Portraits

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Pre-Wedding: Lisa + Henry, Balinese style Eco Resort

Hair & Make Up: Shinny Ong
Gown: That Special Occasion
Location: Di Sini, Negeri Sembilan
Photographer: Grace, assisted by Shu Wan

I can’t recall the first time I got to know Lisa, but sitting almost next to her for 2 years at the same office has definitely been a fun adventure. Lisa was one of the key persons behind The QGuides.com, an online portal for restaurant reservations in the Klang Valley, which was built by Integricity Press. She is a really really fun person to be with, always saying funny lines and making everyone laugh with her bubbly personality. I appreciated our office lunch sessions… which I will sorely miss as she has just moved on to another job.

Lisa and Henry will be signing their ROM this coming October, and I am glad to say that I will be there to witness and photograph the event! When I first met Henry, I thought that he was a really quiet person (Lisa did all the talking, you see!) who had an aura of authority about him. His quiet demeanor has a calming effect. Together, it looks like the phrase “opposites attract” are apt to describe Lisa and Henry!

I had a great time at the shoot… the both of you are so natural in front of the camera! I had a blast! Here are some of my personal favs:

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Dr Tan & Dr Helena

How apt that little Bernadette would be holding a book called “God Made”, when it is so obvious that God put His love and perfection into creating this little bundle of joy. Her twin brother, Benjamin, and older sister, Brigitte are equally precious creations in God’s eyes.

Dr Helena and Dr Tan are both gynaecologists – and they are such a warm couple. I got to know Dr Helena through Pitter Patter, an online pregnancy guide for women. I have done a number of maternity shoots with Pitter Patter, and after a few months, Dr Helena said “I’d love to have you photograph my family too!”

If you ever get to meet Dr Helena, you will instantly feel a connection and warmth that radiates from her. She smiles and laughs a LOT – which I am sure makes all the first-time pregnant mummies all comfy and less nervous! She is personable, and even has time to comment on my photos on Facebook! Hahaha…I always thought a doctor’s schedule is really hectic!

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Pre-Wedding: Hun Young & Ju Yee

Make Up & hair: Angie Ng
Location: Dusun Garden Fairies, Hulu Langat
Bridal Gown: That Special Occasion & Neoromantic
Cheongsam: Jason Yek
Men’s Suit: Lord’s Tailor
Flowers: Favors Essense
Photographer: Grace

Ju Yee had to wake up at 4am in the morning for her make up session, simply because her photographer Grace said, “The morning light is always gorgeous! So we have to start shoot at 7am”. Not many couples I know would get up that early for a photo shoot. But Ju Yee was all up for it! I was quite excited to shoot at this location, as I’ve never been there before and heard lots of nice things about this place.

And it didn’t disappoint us. Just being out there in a small obscure village, surrounded by trees (and some mosquitoes!) was quite an adventure. Despite Ju Yee mentioning to me that she felt “kaku” or a little stiff in front of the camera, I think she did really well! Ju Yee and Hun Young has been together for many many years – since they were in secondary school. His initial impression of her – “What a tomboy!”

Well, in my opinion, Ju Yee doesn’t even remotely resemble a tomboy in these shots (in my mental picture of how a tomboy should look like!).

I hope you’ll enjoy the shots. This lovely lace gown was made by Neoromantic.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

85 Blessed Years – Amy Low

Our second winner for the free portrait shoot is Amy Low. An amazing lady whose story is told by her granddaughter, Priscilla. Here is Priscilla’s account of her grandmother’s life.

Her name is Amy – beloved.

Yet her life is a long unloving journey. Unknown. Untold.

Taken from her biological parents at birth, she was given to a childless couple so that she could care for them in their old age.
Love her they did not. Instead, they abused her.

At 16, she entered an arranged marriage.
Love her he did not.

From one prison to another, unloved.

But God has been faithful, merciful, loving.

85 years old, fragile, wrinkled.
Daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother.
She bears no grudge, no resentment. She has learnt to love. Beloved indeed.

My wish is that her smile can be immortalized, for her generations to come.

I was really touched by Priscilla’s story. How often, stories like these are untold, kept tucked away in the recesses of our mind, until something draws it out into the open. It is stories like these that remind me about how precious each person is. No matter what background we may have come from. How we all deserve love. And how large and extravagant God’s love is.

This is Amy Low.

Isn’t she beautiful?

She used to weave these baskets from paper and sell them. Such creativity!

Her son and daughter-in-law.

Priscilla with her family.

Amy’s grandson – Reuben & his wife, Joanne.

Four generations of women.

And the men…

A little lovin’ going on here…

Even Joseph tried his luck – attempting to give a kiss to Joy-Anne who promptly avoided him!

And finally, the entire family.

Thanks for sharing your grandmother’s story, Priscilla. I am glad to be part of history – knowing that I have immortalized her smile for your family. I pray for God’s richest blessings to surround every one of you!

If you’d like to view the 1st winner’s photos and read her miraculous baby story, click here!

Grace Tan In Maternity, Portraits

Maternity Portraits: May Lee & Adrian

It’s amazing when as a photographer, you can connect with your clients. It only took a few minutes for us to feel comfortable with each other. I only met May Lee & Adrian on the day of our shoot, and within two hours, we parted as friends. The love that they share for each other is just so obvious. May Lee, you look gorgeous! And Adrian, you’re not too bad yourself too! :)

I love this bib and clothing that has cute words like these. Even before your child forms their own opinion, the parents have decided what the kid should ‘think’. :) Yup, my kid will definitely have t-shirts that say things like “I have a cool mom”.