Family + Children Portraits

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Tan & Catherine

Marissa is Tan & Catherine’s first child. Somehow, I think firstborns are always photographed more than the second or third child. Parents are usually more diligent in capturing every little moment of their child’s progress, and the slightest smile makes the new parent all soft and mushy inside. I know that Tan & Catherine really dote over Marissa.

Some friends tell me that the pain of childbirth is easily forgotten after you hold your child in your hands. Perhaps not the first 3-6 months (every parent can tell you tales of sleepless nights)… but when she grows a little older, I am sure that child will steal your heart.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

My Family Portraits

Ever since I started shooting portraits professionally about 2 years ago, I never really did take any proper family photos of my own. It’s kind of strange. A lot of photographers tell me that they have thousands of images of other people, but very few of their own. One professional photographer who has been in the business for more than 10 years told me… “I don’t really have images of my children taken with my DSLR. Most were taken with a compact camera. After a shoot, I don’t feel like carrying a huge camera during family events.”

I feel the same way. During events with friends or family, I don’t usually bring my DSLR. I just want to spend time talking to people and connecting with them. On top of that, I don’t even own a compact camera. It’s either the iPhone or Canon 5D Mark 2.

Recently, my aunt and uncle who lives in Melbourne came back to Malaysia. During this trip, my 2 aunts from Malacca came up to KL as well. And so, rather randomly, I suggested we do a photo shoot together. And amazingly, everyone agreed! This shoot felt really significant to me. It’s true. Taking photos as a family brings you together.

My dad is already 77. He has Alzheimer’s which has no cure. There aren’t that many years left where we can be together as a family, having such an opportunity like this.

It’s worth it.

My family, minus my brother Raymond. Just in case you’re wondering who shot our portraits… well, it was a combination of myself, Alex and Shu Wan. :) Oh, and we didn’t try to colour coordinate. It was by coincidence that my mom, dad and I chose to wear red.

My dad and his two sisters.

On the right, my aunt and uncle from Melbourne.

I told my dad to smile, and he did this…

And then I told him to kiss my mom, never expecting it to really happen… He was a little shy. :)

My parent’s amazing maid, Parmi, who is super duper reliable and loves my family as her own.

My sister Lina and myself, and of course, my husband Alex!

One more for the road…

Hehe, kinda cheesy but cute.

Finally, tapao-ing my sister’s shoe bench back into the car.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Marissa’s 1st Birthday, Marmalade, Bangsar

I’ve never seen so many Hello Kitties in one place before. Everything from the balloons to the cupcakes, birthday cake and even the napkins were in Hello Kitty theme. Marissa is a really lucky girl. Her parents, Hui-Wearn and Larry really put a lot of effort into making this party a really happening one. There was even a clown to entertain all the kids with magic tricks and some balloon twisting. I admit, even at 30, I thought some of the tricks were quite funny. Perhaps I am still a kid at heart? :)

Here’s a little sibling love.

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The kids were really entertained by the clown.

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Don’t you sometimes wish you were a kid again?

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Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Zachary’s Baby Shower

If you met Priscilla’s mom, and then Priscilla herself, you would have thought that they were a little young-looking to be a grandmother and mother. They radiate youthfulness. I just don’t know how they do it! (great health regime, skin care, enough sleep perhaps? Things I don’t really practice right now!). We celebrated Zachary’s full moon luncheon at Putrajaya Shangri-La where family members and friends of John and Priscilla gathered. The food not only looked good, it tasted great too! After the scrumptious meal, we had a quick portrait session on the grounds of Shangri-La.

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Priscilla’s mom on the left, and Priscilla and John on the right.

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The other baby in the house… this one belongs to Stephanie.

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Look at how cute Zachary’s cake is!

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Unfortunately most of the time, he’s asleep, oblivious to the attention he’s getting!

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Finally, a group photo.

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Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

The Hashim Family Portraits

I met the Hashims through Jek. The moment I met them, I instantly liked them. They are such an easy going family with really good looking children! It was a challenge avoiding the crowds of people at the park, but we managed to find some little corners to shoot in. After a number of outdoor family shoots with children below 3, I have collected a few tips for families who intend to have their outdoor portraits taken.

1. It’s a good idea to dress in similar or complementary colours for the photo shoot. Your family unit will look coordinated and united.

2. Bring a spare change of clothes, especially for the children. They might get dirty or wet as they run around, rolling on the grass.

3. Make sure there’s drinks and some snacks prepared, especially if they start to get a little cranky.

4. It’s also a great idea to bring along a favourite toy.

5. If the child refuses to smile for the camera or pose, don’t worry! If you feel stressed or start yelling, it will show in the photos. You can try to speak in a stern tone for a while, but if the child still wants to do his/her own thing, let them do it. It’s a great time for candid shots.

6. If the child starts to cry, take a little break.

7. Playing little games with the child helps. Make them think that the photo shoot is a fun activity! At the end of the day, treat it like a fun family outing instead of a stressful ‘let’s aim to get my child to behave session’ and everyone will have a good time!

Hope these tips are helpful!