While driving to Marina Barrage for a maternity shoot, I realised I could not remember what the area used to look like. The past life of the current go to spot for your wedding, maternity, family photography was unknown to me, even though Marina Barrage was opened less than ten years ago. It seems like the memories of the old landscape was firmly replaced by the barrage with its beautiful park and water, and a city skyline as back drop. Although it is great that changes to the area gave it a new life and increased its significance to me, but it seems a bit daunting to know that you might not know what you lost.

Below are some images to share.

Makeup by Yukiko Lim (www.yukikolim.com)

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore

Every now and then, I get enquiries from clients on whether their dogs could be included in their family, children or maternity photography. My answer is always “of course”, because for many pet owners, our furry pals are important members of the family too. Moreover, having the furry ones around always make the shoot more interesting. Once during a maternity shoot, I met the ‘shoe, shoe’ dog.

“Shoe, shoe,” I said to the little white poodle, and just like my clients said she would, she tilted her head quizzically, making everyone smile. She was a delight to have, indulging us with her adorable antics and following with what we asked of her.

Below are some images to share.

Makeup by Yukiko Lim (www.yukikolim.com)

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore

Maternity photography used to be something unheard of in Singapore. I believe only few of us could find old pictures of our mothers during pregnancy. These days however, more mothers and their families are embracing the idea of maternity photoshoot. It probably stemmed from our generation’s wonderment of how it was like when our mothers were pregnant with us.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were pictures of those times coupled with stories of your foetus days. Nick and Devi thought it will be great too. Preferring my lifestyle-like maternity photography, they engaged me as their photographer.

We arranged for both indoor and outdoor photoshoot sessions. Our indoor photoshoot was done in their house. They wanted to keep memories of their yet-to-be borned child’s first home. It was followed by an outing shoot at Sembawang park that was close by. The fun loving couple wore jerseys of their favourite soccer team proudly for their home photoshoot (My fellow soccer fans! But I’m their rival). I’m guessing soccer is one of the sport they will be playing with their child.

After a change of clothes, we proceeded to the beach. Surrounded by greenery,cooled by sea breeze, we felt relaxed and contented. In the relaxed atmosphere, we are able to captured the sweet and loving interactions between couple and towards their unborn child.

Besides an album of the couple’s amazing journey to parenthood, one of the images will be printed on a canvas and hang on the wall of their warm and loving home, reminding the family the love and anticipation during that period of time.

Below are some images to share.

Makeup by Vivian Low (www.vivienlow.com)

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore

It been a long while since we updated the blog. We have been busying setting up the new office space cum studio, and with a few photoshoot in between. We have finally settled down at our new premises. We will be showing images of our humble office soon. 🙂

We got the chance to meet up with Victoria and her partner, who both are from Myanmar. While Yukiko Lim (makeup artist) was dolling up Victoria, I chatted up with her partner and saw their wedding album that they took in Myanmar for 3 full days.

After the makeup was ready, we started the shoot at their home, followed by the poolside & the surrounding facing the Sentosa.

Below are some images to share.

Makeup by Yukiko Lim (www.yukikolim.com)

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore

It was a hot day in April when I met up with Sangeetha and her husband for her maternity photo shoot. Sangeetha had told me she would be wearing a Sari for the shoot, which I thought was really special. Among all the Indian clients I had worked with, she is the first to wear a Sari for the shoot.

On the day itself, as expected, Sangeetha was looking lovely in her Sari, but the unexpected was the small stool she had brought along. When I saw her husband, I understood why. Sangeetha’s husband is a very tall man, he is even taller than I am ( I am somewhat like a lamp post among my peers).

Taking the stool along, we explored the Singapore Botanic Garden and its beauty under the morning sun.

Below are some images to share.

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore

Celebrating the coming of a new baby in the family can be done in many different ways and one of these is through maternity photography. Having a new baby in the family is an event that should be celebrated since not all people are blessed with a baby. As mentioned, there are various ways to welcome a new born but starting the celebration with pregnancy photography is something very unique.

