Portraits

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!

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Ben & Joanne

I seem to be photographing a lot of 2-3 year old boys lately. Little boys at this age are really cute, but the one thing that is difficult to do, is to keep them still! I haven’t done a shoot with little girls that age. I thought there were more girls in this world than boys? Well a friend of mine said that girls are easier to photograph, so probably the ones who have boys look for professional photographers cause they just can’t get a good pic of them through their compact cameras. Perhaps there is an element of truth there.

Recently, I met up with Ben and Joanne for a family portrait shoot with their two lovely boys, Zach & Jaden. We went to FRIM, and since I haven’t been there in a while, I actually missed the turning from the highway on the way there. Luckily I started out early, and after a couple of turnings and guidance from Chui who was my helper for the day… I finally got there. Here are a selection of images from the shoot.

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I love his little chair! So cute.

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Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Portraits: Albert & Michelle

I’ve known Michelle since I started working in KL and attending Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC). She was the person who brought me to cell group, who did an amazing job decorating my wedding venue, and has been a true friend through the years. Some time back, Alex and I started a social group called Rendezvous where single Christians can meet, mingle and get to know different people through various activities. Together with a few other friends, we organized a fun treasure hunt, and encouraged Michelle (then single!) to join in. She did, and that’s where she met Albert… who was in the same ‘group’ as her. After a few other outings on their own accord, they discovered that they kinda clicked, and soon after, started dating.

And now I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to take their portraits and also their wedding in August! Michelle and Albert love taking photos. They are natural at posing, and Michelle looks absolutely stunning in these photos. Part of Michelle’s interest is coordinating weddings, and she makes a great wedding planner! She has coordinated quite a number of weddings and I must say, is a really organized person. It’s no surprise then that she and Albert started planning their wedding waaaay ahead of time and by now, she has sorted out her venue, photographer, deco, cards, guest list, phew… Albert is really supportive of Michelle as she runs around coordinating not only her own wedding but others.

I really had a good time with the both of you, looking forward to August!!

This wasn’t the only portrait shoot we had… here’s another set of images, taken much earlier. You’ve seen the elegant side of Michelle, now you get to see her fun side! And of course, Albert’s pretty fun as well! ;)

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Grace Tan In Outdoor Weddings, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Weddings

The Wedding of Cui & Yi Chian Part1

This is proof that a long distance relationship is viable and can stand the test of time! Cui and Yi Chian met in the US when they were both university students but had to part ways after they graduated. Yi Chian moved back to Singapore, and Cui lived and worked in New York. Years later, after enduring many long 24 hour flights, Yi Chian popped the question while they were on a hiking holiday to the base camp of Mt Everest in Nepal!

The beach wedding was held in Avillion Resort, Port Dickson. Five of us from the Wedding Story team went down to Port Dickson the night before and met up with Cui & Yi Chian at their family BBQ. Even after 10 minutes of talking, we knew that we could instantly click. They are definitely an adventurous couple!

The next morning, we had an early morning start at 4.30am! When the sun rose, Avillion looked so beautiful…. and so did Cui.

When the guys came over, the girls made them do some really crazy stuff…

Like dancing like a chicken!

Or putting on lipstick for each other…

Some were better than others… guys you need make up lessons!

When Yi Chian finally got to Cui, she could not help but laugh at his fake ‘mole’.

After a short time of tea ceremony with Cui’s parents, we left for a nearby bungalow, where Yi Chian’s family were waiting.

Then there were the serious family portraits…. and also the fun ones!

It was already about 12pm when we drove to a well hidden light house for some portraits. It was my first time there and I absolutely loved it! The only thing was the terrible noon time sun that beat down on us mercilessly. But Cui and Yi Chian didn’t bat an eyelid. They were super gung-ho to do everything I asked them to do.

One of the scary things…. like climbing this really steep ladder up to another floor. Cui did it in her high heels ok! And came down the same way! Even with my flat shoes, my knees were a little wobbly!

But it was worth it!

Finally, we went back to Avillion to shoot some more portraits around the pool side and garden.

We only had a 2.5 hour break before we had to get back to Avillion for the solemnization ceremony. Through out the ceremony, Sharon Chong was working on the slideshow to be shown during dinner. It was a pretty mad rush but we managed to complete it! Here’s the slideshow that we played that night. Part 2 of the wedding to come soon!

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Press play and then pause to let the video load fully, or else you might see it skip back to the first frame.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Andrew, Huey Yee & Family

We were supposed to have our portrait session at The Orchid Garden in KL that morning, but it poured! It was a challenge thinking of where to go in such heavy rain, but finally we decided to drive to the Solaris area in Mt Kiara for the shoot. It was my first time there. Huey Yee told me… “Don’t you know this place? All the young people hang out there.” Haha, I guess I’m not that young anymore! (or perhaps it’s a hint for my hubby to bring me out more often). With a combination of rain, hyperactive kids, and a cool location… we came up with some really fun shots!

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