Viewing entries tagged
day in the life
First homes are special - I wish I had more photos of mine. I grew up in the same place until my dad threw me out and sold the flat while I was working in London. True story! I’m glad the Pangs gave me a ring before they moved out of their first home together … and even more glad that they didn’t laugh at my fear of heights. Here’s to old memories and new milestones.
One tender, crazy, sentimental, raucous day spent with the Gopalans and their loved ones, celebrating ten years of marriage and a life full of love. S and G you are an absolute inspiration for your big laughs and even bigger hearts.
Old friends, newly expanded family. Basically some of the best things in life in one shoot.
This family right here, came at the right time for me. Mum wanted an honest, open documentation of a typical family morning in the neighbourhood, something to treasure when they settle into their new home in Europe. ‘Let’s move the schedule around, the light will be easier’ I said. ‘But that’s not our routine’ came the response. She didn’t need it to be perfect - she wanted it to be true. And she was right.
A simple morning at home, marking the first year milestone in little T’s life by celebrating his favourite everyday activities.
Life with 4 kids under 6 ... A family photography session doesn't get more real than this. Thank you Maryanne and John for wanting to document real life in your real home - embracing rather than glossing over the inevitable chaos, letting your kids play freely (mostly!) rather than corralling them into an aspirational family advertisement. Authentic lives deserve authentic imagery. May these pictures serve as a beautiful reminder of the time and the home in which you became a family of 6.
When I say that this film speaks for itself, I mean that in an almost literal sense. Video can be so much more than just a picture with motion - it has the ability to bring back memories of all your senses, through the addition of audio and an edit geared towards storytelling.
Little Spencer's family could not be a more perfect showcase of this. Their unbridled affection for each other and the new family addition (and for their sweet dogs), expressed openly through talking about their feelings and hopes, makes this little film completely about them, and completely theirs. Watch it with the volume turned up - I think that it will surprise you, even if you are familiar with the genre of documentary-style family photography. Let me know what you think, and if you'd like a little film for your own family, please get in touch and let's brainstorm!
Sometimes I come away from a session giving myself virtual high fives and pats on the back because heck, I know I aced it. This extended family session in Katong was not an example. I remember feeling anxious as I left because I knew that it should look amazing - a rambling house awash with morning light, characterfully decorated and filled with family members of diverse ages all ready to celebrate the recent arrival of a baby girl. I worried that I had focused too much on the house or hadn't incorporated it enough; that I had taken too few images of the baby because there was so much else happening that morning; that no matter what I had done, the images wouldn't be as great as this wonderful family deserved.
I remember sitting down to edit the photos and first feeling a huge sense of relief, then a sense of wonder at the opportunities I have to truly enter clients' homes and lives for a brief window of time. I observed the McGs for only two hours, but looking back at the images, I realised how much they had trusted me with unfettered access to their home and daily routines. They played, laughed, teased, fussed, comforted, rested and enjoyed each other's company without any artifice for the camera. They spoke to me honestly and shared their stories, their family heirlooms, their private moments. I saw many types of love and affection in that one morning - both loud and quiet, vigorous and gentle, playful and nurturing. And in the centre of it all, there was mum, happy to step back but always there when needed. Thank you for having me.
I don't know if it's because it's been a while - too long a while - since I've looked at this session, but holy smokes I was blown away by this family's gorgeousness all over again. Not gorgeousness on the outside, though I wouldn't argue with that, but gorgeousness in the 'loving tumbling laughing loving again' and 'friendly to the strange lady who walked in with a big camera' way. Big bro just turned two, which means more shenanigans are on the way ... I'm sure you guys will do just fine with your big smiles and bigger hearts.
I've let a silly amount of time lapse since I last shared photos from a session. Every time I get the images prepped for blogging, I become wrapped up in my concern over whether I can adequately describe the family and how their photos make me feel. This family session is the perfect way for me to let that go and just let the images speak (mostly) for themselves. Two parents unafraid to express affection, two cheeky and thriving boys, one baby girl gone too soon but obviously held near and dear in their hearts. I don't know if happiness is something that is easily within reach, even for families who have had to endure less, but there is clearly an abundance of joy in this family of five. I hope these images remind them of that for the rest of their lives.
