Family Photoshoot @ Singapore Gardens By The Gardens

On one thing we all must agree: Singapore has gorgeous backgrounds for Photography. I’m absolutely thrilled with this session at Gardens by The Bays. On weekday this spot isn’t busy and we basically could get all the place for ourselves!

Some clients get worried about cloudy days for photos, thinking the images won’t look so nice, or just too dark. I looove working on cloudy days! As I’ve said before, the harsh sunlight can be the scariest thing for me as a Photographer. Avoiding the harsh highlights/shadows on peoples face can become easily a nightmare on post-production!

The weather on this day was so perfect! The humidity in Singapore can be challenging to keep the hair and makeup in place, so the clouds in the sky can be a huge friend on our side. And the moody vibe, dark tones just make the image pop to your eyes!

Family Photoshoot @ Singapore Botanic Gardens

I’ve done quite a few family photos at Singapore Botanic Gardens, and all of them look quite different. One photoshoot is never the same as the other, no matter if it is at the same place, on same weather.

I love the idea of being a “fly on the wall”, catching life as it is without trying to interfere with what is going on. I try not to pose/direct my clients too much—I want them to act as naturally as possible and interact with each other as they always do. The reason why one session is never the same! I believe the core of my work is to bring this spontaneity to the images and make the moments as much as real as possible.

I love everything about this session! I was basically chasing the kids running around and climbing the trees and enjoying the moment. It was the first time the family was back at the park, after a few months on lockdown (Covid-19). And that made everything special on this shoot!

Family Photoshoot @ Singapore Botanic Gardens

Photographing in Singapore is always a challenge due the heat and humidity. Seeing the stunning sun shining at the background you never imagine that we were all dripping! Although I don’t miss the New York winter, I must say the humidity in Singapore still challenges me!

Very often people get curious on how I shoot against the sun light, while most of them usually have the light directly on the subject’s face. I only photograph early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sunlight is more “golden”—meaning the shadows are more soft. If you try to do the same technique on a brighter hour, you won’t catch this lens flare; your photo will be all white and overexposed. For me, photography is all about light—is like photographing the light and having your subject in composition with it. It makes the photo more interesting, more emotional and it had less harsh shadows on people’s face. Also, can be a bit uncomfortable for your subject to look at the camera if the sun is right behind it—looking straight to the sun will force people to close the eyes a bit and reinforce some wrinkles on forehead.

Indoor Family Photoshoot

I love indoor photoshoots! Cozy, intimate and a great memory of your home! It’s nice having a beautiful park in the background, or the beach, but the great thing about shooting in your client’s home is giving them the privacy and opportunity to be more relaxed in their own place, specially with kids! Some of them can be shy and get uncomfortable in a different environment.

Good lighting is important. So, finding a spot with good lighting is vital. Although in outdoor sessions I usually look for soft and golden light—late in the afternoon—in indoor photoshoots the more light the better! And you don’t have to stress over whether it’s going to rain on the day of your shoot or not. No matter what the weather is, you’re safe indoors. Moreover, you can control your environment and set it up according to your need or preferences, or according to which one is most comfortable for you and your clients—and also, no need to worry about the crowd in the background or trying to blur them out!  

Family Photoshoot @ Singapore Botanic Gardens

No matter how difficult and heavy your week/day has been, this little pumpkin will warm your heart!

We all are living under hard times and simple days like this are not being allowed in some many nations at this point. Hope is all we have! Hope that we’ll leave this Pandemic with a promise to live a more responsible and selfless life. More compassion. More love. More committed to our home Earth, our family as a human being, regardless race, religion or nation. More appreciation to our freedom, to simple moments like this—a walk in the park in a Sunday afternoon.

Family Photoshoot , East Coast Park

One of my favourite spots for a family photoshoot in Singapore: East Coast Park. On one side, the beach and the other, gorgeous rainy trees and enough space for the kids to play around and have fun while capturing some memorable photos!

One of the main concerns about scheduling a session is: the weather. What if it’s raining or cloudy? During raining season, it’s certain to expect some showers in the afternoon, specially. But I love to photograph on a cloudy day. One of the scariest things for the Photographer is to manage the highlights on the photos on a bright and harsh light. The deep shadows on the face, the background too bright… Can be a nightmare! But when the rain is gone, we can play around with the deep contrast and the moody tones.

Thank you, Anne, for the patience on waiting for the rain to cease and wishing you all the best for your gorgeous family!

Family Photoshoot Botanical Gardens

When the light, the place, the people and the Universe conspire for a beautiful afternoon! Immense gratitude for each person that I’ve met through photography and these smiles are the most precious gift that I could have! <3

A sunny day at Botanical Gardens

Raquel & Gui Family

A walk at the Botanical Gardens in Singapore

And after 4 years abroad, in South Africa and New York, I’m back “home”—where everything started!

So thrilled to meet this lovely family, Kate and Ben, and capture such precious moment at the Botanical Gardens, in Singapore! Family Photography is my passion and no matter how chaotic is to make 3 little pumpkins to look at the camera and smile for a second, I just have fun as much as they do!

That’s the core of my work: spontaneous as much as possible! A family photo shoot is always a surprise—will depend of the mood of the kids, wether they will feel comfortable with you or not—but the most important item is patience! Just join them into the fun and make memorable images!

A picnic at the park