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Grace Tan
In Life, Musings, Relationships

Chinese New Year Memories

As I was growing up, every Chinese New Year would be a season of laughter, good food and memories. Strangely, in my Peranakan family, ketupat and rendang was one of our staple Chinese New Year cuisine, together with tosai and idly. I never really thought too much of it growing up (till I went to KL and found out that normal Chinese families don’t do things like these!). But the months leading up to Chinese New Year was also a season of stress because my mom would be up for many hours from 4am till midnight baking cookies in her little oven pictured below.

oven

It was her passion and also her business. She would bake hundreds upon hundreds of butter cookies, prune cookies, pineapple tarts, love letters and lots of other types of cookies to sell. Amazingly, she did most of it single handedly. Unfortunately, I was the little grumpy kitchen helper who hated to meticulously place lines across pineapple tarts for hours on end.

And my dad… well, he needless to say, he gave my mom added stress because he wasn’t really supportive of her long hours, especially after she fell ill with heart problems. He wanted her to rest and give up this business but my mom really loved doing this. On hindsight, I wished I helped her more in the kitchen those days instead of just running away the moment I had the chance.

Now that I’ve moved to KL and left Malacca, I kind of miss the days when I had lots of cookies to eat. My mom no longer bakes and my dad is in his advanced stage of Alzheimer’s. Do cherish the little moments in life, especially with your family members this festive season. Have a good celebration with your family and friends, and remember to take lots of photos.

Love,
Grace

tarts

 

Grace Tan
In Bangladeshi Weddings, Boudoir, Casual Portraits, Chinese Weddings, Church Weddings, Family + Children Portraits, For Photographers, Indian + Punjabi Weddings, International, Life, Malay Weddings, Maternity, Musings, Outdoor Weddings, Portraits, , Relationships, Running a Business, Studio, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

What Motivates Us

If I could sum up everything in one word, it would be LEGACY. What connects us and brings us together as visual storytellers? It is the idea that we are creating something that will far outlast ourselves. The love that you share as a couple, the memories of your parents, your child as she takes her first step… we want to record these precious moments and build a family legacy that you can look back on, years from now… and remember.

I hope this video will give you a glimpse into our thoughts and motivations and why we keep on doing what we do.

Lots of love,
The Stories Team

Credits:
Filmed by: The Stories Team, Edited by Felicia.

Grace Tan
In Casual Portraits, Life, Musings, Portraits

Turning 30: Joanne

How strange it is that the older we grow, we realize we’ve never truly left our youth? When my dad was in his 70s, he kept telling us stories of when he was in Kirby College, how he almost got frostbite during a particularly cold winter. Last year, I also celebrated my brother’s 50th birthday…and during that celebration, we partied like he was 20. I am also reminded of my 50+ year old aunt turning 60, but still doing bunny ears in photos.

I sometimes wonder if each of us really does have an inner child within us, even though our exterior doesn’t say so.

Joanne recently hit a huge milestone in her life. She turned 30. An age where you begin to feel that you have this idea of identity all figured out in your life. The 20s is an age where you discover the world is your oyster… you can do almost anything you want in life. Almost. (If only money was not a problem!)

But in your 30s… you feel more secure, confident, and wiser. I like how Joanne puts it…

“I wanted to do this photo shoot cause I’d like to have something physical to look back on, as the years pass me by. At 30, i feel wiser than i was at 20. At the same time, i know I’ve still got some way to go, and life has lots more to teach me. What’s in the year/years ahead?”

Joanne, I hope the years ahead will bring you to more places than you’ve ever dreamed was possible. I hope you also never lose your inner child. One that has innocence and wonder at the world around us. May God bless your journey.

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Grace Tan
In Chinese Weddings, Church Weddings, Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Life, Malay Weddings, Musings, News, Outdoor Weddings, Portraits, , Promotions, Running a Business, Weddings

It’s a Brand New Year!

And we have a brand new website! It’s been 3 years since Stories first opened its doors to brides and grooms, families and children. Since then, we’ve photographed more than 200 bridal couples and 100+ families. From a business that started with one person (me!), we now have 5 full time staff.

I am truly grateful to God for providing for our needs. Running a business is probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever embarked on in my life. Even during the low seasons when we didn’t have a single booking in a month… God saw us through. Honestly, I never thought that one day, I’ll be running a photography and videography business. The worry that business owners face is something I never wanted for my life. I just want to live a carefree, easygoing life… pretty much take on whatever comes my way.

But I guess He had other plans.

I read this verse in the Bible recently.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

It sounds simple but often times, worry is a condition that usually doesn’t just ‘go away’. How often have you heard someone say, “Don’t worry…” but it made no difference whatsoever to your lives?

However, when I read the verse before that… “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice.” The little devotional I was reading reminded me that I can’t just start by praying and then expect my anxiety to simply vanish into thin air. We have to start by habitually drinking at His well for joy, with an inclining of our heart toward Him throughout every moment of each day and every moment of life. (Quoted from Worklife.org)

If this doesn’t really make sense to you, what it basically means is that I should focus on the positive things that God has blessed me with, and not on the negative. And ultimately, my source of joy… God Himself.

I look forward to another year with our team, creating amazing images for our clients and making a difference in people’s lives.

And so, with a thankful heart, we are feeling generous this season.

We hope you will join the hundreds of Stories alumni who have graced our cameras with their presence.

Have a look at the promo details here or contact us to make an appointment.

Grace Tan
In Life, Musings

Give Thanks for Everything

What an amazing year 2013 has been. Personally, I just turned 1 year as a mom, and that has been such a beautiful journey. Having a child reminds you to cherish the small things everyday, and to make time for people who matter.

Krysta-bday

Yeah, work’s been good, we now have 5 full time staff in the team,  have photographed and filmed 65 weddings/pre-weddings and 34 lifestyle portrait clients in 2013. We have also completed quite a number of corporate shoots under the Integricity Visuals brand. While some may not consider this as a lot, I truly give thanks for what we have been given. God has never left us in lack and we have always been content.

I love working with the amazing team of people at Integricity. I love our family culture and how everyone cares for each other genuinely. Life is about relationships…and working with awesome people makes my day!

Have a wonderful Christmas season as you cherish important people in your life, while remembering that all good things come from above!

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