Portraits

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

The Moey Family: Including Furry Friends too

When I heard that ten people would be coming for the portrait session (not to mention 2 dogs), I was a little concerned about how to pose everyone. I remember when I first started out in portrait photography a few years back, I had one of my first few outdoor sessions with a family of 30! I should have known that it was career suicide for me to consider taking 30 people including children out to a park then. Well, I’m glad to say that I’ve improved by leaps and bounds since then. I now understand that taking great people portraits requires great people skills. Every time I meet a family, or a couple, I am excited to be a part of their lives, if only for an hour or two. I remember a photographer friend telling me of a family that she had photographed… the family wasn’t close, but after the photography session, the family bond grew stronger. I’d like to think that after every portrait session I shoot, a family grows closer or a couple is reminded of the love they have for one another.

Thank you Tina for giving me this privilege to photograph your family and your extended family. To Terence, I’m glad to have finally met your family! Everyone was such a good sport… even in suggesting ideas during the shoot! Oh, and I’ll never forget trying to smuggle 2 dogs into Tmn Tun park!

This was how we did it: (pop your head back in, little one!)

I can’t believe how obedient these 2 doggies are! Can you just feel the love in the air?

My sister-in-law, Sarah and her boyfriend Terence

What a way to end the portrait session! They are super flexible!

Grace Tan In Maternity, Portraits

Maternity Portraits

In our Asian culture where you’d tend to hide everything behind cloth, it is actually refreshing to be able to photograph something that is completely different. A lot of pregnant women tell me that they feel very ‘fat’ and don’t want to be photographed during this stage of their life. But this is such a beautiful occasion, that it completely deserves a photo shoot! It’s that moment in your life when you discover the joy of motherhood. How amazing life is. The magic of creation. A breath. A heartbeat. And then 2 tiny little hands. A cry. A giggle.

Celebrate life! How precious it is.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Edwin & Priscilla

When I launched the Lifestyle Portraiture Promo 1 month ago, the first person to email me was Priscilla. She called me the day after the promo was launched and immediately made a booking that very day itself. She related to me one of her previous portrait session where her son accidentally stepped on an ant’s nest and was badly bitten in the park! I felt so sorry for the boy. She warned me too that her son Joseph is really playful and would sometimes not pose for the camera.

So on the day of their shoot, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I certainly hoped that there weren’t any ants nest in the nearby vicinity! Despite the initial drizzle, we kept our spirits up and it turned out to be a really fun shoot! I’m not a mother yet, but I can imagine the feeling of coming home pooped after a few hours attending to children. Joseph and Joy-Anne were just so adorable! Here are some of my favourites from that day. Look at that drool!

Even grandma was involved that day!

I love Joy-Anne’s 2 little teeth.

Ian came along with me on this shoot. He took this next shot.

We even had a little ‘couple’ time for Edwin and Priscilla. Edwin was a natural! The moment we said we’d take photos of the both of them, he instantly swept Priscilla off her feet!

And lastly, my favourite from their couple portraits.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Eugene, Audrey and Shane

Eugene not only shares the same office space as me, but is one of my lunch kakis at Integricity. He introduced really yummy bak kut teh to everyone in the office and we’re all hooked on it now. But that’s not the point of this blog post. Eugene, his wife Audrey and kid Shane trooped over to a park in PJ recently and I had a great time photographing their portraits. Actually, it was more like, Shane playing and me running after him. Shane is such a cheerful kid. He never stops smiling and laughing.

I am told that Shane loves shoes. His crocs look so well adorned!

The only thing that can wipe the smile off Shane’s face is when he gets dirt onto his hands. I can’t believe what a neat and tidy kid he is! He didn’t want to go near the sand or anything ‘dirty’. I don’t usually take photos of kids screaming, but Eugene said, “I don’t mind photos of him like that!” So here it is!

But it didn’t last very long. After a few seconds, Shane returned to his normal self.

Ooh and since I’m not that much of a web guru, I’m really excited to have created this animated gif in Photoshop. (Alex thinks I’m more of a geek than he is)

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to get to know your family better, Eugene. I truly enjoyed our time at the park.

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

You’re my African Queen: Kenneth & Laura

When Kenneth gave me the song “African Queen” to be used in his photo slideshow piece, I thought how apt it was, as Laura is indeed his prized African Queen! They are a lovely couple to work with. Their romance story is indeed a unique one, both coming from 2 different cultures, falling in love and proving that God is the glue that holds all things together. Even though they hit some snags in the process of getting married (for example, Kenneth finding out that he needs to buy Laura’s family cows in order to wed her, and that each cow costs a couple of thousand RM), they overcame all obstacles and said their vows above the clouds at the KL Tower in January 09.

Congratulations to the both of you! Here are photos and video from their pre-wedding shoot at Bukit Tinggi end of 2008. Photos taken by Grace Tan, Video by Kee Sitt and Sharon.