Hello (again) and goodbye 2021!

Hi everyone, how’ve you been?

Firstly, I want to apologise for being absent for nearly 4 months. I would love to say that I neglected my blog because I’ve been extremely busy but the truth is it’s a mix of that and my laziness.

Due to a backlog of projects from the 2 Heightened Alert phases, I was completely swarmed and burned out in the months of Aug-Oct. Naturally, the blog took a backseat. And then things relaxed a little in Nov but I got too lazy to pick up the momentum to write. Here we are now, the last month of the year. Whew…where did 2021 go?

Wherever you’re reading this from, I hope you’re doing well. You might be a corporate worker or a freelancer or even a child, there’s no doubt the pandemic has at least inconvenienced you in a certain way. I had a relative pass away due to Covid-19 recently, friends who had to postpone their wedding for the third time, peers who switched careers to take up full-time employment. Hearing all these just makes me feel incredibly blessed to be able to still do what I love doing and enjoy good health whilst doing so. (I’ve grown a little fatter but let’s just leave that out for the time being)

Rather than bore you about the projects I’ve been on (frankly most of them are just sustenance work), I thought I might share some of my experiences this year and do an emotional stocktake of this year.

Firstly, unbeknownst to most, I took up part-time work for the first time after leaving Camera Rental Centre in 2017. The months from May to Aug was incredibly tough for me, not only on my bank account but also my mental health. After nearly 3 months of low to no work, I took up a part-time role as an usher at the vaccination centres. It was incredibly depressing when I saw myself working alongside 18-19 year olds; many of whom ask me what was I doing here at 29. I think that was my lowest point during the whole pandemic so far. Whenever I hear of another cancellation or postponement, my heart would sink further and further and I grumble at how long I might have to continue working at this $10/hr job.

I wish there was a silver lining to this but the fact is sometimes there just isn’t. Shit happens and you take it. And you just do whatever it takes to keep yourself alive. Thankfully, after the Covid rules relaxed in Sept, I was swarmed with a backlog of work. I remember vividly how one of my clients commented that I looked like I was dying on my last shoot with them and I told him “No shit. I’m really dying and all burned out.”

Following the Covid rules cycle, work came in peaks and troughs and so did my emotions. I would wake up feeling all clammy, nervous about the prospects for the next few months. The feeling was eerily similar to how I felt when I first started - waking up in cold sweat and counting my income on my excel spreadsheet - just that this time I’m in a much better position.

For the first time, I was forced to look outside of photography to find ways to bring in income. Honestly, there are a lot of great opportunities – I have been approached to do insurance and property – but maybe I’m just stubborn; I prefer to do something meaningful that brings in a decent amount of money.

If life pushes me to the brink of death, then maybe. But as much as possible, I still want to hold on to my ethos, which is to make a career out of doing meaningful work that pays. So in October, I tried my hands on teaching and basic professional videography.

Teaching was interesting. I love it and am better at it than I thought I would be. Video too. I think it activates a certain part of my brain that isn’t lighted up (heh get the pun?) by stills photography.

At the risk of sounding pompous, I think chasing your passion isn’t defined by how excited you’re at the start but what you’ll do to stick to your passion despite the trying moments. I’m happy to say I survived this year with pretty decent margins and am given another chance to stick around.

Share with me your most emotional moment in 2021 below and I wish you well in 2022!

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In case you’re interested in some of the more interesting projects I’ve been involved in the second half of the year:

- Did a really fun and challenging portrait project with the scientists of Nanolumi. I had so much fun lighting the set. Check it out here.
- Contributed to Mandai Wildlife Group’s rebranding efforts by refreshing the corporate portraits of their entire management team. It was refreshing to shoot a corporate project in nature amongst animals.
- Made portraits of 12 early childhood educators as part of a project for Early Childhood Development Agency.
- Made photos for Beng Hiang Restaurant’s new website and rebranding efforts. One of the projects I love more this year.
- Photographed the Chief Executive of EDB recently. This was a stepping stone in helping me feel more comfortable photographing VVIPs.
- Currently shooting NUS Admissions campaign for the 5th year in a row.
- Currently shooting a fun project for SingPost to create images of their new electric vehicles.
- Currently onboarding a project for Ministry of National Development to photograph 5 of their Ministers.

10 Questions with a Photo Assistant

It has been 2 weeks since I last blogged. Sorry for the radio silence. I’ve been trying to adapt to the second round of Heighten Alert measures – rescheduling shoots, setting up new opportunities and picking up new skills. I hope you enjoyed the previous “10 Questions with” post with Christabel, Hair and Makeup Artist. The point of this series is to highlight the support system around a photographer. Most of the work you see here is a collective effort of a group of individuals.

In the second part of this series, I interview Joel Chua, one of the photo assistants that I work with regularly. Joel has been indispensable as my right hand man for shoots. I love the enthusiasm he brings on set and how open he is to learning. He’s also a good conversationalist, which is great for putting my subjects at ease before the shoot.

Joel Chua, Photo Assistant

1. How did you become a photographer’s assistant?

Fresh out of National Service, I didn't really know what I wanted to do except that I wanted to travel. Fast forward a few months, towards the end of my India trip, the question of what I was going to do when I returned was weighing heavy on my mind. I was studying music before but couldn't see myself doing that as a job. 

Sitting at a cafe in Mumbai, I was having a mini existential crisis. So, I spoke to some friends from school and together, we figured out what I envisioned my career to be and came up with a plan to get where I wanted to go.

