portrait

Suzyana Ong In Casual Portraits, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Planning For Your Pre-Wedding Shoot

Your pre-wedding photoshoot should be just as important and meaningful as your wedding photoshoot. It’s more than just “pictures you put on display for your guests on your wedding day”. These photos will be cherished forever and will be a reminder of the true emotions and memories that you and your partner shared. With that said, here are the top few things you should take note of as you’re planning for your pre-wedding photoshoot.

1. The Best Time

As we know our Malaysian weather can be intense, so we would always recommend mornings for outdoor photoshoots. We don’t want sweaty shots now, do we? Besides that, the lighting from the morning sun gives an overall better look to the photos as there would be no harsh spots. Also, it is recommended to do it on a weekday to avoid crowds and people getting into your shots. So try to schedule a weekday early morning pre-wedding photoshoot with your photographer if you want the morning glow and a smoother session!

2. The Best Location

The location you pick should be based on your preference and budget. Thankfully we have a wide range of locations to choose from that are mostly free of charge. For example, parks, beaches, the city and more heritage places like Melaka and Penang. The only thing you need to arrange for is transportation. Parks are always a popular choice among couples because who doesn’t love nature? Plus, our parks are actually quite beautiful and easily accessible. But if you’re looking for a unique pre-wedding destination with chilly weather, may we recommend Resorts World Genting? Our partnership with them (ends in 30th June 2023) gives you exclusive access to the theme park before it opens. That way, we’ll have the whole theme park to ourselves! Imagine that.

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

Reflections on 1 Year of Motherhood

I recall writing about my journey toward parenting in one of my earliest Stories blog posts, just over a year ago. I can still remember how I was feeling back then—everything from anxiety to eagerness, but most of all, so much uncertainty. Becoming a mother is like applying for a job for which you have no experience and expecting to perform on day one.

Fast forward one year later, and I’ve survived! There’s no denying it: motherhood is HARD, and no book you read can adequately prepare you for it. But amidst the challenges and the exhaustion, you will also experience joy, unwavering love, and the realisation that you are more capable than you realised.

Here are some personal reflections on my journey since then, as well as some things I wish I could have told myself a year ago.

1. You Will Be So, So Tired (But You’ll Get Through It!)

Everyone warns you about the sleep deprivation, and while every mother knows it’s inevitable, it’s one thing to know about it and another to experience it. In the first few months, I wondered if I would ever sleep again. There would be days when I was in a literal daze of moving in between periods of being not really awake and not really asleep. A friend told me this: “It gets better.” And it will, whether it’s your body adjusting to the lack of sleep or your baby establishing a sleep schedule. Even if it initially seems nearly impossible, a day will come when you will sleep through the night once more.

2. Everyone’s Just Winging It

It may seem like you’re the only one who’s lost in figuring out how to be a mom, but trust me, everyone else is just figuring it out as they go along as well. No one is born knowing how to parent. And while there may be guidance books and “how-to” articles, no child is the same, and you are a unique individual with your own needs and ideals. The path you will walk on this journey is something you will carve out on your own. You can learn from others, but, like with lots of things in life, you can’t fully plan for it; you just have to figure it out for yourself—as you go.

Bin Bin Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Tips + Ideas

Alternative Ideas For Your Next Photoshoot

Having been in the lifestyle photography business for more than 15 years, you would think we would have grown bored of photographing families and couples in the same settings over and over again. Luckily our city is full of interesting spots and whether you’re looking for a family photoshoot or pre-wedding shoot, there are always new places to explore. While we do love shooting in our gorgeous studio, here’s a list of alternative ideas to consider for your next photo session.

1. On a City Walkabout

A city walkabout is a fun and less planned approach to doing a photoshoot for those who don’t like to pose too much. Typically, we’d just plan a path for you and your partner or family to explore while we follow to capture natural moments and interactions. There are many interesting and picturesque places in our city to discover, and this is also a great way to get out and about. Bonus is having photos of the excursion at the end of the day!

2. While Playing Tourist

As Malaysians we take our iconic landmarks for granted. I remember having lunch with a British friend at a lunch spot overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers and she was in constant awe of the sight throughout the meal. However, as locals, we often visit KLCC without a second glance at the towers or drive by iconic sights like Merdeka Square without much thought. Visitors come to our country and take Instagram worthy shots at these locations so why not showcase these national treasures at your next photoshoot?

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

5 Reasons to Have Your Family Portraits Taken at Home

Planning a family photoshoot might be stressful for some families especially if it involves little ones, seniors or even just an extra number of people! Some clients then wonder where is the best place to have the family portraits taken – at home, our studio or outdoors? Here are 5 reasons why we think you should consider your home as a solid option!

1. Be yourself

You’re most yourself when you’re comfortable. And when you feel great, the photos will turn out amazing. For some people, being in a foreign environment might make them feel anxious, thus resulting in them not feeling their best. Most adults are good at adapting to new places but for kids, not so much. Oftentimes we’ve come across kids who struggle having their photos taken in our studio because they’re still processing their surroundings which takes some time. And we’ve noticed kids (and adults!) are definitely having a way more fun time during the session when they’re at home. Plus everyone could even walk around bare feet. Now isn’t that a bonus!

2. Hassle-free

There’s just so much more things to worry about when the whole family is involved in a 1-2 hour shoot. Time is precious and you want everything to go smoothly. We get it. You don’t want to worry about traffic or parking, if everyone wore the right outfits, if you remembered to grab your kid’s favourite snacks. When you’re at home, problems like these are no longer on your mind. Or at least the solutions are only a few steps away!

Chi Yin Tan In At Home, Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Portraits, Studio

What to Expect in a Family Photo Session

Planning to have a family portrait session and not sure what to expect? What is the usual flow for a family session? Would it work if we have kids, grandparents, and other smaller families in the same photo session?

Here is some information on what to expect in a family photo session:

1. Start the photo session with the important photo:

We frequently recommend beginning with a few of the larger family photos. It’s best to capture them first when everyone has the most energy. Also, we want to get them done before the kids get too tired or restless! Unless you have a different priority for the shoot, let us know!

2. Smaller group

After the big group photos, we can continue with some smaller group photos. We also try to prioritise kids first as they might get tired or distracted easily from the photoshoot session. We suggest getting most of their photos taken first – pictures of them with parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties, and also individual shots!