family

Grace Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Musings, Portraits, Running a Business, Studio

Janet’s Story: Beyond Epilepsy

I first heard about Janet through her mother, Joyce, at a BNI meeting I was attending. Joyce showed one of Janet’s paintings, which was translated into a beautiful top of the same design. As I got to know Joyce, I also got to know Janet. Janet went through many challenges as she was growing up… she had uncontrollable seizures due to epilepsy and was diagnosed as intellectually and developmentally delayed.

Despite her challenges, she displayed determination to succeed in life. In 2011, she started her own business selling artwork, home baked cookies and fashion wear using her paintings as her main design. After years of hard work, Janet also graduated with a Diploma in Small Business Management in 2017.

She dreams of being financially independent by growing this business and to be recognized and accepted as one of us.

Janet’s achievement in life has really inspired me! It goes to show that all things are possible if you truly put your heart to it. (backed by an amazingly supportive and entrepreneurial mother!).

If you would like to support Janet in what she does, please visit her website to view the products she has for sale. All the best to you in your journey, Janet!

Credits:

Photographer: Grace
Hair & Make Up: Pearl Tan
Location: Stories studio

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits at Desa Park City: Greg & Eunice

They share a love for luxury sports cars, and how apt it was that the Sepang International Circuit was the background for their first meet up. Both Greg and Eunice are from Singapore, and when we met Eunice at an ibu event, she told us that she wanted portraits reflecting their life here in Malaysia. For expats living in Malaysia, I think it is a great idea to do a photo session at the country you are based at for a particular season of your life. Here are some of our favourite photos from Jennifer’s session with them.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Life, Musings, Newborn, Portraits, Relationships, Studio, Tips + Ideas

Documenting the Different Phases of Life

How true it is that daily life filled with chores, workload and family concerns may seem long and tedious! However, when you look back at how fast the months and years go by you find yourself yearning for time to slow down. That baby you hold today will be a young man or woman in a blink of an eye. Here are some phases in life you’ll want to capture and cherish forever:

BABY STAGE

Whether it is a maternity, newborn or baby stage, it is usually a very special time for the parents. Documenting the natural glow and protruding tummy in the later stage of pregnancy can remind you of how you felt throughout the pregnancy. Capturing shots of your precious baby sleeping in her crib, breastfeeding her or those of a gurgling baby will remind you of the happy (and tough!) times as a parent in the early months. It is also a good opportunity to share the journey with your child when they are older!

TODDLER STAGE

This is the stage when your child starts to discover new things and experiences… like the joy of cooling off on a hot day with the water hose in the backyard, or doing hand-painting in playschool, maybe even digging in the garden with their plastic garden tools. Having keepsakes of them in the midst of these activities is what you’ll treasure later on when they have grown up a little.

PRE-SCHOOL STAGE

At this stage in life, your little one is developing in character and is capable of so much more. They’ll be selecting their own attire for the day, helping you make cookies, learning to cycle, going for piano or ballet lessons! The list is endless… and there’ll be so much to photograph.

PRIMARY SCHOOL & BEYOND

Time zooms by once they start school proper because life takes over and days are filled with ferrying them from one place to another. But don’t forget that even as they grow into teenagers, documenting moments like holidays and achievements will give you something to hold on to before they leave the nest to lead their own lives. As a parent, you’ll want to capture every milestone with your child. Sometimes, you may remember to whip out your handphone to snap a picture or two, but most times the moments just pass you by. It is a good idea to make it a point to get some proper shots of the family together, in various phases of life. You will not regret how it made you feel to be reliving those times again!

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

The Cute Little Dinosaur: Baby J

Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder not just because they are beautiful but because they are fleeting. – Richard Paul Evans –

In 2016, I photographed Justin and Nicole’s wedding at the Westin in Langkawi. I am honoured that they contacted me again to photograph their little dinosaur munchkin end of last year. It’s just so wonderful seeing families grow through the years. The quote above resonates with me and reminds me that life needs to be cherished daily. In a blink of an eye, our child is no longer a baby but a toddler, then they become a teenager…

So I love what I do because I get to capture this fleeting moment in time through my lenses. Memories are forever immortalised in that one frame.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Family Portraits in Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa: Jamie & Ann

On Christmas day last year, I went to meet Jamie and Ann, long time clients turned friends. Their pre-wedding session shot in 2011 at the Gold Coast, Australia is still fresh in my mind as if I did it yesterday, because they had transported a couch and a canoe to the location for the photos! I also loved every detail of their wedding at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Gold Coast and Sails on the Bay at Melbourne, Australia.

So it’s been many years since we met, but I love how social media keeps everyone connected and I could always keep up to date on everyone’s lives. So it was only in 2017 that I managed to meet them again, this time with two little cutie pies in their arms! It was also wonderful to see Ann’s family again.

Lots of love to the both of you, and I will definitely see you again in the future, perhaps with my kids in tow instead!