Throughout my trips, I really enjoyed meeting people, listening to their stories and photographing them. I figured that was something I really wanted to do in my career. But I did not have the education and training required to be a professional photographer. I needed a mentor. I was introduced to a website where I saw a listing looking for a photography assistant. I looked through the photographer's website and really liked his work. So, I sent in my application and started working as an assistant when I returned to Singapore.

2. What do you enjoy most about being a photographer’s assistant?

Working as an assistant, you really get to see different amazing photographers at work and they all have such different approaches to the craft. You work closely with them and you pick up little things while being on set and you incorporate the ones you like into your own practice. That's one of my favourite things about being a photography assistant.

3. How do you assist Matt during photoshoots?

As an assistant, I help Matt out with the setting up and tearing down of gear for the shoot. Anything from lights, gear and even preparing refreshments if needed. I provide Matt with an extra pair of eyes and hands, looking after the technical parts of the shoot so he can focus on interacting with the subject and taking the best shots. Other than that, I am simply present and ready to help in any way.

4. What’s one thing most people don’t know about photographer’s assistants? 

I think one thing that people might not know about us is that we probably know where the best food is anywhere in Singapore because we've probably been everywhere for shoots.

Photos by Joel Chua

5. You’re a photographer too! Tell us about your photography journey so far! Especially your love for film photography.

Yes! I'm a photographer too. From when I can remember, I was always taking photos of people and things around me. I enjoyed the process of documenting the things I see and experience. 

I've always been fascinated with the analogue. From record players to film cameras, I love them all. You can call me an old soul. So naturally, when I was younger, I pestered my parents to get me a film camera, but they never relented. It was only when I was in NS that I had a bit of pocket money and could afford my first film camera.

Photos by Joel Chua

6. Which are some of your proudest works?

Last year, when we could still travel, I embarked on a journey through Malaysia and Thailand, in an attempt to photograph artists in the region. I would visit them in their studios and we would talk about art, identity and their creative processes.

I’ve always wanted to do a project like this and I feel like that was a great first step in what would be a long term project.

You can check the full series out on my website: www.joel-chua.com

7. Who are your greatest influences?

I honestly can't list them all out, take a look at my bookshelf and you'll know. But if I had to choose, two photographers I simply adore are Mark Mahaney and Vasantha Yogananthan. Their works and how they approach photography really inspires me. 

Photos by Joel Chua

8. What is your dream project?
I’ve always loved traveling. And whenever I travelled, I would take photos of the places I’ve been to and the people I’ve met. So my dream project is pretty much my dream trip as well.

I would take a train starting from Singapore and end in Europe, all the while documenting my travels and perhaps one day turning it into a photo book.

9. How does being a photographer yourself carries over to being a photography assistant?

Being a photographer/photography assistant helps because we can see things from the photographer's point of view and anticipate changes in positions and lighting and make them before the photographer even opens their mouth. However, we may get it wrong sometimes and we simply have to readjust and be more attentive. We are also more familiar with the lights and gear, especially if we use the same brand ourselves. We take great Behind-The-Scenes photos too!

10. How do you find your experience working with Matt on set?

I always enjoy my time on set with Matt. He brings such a positive energy to work and watching him interact with his subjects, making them laugh and getting them comfortable, the whole set just becomes a much more relaxing environment to work in. I always look forward to shoots where I get to work with him.

You can find more of Joel’s works at his website here or via his Instagram page @toot_a_loot. If you wish to hire us as a team, drop me a note at my contact page :)

10 Questions with a Hair and Makeup Artist

Contrary to popular belief, a photograph is not just the work of the Photographer. There’s a whole team contributing to the final image, including lighting, hair and makeup, art direction, styling and more. I’m always happy to be part of a bigger production because you can produce a much more epic and crafted piece of work.

After talking about myself for 11 weeks, I figured you would probably want to take a break from me (hehe). So over the next few weeks, I’ll intersperse my personal posts with a new “10 Questions with” series. This series was birthed from the idea of wanting to shine a spotlight on crew members I usually work with for productions. They’ve been indispensable to me and I’ve enjoyed their help and company for every shoot.

For the first post, I have Christabel Neo, my go-to hair and makeup artist (HMUA), talk about her work. She’s a conscientious and talented HMUA whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with. We met in 2016 when I was starting out as a photographer. I didn’t get a chance to hire her back then but we did a lot of test shoots together to help build each other’s portfolios and also our working rapport. Now she regularly supports me on production shoots.

Christabel Neo, Hair and Makeup Artist

1. Describe what you do in 2 sentences!

Hello, I’m Christabel, a hair and makeup artist specialising in weddings, corporate photoshoots and commercial projects! My job can be very physical but it is always a joy to style my clients, glam them up for a special event or just for a regular Tuesday afternoon. Whatever that pleases them!

2. How did you start your journey of being a HMUA?

I’ve always been vain since young! Watching my mum and older sister doll themselves up was so intriguing to me. When I was in my teens I began binge watching beauty gurus on YouTube and it was pretty much the only content I watched there! After completing my A Levels, I figured this is going to be the last time I get to do something fun before entering University and getting a boring desk-bound job. So I emailed multiple makeup artists locally and asked if I could assist part-time! Cherry Au from Autelier Makeup (my mentor!) replied my email and I ended up shadowing her on jobs. I am eternally grateful for her trust and faith in my passion for makeup artistry! Eventually, I took up a professional course with her and decided to pursue this full-time after graduating from university.

3. How does makeup enhance a person’s beauty?

Many would agree that makeup is a very powerful tool to beautify a person and I definitely think so too! Cheesy as it sounds I believe that there is innate beauty in every single person. Makeup simply helps you to focus on what is already beautiful on the inside without the distractions of an occasional pimple or the consequences of a late night. Having your hair and makeup done, whether is by yourself or a professional can be so empowering! It is a treat, a luxury, a form of enjoyment and it definitely makes you not just look beautiful but feel extra special!

