felt better.

I pray that you will grow up to be an amazing woman of God, who is kind, thoughtful and loves people fiercely too. You have a heart of excellence and your meticulous nature reminds me of your dad, who always wants to do things well. I see my own imperfections as I raise you up, and I know that this is God’s way of moulding me to be a better mother too. Love you so much.

Mum

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Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Divya & her colourful family

Divya describes her family as colour to a white canvas. They wanted this photo session done with the immediate family as 2016 is such a significant milestone for them as a family.

Divya says: My mom and dad only had two girls. My sister Sandy (that’s what we call her) got married first and my parents were elated to have a son in the family. So technically my brother in law Rohen is the apple of the family. They then had a daughter, Maya, who was the sole grandchild for a good 4 years. She continues to remain as the princess of our family.

I got married last year and my parents got another Son in the family. My sister and I now jokingly complaint that our husbands have become more important to my parents than we are! (It may not be a joke… it actually may be the truth!.. lol) My dad was over the moon to have two sons on his camp as he has always been surrounded by my mom, sis and me who have talked his hair off his head :)

2016 was an eventful year for my parents they went from being grandparents to one little princes to having 3 additions to the family. AND all three were BOYS! of course you can imagine the excitement! We want to be able to capture that transition from just the 4 of us mom, dad, my sister and me to the whole lot of us now… our characters pretty much speak for itself. As a family we may seem loud (but aren’t all families?) and we love just being us. With the kids and us it can be a riot but it is what makes us who we are.

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