family

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

5 Ways to Treasure Your Pregnancy Journey

Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life – full of anticipation, excitement, and joy. However, there is often so much to prepare for that we sometimes get lost, focusing on the to-dos, instead of savouring all the special little moments.

Here are some tips for treasuring your pregnancy, and making the journey just that little bit more special:

1. Take the time to prepare your home

Babies may be small, but they can take up a significant amount of space. From diapers to bottles to clothes, the list of things to buy may seem endless! But shopping for your baby shouldn’t have to be stressful.

Whether it’s a nursery, or carving out a corner in your current room, take the time to think about what works for you and your home. Make a list and run it through with experienced mums. Knowing exactly what items you’ll get also prepares you to designate storage space for the things you need and want, so you don’t end up with more than you can handle.

In the end, having that cozy nook prepared in advance for your little one’s arrival will help build anticipation. Plus, a photogenic corner will help you capture the special moments of your journey.

2. Keep a journal – or even better, a pregnancy scrapbook

Keeping a pregnancy journal is a wonderful way to capture your thoughts and experiences throughout the nine months. You can record your feelings, your hopes and wishes for your baby, your cravings, your daily routines, and more.

For something a bit more special, consider scrapbooking instead. You can include ultrasound photos, baby shower invitations, congratulatory cards, and other mementos. Years later, you’ll be able to look back on these items and remember this special time in your life.

Suzyana Ong In Casual Portraits, Maternity, Newborn, Portraits, Studio

Heirloom Session: Pamela & Christian

“I threw a party for my birthday in Concubine. One of my friends asked if she could bring her friend as I am “the more, the merrier” type, so I said yes. Little did I know… That night I noticed him (Chris) and thought he was good looking but that was it. We did not even talk that night. Fast forward to a month later, my friend insisted that him and I should meet so she arranged a dinner with her, another friend of hers, Chris and I. Long story short, my friend and her other friend left at 10:00 p.m. Chris and I stayed drinking and laughing until 1:00 a.m. 2 weeks later we were in Pangkor Island on our first vacation together ;)”

What a cute story from Pamela and Christian! They booked our Heirloom photo session, with two photo sessions within a year. For the first session, we photographed their maternity portraits, followed by their newborn session a few months later. However, you have the flexibility to schedule the second photo session anytime if you think you would like to capture other milestones! Contact us if you’d like to enquire about our Heirloom package!

Bin Bin Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Parties & Events, Portraits

A Memorable Father’s Day Event

For the past 15 years, Stories has been capturing heartfelt images of families, and through our experience, we believe that it’s the photos captured in natural moments that evoke the best of emotions. When I joined as business development manager, I had a focus (especially after the past two years spent in pandemic) to create opportunities for meaningful experiences that go beyond just a standard photoshoot.

Because of this, I’m so glad that our very first Father’s Day Event held at Pantai Kelanang two weeks ago was a huge success!

For Father’s Day this year, we knew we wanted to create a unique experience where families could get together to celebrate their dads while also spending a meaningful morning enjoying each other’s company. After a bit of brainstorming, we connected with educational program organiser Mad About Education (“MAE”), who runs outdoor programmes and activities for children and families.

Together, we planned a family-friendly activity that would take families out of the city, teach them about nature through play activities, and provide a unique family photo opportunity.

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

Photoshoot around Kuala Lumpur

We wandered around Kuala Lumpur where it’s known for its mix of modern and traditional iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) and Merdeka Square with pockets of natural beauty all around. There are many areas and streets in the city to take photos at, for instance here’s a recent photoshoot of Justina exploring the city!

Shan Szetho In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Tips + Ideas

How to Overcome Challenging Situations During a Shoot

When you book a photo or video shoot, you hope for a smooth and stress-free experience. However, unexpected challenges may arise, and it’s essential to know how to handle them effectively. As a customer, it can be overwhelming to deal with a crying child or feeling frazzled from a tough day. Here are some ways to overcome challenging situations during your shoot.

It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

It’s normal to feel a bit stressed or anxious during a photo or video shoot, especially if you have kids involved. Or, you might have been rushing into your shoot session from a hectic work day. Remember that the photographer or videographer you hired is there to help you capture beautiful moments and bring out your best version of yourself. Try to take a moment to settle yourself before going into your session and don’t feel ashamed to express your concerns and needs to your photographer or videographer.

Bring Distractions

If you have young children, bringing along their favourite toys or games can help keep them occupied and distracted during the shoot. This can help them relax and make the shoot more enjoyable for everyone involved.