fbpx Skip to main content

Photography and the Art of Documenting Life

I am a photographer because I love to document life. I feel privileged every time a client invites us to be a part of their life – whether it is photographing a union between two people who are totally and utterly in love with each other or documenting a baby’s first week of his life. It means so much to me because it shows that as a person, they are willing to be vulnerable in front of my lens, trusting me to capture them as who they are and in so doing, connecting with their souls.

I am enriched as a person because I see the fabric that makes us human… this emotion called love that binds us together and transcends culture and religion. Photographing people has always been my passion. I am drawn into this art because people captivate me. As the years go by and I hone my skills as a photographer, I realise the key word that stands out to me most is “authenticity”.

This word drives me to create images that are real. It pushes me to ask myself…

Is this emotion real?
Can I know a person through my images?
What does this image tell me about life?

I was originally drawn to photography because of the world of photojournalism. The images I saw were inspiring, real and gave me insight into someone’s life. It had truth in it.

Which brings me to the images I create for my own family.

As time goes by, I realise that the little things I cherish most are not necessarily the big events in life (yes, they have a special place in my heart), but it is in the daily, ordinary things of life that we take for granted most of the time. Now that I am a mother of two, I feel the cliche phrase “Time flies” really does hold its ground. “The days may seem long, but the years are short”, I was told by a friend.

Almost 10 years ago, I said my vows to this amazing man, Alex. The wedding felt like a fudge pot of random memories fueled by images captured by my photographer then. My pregnancy… well, how quickly those 9 months went by. Suddenly I had a newborn, then an infant and now a toddler who spews out “why, mom??!” every so often.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Now I have two.

I photograph my family as they are because I want to remember as much as I can (considering I am a forgetful person!). The beauty of documentary photography is that we get to relive daily life as if it were just yesterday. The joy of showering my newborn. The pain and glories of breastfeeding. Random bubble blowing sessions in our front yard. I want to remember these little things in life.

How much we love each other as a family. How we look like daily, eye bags and all.

Authentic.

20131201_KRYSTA_1728Krysta approves of dad’s choice for dinner

GT1_1584Feeding both babies at one go…

Continue Reading

Studio Family Portraits: Lau & Wen Yie

Last month, we moved to our new premises at Oval Damansara in TTDI. Though our unit is still not completely done up yet (renovations are still ongoing for phase 2!), at least we have a functioning space that we can work in for the moment. I am glad to have a natural light studio space that we can do shoots in. Lau and Wen Yi’s family were the first to visit our humble studio! I had a great time with their two little boys. It was a special day because their little one stood up for the first time that day without assistance! What a memorable shoot.

20150324_FAMILYPORTRAITS_LAU_WENYIE_12620150324_FAMILYPORTRAITS_LAU_WENYIE_029 Continue Reading

Garden Wedding at Pulai Springs Resort, JB: Andrew & Desiree

20150117_WEDDING_ANDREW_DESIREE_0623“So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me… everyday.” – The Notebook – 

Those words from Desiree’s favourite movie were part of Andrew’s vows to her that day. Although it had been 10 years since they have been together, every single day felt as fresh as if it were the first day of their relationship. To them, life is about enjoying simple things together. Just laughing at each other’s silly antics, having a snuggle on the couch, watching reruns of favourite movies.

Marriage is hard work. But it is totally worth the effort.

Congratulations Andrew and Desiree. You have to read the rest of their story here in their pre-wedding post.

Since we had too many favs from this wedding, we only posted the garden wedding photos at Pulai Springs Resort, JB and dinner at the Renaissance Hotel, JB. Watch their tear-jerking wedding video highlight to see more of what happened on that day, including Andrew’s rap performance and some ‘cheesy’ but cute lines from the both of them!

20150117_WEDDING_ANDREW_DESIREE_0328 Continue Reading

Glamour Portraits: Chong’En

Every woman deserves to feel good about themselves. They deserve to feel confident and beautiful despite what they perceive about their physical looks. I truly believe every woman has this strength and inner beauty. Sometimes it could be hidden under layers of insecurity, but no woman should ever have anyone tell her that she is unworthy of feeling beautiful. The mountains and valleys of your life only add character to who you are, it never takes it away from you.

And I am so happy that I can photograph someone’s portraits, as they are. Beautiful, just like Chong’en.

20150227_PORTRAITS_CHONG'EN_10720150227_PORTRAITS_CHONG'EN_055 Continue Reading

Greetings from beautiful Santorini, Greece!

Every single postcard image I have seen of Santorini promised clear blue skies matching the blue of the famous domes and breathtaking sunsets over the caldera. I packed in my bikini (and warm clothing) since the weather forecast said it was going to be around 15 degrees Celcius for my travel duration. When I arrived, I was in for a shock. The wind was bitterly cold, it rained for the first few days we were here and I definitely could not do any swimming in my bikini! Even the locals said that it was cold for them and this was winter weather!

But the village of Oia was as charming as the travel guides describe it. I love the little paths that led to nowhere, and then suddenly, opened to a gorgeous view of the Aegean sea. You can’t help but feel your heart skip a beat as you take in the breathtaking views that Santorini has to offer. I was there to photograph the wedding of John and Hazel, shoot portraits for my sister-in-law Sarah and her husband Terence and have a holiday at the same time.

Thank God the weather cleared up after the initial first few days and then we had sunshine! Though it was still very cold when the wind blew (I was wearing 4 layers, and Sarah only had her wedding gown!), we had a great time.

The official photos will be up sometime in the future, but in the meantime, here are some of my travel photos and sneak peak images from the shoots.

07-Oia-webWe wandered around the romantic village of Oia for photos with Terence and Sarah. While we were doing so, we kept bumping into other couples on their pre-wedding photo shoots!

11-TerenceSarah Continue Reading