Photography

Grace Tan In Boudoir, Musings, Portraits, Studio, Tips + Ideas

Tips for a boudoir photography session

I rarely publish boudoir photos, but when a model turned mom turned client allowed me to do so, I was excited! Most of the boudoir sessions I photograph are for women who would love to present these images as a gift to their husbands. It’s a great way to spice up your sex life (especially post-kids!). Though most women feel self-conscious in front of the camera with their imperfect bodies, I believe there is beauty in every woman which shines through when she is confident about her character.

Here are some tips that can help if you are interested in a boudoir photography session:

Make yourself feel beautiful
A lot of women who have posed in front of my camera have shared their insecurities with me. What really helps is if you pamper yourself by hiring a make up artist for the session. You will look amazing as the stylist will help bring out the best in you. Go for a facial or massage a few days before the session, just so that you feel great. Or you can go to the hairdresser a week before to have a new haircut or get your hair dyed.
Go shopping!
If you feel as if your wardrobe is a little stale, go ahead and plan for a mini shopping spree for sexy lingerie! In this boudoir session, we had the privilege of working with this Spanish lingerie brand, Selmark, who provided the white bridal lingerie for the shoot. If you are ever looking for beautiful bridal lingerie, check this European brand out. Another alternative would be to bring an oversized shirt or a body hugging t-shirt with shorts for a different look. Be bold and try something that you would never have tried in the first place! But it is important that you feel confident and comfortable in what you wear. Get a variety of options in different colours – this could just be bras or bodysuits. Don’t forget accessories and heels too!
Choose a good location for the shoot
You can either opt to do the shoot in the privacy of our photo studio or you splurge on a really nice hotel suite or perhaps find an interesting Airbnb property that can give you a variety of shoot locations. A comfortable bed, a gorgeous couch or vintage bathtub can make the images look even better.
Be open with your photographer
Which part of your body does your husband love the most? Your eyes, butt, breasts? If you share this information with your photographer, we can help accentuate that feature during the session. Trust your photographer and let her guide you into the best glamorous poses.
The day before the shoot…
Wax, shave and moisturize. Make sure you drink enough water and have a good night’s rest. When you travel for the shoot, wear loose clothing so that it will not leave marks on your body. Finally, enjoy the session!

Credits:

Photographer: Grace
Location: Stories Studio
White bridal lingerie: Selmark

Grace Tan In Maternity, Musings, Portraits, Tips + Ideas

The Secret to Beautiful Maternity Photos

Every pregnancy is a journey of self-discovery for the mother. No matter how many times you have gone through it, the experience is never the same. Recording every single milestone of this beautiful journey can be an exciting project, which you can share with your children in time to come.

There are mothers who are a little shy and insecure about looking frumpy in their maternity photos, but fear not! Here are some tips for you to achieve beautiful pregnancy images. Of course, if you can hire a professional photographer to shoot your maternity pictures, that would be ideal!

1. Timing

If you’d like to keep a record of your baby bump growing, try to take the same shot with the same angle every month so that you can compare the size as your belly grows. Alternatively, if you are hiring a photographer for your maternity photos, the best timing to shoot would be around the 7th month as you are still energetic after your 2nd trimester. You can still choose to wait a little longer if you want to photograph a larger belly, but don’t leave it till the last minute!

2. Outfits

Choose outfits that accentuate the shape of your belly, or even expose it. You can opt to wear a short tube top paired with a skirt, a body fitting dress, or a sexy shirt, unbuttoned at the bottom. Sexy lingerie does the trick too. Don’t hide your protruding belly… it is what makes pregnant women so beautiful!

3. Good lighting

Keep it natural. Take photos next to windows or in areas that has lots of natural light. Avoid taking photos in fluorescent or down lights, as they create an unflattering, yellow-coloured cast on your belly. If there isn’t much natural light in your home, your house porch will do the trick!

For an outdoor shoot in the park, try not to head out when it’s too hot. The best timing would be in the morning before 9am or late evening after 5pm.

4. Props

Perhaps you might want to incorporate some props into your photo shoot, like letters that spell your baby’s name, cute little shoes, or the ultrasound scan. It’s a great way of personalising your photos.

5. Pamper yourself

You need to know you’re beautiful even thought your body looks different while being pregnant, despite the swollen legs and probable weight gain. Before your photo shoot, treat yourself to a nice bubble bath and get a makeup artist to give you a makeover. If you feel beautiful, you’ll exude confidence through your images!

Maternity photos can be a special way to help you cherish the moments as it unfolds.

If you are interested in doing a maternity shoot, contact us here to book one! Our studio is well-equipped with props, comfortable furniture, clean changing rooms, and lovely natural lighting.

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

The dragonboating family: Lee Shih & Su Li

I love how this family incorporated their favourite activity into their portrait session, by bringing dragon boat oars into our studio! It’s a fun way to inject personality into your family portraits. Luckily I managed to find a ‘boat’ for our little one to use during this session. What a fun session we had. Thank you for a wonderful time together, Lee Shih and Su Li!
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Grace Tan In Chinese Weddings, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

Wedding at St Regis, KL: Fang & Claire

The best kind of love develops over time. Qing Yao and Claire first met in college but love did not bloom at that point in time. They worked together on a project which gave them the opportunity to get to know one another a little better, but that was all there was to it then. Ending up in the same university in Melbourne was the turning point.

It was there that Qing Yao asked Claire out on a date on his birthday so she couldn’t say no! Their first date couldn’t be more perfect in Claire’s eyes. It wasn’t just the Japanese meal, movie or drink thereafter that closed the deal… it was how compatible they were, sharing similar values and ideas, and never encountering an awkward silence!

One thing that has made a huge impact on Claire since that first date is how Qing Yao has encouraged her to chase her dream of owning a fashion empire in the future. Just by doing that, he has given her the assurance that he’s committed to fully supporting her as they start this journey as husband and wife. We wish them both all the love and good wishes on this journey, and we’re so glad we got to be a part of their wedding!

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, International, Portraits

Portraits in Singapore: Tang Family

Yee Ming and I have a long history together, from our primary school days in Malacca. As childhood friends, we used to play hide and seek together. Four years ago, when her daughter was born, I flew to JB to photograph some family portraits. I rarely get to see Yee Ming anymore since I hardly travel back to Malacca, but I was honoured that she asked me to fly in to Singapore to photograph her husband, Boon Hock’s extended family.

We went to East Coast Park for our shoot, but on a weekend, it was packed to the brim with people! It was pretty challenging trying to find corners to shoot without someone walking into my frame. But from the photos below, you might have thought that we had the entire park to ourselves!