4. How would you describe your makeup style?

As I evolve in my style I noticed that I have begun to appreciate simpler styles, though they are more challenging to achieve than you might imagine. Think French ladies, natural Korean makeup…These styles are clean and crisp. It makes you look effortlessly beautiful, confident, not overly made up and definitely still recognisable!

5. What do you enjoy most about being a HMUA?

Besides the fact that I get to do what I love and play with makeup all the time, one thing I truly enjoy is the conversations that I get to engage in with my clients! I have clients from all walks of life engage me either for their wedding makeover or for personal styling. The 1-2hrs that I get to spend with them is enough for us to bond and share our stories with each other. I learn about people, laugh with them and empathise with them. Some of these conversations have made a mark in my own life story and I would like to think that mine have inspired some of them too.

Image Credits: For PUManofSG Campaign. Photographer Muhammad, Illustrator Charmaine and Daphne Tan

6. What’s the most interesting assignment you’ve done?

I had the opportunity to conceptualise the makeup look with the creative team of PUMA for their PUMan shoot a while ago. Not only did I get to play with bold colours and paint on areas of the face you least expect, it was fun and exciting to get my work replicated into AR face filters on Instagram!

7. What’s the most challenging assignment you’ve done?

I have had my fair share of challenging clients and struggles at work but perhaps one that I recall was a lady who insisted for a look that I knew would A) be very unflattering on her and B) difficult to achieve due to various concerns (skin type/eye shape etc.) I had trouble convincing her of my professional opinion and any alternative recommendations and suggestions were not well received. Perhaps I was also not the most experienced dealing with such situations then and it ended up being one of the most excruciating hour of my life. I have since grew from that incident and learnt how to better communicate with my clients. Being a makeup artist is 50% skill, 50% customer service.

Image Credits: For PAZZION SS19 Sartorial Luxe Campaign, Photographer Corrine Fu

8. Which are your proudest works so far?

It is impossible to pick just one! One of them is the SS19 Sartorial Luxe Campaign for Pazzion. Super high fashion and right up my alley! Definitely hope to create more in the future!

9. Are there any makeup styles or concepts you would like to explore more of?

I am an avid Kpop fan and their stage makeup looks never fail to wow me. Given the opportunity, I would love to play with more colours in my assignments! Maybe even glitters and neons which are hardly ever requested for regular wedding and corporate assignments. Perhaps an opportunity to do a conceptualised creative shoot that gives me the leeway to play with more bold colours will be exciting! Something fun and wild is what I am thinking of.

10. How long have you been working with Matt and how do you find the experience?

I met Matt in the early stage of our careers. He struck me as an approachable guy that is passionate in what he does! He is definitely a hard worker behind the camera and dreamer who gives his 110% in every assignment! We kept in contact ever since and have worked with each other for multiple assignments. Working with Matt is always stress free and enjoyable not only for me but for the clients too. Every smile he captures is so genuine because of that. We have good chemistry in and out of work and it is definitely a blessing to have a friend you can work well with in the industry.


You can find more of Christabel’s works here. If you wish to hire us as a team, drop me a note at my contact page :)

Taking the scenic route in life

When life offers a split in the road, how often do we take the scenic route?

Two nights ago, I was ruminating with a friend over some cocktails about life and how our intended scripts for life did not always work out for us.

Growing up, I have always thought I would follow the traditional Singaporean Dream: Go to university, study a prestigious course, find a partner there, get a BTO flat and then get married and settle down.

But as I was sharing my life story with her, I realised how far I’ve possibly deviated from the traditional dream. Here are some key moments:

- Despite being in Science streams throughout my entire educational journey, I chose my interest and studied Mass Communications in university. In fact, just prior to making that decision, I had signed up to study Material Science. I can’t imagine how different my life would be if I stuck to it.

- I decided to become a Self-Employed photographer straight out of college despite words of caution from friends and family members around me. I’ll be honest, I knew the money was good but I also didn’t expect the expenses to be that high. Somehow, I managed.

- I broke up with my then steady girlfriend of 4.5 years after signing up for a BTO. It was the toughest decision to make but I wouldn’t have learnt as much about myself if that didn’t happen.

- I recently committed to my first rent expense by paying $500 per month to shoot out of RAW space. It made me realise how wonderful it is to have my own space and it’s pushing me to move out and rent my own apartment next year.

I don’t know about you but I realised I’ve never really been able to fit into the traditional narrative. Recently I’ve made the decision to not try to fit myself into it.

While I’m envious of friends who have settled down and is accumulating huge amounts of wealth through their relatively stable jobs, I also realised that I’ve that flavourful pot of life stories and experiences that most people haven’t got.

It is a constant reminder to myself that everyone’s meant for a different life and life works best when we stay in our own lanes.

Nowadays, I am also starting to better appreciate the scenic route in life (I’m rather proud of thinking of this term btw). During the past 5 years, I realised that nothing excites me more than the possibilities of something new happening in my life. And the amazing thing is that they need not be huge or expensive experiences.

It could be learning a new perspective through a conversation with a new friend, or discovering a new podcast, or embarking on a new creative pursuit (such as this blog).

Instead of rushing through life and hitting all the milestones, I’ve learnt to let go of the burden they bring and instead focus on living life as it is.

The same philosophy goes with my photography: Don’t emulate, just Be. The uniqueness of a photographer comes from being honest to himself and manifesting those beliefs outwards. I think that’s the truest work one can do.


