Little boy, you remind me how so much
depends on days made of now.
- 'Little Boy' by Allison McGhee
Remember my baby nephew, with those huge beautiful eyes? He is a tiny little bub no more. He has grown in both size, as well as responsiveness. One thing remains though.. his big gorgeous, mesmerising eyes, and how they just love to follow the lens of my camera. I cannot wait to see him grow into a little boy.
If nothing ever changed,
there'd be no butterflies.
- unknown
If you are a regular visitor to my site (thank you!), you'd notice the big overhaul in design.
I wanted something new, simple, and most importantly, something which reflects my personality.
Having been a hobbyist photographer for as long as I can remember, and subsequently delving into paid photography with the team from Melvin Tan Photography, for the last five or six years, I find myself, slowly but surely, developing a voice.
Something unique, something which gets me very excited to photograph.
From personal travel photographs, to photographing engagement portraits and weddings, and now discovering that I'm so in loVeeeeee with photographing children and families (gummy, drooling babies are my absolute loves!). It's been an altogether amazing photography journey.
How can you resist that face?!
So.... as part of my new rebrand, I'm offering a very special rate of RM500 (valid till end June 2015) for the following photography services:
If you've always thought how quickly your little kid is growing, and how you would like to remember how tiny they used to be; or if you are thinking of celebrating milestones - like turning one; or even for no reason at all, this is just for you!
Head on to CONTACT ME, if you would like to book in a session, or just want to drop a note of encouragement, to say how awesome my new site looks! (I'd love that too :)) If you haven't followed me on instagram, you now can! @samanthayongphotos.
The dangerlam who looked absolutely gorgeous on her wedding day.
The last two months developing and tweaking this site, has been time-consuming, but fun. I couldn't have done it without dangerlam, who has been my creative sounding board, and the genius behind my logo and the illustration of me.
You knit me together in my mother's womb...
Psalm 139:13b
A girl with a gentle and quiet spirit... that is how I always remember Cindy. I've known her for decades, ever since we were little girls, holding long conversations (in whispers), during sermons in church. Our friendship, of course, has evolved through the years. We've grown up, got married and now... she has become a mom. However, despite life's changes, one thing remains constant - she is still gentle, quiet and an awesome listener.
This series of photographs was my gift to her.
Thank you for being you, and for allowing me the honour to be a part of your life journey: friend, bridesmaid at your wedding, and photographer.
and then came baby E
with his cute tousled hair
and very chubby cheeks
which makes them three!
You're my favourite thing about every day.
Su Ann, Ben and their cute little chubster J lives in the UK. They were planning to be back in Malaysia for Christmas and New Year's, for a stint visiting with family. With little J, just turning 4 months, Su Ann thought of also having some family portraits done.
Through the back and forth emails, I was just very humbled by how appreciative she was. She gives compliments so quickly and genuinely. Meeting them for the very first time during the session, I was instantly enamoured with little J. Just like her parents, she smiled easily and wasn't at all fussy.
It was also quite cool to discover how many friends we had in common! It just goes to show how we are all separated by 3 degrees (or more popularly, 6 degrees).
After the session, Su Ann & Ben messaged their thanks, which put a huge silly smile on my face.
“Hi Sam, we’ve just finished looking through the photos and they are truly wonderful. Thanks so much! We really appreciate your patience with our little girl, and capturing her at her best moments. Keep up the good work and God bless your 2015 with many more happy memories. ”
"A daughter is a little girl who
grows up to be your best friend."
Confident, cheerful and funny, this just turned three year old was a bundle of energy and a joy to photograph. In that hour spent with her, I learned 3 very special things about her.
1. She is both daddy and mommy's little girl
She definitely has both of them wrapped around her tiny little fingers.
2. She is a little FASHIONISTA
From her stylish little hat, to her polka dot pink shoes, she is as cute as a button.
