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Grace Tan
In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Siva + Sumitha: Temple wedding

Ceremony: Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple, Shah Alam
Dinner Reception: Rumah Puspanita
Photographers: Grace & Mark

It has been 10 years since they started dating in college. The rain, an umbrella, and a ‘mamak‘ session brought Siva & Sumitha together. Their friendship blossomed over time, and soon, they discovered that they truly enjoyed laughing and poking fun at each other.

And now, 10 years later, they are married. I have never met a bride who slept 2 hours the night before her wedding day, woke up at 2am to do her hair and make up (for 4 hours! I admire Indian brides for their tenacity!) and then stayed energetic throughout the whole day till the dinner ended at 10.30pm.

She was still smiling from ear to ear. Way to go, Sumi!

Here are some of my favourite shots from their Hindu temple wedding and dinner. If you’d like to view their engagement portraits that I shot sometime back, click here.

Click to watch the same day slideshow. Press play, then pause for it to load fully before playing again.

[flv:http://www.stories.my/wp-content/uploads/2010/slideshows/sivasumi.flv http://www.stories.my/wp-content/uploads/2010/slideshows/sivasumi.jpg 700 394]

Sumi is just gorgeous in that turqoise saree.

This temple is so full of character!

First part of the ceremony is for the groom. He has to undergo a series of rituals before he sees his bride.

Then the groom leaves, and the bride comes in for her part of the ceremony.

After these 2 ceremonies take place, the bride and groom see each other for the first time. And another round of ceremonies happen until the highlight of the event – the Thali tying. The thali symbolizes the fact that the bride and groom are finally married! Sumi waiting in anticipation of the tying of the thali.

Siva & Sumi’s dinner location had really funky lighting!

Halfway through dinner, Sumi’s sister gave a wonderful singing performance. She sang about how Siva and Sumi met under the rain. :) You’ll find a similar theme (umbrellas and rain) in their engagement portraits!

Siva & Sumi, I appreciate the both of you, and the fact that we’ve become friends over these past few months. Thank you for giving Mark and myself the opportunity to document this beautiful day.

Grace Tan
In For Photographers, Life, Musings

Photographed by Dawn McCarthy

While I was at WPPI, I blogged about winning a competition where I got a free photo shoot with Dawn McCarthy, a photographer from Jacksonville, Florida. Being in front of the camera makes me realize how tough it is posing for the camera! It’s one thing when you are photographing others, it’s another when you are being photographed. This session puts me in my client’s shoes and helps me think about how I’d like to be treated during a shoot.

I am the kind of person that enjoys being ‘talked’ to. I love it when I am told what to do by the photographer. Most times, when you’re in front of the camera, you feel a little self-conscious and wonder if what you’re doing looks good or silly. So everyone needs a little direction and reassurance now and then.

In my photo shoots with my couples / families, I do constantly yak away… and perhaps this way of working stems from some subconscious need to make others feel comfortable. I usually pose my clients too. I tell them how to sit, stand, where to put their hands etc. Then the most important part of making a photograph happens – I talk to them so that they exude some kind of emotion / expression. That’s when the magic happens – when my shutter clicks at the right moment the chemistry happens.

So here are my photos – photographed and edited by Dawn. It was  a chilly day in Las Vegas, but I totally enjoyed myself with Dawn. Thanks for the memorable photo shoot and great images!

Grace Tan
In Portraits,

Some Teaser Images

I have a number of blog posts lined up but I’ve been pretty busy so I have not had the time to upload photos here! Coming up soon…a couple of family portraits, weddings & pre-weddings to share…! Here are just 2 images from different shoots that I’ve done recently. Hopefully I can put up 2 blog posts by the end of this week!

Grace Tan
In For Photographers, Musings

Introducing… RedNinja.tv!

Years ago, when I first got into the whole art of photography, I didn’t really know where to turn for help or training. Everything I learnt about photography was through my own trial and error, reading the darn camera manual that I didn’t understand, or searching for information online. Other times, I had some photographer friends who helped explain technical concepts to me. And trust me, it took a couple of sessions for me to grasp all these concepts!

Over time, I took photography classes conducted by various Malaysian photographers, and that helped a lot. I am the sort of person that learns things hands-on, rather than just reading that darn manual (again!). This year, I had the privilege of learning from world class photographers at WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) in Las Vegas.

After speaking to many Malaysian photographers, I realize that I am not the only one who craves good teaching material. Why should all the good speakers only congregate in the US or Australia? It was with this thought that the 5 of us – Alex Lam, Jenny Sun, Jon Low, Mark Leo and myself came up with the idea of bringing quality training to Malaysia; focusing on creativity, technology and business.

Hence, the birth of RedNinja.tv!

Our first event, called, Got Mojo? is happening on the 23rd-25th April 2010. We’re bringing in Wiki Lee, a renowned photographer from Australia. He will speak on finding your style in photography, techniques in developing yourself, including marketing and communications.

Photo taken by Wiki Lee

This is a 2 part event:

1. Seminar (23rd April) – RM50 at P1 auditorium, PJ

2. Camp in Port Dickson (24-25th April) – RM950 for individual registration or RM850 for groups of 3. This includes bus transportation from BU, hotel accommodation and food! There will be practical and theoretical sessions for this camp. And you get to be mentored by Jenny Sun, Jon Low, Mark Leo, Alex Lam and myself. This camp is designed to be more personal so that we get to spend more time with everyone. All of us will be speaking as well during the camp.

Look at the schedule here: http://redninja.tv/schedule-001/ There is limited space at the camp. Register for the camp or seminar here: http://redninja.tv/register-now-001/

I do hope to see you there!

Grace Tan
In Maternity, Portraits

Maternity Portraits: Rupert & Min Yee

Some time back, I wrote the first blog post about our partnership with Pitter Patter, an online pregnancy guide for mothers. Rupert and Min Yee is one of the five lucky couples who have been given a sponsored photo shoot by Pitter Patter.

Min Yee warned me that Rupert is not too fond of our humid Malaysian weather, having lived overseas for many years. I think we only spent about 5 minutes outside, and the rest of the time indoors! I love windows and growing vines like these!

Rupert and Min Yee are really cute! Min Yee said that she always feels awkward in front of the camera, but the next few shots doesn’t display any of that shyness at all!

Cute little shoes that her mother-in-law gave to Min Yee.

Doesn’t she look gorgeous? Moms, you can look hot when pregnant too!

Rupert & Min Yee, thank you for being so willing to do whatever I suggested that day at the shoot! Especially after I suggested making a few wardrobe changes. :) Looking forward to seeing newborn photos soon within the next few months!

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