Nearing the end of our conversation, my friend shared with me a quote that left quite an indelible impression on me: “我们永远觉得，正在发生的事情是不够好的”. It directly translates to “We always think whatever that’s happening to us right now is not enough.”

That’s so true isn’t it? We’re always seeking more, more, more, we don’t stop to think how much we have right now. Actually, most of us are in a very good place, even if we don’t believe it.

Do you feel your life is enough? Share with me your thoughts and feelings below :)

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Interesting things I found last week:

1. Kindred Teas. Really tasty teas if you’re sick of the usual TWG flavours. I tried Blessings.

2. This CNA commentary (Being a 'sell-out' was the best decision I made for my career). CNA Journalist Grace Yeoh writes about how she internally balances between passion and money. TLDR: Sometimes it’s ok to let go of passion to chase money. I found it very refreshing.

3. The Pattern App. I was introduced to this app by a friend who’s into horoscopes. I’ve never been a believer but our conversation about 八字 (8 Characters) reading prompted me to download this app. It tells you your character inclination based on your date/time of birth; you can also see your bond with others if you’ve their DOB. I was surprised by how accurate it has been for me so far.

4. This quote by 阿球 from 晚风说 podcast: “我们永远觉得，正在发生的事情是不够好的”. It prompted me to write today’s blogpost.

I am FIVE!

I’ve never really been one for birthdays. So when I was brainstorming what to write for today’s blogpost, I was pleasantly surprised that I turn FIVE this month. Wow, I have been a full-time freelance photographer for 5 years now!

As some of my friends would know, I started this journey straight out of college due to a necessity to find a job after realising I wasn’t cut out for the industry I studied for. Five years on, I’m glad to say that I’ve made the right decision. There are definitely challenges but I get a great deal of satisfaction out of my job and LOVE my flexible schedule. (yep, I was already reaping the benefits of WFH before Covid yo).

So me being in my naturally reflective state about momentous occasions, I want to share 5 things about my journey, both my achievements and lessons learnt from being in this industry.

1. I found my calling as a Portrait Photographer!
4 years ago, I signed up for a mentorship programme with famous commercial photographer Geoff Ang, to find my calling in photography. I told him that I wanted to move out of doing wedding, events and the occasional odd jobs to find a specialisation. Unlike photographers with an inclination towards a certain subject matter, I had to “shoot my way through” everything to find out my likes and dislikes and struggle with the thought that I might not find a niche at the end of the day.

One day, sometime earlier this year, everything just clicked! The revelation came after I went through every single photo I’ve shot in 5 years to mark out the ones that connected with me the most. 90% turned out to be portraits. That was the moment I decided I want to specialise in photographing humans.

2. I’ve an office space now!
I’m currently renting a space at my mentor’s studio, Raw, to work out of every Monday. It’s a beautiful studio that provides me with plenty of inspiration and space for creation. The blogposts you’re seeing every week are birthed here. I now spend every Monday working on my marketing. I also use this space as a homeground to do most of my studio portrait shoots. Let me know if you would like a studio tour, I’ll be happy to host you.

3. I shot for one of my dream clients recently!
Last year November, I received an invitation from Shangri-La Hotel to shoot for them. I was really stoked to take on this project as the hotel group represents the same values I hold for myself - impeccable quality and service excellence. Not to mention, I put in my best efforts and hired the best team for the job (thanks Yann, RJ and Christabel!). Check out the project here.

4. Everyone has their own timeline of progress
Truth be told, I’ve been putting off this idea of marketing myself for the longest time. Not because I was lazy or didn’t recognise the benefits of it. I just wasn’t certain. I didn’t know what I wanted to be known for and wasn’t that sure of my identity as a person either.

I felt stuck for the longest time until I had my epiphany earlier this year. Everything then magically fell into place. I started this blog and committed myself to a 6-month rental at Raw, all within one month. I still have many dreams, such having a long-term personal project and doing an exhibition, but I know these dreams can’t be rushed. Progress will come at the right time as long as we seek it and follow our hearts.

5. Personality is more important now than ever
Photography as a career has gone through many transformations, mostly sparked by technological changes - from analog to digital, and now digital to social media. When technology is so accessible, basic “nice” images are easy to create. While clients still trust us photographers for our technical expertise, we’re now hired for how likeable we are and how much social influence we have. That means we’ve to step up our game in marketing ourselves, not just as a business but also as an individual through our personality, connection and stories.

Starting this week, I want to try being more fearless in talking about my journey, both as a photographer and person. I’m afraid to be vulnerable but I’m more excited to form meaningful connections. Keep a lookout!

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If you’ve more bandwidth for me, here’s a quick bite-size update about my life:

1. Inspired by my financial consultant and buddy, Jiale, I’ve started an initiative to collect 100 customer reviews! Aside from the obvious benefit of marketing, I’m hoping this will spur me on to deliver a great experience for every client I work with - big or small. I’m currently at 23 reviews. If you’ve worked with me before and want to write me one, contact me!

2. I just watched The Way I see It - a documentary about Barack Obama’s white house photographer. I was expecting to learn about photography but instead learnt more about leadership. Highly recommended!

3. Another documentary I watched was Free Solo. It’s simply amazing…from the story to the cinematography. It makes me feel like all my challenges can be conquered.

4. Recently Wei Choon, half of The Woke Salaryman, spoke openly about his envy for his partner’s wealth and how he overcame it. I love it so much. I think his vulnerability and honesty really helped to open doors for conversations about wealth comparisons.

That’s all folks. Till next week! As usual, if you want to connect, just comment below or e-mail me :)

How to prepare for a portrait shoot?