One way of celebrating pregnancy through maternity photoshoot is to invite the whole family and take a family portrait. Pregnancy photography usually involves a solo shot of the soon-to-be mother as the subject while highlighting her bump. Although this could also symbolize the celebration, it is more enjoyable to see the whole family celebrating with the future mom. The whole drama of the shot will depend on the various poses of every member of the family. However, the highlight of the photo still centers to the mother-to-be and her little one.

Aside from inviting the whole family in the set, another way of capturing this beautiful moment is by centering the story to the future mother and father. A peaceful photo of the expecting mother and her hubby with the baby inside the tummy is a very emotional yet captivating photo to look at. To symbolize the celebration, there are different ways on how this setup can be shot. One option is where the upcoming parents show their joy by holding the bump and look at each other while smiling. This pose can be a little dramatic but the overall feel of the photo can show how the couple celebrates the coming of their baby. Another option is where both parents look at the bump to show their excitement and eagerness to meet the new bundle of joy.

Celebrating pregnancy should not stop with how the photo is taken. Placing the photograph in an ordinary photo frame is just plain. To represent the celebration through these photos, choosing the right frame is also a crucial step since the latter should match with the photo’s theme. If it is a family portrait with full of colors, the frame should look something fun to complement the colors of the picture. On the other hand, if the photo has more lighting drama or is taken black and white, the look of the frame should be something more serious.

There are more other ways to celebrate pregnancy through this photography. One should just have the passion to perfectly execute all details of the maternity photography.

I was contacted by Even to do her maternity shoot in December last year. Initially she had concerns that her home is messy and not interesting as a photo location. I managed to change her view to see that each home presents its own unique character and is full of photography potential. Majority of people are able to relax and be comfortable in their home surroundings, in addition to the convenience of props and image changes.

When I first met her, I was surprised that she was still so slim despite being late in her 32 weeks. While she was doing her makeup, I chatted with her husband, Kian Leong. He showed me their family photos, which were detailed with date, location taken as well as storyline. The love and effort that was put into the photos touched me. I can be assured that the photos that I took for them will be treasured as precious memories in years to come.

Below are some images to share.

Makeup by: Yilee

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore

Maya was one of the few names that left an impression when I was contacted. Its not just because the name is unique, it’s also the name of the 3D animation software that I wanted to learn a long ago.

Maya is from Bulgaria, and her husband Thilo is from Germany. While waiting for the makeup to be done, I had a chat with Thilo. Through the conversation, I got to know how they met, and where their wedding was held. They also shared their wedding photos taken in Germany.

During the photoshoot, Maya wanted to have a similar shot that I had done for Cheryl (who was featured in the New Paper). She had seen Cheryl’s photo and really loved it. I was concerned at first as Maya was already in her 38th week and to do that pose can be very challenging for her. And yet she did it without any hesitation. Bravo! 🙂

Below are some images to share.

Makeup by: Valda Goh

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore

Sorry folks for not updating for a while. It’s been a super busy start for 2013.

For this post, let me introduce the J Family. Why J Family? No, their surname is not J, but rather, their first names all start with the letter J. Before the shoot, I chatted with Joanne and Joshua to warm them up and make them feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Getting to know them better also facilitates better shots that brings out their unique character and feel.

They shared that they are going to name their baby boy Joseph. They are from New Creation Church, so the origin is obvious 🙂 Coincidentally, the makeup artist that was assigned, is also from New Creation Church. So everyone had a good time getting to know one another while prepping for the shoot.

Joanne wanted her maternity shoot to be done outdoors, but could not decide on the location. In the end, we chose to go to Marina Barrage (a few days after the Scott’s shoot).

Below are some images to share.

Makeup by: Yilee

Regards,
Darren (123 Photography)
Email: info@123photography.com.sg
Website: www.123photography.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/123PhotographySingapore