3. She is very, very, VERY cheeky
Laughing out loud, making loud kissing noises, and taking over my role as a photographer, there is never a dull moment!
I was 0 for a whole year,
now I'm ONE!
One of my favourite babies turned the big ONE in November. You may remember this cheeky little face from this bump-to-pop session and as a 6-month-old. An animal-themed birthday bash was planned for him, and all his friends - big and tiny turned up. I love photographing sessions like these, as there are just so many many many many babies, toddlers and children everywhere. And... that's where lots of laughter ring.
Happy Birthday baby! May you never lose your sense of wonderment, as you continue to grow surrounded by love and blessings from above.
Party Planner & Cake: Temptation by Jin Ann
Venue: Ruang, Subang Jaya
A baby is a little bit of heaven on earth
Has it been a year? How time has flown! Almost a year ago, I had the pleasure of celebrating and photographing the wedding of this gorgeous Dr couple (photos here). Now my beautiful cousin has expanded her family by one chubby little michelin baby.
I can only imagine how growing up with both mom and dad being doctors, will be like - no trying to avoid school by acting sick!
While we try to teach our children
all about life,
Our children teach us
what life is all about.
"Our son can get a little cranky," the parents warned before booking in a session. I assured them that all babies and tiny tots are the same, and that we will be able to definitely get some good photos! Snacks, his favourite toys and some books would do the trick. Together with papa & mama's help, and great weather, we had some cool shots. If you asked me, a little man with a hashtag is always uber cool! #ryanmah didn't disappoint.
Here is a very blessed Christmas to one and all!
Love is a journey, I choose to take with you!
It isn't every day your best friend gets married and it's even rarer, when she requests that you help with her engagement portraits.
Rebecca and I go way way way back, back to when we were just little kids in Temerloh Gospel Chapel. Our friendship is a little odd, she was actually a school mate of my younger sister, Cassey. And a little known fact, even though I was in Singapore for both primary and high school, the brief holidays back at home, was enough to make me dislike her (there was a very long letter involved).
To cut the very long story short, it's been more than 2 decades of friendship... now I cannot imagine what life would be like without our constant coffee dates, and hanging out until restaurants close. We've fought, made up, cried, laughed and talked till dawn.
Kah Kit complements her completely. Where she is drama, he is calm and cool; where she gets a little OCD, he reminds her to chill. They are so different, yet so alike in a number of ways.
Becca and KK, being allowed to be there from the beginning where the two of you were still figuring out your relationship; to rejoicing with you both as KK took a step to God; to proposal ideation, wedding planning, coordination; and also being entrusted to photograph your love, I consider it an honour. May your marriage be centred and anchored in His love.
Locations: Araluen Botanic Park, Perth Royal Show,Fremantle, Sandalford Winery, Blue Boat Shed and King's Park, Western Australia
Special thanks to John Lim, for braving the multitudes of people at the Royal Show, and producing gorgeous images.
You know, perhaps there’s something there that wasn’t there before
Beauty & the Beast
An IT professional and a lover of all things Disney - it looks like it would be an amazing wedding for both Bree & Glenn! I first met Glenn in my final year IT project unit, and through the many crazy late nights, we clicked and became pretty fast friends.
When I got married in 2011, Glenn was awesome enough to fly over to celebrate with us. When I found out he was getting married this December, I knew, to make up for my absence, I had to grab some portraits for he and his gorgeous fiancee.
Meeting Bree for the first time, I was immediately attracted to her warm personality and love for all things kooky! A girl who loves Disney is also all good in my books :) Her zaniness complemented his seriousness completely. We took a stroll behind their place, and I was awed by how pretty everything was.
So much love to the both of you, as you take on the crazy adventure of marriage and the beginning of A Fairy Tale Come True. May it be filled with many shining, shimmering, splendid adventures; tackling everything with a smile and a song together; as you strive to be part of each other's world. I wish I can be there for your Disney-themed wedding next weekend, and cannot wait to see loads of photos.