I get this question a lot so I thought I would compile my answers into a quick 3 min read for easy reference. A good photographer can do wonders for your portrait but it’s equally important that he/she has great source material to work with - and that starts with you!

If you find yourself lost on where to start, here are a few pointers:

1. Grooming
- Tidy up any excess facial hair (nose, ears, eyebrows, moustache, etc).
- Hydrate your skin. Apply some face moisturiser the night before to soften the skin.
- For men, go for a haircut a few days to a week before the shoot. Ask your hairdresser for a trim instead of cut. Let him/her know that this is for a photoshoot. Typically, they’ll trim it to a length that’s perfectly presentable.
- For ladies, arrive in basic professional makeup. Whatever you would wear to work is usually a good gauge. Leave your hair untied so that we have the option of tying it up for a second look.
- If you want a more polished look, I can help you hire a hair and makeup artist.

Terrance, DWF Law (Previously)

2. Attire
- Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. This goes a long way in creating the right mood for the shoot.
- Make sure your attire is well-fitted. A well-fitted attire enhances your silhouette. For that reason, I typically advise against borrowing blazers from friends or colleagues for shoots. It’s best for the blazer to be tailored but if you’re on a budget, buying it off-the-rack can work too if you shop at the right places. Feel free to ask me if you need recommendations :)
- Patterns: Try to avoid stripes as it results in moire. Solids work the best. However, if you feel that patterns are essential to how you would express yourself, bring it up with your photographer.
- Colours: There’s really no hard rule on this but typically I find monochromatic colours (black, white, grey, blue) works with the widest range of backgrounds.
- Accessories: Portrait photographers love an accessory which tells a story. If you’re comfortable, bring along something which you feel represents you. It could be a pair of earrings, a book or a fedora. Existing body art like tattoos are great too, if shown in the right context.

Dione Song, CEO, Love Bonito

3. Mood
- Have plenty of rest the night before. You will look more energetic and ready to engage during the session.
- Arrive slightly early so you’re in a calm mood. You could also use that extra time to touch up your grooming or attire.
- If you feel it would make you more comfortable, feel free to ask your photographer if you could bring a close friend/family member with you.
- Be ready to go with the flow :) Most likely your photographer already has a way of bringing out the best expressions out of you. Be in the moment and let him/her bring out the best in you.

Chef Christopher Kong, Dearborn

I hope this gives a clear overview on how to prep for a portrait shoot! If you need more tips or are unsure about anything, feel free to discuss it with me. Additional tips are welcome too; Just write them in the comments!

Till next week!

- Matt

Pursuing a life well-lived

Here’s a funny story: Prior to working as a photographer, I wanted to work in Advertising. I loved the idea of it and worked hard to become a copywriter. I read many books on how to succeed in advertising, studied award-winning work and worked relentless on revisions for my copywriting assignments in school. I thought that by being the hardest worker in the room, I would become the most creative person. I managed to score good grades (A-/A) in most of my assignments but when it came to applying for my practicum internship, I got rejected by all 6 advertising agencies I wrote to. In the end, I finally managed to secure a position in a network agency – not as a copywriter but a strategy intern.

Not being able to do what I truly want, I eventually gave up on Advertising and became a photographer. I was already a part-time freelance photographer for about 4 years then, so the switch felt natural.

In the beginning, photography was just a job I enjoyed to make ends meet but as I delve deeper into it as an art form, I started to realise it’s a powerful medium of self-expression and, in a certain sense, a reflection of my life journey. My photos evolve with me as a person.

This realisation made me understand why I didn’t make it as an Advertiser. I was keeping my head down, doing revisions after revisions of copy but I wasn’t living life. Without real lived experiences, my work was bland and uninspiring.

At around the same time, I chanced upon photographer, writer, and podcast creator Rebecca Toh’s Litolabs podcast. The episode was about becoming a commercial photographer. I was expecting tips and tricks but I ended up taking away so much more. One thing that lingered with me was the the importance of letting my passions take the wheel when deciding my next creative endeavour. For someone who is obsessed with accomplishments and achievements, that podcast was liberating for me. It made me realise that life and art-making is more than just the end goal; it’s about enjoying the process of discovery.

Today, I see myself not just as a Photographer but a Creative who dabbles in many things outside of my main craft. Last year, I was involved in creating a National Day social media campaign using the Animal Crossing game. More recently, I’ve pitched for a film series on the craft beer scene in Singapore as a producer/director. I also discovered I’ve a penchant for writing. My commitment to write a blogpost every week is a manifestation of that.

Outside of Creative Work, I immerse myself in different things that I feel I would enjoy or value-add to my life. I’ve been into Bouldering and sampling local craft beers lately. I also spend time dating, in hopes of finding a suitable partner for life. It’s one of those things that brings you both immense joy and sadness. It is also an excellent teacher in helping you understand perspectives and your shortcomings.

I relish in experiencing the full gamut that life has got to give and actively make decisions to take me closer to that. To me that’s a life well-lived.

What’s yours?

- Matt

Is Retouching necessary?

In this day and age where everyone is looking at photos via a small screen called the Smartphone, clients have been coming up to me to ask if Retouching is even necessary. It is a valid question because retouching is typically a separate add-on fee from photography, and if the effect is not visible, then why pay for it?

Retouching refers to any distortion of reality made in post-production on the photo that comes out straight from the camera.

Most corporate and commercial photographers like myself would include retouching into our workflow and we still hold on to this practice despite budget cuts because it is integral to the standards required for these genres of photography.

If you’re a client who’s thinking whether this is necessary, I hope this blogpost helps you better understand the type of retouching work involved and judge for yourself if it’s necessary.

