I have a client who texted me past midnight after watching the slideshow I sent to their home earlier, telling me this : "Kim Boon, watching that DVD brought a tear of happiness to my eyes. Wow! Thank u so so much…" - Chris Thiagarajah, Founder and CEO of Skybus Sdn. Bhd.
Chris and family enjoying a precious moment together.
I have to admit over the years of capturing many portraits for families, corporate figures, couples and individuals, I still have that burning desire and passion to bring out the best and as naturally as possible of the people I shoot and my love for preserving those special moments of their lives grows and grow each time I am commissioned to do another.
Although I once wanted to become the best family portrait photographer in Malaysia, after many years of doing that, I have also come to a point of realisation that its no longer important or relevant to go after the fame and acknowledgement but to realised that the most beautiful part of the whole experience is when I see the clients beaming with pride, happiness and gratitude (some even shedding tears of happiness and gratitude) when they view the images over a slideshow or a photobook we produced for them.
A most recent article I come across in a photo magazine about Family Portraiture sums up so well by the client of the author that ultimately photographing a family group photo isn't about the pictures, but rather its about what you do and the experiences you enjoy during the photo session. As summed up by Tom Ashwell after his family photo session with Brett Harkness, he said "Today I learned that it's not the settings you make or the buttons you press but the character emanating from behind the camera that brings out the beauty in your family. Thanks Brett, I'm truly inspired"
That really resonate how I feel about my own photography sessions with my clients and also it feels as if one of my client just said that to me!
That moments prompted me to immediately send out about 10 messages to some of my dear clients asking about how they felt and what was their experiences during their family photo shoot with me, and I would say most were so happy to share their experiences with me , to the extend of thanking me for making them sit down to think about it again what they went through during the shoot, what was the purpose to have the session commissioned and even what was the whole meaning of capturing family portraits.
I was personally so touched, inspired and encouraged by those words and sharing that I thought I should share it with more people contemplating having their family portraits taken.
EXPERIENCE SHARE
These are some of their take and experience of a family portrait session (although some sounds like my testimonials, I would like you to see it from their perspective) :-
"We had a fabulous experience of our first family photo shoot with Kim Boon. It was a fun activity for the family and paired with Kim Boon's creative directives and photography flair we got some great shots. He was very open to allowing us to incorporate objects, pets and locations that are personal to us into the photo shoot. The portraits really highlight the happy moments we spend together as a family over the holidays especially those of my three kids together. They created some lasting memories that we will cherish in time to come especially now the kids live apart in different countries. Would recommend a similar experience to family and friends." - George Gan
"Thank You Kim Boon. It was wonderful to have you as our family photographer. Your immaculate sense in creating our family portrait down to the color selections and subject projection are admirable & appreciated. You pay attention to creating the right atmosphere and mood to take the photos. Highly recommended family photographer." - Joanna Low
"每个家庭都该拥有一个很私人又甜蜜的攝影体验。
攝影过程让每一位家庭成员深深感受到家对自己的意义，自己对家的依恋！
拍摄家庭照提醒我们“家”因为有你和我而完美！
所有的感受，KB 用他独特的拍摄理念及镜头为我们记录下来…." - Gan Ping
"My dear KB, you really make all pictures talk!! You see what we can't. Hahaha we had so much fun on today's shooting. Indeed an extraordinary moments of our life, thanks so much Legacy Portraits by Kim Boon & special lovely assistant, Khim. KIMBOON - A Great Photographer" - Cho-Huey
"Thank You KB for our beautiful family photos. It is an ongoing headache to get them to be in any photos but they warmed up to you almost immediately. The result : pictures of us in natural poses, smiling and laughing. The boys said "uncle KB is very nice to converse with, so we kinda forgot we were being photographed". Thank you once again for your patience whilst dealing with us and your excellent follow up on getting our albums to us." - Mei Choon
"Thank you for making the photo shoot a fun bonding session for my family. We all had a really good time. Warmest regards, Syed Alsagoff" - Dato' Dr. Syed Alsagoff
攝影过程让每一位家庭成员深深感受到家对自己的意义，自己对家的依恋！
拍摄家庭照提醒我们“家”因为有你和我而完美！
所有的感受，KB 用他独特的拍摄理念及镜头为我们记录下来…." - Gan Ping
"My dear KB, you really make all pictures talk!! You see what we can't. Hahaha we had so much fun on today's shooting. Indeed an extraordinary moments of our life, thanks so much Legacy Portraits by Kim Boon & special lovely assistant, Khim. KIMBOON - A Great Photographer" - Cho-Huey
"Thank You KB for our beautiful family photos. It is an ongoing headache to get them to be in any photos but they warmed up to you almost immediately. The result : pictures of us in natural poses, smiling and laughing. The boys said "uncle KB is very nice to converse with, so we kinda forgot we were being photographed". Thank you once again for your patience whilst dealing with us and your excellent follow up on getting our albums to us." - Mei Choon
"Thank you for making the photo shoot a fun bonding session for my family. We all had a really good time. Warmest regards, Syed Alsagoff" - Dato' Dr. Syed Alsagoff
SO, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ?
What is the meaning of Family Portraits to you? Why would you want to commission someone to do one for you?
Is it because the family Values you value? or
Is it because you wanted to preserve some of the most precious moments when your kids are still around you?
or maybe you wanted to let the kids to have some great memories when they all go their way setting up their own family
or perhaps you wanted to pass on the tradition, the values and the love you have for your kids to them so that they will be able to pass on to the next generation.
For me, its my Living Legacy to my children, to my family. I want something I can pass on while I am still alive, I want something I can enjoy together with my family when we are all still around and I also want to make sure we all had a great time together whenever we do a family portraits together or doing anything other things together. I want to enjoy every moment of it.
My photography have allowed, and have given that opportunity to many families and individuals and the best thing I ever wanted or the most value I derived from my family portrait shoot is when my clients thank me, feeling very grateful and delighted that I have given them that opportunity they either never had, have not had any for a long time or they just treasure those precious moments.
That would make my day, make me a very happy person!
HH Tunku Johanez bin HRH Tunku Annuar and Che' Puan Winnie Sophia Low who is one of my very first clients.
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The ever elegant and beautiful Che' Puan Winnie Sophia Low
A mum and daughter shot of Gan Ping and Apple which is always one of my favourite.
One of my favourite portrait of Chris Thiagarajah
George Gan and family in the park!
Fudge and Zen - remains my favourite father and son portraits.
Another more relax shot of father and son.
One of the most candid portrait I love is this of Mei and family in their living space.
The Kuek boys in their cosy garden.
Norman and Maggie Pang with their kids.
Mum and son portraits.
Some other special moments I treasured as much the families.
An example of another Picture Wall proposed for the Foo family.
A set of Canvas Picture Wall hanging proudly in Winnie's home.
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