children

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Jason + Krystal + 3 cute boys

Jason and Krystal have their hands full. Their first two boys, Ryan & Jaden are energetic enough to bring the house down. And now, comes Damien. When I stepped into Krystal’s family home for our photo shoot, both Ryan and Jaden were running around the house with their cousins. The Decibel level was pretty high. :) It makes me wonder how did parents in the generation before manage with 10 or 13 children in the house.

Boys will be boys and so Ryan and Jaden promptly ignored us while we started our photo shoot with Damien. He turned one month recently. Isn’t he adorable? I love the giraffe blanket and basket that Krystal prepared for the shoot.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Daniel & Grace

When I first started shooting family portraits years ago, Daniel and Grace’s family were one of the first few families that I photographed. At that time, their eldest son Lucas was just a little baby, probably about Timmy’s age right now. How time flies! And now Lucas is about 3 years old…? The great thing about the Lim babies is that they’re always very smiley (except if they get tired, hungry or irritated by the heat!) Since the Lim family have been living in Australia for a number of years, I am not surprised if they find the Malaysian weather to be too hot and humid. It was great catching up with you again, Dan & Grace… and thanks for bringing back the iPad from Australia for Alex! :)

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits: Dr Tan & Dr Helena

How apt that little Bernadette would be holding a book called “God Made”, when it is so obvious that God put His love and perfection into creating this little bundle of joy. Her twin brother, Benjamin, and older sister, Brigitte are equally precious creations in God’s eyes.

Dr Helena and Dr Tan are both gynaecologists – and they are such a warm couple. I got to know Dr Helena through Pitter Patter, an online pregnancy guide for women. I have done a number of maternity shoots with Pitter Patter, and after a few months, Dr Helena said “I’d love to have you photograph my family too!”

If you ever get to meet Dr Helena, you will instantly feel a connection and warmth that radiates from her. She smiles and laughs a LOT – which I am sure makes all the first-time pregnant mummies all comfy and less nervous! She is personable, and even has time to comment on my photos on Facebook! Hahaha…I always thought a doctor’s schedule is really hectic!

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

85 Blessed Years – Amy Low

Our second winner for the free portrait shoot is Amy Low. An amazing lady whose story is told by her granddaughter, Priscilla. Here is Priscilla’s account of her grandmother’s life.

Her name is Amy – beloved.

Yet her life is a long unloving journey. Unknown. Untold.

Taken from her biological parents at birth, she was given to a childless couple so that she could care for them in their old age.
Love her they did not. Instead, they abused her.

At 16, she entered an arranged marriage.
Love her he did not.

From one prison to another, unloved.

But God has been faithful, merciful, loving.

85 years old, fragile, wrinkled.
Daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother.
She bears no grudge, no resentment. She has learnt to love. Beloved indeed.

My wish is that her smile can be immortalized, for her generations to come.

I was really touched by Priscilla’s story. How often, stories like these are untold, kept tucked away in the recesses of our mind, until something draws it out into the open. It is stories like these that remind me about how precious each person is. No matter what background we may have come from. How we all deserve love. And how large and extravagant God’s love is.

This is Amy Low.

Isn’t she beautiful?

She used to weave these baskets from paper and sell them. Such creativity!

Her son and daughter-in-law.

Priscilla with her family.

Amy’s grandson – Reuben & his wife, Joanne.

Four generations of women.

And the men…

A little lovin’ going on here…

Even Joseph tried his luck – attempting to give a kiss to Joy-Anne who promptly avoided him!

And finally, the entire family.

Thanks for sharing your grandmother’s story, Priscilla. I am glad to be part of history – knowing that I have immortalized her smile for your family. I pray for God’s richest blessings to surround every one of you!

If you’d like to view the 1st winner’s photos and read her miraculous baby story, click here!

Grace Tan In Maternity, Portraits

Maternity Portraits: May Lee & Adrian

It’s amazing when as a photographer, you can connect with your clients. It only took a few minutes for us to feel comfortable with each other. I only met May Lee & Adrian on the day of our shoot, and within two hours, we parted as friends. The love that they share for each other is just so obvious. May Lee, you look gorgeous! And Adrian, you’re not too bad yourself too! :)

I love this bib and clothing that has cute words like these. Even before your child forms their own opinion, the parents have decided what the kid should ‘think’. :) Yup, my kid will definitely have t-shirts that say things like “I have a cool mom”.