“Having retouching is like having a capable butler around. It’s a service you think you don’t need, until you realise you do.”

One inherent “problem” of retouching is that when done too well, its effects are not observable to the untrained eye. Many times, it’s not until I show my clients the Before and After, do they agree with me that retouching is indispensable.

Here are 3 typical situations when Retouching is required:

1. Basic Face Cleanup
Everyone has flaws, even the most beautiful of models. Fortunately or unfortunately, the powerful resolution of cameras nowadays brings out so much detail it also magnifies the flaws. Hence, for any photos with humans, we’ll do a basic cleanup of the face.

This includes:

• Removal of spots or pimples

• Lightening of wrinkles and eye bags

• Whitening of teeth and eye whites

• Cleaning up of stray hair around the face

Below is an example of my friend, Agnes, a already beautiful lady shot under beautiful lighting. Notice how retouching further enhances her beauty? It’s something you can’t unsee.

After

Before

2. Etching and Composites
There are situations where not all your photo subjects can be together in one location. Especially shooting under the “New Normal” conditions, it’s highly recommended for photo subjects to arrive at staggered timings, shot individually and eventually composited into one big group shot. This might seem like a simple request but it takes quite a bit of additional effort.

Firstly, the photographer has to ensure lighting and pose consistency across all the individuals. Secondly, he has to crop out each individual (this takes around 30 mins per photo). Lastly, he has to arrange these etched individual shots into a harmonious-looking group photo. Typically this takes around 2-3 rounds of mock-ups before final approval from the client.

Below is an example of photography and composite work I did for OFX, an Australian FOREX company. The brief required me to photograph 3 of their local representatives and composite them with their existing asset of 5 reps from their HK office to form a 8 pax group photo. Can you tell which individuals were shot by me? ;)

Final

Original

3. Removal of Distractions
If you’re a commercial client selling a product or service, this would be essential to you. If you’re using this photo for advertisement, you want your product or talent to be the hero of the shot. Any element that doesn’t add to the narrative could take attention away from the hero and dilute your advertising message. Retouching helps keep the image clean and message to the point.

Below is an example of a photo I shot for a recent client, Nanolumi. Due to the placement of the lights, there were many unwanted fixtures, shadows and objects that needed to be removed. The fire extinguisher sign also had to be removed as it doesn’t add to the story. These edits took about 2 days inclusive of comments. 

After

Before

These are some of the basic retouching scenarios that I face in my day to day assignments. Other more advanced requests include: Composite of image plates, extension of backgrounds and recreation of light sources, which I’ll touch on more in another blogpost.

I hope this helps you see the value retouching can bring to your images. As usual, if you’ve any thoughts, drop me a comment below. Happy to hear your thoughts!

Till next week!

3 things to note when selecting a photographer

I’m sure most of you would have heard of the Afford-A-Graph saga by now. Articles on bad photography experiences have been written so many times, I thought I would approach this topic from the perspective of you, my client, instead of continue the finger-pointing.

Just like when hiring any other services, you expect your photographer to deliver quality work on time and with a great attitude. It causes a great deal of stress to you when these expectations are not met, especially if you’ve superiors to answer to. Incidents like the Afford-A-Graph saga are honestly tales as old as time, primarily because this is a self-regulated industry with no barriers to entry.

The term “professional photographer” has been bastardised in this era I’ve stopped attaching expectations of standards to the term. When someone tells me he’s a professional, I merely interpret it by its dictionary definition, which is “someone engaged in a specific activity as one main’s paid occupation.” Hence, the purpose of me writing this blogpost is not to help you define your expectations of a professional photographer but to help you find a photographer that will deliver to your standards.

Here are 3 things I feel you could look out for when hiring a photographer for better peace of mind:

1. Does your photographer bother to find out your expectations?
Often times, clients are unhappy not entirely because their photos turn out bad but because they have an expectation and reality mismatch. This mismatch can happen with any part of the project - from deliverables to service. Every client has a certain impression of what a good photograph and service is and this is often not communicated unless they’re being asked.

Just like how a good sushi chef would ask you for your dietary preference, a good photographer would find out what your expectations around the project are before quoting for it.

Here are some questions I ask my clients:
- What is the purpose of this photoshoot?
- What is your project timeline?
- Do you have any photo references for the type of photos and quality you’re looking at?
- What is the budget we’re allowed to work with?

I also look out for non-verbal cues. For example: Are you quiet and shy or loud and exuberant? Are there any pain points or sensitivities that you may not feel immediately comfortable to communicate?

Just like how I approach my portrait shoots, I want to know my clients before I work with them.


2. Does your photographer have a robust portfolio to show?
After finding out your expectations, a good photographer will know what materials to pull out to put you at ease that they’re an expert in delivering to your needs. Here are some questions you may want to consider when viewing a portfolio:
- Does the portfolio demonstrate the photographer’s understanding of the subject matter? (e.g.: hiring someone who has worked with kids for a family portrait)
- Does the portfolio demonstrate the ability of the photographer to work in the scenarios required (e.g.: shooting in low light conditions or tight spaces)?
- Are the photos in the portfolio consistent (e.g.: lighting, composition, expressions, etc)?
- How many projects did the photographer present?
- Finally, are you happy with the work presented?

A photographer’s portfolio is a collection of his strongest and most relevant work. If you’re unhappy with it, chances are you will not be happy with the final deliverables. So pick someone with a robust portfolio.


3. How much does your photographer charge?
I understand that every client aims to pay the least for the best quality of work – it’s basic economics. However, good, reliable photographers are rarely cheap.

