family

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

My Family Portraits

Ever since I started shooting portraits professionally about 2 years ago, I never really did take any proper family photos of my own. It’s kind of strange. A lot of photographers tell me that they have thousands of images of other people, but very few of their own. One professional photographer who has been in the business for more than 10 years told me… “I don’t really have images of my children taken with my DSLR. Most were taken with a compact camera. After a shoot, I don’t feel like carrying a huge camera during family events.”

I feel the same way. During events with friends or family, I don’t usually bring my DSLR. I just want to spend time talking to people and connecting with them. On top of that, I don’t even own a compact camera. It’s either the iPhone or Canon 5D Mark 2.

Recently, my aunt and uncle who lives in Melbourne came back to Malaysia. During this trip, my 2 aunts from Malacca came up to KL as well. And so, rather randomly, I suggested we do a photo shoot together. And amazingly, everyone agreed! This shoot felt really significant to me. It’s true. Taking photos as a family brings you together.

My dad is already 77. He has Alzheimer’s which has no cure. There aren’t that many years left where we can be together as a family, having such an opportunity like this.

It’s worth it.

My family, minus my brother Raymond. Just in case you’re wondering who shot our portraits… well, it was a combination of myself, Alex and Shu Wan. :) Oh, and we didn’t try to colour coordinate. It was by coincidence that my mom, dad and I chose to wear red.

My dad and his two sisters.

On the right, my aunt and uncle from Melbourne.

I told my dad to smile, and he did this…

And then I told him to kiss my mom, never expecting it to really happen… He was a little shy. :)

My parent’s amazing maid, Parmi, who is super duper reliable and loves my family as her own.

My sister Lina and myself, and of course, my husband Alex!

One more for the road…

Hehe, kinda cheesy but cute.

Finally, tapao-ing my sister’s shoe bench back into the car.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

The Hashim Family Portraits

I met the Hashims through Jek. The moment I met them, I instantly liked them. They are such an easy going family with really good looking children! It was a challenge avoiding the crowds of people at the park, but we managed to find some little corners to shoot in. After a number of outdoor family shoots with children below 3, I have collected a few tips for families who intend to have their outdoor portraits taken.

1. It’s a good idea to dress in similar or complementary colours for the photo shoot. Your family unit will look coordinated and united.

2. Bring a spare change of clothes, especially for the children. They might get dirty or wet as they run around, rolling on the grass.

3. Make sure there’s drinks and some snacks prepared, especially if they start to get a little cranky.

4. It’s also a great idea to bring along a favourite toy.

5. If the child refuses to smile for the camera or pose, don’t worry! If you feel stressed or start yelling, it will show in the photos. You can try to speak in a stern tone for a while, but if the child still wants to do his/her own thing, let them do it. It’s a great time for candid shots.

6. If the child starts to cry, take a little break.

7. Playing little games with the child helps. Make them think that the photo shoot is a fun activity! At the end of the day, treat it like a fun family outing instead of a stressful ‘let’s aim to get my child to behave session’ and everyone will have a good time!

Hope these tips are helpful!

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Maternity, Portraits

Family Portraits: Kay Yeow, Rachael, Katelyn, Kristen and Milo!

In 2006, I had the honour of filming Kay Yeow and Rachael’s wedding. It was the very first wedding video I had ever done! Even though the edited video was only about 10 minutes long, they loved it. Rachael was also the wedding coordinator for my wedding and Kay Yeow led the worship and was the emcee at our wedding dinner. What a long way we have all traveled since then! Well, now they are a tight little family of 5! (Rachael recently gave birth, so I caught these photos at the tail end of her pregnancy!). Thank you for your friendship and though we don’t get the chance to hang out very much, Alex and I do think of the both of you. Will come visit soon!

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Isn’t Katelyn cute?

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Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Jek & Alice’s Adorable Twins

Jek has been Alex’s school friend, colleague and then now business partner for many years. And so it gives me much joy to be able to photograph his new-born twins (now a few months old already!) at his parent’s home in KL. And of course, the parents joined in too! The location was just so beautiful, I didn’t think I was in Malaysia at all! These are a few of my favourite shots. Jek is a photographer too, slowly getting sucked into this whole money grabbing hobby! I really had a great time that day, Jek! Your girls (all 3 of them!) are really beautiful. Hope you like the photos.

Lovely flares! In old school photography books, flares are a no-no!

Definitely my favourite shot of the lot!! So cute!

What do you know? My first nude portraits.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

The Moey Family: Including Furry Friends too

When I heard that ten people would be coming for the portrait session (not to mention 2 dogs), I was a little concerned about how to pose everyone. I remember when I first started out in portrait photography a few years back, I had one of my first few outdoor sessions with a family of 30! I should have known that it was career suicide for me to consider taking 30 people including children out to a park then. Well, I’m glad to say that I’ve improved by leaps and bounds since then. I now understand that taking great people portraits requires great people skills. Every time I meet a family, or a couple, I am excited to be a part of their lives, if only for an hour or two. I remember a photographer friend telling me of a family that she had photographed… the family wasn’t close, but after the photography session, the family bond grew stronger. I’d like to think that after every portrait session I shoot, a family grows closer or a couple is reminded of the love they have for one another.

Thank you Tina for giving me this privilege to photograph your family and your extended family. To Terence, I’m glad to have finally met your family! Everyone was such a good sport… even in suggesting ideas during the shoot! Oh, and I’ll never forget trying to smuggle 2 dogs into Tmn Tun park!

This was how we did it: (pop your head back in, little one!)