It was through my sister’s friendship with Lani that I got to know her. Random conversations at my sister’s home in Malaysia, usually over Chinese New Year or some BBQ/mee siam party that my sister is always organising. When my team and I were in Singapore for shoot some time back, we had the opportunity to photograph Lani’s family. Since I was not available then, Jamie went to do this shoot, and I think she had a great time with this young, energetic family. I must say, Lani and Andrew look really really good together. You would hardly think that this youthful looking couple would be the parents of 3 teenage (or almost teenage) children. I think the glow must come from all that love and connection in this family. So much heart. :)
Graduation portraits have since moved on from being stiff images posed in front of a fake bookshelf, holding certificates with an equally forced smile. Come on…everyone is young, energetic, about to take on challenges that the world is about to give them… these portraits should be bursting with energy! We’re pleased to have had Jolina and her friend Janisha over at our studio recently for their graduation photos.
It’s obvious they were really good friends as the session was filled with lots of fun, under Jamie’s direction as photographer. Jolina is no stranger to us, as years ago, I photographed her sister Angela’s wedding and also Angela’s graduation photos. So we’re really pleased to have photographed her family again this year. I was also excited to hear that they have a wall full of canvases at home, covered with photos that we have taken through the years. :)
Oh, and there was also something special that happened at this session… our other photographer Nigel who assisted Jamie at this session met Jolina for the first time at the studio… Well, all I have to say is that we at Stories sometimes provide matchmaking services. *GRIN*
My friendship with Cheryl started years ago when we were still in university in Australia – young, energetic and passionate about God. More than a decade later, I still hope we have the same amount of energy in us (just not as young!), even though she now has to run after 3 little girls. A few years ago, I photographed her family during their holiday in KL. At that time, it was just the 3 of them plus one on the way. Now that they have moved beyond the ‘normal’ quota of children most Singaporeans have, I am glad that I had the opportunity to photograph them once more.
I love Singapore for the many beautiful parks and outdoor spaces we can head to for pictures. I really don’t feel claustrophobic in this city with nice green spots like these near the Henderson Wave. The gorgeous evening light made everything so surreal. It was backlight heaven! Hope to head down to Singapore more often for more family portraits! *hint hint!*
I blew the candles on the cake of my 28th birthday last 10th June, and commemorated 4 years working in Stories on 14th June. As I took some time off on my birthday week to contemplate on the intricacies of life- my experiences and journey thus far, needless to say, I can’t help feeling overwhelmed with gratefulness. Having grown these past 4 years photographing weddings and then family portraits, I see our clients move on with life as well- from their wedding day to having a child. Truly, time passes by really quickly, even more so in this fast-paced life where everything is somewhat instant. If we don’t stop and savour the moments, it’ll all be gone.
Rayson & Yee See‘s family has grown, with Lisa as their latest addition. Here’s Lisa’s first few wobbly steps, which I have had the honour to photograph.
It is moments like these I live to capture as a photographer. Seriously.
It’s one of those Sundays where my head was perhaps up in the clouds. You know, where somehow things just don’t start out right? So on the day of the Upson family shoot, I accidentally locked myself out of the empty office with no phone, no key, no door pass… just before the family arrived! In my panic I went to our next unit where Jack, our contractor was working and used his phone to call for help.
Long story short, I technically made our contractor climb dangerously to our unit though the ceiling, ropes and all, to open the door and let me in. In Jack’s words, he felt like he committed an act of thievery by “breaking in” like that. Yea, I know, I felt awful!
So yes, I had to stay focused on the shoot after the blunder, which wasn’t hard to do because the family was such a great sport! Baby Hugo came in cheerful and well-rested, so I started with some photos of him first.


What a cutie, don’t you think? GAAAH.



