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Bin Bin Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Life, Musings, Portraits, Tips + Ideas

Reflections on 1 Year of Motherhood

I recall writing about my journey toward parenting in one of my earliest Stories blog posts, just over a year ago. I can still remember how I was feeling back then—everything from anxiety to eagerness, but most of all, so much uncertainty. Becoming a mother is like applying for a job for which you have no experience and expecting to perform on day one.

Fast forward one year later, and I’ve survived! There’s no denying it: motherhood is HARD, and no book you read can adequately prepare you for it. But amidst the challenges and the exhaustion, you will also experience joy, unwavering love, and the realisation that you are more capable than you realised.

Here are some personal reflections on my journey since then, as well as some things I wish I could have told myself a year ago.

1. You Will Be So, So Tired (But You’ll Get Through It!)

Everyone warns you about the sleep deprivation, and while every mother knows it’s inevitable, it’s one thing to know about it and another to experience it. In the first few months, I wondered if I would ever sleep again. There would be days when I was in a literal daze of moving in between periods of being not really awake and not really asleep. A friend told me this: “It gets better.” And it will, whether it’s your body adjusting to the lack of sleep or your baby establishing a sleep schedule. Even if it initially seems nearly impossible, a day will come when you will sleep through the night once more.

2. Everyone’s Just Winging It

It may seem like you’re the only one who’s lost in figuring out how to be a mom, but trust me, everyone else is just figuring it out as they go along as well. No one is born knowing how to parent. And while there may be guidance books and “how-to” articles, no child is the same, and you are a unique individual with your own needs and ideals. The path you will walk on this journey is something you will carve out on your own. You can learn from others, but, like with lots of things in life, you can’t fully plan for it; you just have to figure it out for yourself—as you go.

Bin Bin Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Tips + Ideas

Alternative Ideas For Your Next Photoshoot

Having been in the lifestyle photography business for more than 15 years, you would think we would have grown bored of photographing families and couples in the same settings over and over again. Luckily our city is full of interesting spots and whether you’re looking for a family photoshoot or pre-wedding shoot, there are always new places to explore. While we do love shooting in our gorgeous studio, here’s a list of alternative ideas to consider for your next photo session.

1. On a City Walkabout

A city walkabout is a fun and less planned approach to doing a photoshoot for those who don’t like to pose too much. Typically, we’d just plan a path for you and your partner or family to explore while we follow to capture natural moments and interactions. There are many interesting and picturesque places in our city to discover, and this is also a great way to get out and about. Bonus is having photos of the excursion at the end of the day!

2. While Playing Tourist

As Malaysians we take our iconic landmarks for granted. I remember having lunch with a British friend at a lunch spot overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers and she was in constant awe of the sight throughout the meal. However, as locals, we often visit KLCC without a second glance at the towers or drive by iconic sights like Merdeka Square without much thought. Visitors come to our country and take Instagram worthy shots at these locations so why not showcase these national treasures at your next photoshoot?

Suzyana Ong In At Home, Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

5 Reasons to Have Your Family Portraits Taken at Home

Planning a family photoshoot might be stressful for some families especially if it involves little ones, seniors or even just an extra number of people! Some clients then wonder where is the best place to have the family portraits taken – at home, our studio or outdoors? Here are 5 reasons why we think you should consider your home as a solid option!

1. Be yourself

You’re most yourself when you’re comfortable. And when you feel great, the photos will turn out amazing. For some people, being in a foreign environment might make them feel anxious, thus resulting in them not feeling their best. Most adults are good at adapting to new places but for kids, not so much. Oftentimes we’ve come across kids who struggle having their photos taken in our studio because they’re still processing their surroundings which takes some time. And we’ve noticed kids (and adults!) are definitely having a way more fun time during the session when they’re at home. Plus everyone could even walk around bare feet. Now isn’t that a bonus!

2. Hassle-free

There’s just so much more things to worry about when the whole family is involved in a 1-2 hour shoot. Time is precious and you want everything to go smoothly. We get it. You don’t want to worry about traffic or parking, if everyone wore the right outfits, if you remembered to grab your kid’s favourite snacks. When you’re at home, problems like these are no longer on your mind. Or at least the solutions are only a few steps away!

Chi Yin Tan In At Home, Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

What to Expect in a Family Photo Session

Planning to have a family portrait session and not sure what to expect? What is the usual flow for a family session? Would it work if we have kids, grandparents, and other smaller families in the same photo session?

Here is some information on what to expect in a family photo session:

1. Start the photo session with the important photo:

We frequently recommend beginning with a few of the larger family photos. It’s best to capture them first when everyone has the most energy. Also, we want to get them done before the kids get too tired or restless! Unless you have a different priority for the shoot, let us know!

2. Smaller group

After the big group photos, we can continue with some smaller group photos. We also try to prioritise kids first as they might get tired or distracted easily from the photoshoot session. We suggest getting most of their photos taken first – pictures of them with parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties, and also individual shots!

Bin Bin Tan In At Home, Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

Tips for Planning your Multi-Generational Large Family Photoshoot

When it comes to planning for a family photoshoot, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. What more if you’re looking into including multi-generations? Grandparents, parents, siblings, kids—oh my! The thought of coordinating a session like this can put off even the best of planners. Here are some tips if you’re looking to include multiple generations in your next family photoshoot.

1. Don’t Leave it to the Last Minute

Getting a date where all parties involved are available will be half the battle accomplished. You will need to plan ahead in order to book everyone’s time. To make things easier, choose a period when people are already gathering—for example, the festive holidays. Alternatively, pick an occasion to celebrate that will bring the family together, such as a wedding anniversary or grandparents’ birthday. You can then plan the photoshoot around this celebration. It might even be the highlight!

2. Do Coordinate Your Outfits

Now that you’ve got the date, the second half of the battle is deciding what to wear. Rather than having everyone come in the same type of outfit or colour, aim for coordination instead. Choose one or two colours that the entire family can agree on and allow for a variety based on the colour scheme. This will allow every family member’s outfit to mesh well together without matching too much. For large groups, you may want to consider solids, as too many patterns can be distracting.

For tips on how to dress your family for the shoot, refer to our article here.