So why do good photographers charge so expensive? There are a few reasons:
- They’re confident of their workflow and can deliver reliably most of the time.
- They hire crew of great quality and reliability too (e.g.: makeup artists, lighting assistants, stylists, etc).
- They cost for fail-safes to ensure most foreseeable contingencies are taken care of.
- They only accept projects they’re interested in and have confidence in executing perfectly.

Hiring a good photographer comes with an ecosystem of safeguards that ensures your project is executed to excellence despite the circumstances. I like to use this example to help my clients understand the consequence of reliability (or a lack thereof): If you’re hiring a photographer to shoot your company’s CEO, who would only be in Singapore for 1 day, and the photo is going to be used for a cover story on Forbes magazine – a move that could greatly influence his career – how much chance would you take with this photoshoot?

I hope this article helps you pick a good professional photographer that can deliver to your expectations reliably. Feel free to hit me up if you’ve any thoughts :) I’m always happy to hear them.

Till next week!

How to plan a corporate or commercial photoshoot?

Monday somehow seems to arrive faster now that I made a commitment to write ONE blogpost every week. A website can be pretty impersonal so I’m hoping to use this blog as a way to let you know more about me as a person and photographer, as well as ask any burning questions you might have.

Today’s suggestion came from Felicia, a freelance marketer working with Nanolumi, a company that I did a project with recently. I first reached out to her via a job listing on the SG Covid-19 Facebook group and was impressed by the amount of thought that went behind her brief to me.

Photographers love clear briefs because it gives a clear insight into what your vision and expectations are around the photoshoot. With that information, we can jump in on a conversation with you on the finer details or provide suggestions to value-add to your project.

I understand though that not every client is marketing-trained so here are some tips on how to brief a photographer for your shoots:

Corporate Shoots
I typically receive two kinds of photo requests for corporate shoots: Posed portraits and In-action Portraits

1. Posed Portraits
Posed portraits can come in many forms. These are what I need to know:
- Is it a studio background or environmental portrait?
- Do you require headshots, half-body or full-body portraits?
- Do you require them to be looking into camera or you prefer an off-camera ‘plandid’ look?
- Where is the shoot taking place? Is it in your office or do I have to source for a venue?
- How many employees are we photographing?
- How many unique photos do you require per employee?
- How much time do we have for the shoot / with each employee?
- How do you intend to use the photos? (Linkedin / Speaker’s profile / Print?)
- Do you require a hair and makeup artist?

An environmental portrait of Microsoft Asia President, Ahmed Mazhari.

2. In-Action / Slice of Life Portraits
A Slice of Life photo refers to a photo capturing employees interacting in their natural environment. These are what I need to know:
- What would the employee/s be doing in the scene? (Photo references would be helpful)
- Could you suggest some appropriate locations for the scenes?
- How many scenes do we have to shoot / How much time do we have for the shoot?
- How do you intend to use the photos? (Linkedin / Speaker’s profile / Print?)
- Do you require a hair and makeup artist?

A Slice of Life photo shot for Sodexo, a French Food and Facilities Services MNC.

Timeline for Corporate Shoots
Digestion of brief/clarifications - 1 to 3 days
Planning/scheduling - 1 to 2 weeks
Shoot - Depends on no. of days required
Post-processing (inclusive of feedback) - 2 to 3 weeks

Commercial Shoots
Commercial shoots are typically more demanding in nature because the requirements are more exact and they have to be executed to a level of perfection. That means a lot of planning and coordination is involved. In fact, the photoshoot might be the shortest part of the project. Unlike corporate shoots, commercial shoots are typically for advertising use.

As commercial shoots are usually handled by advertising agencies, they usually have a ready brief on hand to find a photographer at the right price point to deliver the requirements. But if you’re a direct client without an agency, here are what the photographer would need to know:

- Is this a Key Visual or an Image Library assignment?
- Do you have a concept on hand or require the photographer to come up with the concept? (Kindly show us some photo references)
- How many photos do you require / how many scenes are we photographing? This will determine the amount of time needed.
- What is happening in each photo? (Where are they shot? / How many people are in the scene? / What are they doing? / What is the mood? - Be as detailed as possible, include photo references for clarity too). If this is not given or needs to be discussed, typically the photographer will charge extra for conceptualisation.
- What kind of talents do you require for your shoot? What is the ideal age range and race you’re looking at?
- How long will the photos be used? Which medium will they be displayed on? Which countries will they be used in?
- What is the budget? The budget determines the level of production the photographer /producer can put together and the quality of your final image. RTQs without budgets are typically ignored by commercial photographers.

Commercial lifestyle photography for Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

Timeline for Commercial Shoots
Digestion of brief/clarifications - 1 week
Pre-production Meetings/Planning/Scheduling/Recce - 2 to 3 weeks
Shoot - Depends on no. of days required
Retouching (inclusive of feedback) - 3 to 4 weeks

I hope this gives you a clearer idea on the considerations behind a professional photoshoot. Feel free to hit me up if you’ve any questions or want to make a suggestion! I’m always happy to hear them :)

- Matt

How to achieve candid yet professional-looking photos?

I’ve been approached enough times by my clients for candid yet professional-looking photos that I think it’s worth writing a post to share how I achieve it. I’ve been doing candid professional portraiture for about 4 years now and to be honest, I didn’t even think of it this way until clients came up to me consistently asking for the same thing. I was just making portraits the way that felt right to me.

I was giving some thought as to why this request is so popular. Often times, clients come to us photographers with a vague request and it’s our job to turn that vague brief into a photograph. This is my take on candid professional portraiture.

