The Chatfields at Home | Singapore Family Photography

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.  

The Garratts at Home | Singapore Family Photography

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.

Hello Baby Marvin | Singapore Newborn Film | Singapore Newborn Photography

I'm slowing down a little for the holiday season before plunging full steam ahead in the new year ... so I figured this would be a good time to catch up on some blogging.  And what a cracker I have for you folks today!  Not much by way of introduction except - what would it feel like to hear and see your school-going child cooing, kicking, squirming and crying when s/he was a newborn?  Or even hear and see YOUR parents talk about your first days together when you were a baby?  Here's a little client film I made to help you along as you ponder (turn up the volume) ... just imagine having this for yourself and your children.  

As it happens - why yes, you CAN have something similar for yourself!  I am now offering family and newborn films starting in 2016, on a strictly limited basis (due to the intensity of editing needed).  In addition, I am offering a special rate for the first family film booking in 2016 (at least 2 children, with at least 1 child above 2 years old).  Drop me a line if you'd like to find out more!

The Lehnerts at Home | Singapore Family Photography

What's that word where things work out in an unexpected but happy way?  Well, that's how I feel about this family session with the Lehnerts and their gorgeous baby girl Gabriella.  Esther contacted me via a recommendation from the talented Nina Tantzen Photography, needing to arrange a shoot in a hurry before they had to move homes.  With a bit of compromise on both sides, we managed to squeeze in a weekday session and I'm really rather glad that we did.  

Even though the Lehnerts had not started out looking specifically for a storytelling photographer, they were 100% game and committed to carrying out their cherished everyday routines in front of my lens.  I think this was the perfect way to commemorate their first home in Singapore as a family of 3 - not just with beautiful smiling portraits with their house as a backdrop, but with a series of images showing how they lived in that house, how they filled its spaces everyday with love and care and lots of baby cuddles.  As a rather super bonus I was able to create some of my favourite intimate images of all time - of Gabriella being bathed and nursed - so yes, serendipity, thank you.  

The Touchauds at Home | Singapore Family Photography

I thought that finding sufficient superlatives was going to be the toughest thing about writing this blog post.  I was wrong.  30 minutes spent trying to whittle down the highlights to a manageable yet representative number, and I am throwing in the towel and settling for manageable.  

The Touchauds were an absolute dream to photograph.  The only reason I am certain that they are real, is that my imagination cannot possibly be rich enough to conjure up such a dynamic, colourful, funny, personable family.  From the very moment that I stepped into their home, they were nothing but warm, inviting, open and playful.  Alexandra said that they had never had a family photoshoot before … I don’t know if they were this relaxed in front of my camera because or in spite of this.  We chased cats, practiced yoga, ate homebaked Fathers’ Day cookies, read, landed on the moon, became superheroes, performed martial arts and gymnastics, wrestled, climbed, drew and read some more … and then left home to head for our park shoot.  

Oh and did I mention that Alexandra is an incredible artist?  Please, visit www.alexandratouchaud.com and fill up on some true beauty.  To see how she has completed such an intensive creative project, while bringing up three confident and engaging children along with her husband Dominique, is at once humbling and inspiring.  The Touchauds are a Renaissance family in spirit and practice, and I am grateful that their love and respect for artistry extended to giving me the space and trust to practice mine.  

Waiting for Baby V | Singapore Family Photography | Singapore Maternity Photography

I have been going back and forth for days over the right words for this post ... Everything I write ends up sounding so sentimental because that is exactly how I feel about this family.  Silke is a dear friend and her firstborn has been through, well, a fair bit with my son.  The occasion of her recent pregnancy and birth of her second sweet baby has been such an inspiration, and I am so looking forward to finishing a special family film project for them.  In the spirit of procrastination which I have thoroughly mastered, I will leave the sappy words for later when their film is completed, and let their maternity family pictures speak of their Saturday morning routine before baby V came along ...

Sofia & Co | Singapore Family Photography

I know, I know, I'm a total sucker for babies ... but this 4 month old, well, I can't even look at these photos without wishing I could reach right in and squeeze her little cheeks.  Mind you, I managed to control myself during the entire photoshoot, but that could have been because her wonderful parents were so wrapped up in playing with and caring for her, that I could not bear to break up the moment.  She was all played out by the time early evening rolled around, and I'm glad I got to stick around to document her being put to bed.    

Our time together was so relaxed that I even got to trial a new photo-and-video slideshow offer that I have been working on.  Give me a shout if you'd like something similar for your own family ... you heard it here first!

Gavin & Sarah, In Love | Singapore Couples Photography

When is a good time to get some images that really reflect what you are like as a couple?  Pretty much anytime, in my books.  Pre-wedding, post-wedding, pre-baby, post-baby ... If you are up for a laid-back session just hanging out and really talking to and connecting with each other - no props, no fancy dress, no romance novel poses - I could be your gal.  

Gavin & Sarah were totally on-board with the stripped-back approach that I take.  They laughed, they embraced, they teased each other ... simply because that is what they are like together, not because they thought it would look good in a photograph.  It's hard work creating an experience where true intimacy is not lost in the context of a photo session, which is why I insist on an environment which is an honest part of the couple's lives.  We spent some time relaxing in their new apartment and walking around the neighbourhood, and Gavin & Sarah ran with it, by which I mean they did pretty much whatever they would do together on an ordinary weekend.

Lucas is One! | Singapore Family Photographer

Sweet little Lucas turned the grand old age of 1 over a month ago, and his mother had a birthday surprise planned out for him. I was lucky enough to be invited to document some of their family time together, and the unveiling of the beautiful cake Stephanie had baked and decorated for him. This fella has a keen awareness of the camera already, and if you look at the pictures carefully, you'll notice that he has pretty good ball sense too!

The Nyans at Home | Singapore Family Photographer

I have received quite a few inquiries in the last week about shoots to commemorate the big 1 year old milestone, and thought it would be a good time to share a few highlights from this family session. The family was a joy to work with - not only were they on-board with my vision and ‘fly on the wall’ shooting style, the mother ran away with it and planned a good variety of daily activities to document in our time together.  

A lifestyle / documentary session such as this would be a particularly good way to remember what your family is like at your child’s grand old age of 1 (or 2, 3, 4 etc) … Not every baby develops at the same pace, but with a relaxed environment and familiar activities, I can promise you a shoot that will embrace your child’s personality and your family’s way of life.