Portraits

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Daniel & Grace

When I first started shooting family portraits years ago, Daniel and Grace’s family were one of the first few families that I photographed. At that time, their eldest son Lucas was just a little baby, probably about Timmy’s age right now. How time flies! And now Lucas is about 3 years old…? The great thing about the Lim babies is that they’re always very smiley (except if they get tired, hungry or irritated by the heat!) Since the Lim family have been living in Australia for a number of years, I am not surprised if they find the Malaysian weather to be too hot and humid. It was great catching up with you again, Dan & Grace… and thanks for bringing back the iPad from Australia for Alex! :)

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Life, Musings, Portraits

Happy birthday, Papa!

My dad turned 77 yesterday. He looks so old and fragile now, almost skin and bones in his less than 5 foot frame. I love my dad. He is a really smart man. His family was never well to do; after finishing secondary school, he managed to get a scholarship to study overseas in Kirkby, England. Those were the most exciting years of his life I believe, because years after that, he still speaks fondly of his memories at Kirkby. Recently though, these stories are told less frequently. You see, my dad has Alzheimer’s.

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.