Portraits

Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Pre-Wedding, KL skyline: James & Alexia

James and Alexia first got to know about us through a friend’s Sikh and Hindu wedding that we photographed in 2012. James had moved to KL from Perth, Australia to work; whereas Alexia relocated from the US to Malaysia for work as well, with the intention of having fun along the way, seeing a bit of Asia for a year…but definitely not meeting boys! It was fate, however that brought them together to the same office in Kuala Lumpur.

The friendship soon evolved to something more and then 3 years later, James proposed! They are having a civil ceremony in Perth in December 2014 and a Christian ceremony close to Alexia’s Honduras home at Antigua Guatemala amongst colonial ruins. (Which sounds absolutely heavenly! By the way, we’d loveeee to travel to Guatemala to shoot a wedding! Hint hint!)

Enjoy these set of pre-wedding images taken by Jamie and Diane.

20140425_PRE_WEDDING_JAMES_ALEXIA_001 Love the personal touch with this blanket from Guatemala!

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Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, International, Portraits

Family Portraits in Melbourne: Andrew, Jessey & Maddie

I got to know Andrew through his sister, Amy Yeoh, who is a friend from my church, DUMC. Well, thanks to Facebook, we could get connected through the years, even if it was a random viewing on a status message! After I delivered my little Krysta, Jessey connected with me on Facebook when I posted that I had some sleep issues with Krysta. She was a very helpful source of information and gave me some valuable tips to assist sleeping babies… well, sleep!

It was great that I managed to photograph their cute little family in Melbourne during my holiday there recently. They chose to have their family portraits taken at the University of Melbourne since it was where they had studied in the past. It was a gorgeous day, and we had some lovely moments together, though Maddie was adamant on demonstrating how good she was at running away from the camera!

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Grace Tan In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Casual Portraits: Florian & Marianne

It was a surprise gift for Marianne, Florian’s girlfriend… the portrait session, that is. The both of them hail from Germany, but Florian came to Malaysia on a student exchange program. What a great way to see the world! We were glad that we could be part of this surprise for Marianne! One of Florian’s requirements before the shoot was to have sunset shots. If you’ve lived in KL long enough, you know that sunsets could be a daily occurrence or none at all! So our photographers Weiming and Nigel were a little concerned before the shoot, but on that day, they got some gorgeous sunlight. Thanks for working it for the camera!

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Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Weddings

Wedding in E&O, Penang: Arun & Rani

“I think I am the most complicated person I know and I’d ever come to know. I am usually conflicted, emotionally. I hold back when I should take the plunge. I let it rip and fly off the handle when I should hold it in. Yes, complicated, is definitely a word I’d use to describe myself.

The absolute truth is, I don’t think I’d have grown so much in the last 6 years if not for this one person who came into my life and turned it completely upside down! Arun. He changed me in ways I didn’t think I’d let myself change, and ways I didn’t know I could change, and ways I didn’t know I should change. He has been my best friend, my worst nightmare (at times) and my most loyal companion. Through it all though, he has just been there. Refusing to budge. Refusing to leave. Refusing to take ‘No’ as any kind of answer…”

Rani

20131215_WEDDING_ARUN_RANI_0019 20131215_WEDDING_ARUN_RANI_0074 I remember my first encounter with Rani. It was at the Westin wedding fair, and she came with a group of friends who were funny, witty and easy to chat with. That instant, we clicked. Rani signed up for our photography package, and months later, off to Penang I went with Diane to photograph their Malaysian reception. Arun and Rani were wed in India (darn, I still am hoping to photograph a wedding there one day!) but they had a 2nd celebration in Penang’s colonial looking E&O Hotel. We spent a good part of the day taking portraits, and then photographing their dinner reception in the evening.

A really funny thing happened that morning while Diane and I were waiting to meet Arun and Rani. Since I had only met Rani once and it was more than 6 months ago, I couldn’t quite recall how she looked like… exactly. And we had never met Arun. So while we were waiting, a couple walks into E&O after disembarking from their wedding car, all dressed up, and we went over to them thinking that they were Arun and Rani. Needless to say, it was an awkward moment when we all realized we didn’t know each other! Well, we had a good laugh after that and we wished the other couple well.

I was glad when the ‘real’ Arun and Rani turned up and everything else went on smoothly that day without any further hiccups! :) Continue Reading

Grace Tan In Family + Children Portraits, Portraits

Extended Family Portraits: Irwin & Vanessa

We photographed both Irwin and Vanessa’s family over 2 sessions, and while they were fun in their own different ways, the whole purpose and gist of these shoots is best summarized through Vanessa’s open and honest sharing below, which she has graciously allowed me to repost here. Vanessa, thank you for reminding us about how sovereign God is, but also to appreciate the daily, little things in life, and most importantly, relationships around us.

Vanessa’s Story

“In July 2013, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease – a degenerative neurological condition that doctors say is incurable.

My dad is one who comes across as a charismatic leader, always enthusiastic about work and life; never defeated by challenges no matter how big. Although the brut he may be at times (I know this because I work for him), I know I can always count on him for solutions to all my problems.

After learning of his condition, for many months, I lived in denial and could not come to terms with his diagnosis. For me, I just could not reconcile how a global entrepreneur like him, so respected in the industry could be ‘taken’ by such a degenerative, incurable disease. And I thought to myself, how could I ever speak of it to anyone for fear of ruining our business and reputation?

However, my dad has taken a totally opposite approach from Day 1 after being diagnosed of his condition! He has spoken openly about it to everyone – And in his Christmas whatsapp message to our Family group chat, this is what he wrote:

“I feel privileged to be chosen by God (to have PD). He is using me for His plan and purpose. He may continue to allow my condition to deteriorate to such an obvious physical extent before His miraculous and complete restoration. Eventually God wants all my friends globally to know that He is still in control of the situation if we turn to Him. He can perform miracles as we have seen in our families.”

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring for my dad’s health, but I have decided that every day from now till then is yet another day to rejoice and to be thankful for. I thought it would be apt to organize this photo session just to capture this moment of our lives – that despite life’s changes and uncertainties, we still find our strength in a God who is constant and ever faithful.”

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