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Grace Tan
In Comma Videos, Life, Musings, Relationships

Rekindling Romance in Marriage

As a wedding and portrait photographer, I have seen the extreme highs that couples go through as they set their sights on the one they love, and say their vows to always be there through good and hard times. Personally, as I also speak to couples in my daily life, I realize that it is easy to let the flames die out all too soon. Often times, arguments happen over seemingly small, trivial issues. But it points to deeper, unresolved issues, usually parent and family issues from the past.

This is my 13th year of marriage. I have to admit, while my love for Alex has grown deeper through the years, I have also gotten pretty complacent in our marriage. I don’t make much effort to surprise him (ever), think of doing things that truly please his heart or even attempt to wear beautiful lingerie to sleep (I had to put aside my pineapple pyjama pants because of this).

We’ve gotten way too comfortable towards each other.

That is why I appreciate the little things about him. How he does make the effort to do things like taking care of the kids while I go succulent shopping, plan mini stay-cations in the city or just prepare maggi mee by candle light in our bedroom after a long day of shoot.

I love him for all these little things and more. God is reminding me that while it is nice to be the recipient of all these little acts of love, I need to invest in his emotional tank too. I must go beyond my own comfort zone, laziness and make an effort to bring romance into the marriage over and over again.

I hope you do too. Happy Valentine’s Day.

(oh, and if you need some date night ideas with your spouse, head on over to Comma – Rethink Life and check out this post.)

Grace Tan
In Family + Children Portraits, Maternity, Portraits

From Bump to Baby: Maternity & Family Ka Mun & Tenny

As a photographer, I get the special privilege of journeying alongside a client and seeing their family grow. One special moment would be during pregnancy… and then finally getting to meet the baby once he or she appears in this world. Time really seems to move so quickly once you have children. Seeing your bump growing beautifully through the months and then finally meeting that teeny little baby who then grows into an adorable toddler… this whole parenthood journey is simply amazing.

Thank you, Ka Mun and Tenny for allowing me to be part of this. I hope to see you again really soon!

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Grace Tan
In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

Mother-Child Bond: Tun Shafiqah’s Portraits

Shafiqah & Syahirah are sisters, and they came over to our studio for a photography session because firstly, they love taking photos, and secondly, they wanted to capture the bond between mother and child, especially at this really cute age. These little baby girls look so alike that you would think they are twins! And if you are wondering who the older children are, they are the babies’ cousins. Everyday is a good day for photos!

Credits:

Photographer: Chi Yin
Location: Stories studio

Grace Tan
In Outdoor Weddings, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

Beach wedding at The Andaman, Langkawi: Ese & Enjee


It is a beautiful story of how God brought two very different people together. One is from Nigeria. The other is from Malaysia. They met in London, and this is how their story began…

Enjee: 

I met Ese through Ndiana (his sister) when she invited a group of us from church (all of us volunteer together on Sunday) to their yearly BBQ event in the summer of 2013. We’ve all heard about Ndiana’s mischievous younger brother. The BBQ was at their parents’ massive garden and Ese came over to say hello to all of us (he wasn’t attending the same church as us at that time). I have always had a thing for darker skinned guys so my first impression of him was – not a bad looking guy, very smiley and friendly. He ticked the boxes, black guy and from a good Christian family. I mean Ndiana is so lovely so surely her brother be that bad right?

We quickly became friends and as a group we welcomed Ese in. He started volunteering in church and eventually hanging out with us. It was in a conversation in a gathering that he said he’ll take me out for dinner because we both love food and the restaurant scene in London. Our friends caught on and I think from then on they thought that Ese and I will be a couple. I was very flattered but he took about 2 years before he actually took me out!!!

He did it with a bang though, took me to Oblix at The Shard (tallest building in London). I tried my best to not take it any other way other than we are just friends enjoying good food. This “friend” dinner thing went on a few more times and each time I felt we were getting closer but nothing is actually happening! I was of course frustrated- over 6 months of “friends” dinner. So finally, it came to a stage where I said to myself, this is my last chance. I’m going to make my feelings obvious and if he still say or do nothing then I’m not going out with him anymore. We went to Ikea on a rainy Saturday, came home with all my purchases, had takeaways, watched a movie and then he kissed me after. I said to him “finally!” It was 14th November 2015.

Apparently Ese was battling with his feelings for me because I’m not his type. He was also very aware that as we have mutual friends, if we didn’t work out, it would have been very awkward for our friends. However, as he spends time with me, he likes me more and more. He realised that he would just have to go for it. He would deny it publicly but he fell in love with me pretty immediately, declared he loves me after the first month! He blurted it out and was worried that he ruined it. I didn’t reciprocate until Valentine’s Day 2016.

We prayed about each other and found the peace that we are meant to be together. Ese and I promised that in everything God is our foundation and centre of everything and we strongly believe that Jesus is the reason why we are so good together.

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Grace Tan
In Outdoor Weddings, Portraits, , Weddings

Special Promotion with Rawa Island Resort

Book a romantic holiday at Rawa Island Resort and have your love immortalised through a photography and videography session with Stories.my, inclusive of hair and make up services. Whether you are looking to do a pre-wedding session, celebrate a honeymoon or your 10th wedding anniversary, this is the perfect getaway for you. Situated within the archipelago of the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park, Rawa Island is accessible by a twenty-minute boat ride from Mersing, Johor. It is a private island near Tioman Island. As a resort, it has received the Trip Advisor certificate of excellence for the past 3 years since 2016.

For only RM11,070, you will receive:
3D2N accommodation at Waterfront room (1 double bed for 2 pax – couple only)
Inclusive of 3 daily meals per person, welcome drink and two way boat transfer to and fro Mersing
Accommodation costs for Stories team is waived
4 hours of photography and behind the scenes video coverage
Personalised hair & make up services
1 photographer & 1 videographer from the Stories team
3 minute edited video highlight
Approximately 200 high resolution digital images on USB
Online password protected gallery
12″ x 12″ Lush album (40 pages)

Terms & Conditions:
1. Promotion is valid for weekdays and non public holiday dates from 1st February 2019 to 30th November 2019.
2. Additional charges apply for these variations – to request for senior photographer Grace, add on wedding gown or extra prints and canvases.
3. Accommodation costs covers the couple only (2 pax). You do not need to add on extra travel or accommodation costs for the Stories team.
4. Tourism tax of RM10.00 per room per night applies to all foreigners staying at tourist accommodation premises. Payment is to be made during check-out at Rawa IslandResort.
5. All bookings are subject to availability.
6. Reservations are confirmed only upon full pre-payment of non-refundable deposit.
7. Booking dates may be changed once to another date within the promotional period, subject only to availability by giving 14 days’ notice in advance. Additional requests to amend your reservation details or change in the length or dates of your reservation may result in a rate change / additional charges.
8. In the event of “No show” or “Early check-out”, guest will still be charged for the entire stay.
9. No refund in full or in part will be made for un-utilized services included in the package.
10. We reserve the right to cancel or modify reservations where it appears that customer has engaged in fraudulent or inappropriate activity or under other circumstances where it appears that reservations contain or resulted from a mistake or error.
11. Bookings need to be made and paid to two individual parties – Integricity Visuals Sdn Bhd (Stories.my) and Rawa Island Resort Sdn Bhd.

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