What is Candid?
Usually, my clients will come to me and tell me they want their photos to look candid. The most common example is: “You know those photos of guests captured at a wedding? I want to look like that.” It is an unadulterated moment, pure and honest. Everyday, we put ourselves in different social situations and perform different roles, it’s almost like an act. I think the reason why people love candid photos is because it is a moment of truth and a peek into our true selves. Having a candid portraiture taken is a way of conveying what’s unique about you in a way that’s honest and not try-too-hard.

How to achieve the Candid look?
Breaking down what’s behind a candid look is one thing but achieving it consistently is another. Unlike a wedding, a seated portrait session relies entirely on the photographer to create moments. Here’s what I do:

1. Create Trust
If a candid photo reveals true selves, the subject must first be comfortable revealing his or her true self in front of the photographer. Many photographer use the phrase “Just relax” or “Just be yourself” but I prefer to engage in a conversation. Typically, I spend the first 5 minutes of the session just chatting and picking up tiny details in the conversation that I can use later on during the photo session. If you want to establish trust, first listen, then engage. Have a genuine interest in your subject’s life and extract the parts you find interesting and turn them into visuals.

2. Reactions, not Instructions
I never believe in asking my subjects to “Just smile”. It’s the same as asking you not to think about the pink elephant in the room. (What do you think about?). If you want a genuine smile, you’ve to coax it out of your subject. Tease, distract, exaggerate, ask questions. A good portrait photographer has an ample vocabulary of techniques they can tap on to bring out the reaction they want.

However, that being said, after the subject has warmed up sufficiently and trusts the photographer, direct instructions can be given to the same effect. It all boils down to how skilful the photographer is and how much the subject trusts the photographer.

3. Seek feedback
I liken portrait making to a dance. Both parties have to participate equally for the pair to move and communication is paramount to create seamless, graceful movements. Despite having clients come to me after seeing my portfolio, there’s still a 30% chance of not shooting a photo as they totally love. The most common feedback is not about the photo per se but about their body parts.

Almost everyone has a part of their face/body they don’t like. Conversely, they also have sides of their body they want to show more of. Hence, I always show my clients their photos mid-way through the shoot after they’ve sufficiently warmed up and seek their feedback. A photographer’s ego can be pretty big but I try to treat feedback as an exercise in humility and empathy, and a chance to learn something new.

I’m currently into the second week of my commitment to write ONE blogpost every Monday. What do you want to see more of? Hit me up and we’ll have a conversation :)

- Matt

How I approach a portrait shoot

I have been photographing people for around 4 years now. And at some point, I realised I have an approach to capturing people. There’s something I look out for in every single one of my portraits and a way I go about finding that.

I’ll be honest. While I’m writing this post partially as a first step to tackling SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), I also want to take this opportunity to share with you how I view portrait-making so that you know what to expect when you hire or collaborate with me.

Unlike photographing a piece of still life, there are a lot of opportunities for inter-mingling of ideas and senses when photographing a human being. I see a lot of beauty in that. I’m naturally curious about people and their life experiences, and I approach every conversation with the hopes of learning something new.

I’m not sure about you, who you are, and how you communicate. But I can confidently say this is how I communicate best and my best photos come from an open conversation about who you are as a person, your likes and dislikes, and your life philosophies. I ALWAYS relish in the opportunity to know you as a person first and photo subject second. And if we stay as friends after the shoot, that’s a bonus for me.

If that sounds like the portrait experience you would like, please read on for my approach :)

I approach a portrait shoot with 3Cs in mind:
1. Curiosity
2. Comfort
3. Connection

Curiosity
My first step to photographing people is to have a genuine, unfettered curiosity about them. Although I’m most parts Introvert and being around people for long periods of time drains me, I enjoy being around them. I believe every individual is unique and I'm not just saying that to sound worldly. The reason why I say this is because no one in the world has the exact circumstances as anyone else, even twins, and circumstances shape world views and world views eventually form personality. When two individuals come together (in this case you and I), there are infinite number of ways our energies can interact and infinite amount of knowledge we can glean off each other. Isn’t that wonderful!? (At this point you really should be thinking this, otherwise you wouldn’t have read this far)

That’s Step One, I want to know you, before I photograph you.

Comfort
After talking to and photographing countless of people, I realise not everyone is equally open to sharing about themselves. It’s not a good or bad thing. It is just what it is. I can’t do anything to change that behaviour, but what I can do, and always do, is to create a safe space for you to express yourself. I try to take a non-judgmental approach to better understand people. It really doesn’t matter who you are, what I’m curious about is your motivations behind what you do.

Comfort comes not just from thinking you can trust me as a person but also knowing you can trust me as a photographer that wants the best for you. One thing I usually ask my clients is: What are you trying to portray through your portrait? What “information” do you want people to extract from your photo at first glance? Knowing that information is powerful because I can help you create that.

I don’t believe in telling you “just relax”. I believe in Trust.

Connection
This is the ultimate thing I look for in my photos. I’ll be honest with you: I love glam moments (I mean who doesn’t like to look good right?) but I love genuine moments more.

I romanticise the idea of the Photograph (sometimes to a fault) and its ability to immortalise a unique splice of time in the universe with one frame. And that splice of time where I notice your genuine connection with me or the camera is what I aim to capture. It is special to me and I can only hope it’s equally special to you.

I think this blogpost covers broad base my approach to portrait-making. I don’t think it’s the only way but it’s my way. And that’s how I consistently achieve the type of photos you are seeing on this portfolio.

Feel free to let me know your thoughts, I’m always happy to learn something new!

I’m also making it a point to write ONE blogpost every Monday to share my thoughts, solutions or fun new projects. If you’ve something you want to know, hit me up and I’ll connect with you.

- Matt