Shafiqah & Syahirah are sisters, and they came over to our studio for a photography session because firstly, they love taking photos, and secondly, they wanted to capture the bond between mother and child, especially at this really cute age. These little baby girls look so alike that you would think they are twins! And if you are wondering who the older children are, they are the babies’ cousins. Everyday is a good day for photos!
Credits:
Photographer: Chi Yin
Location: Stories studio
They share a love for luxury sports cars, and how apt it was that the Sepang International Circuit was the background for their first meet up. Both Greg and Eunice are from Singapore, and when we met Eunice at an ibu event, she told us that she wanted portraits reflecting their life here in Malaysia. For expats living in Malaysia, I think it is a great idea to do a photo session at the country you are based at for a particular season of your life. Here are some of our favourite photos from Jennifer’s session with them.
On Christmas day last year, I went to meet Jamie and Ann, long time clients turned friends. Their pre-wedding session shot in 2011 at the Gold Coast, Australia is still fresh in my mind as if I did it yesterday, because they had transported a couch and a canoe to the location for the photos! I also loved every detail of their wedding at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Gold Coast and Sails on the Bay at Melbourne, Australia.
So it’s been many years since we met, but I love how social media keeps everyone connected and I could always keep up to date on everyone’s lives. So it was only in 2017 that I managed to meet them again, this time with two little cutie pies in their arms! It was also wonderful to see Ann’s family again.
Lots of love to the both of you, and I will definitely see you again in the future, perhaps with my kids in tow instead!
It is common to receive an enquiry requesting for a two to four-hour long family shoot. People tend to have the impression that you get more out of longer sessions. However, that is usually not the case. At Stories, most of our Lifestyle packages are an hour long. Some people seem to think that’s too short but do remember that if it involves children, you’ll be surprised that a single hour can seem like forever to them! I tagged along on some family sessions and here’s why I think an hour is really good enough, especially for an outdoor shoot in our beloved country.
1. Humidity
Even if it isn’t a terribly sunny day, you can be perspiring within five minutes of starting the shoot! On one of the shoots, the perspiration showed through the dad’s dark blue shirt. Fortunately, his wife had insisted he bring along an extra shirt to change into! Mum and child were neither not spared from the icky feeling of sweat. Can you imagine spending three hours posing for photos feeling like this? Believe me, an hour is just right. We all love our country but not the humidity.
TIP: Always bring along some extra clothing and a small towel for outdoor shoots. A hand fan can be very useful too.
2. Timing of shoot
If you’re a local, you’ll know that our tropical weather is quite unpredictable. Due to the heat, outdoor shoots should take place in the early mornings or late afternoons. However, certain months are prone to rain in the evenings so if you plan for an afternoon shoot, it could end up a washout. The other thing about being surrounded by greenery is that it’s perfect for creepy crawlies and mosquitoes to come out and play! You won’t be able to enjoy your shoot if you’re being eaten alive by mosquitoes.
TIP: Check the weather forecast nearer to the shoot date and speak to your photographer about contingency plans. Bring along some insect repellent too!
3. Attention Span
Children are usually quite excited at the start of a shoot but that initial excitement fades very quickly. They don’t like being told what to do, where to stand or where to look! Most of the time, young children start getting fussy even before the hour is up. Tantrums are common when children get tired and an hour will seem like too much to ask from them.
TIP: Bring along some snacks (but nothing too messy!) for your child. Food usually helps to change their mood. We also usually start the photo session with the large family photo so that we get the safe shot done!
Now if you were thinking of doing an outdoor shoot, don’t let the negative aspects frighten you. Come prepared and you will have an enjoyable experience, plus beautiful photos in the park to last a lifetime. But if you’re toying with the idea of having a three-hour family shoot in the park, maybe you should reconsider shortening it. An hour really is sufficient.
I met Lily for the first time within days of her arrival at the hospital. She was this tiny little cutie pie, immediately capturing the hearts of those who laid eyes on her. Lily’s mom Izyanti (or more fondly known as Emy to some of us) and I started our friendship in 2015 when we were working on a joint venture photographing babies in hospitals back then. Soon after, Emy joined us at Integricity, working on various marketing projects with the team. She’s now moved on to a new season of life, and we miss her cheerful smiles at the office. Photos were taken at our studio by Jennifer and Chi Yin.
