Musings

Grace Tan In For Photographers, Life, Musings, Running a Business

A Grateful Christmas

Stories is part of the Integricity group

It’s true, God’s love is extravagant. God has blessed us abundantly, even more than what I could have imagined. My heart is overflowing with thankfulness…I see the business flourishing, and I know God definitely had a hand in it. Every year, I make it a point to reflect about the year that has passed, and to give thanks for good and bad experiences. In 2010, Stories turned one, and now, we’re two!

Last year, I gave thanks for the 38 wedding & pre-wedding clients that we photographed in 2011. This year, the number of clients increased. Collectively, the Stories team photographed 58 different wedding / pre-wedding clients and 30 other clients for lifestyle portraits & events. On top of that, we had a great year with a number of different corporate projects as well.

Our team grew as well and we now have a strong team of 7 core members with other supporting members. Everyone worked really hard this year and I am thankful for such a wonderful team.

Grace Tan In International, Musings, Outdoor Weddings, Running a Business, Weddings

Updates & a beautiful wedding at Capella, Singapore

These past few months, my mind has been filled with many different things… mostly with work and trying to meet the many deadlines and deliveries we have to make. It’s been rather challenging for me physically, because this is the first time in my career that I’ve been shooting non-stop every weekend from August 27th till December 17th. This does not include the other family / pre-wedding portrait and commercial shoots on weekdays. So yes, I am sorry for the lack of updates on this blog.

I am really looking forward to the Christmas holidays though, as that will be the first break I am getting in many months. I will be planning for next year and also trying to sort out everything for the new office… we will be moving into SS2 mall early next year! Once the studio is opened, we will have some promotions, so do keep a look out on this blog!

Just as a little teaser, here are some images I took yesterday at the gorgeous Capella Hotel in Sentosa, Singapore. Definitely one of the prettiest outdoor locations I’ve seen so far!

Have a great Christmas season and happy shopping!

Diane In Musings, Tips + Ideas

Recreating your Old Photos

Do you have a favourite photo of you when you were child? One of you having ice-cream all over your face, or all dressed-up in a funny costume? Here’s an idea to recreate that photo with the same pose, same person, only 20 years later! :)

You will need:

1. An old photo of you that you would like to recreate.

2. A camera and a willing friend (or tripod if you like it better than your friends).

3. The same or similar location by which the original photo was taken.

4. Yourself! And your enthusiasm to recreate the photo!

Optional: Clothes that are similar to the one in the original picture.

Step 1: Look through your childhood photos and pick one. If you would like to have ice-cream all over your face to recreate the picture and you are up for it, then go for it!

Step 2: Examine the photo closely: the poses, the facial expression, the clothes and the location. Practice the expression or poses in front of the mirror if you have to. Revisit the location where the photo was taken and for the best results, try to get similar clothes, too!

Step 3: Set up your camera or bring your friend to the location and have fun shooting! For the best results, take a few shots. Check and redo until you are satisfied with the outcome!

Step 4: When you are all done, choose your best shot and put it together with the original photo. Print them out and send it to all your relatives. Congratulations, you have now become their favourite niece/nephew/cousin/grandson/granddaughter!

Extra Tip: Get other people involved, too! Here’s my take on recreating an old photo:

Every photo has a story. What’s your story? Remember to show us your pictures!

Grace Tan In For Photographers, Musings, News, Promotions, Running a Business

Bloom workshops is here! Check us out!

If you are a female photographer serious about learning the craft and needing some new inspiration, do come and join us for a weekend of fun and learning! Four professional photographers (Anna-Rina, Asther Lau, Fiona Lim and myself) will be sharing our experiences, tips and tricks of the trade with you from a female perspective. We hope to inspire photographers to dream big and aim high!

Do view our little promo video, and visit our website www.bloomworkshops.my to find out more AND register for the workshop!

Video edited by: Weiming
Music credit: Akvalung

Grace Tan In Life, Musings, News, Running a Business

Our New Ride – The Volkswagen Kombi!

One fine day when Alex and I were talking about life and business, an idea suddenly came to his head… he suggested that we get a Stories-mobile; the Volkswagen Kombi. Frankly, I was a little hesitant at first… I mean, that thing is huge, OLD and might be really hard to drive. Good thing I can actually drive a manual car! I was concerned that I might not reach my wedding shoot destination if I had a vehicle like this. I shrugged the idea off until Alex brought it up again a week or so later.

He started showing me photos of really beautifully done up kombis online. I was smitten. Slowly but surely, I became hooked to the idea. And that was how our search for the VW kombi started. We contacted some friends who were VW enthusiasts and they put us in touch with other enthusiasts.

And then one day, we found this:

And so, unintentionally, the date 11.11.11 became significant to us. It was the day we bought our new bus!

By the way, this photo was taken in front of SS2 Mall, our new office space! But that’s a completely different blog post altogether. Take note that I went the hippy route and dressed for the occasion.

The kombi is in really good shape (considering it’s like a few years older than me… did I mention that I am over 30 now?) The colour is perfect cause it’s what we wanted in the first place (our Stories theme colour is light blue and dark brown). Some even pointed out that the number plate is perfect for a photographer (CF, as in, compact flash cards). I felt as if God was giving us the green light to get this bus.

Our little kombi will be used for shoots, and will also be rented to bride and grooms who are interested in using it as a wedding car. So far, 2 brides have already contacted me about the kombi. Our aim is to get it spruced up even more, but good thing is that it already comes with air-conditioning!