Baby Photographers: These Amazing Pictures Of Little Ones Will Melt Your Heart

As The Avons sang, “We’re Only Young Once”, children will only be tiny munchkins for that precious instant in their lives. Who wouldn’t want to capture their lovely, tiny human at the pinnacle of their childhood charm? Before all your tiny darlings start shooting up like Jack’s magical beanstalk, book one of these outstanding baby photographers to freeze all those precious moments and expressions.

Photography Style: Versatile and Ingenious

1. Bambini Photography

If your baby is crying like a burst dam, it may make perfect sense to call off your photoshoot. Or even better, why not let Bambini Photography turn that moment into a breezy au naturel photo opportunity?

Also, they are such dedicated baby photographers that they’ll even bring their props and backdrops to your home for a photoshoot if that’s what will make baby and you feel more comfortable.

Bambini Photography
P.S. I Love You Photography[/caption]

Whether it’s recreating a nautical scene on a beach, or depicting your baby as a hen, game on.

P.S. I Love You Photography
The Studio Loft[/caption]

Helmed by an all-women team, this boutique photography studio specialises in dreamy, whimsical shots with playful use of costumes and props.

Photography Style: Surreal and Edgy

4. Jen Pan Photography

This baby photographer’s shots will speak to your inner wild child, as her shots are snazzy and mystical all at once.

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Photography Style: Simple and Classic

5. Bamboo Shoots Photography

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Cici from Bamboo Shoots Photography believes in delivering simple, sincere and elegant shots. What better way to do this than capturing her subjects under natural light?

Besides her artful integration of nature into the photography process, she is adept at capturing her subjects’ emotions. No wonder she’s on the 2016 Best list of Singapore Tatler!

Bamboo Shoots Photography
Photography Style: Humorous and Candid

7. The Family Man

Photography Style: Sophisticated and thought-provoking

8. Sealey Brandt Photography

With the blood of photography running through her veins, Tatler’s listed Sealey Brandt has photographed over 1,000 families across the globe. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to experience the magic of what her and her camera can do.

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8 Singaporean Millennials Share With Us Messages They Wish They Could Tell Their Loved Ones

We Singaporeans are not an emotionless bunch (in spite of some polls saying otherwise). Yes, while we may not express our feelings openly, we Singaporeans actually do feel quite deeply.

We wanted to debunk the myth, so we had 8 millennials share with us their messages of love for the people who mean the most to them.

Messages that they wished to say, but could never pluck up the courage to.

1. ‘I am really grateful that she still loves me even though I may not have been the best brother in the world’

I’m closest to my younger sister. Despite the 8 year age gap, we share a lot of common interests like basketball. Even though we don’t talk as much due to our life stages, she still comes to my room to “disturb” me once in awhile.

My favourite memory of my sister was when I was still a trainee in NS. It was my birthday and she sent a photo collage of my baby pictures with the words “Happy Birthday” through text. She was in primary school back then and even though the compilation wasn’t the most aesthetically-pleaseing, it was the effort and the act of thinking about me that made me feel grateful.

I would love to tell her how much I really appreciate her. I am really grateful that she still loves me even though I may not have been the best brother in the world.

– Yeo Khee (23)

2. ‘It was the last time we were together while he was still alive.’

I’m an only child so I’ve always been close to my parents. We have different dynamics between us all, but I love them in their own special way.

When I had my bad breakup, they were there for me like silent pillars of support, and had their own way of showing that they cared.

My mum is the chatty type, so she talked to me and made sure I was ok at all times. My dad doesn’t speak as much, but he gave me the peace that I wanted, and kept everything to a status quo so I’ll get out of the rut faster.

I would like them to know that I love them very much, and that I will miss them terribly if they’re gone.

They taught me what love means, and have provided for me so selflessly through the years.

– Melissa (26)

4. ‘ She’s my best friend and she’s my confidant’

https://youtu.be/X0FtvDxgE5E

Featured in video: Melissa Chia
This video was recorded at Prudential’s #OnePersonOneThing video booth.

5. ‘He is my role model and when I see a man, I hope he is at least 50% of what my brother is’

I’ve grown up in a very close-knit family, but I’m closest to my brother. We don’t get to spend much time together because we’re both busy working but we love catching up in front of the TV. Something I really admire about him is his confidence and his sincerity for those he loves!

He’s my role model and when I see a man, I hope he is at least 50% of what my brother is, because I doubt I can find someone exactly like him!

– Maria (22)

6. ‘Thank you for being there for me when I had nowhere to go’

I’m the closest to my brother, he’s always motivating me to do better.

When I do silly things, like fighting with my parents, he makes me see where I’m wrong. But he also supports me when I’m right.

I really admire his success and hard work. He did a full time job while working on his new business. He’s an entrepreneur and financial assistant now.

Thanks for being a great older brother. I couldn’t have asked for a better one.

Thanks for all your pep talks. I may not say it but they’ve helped me see things clearer.

– Anonymous (23)

8. ‘ Mum thank you for being the best mum ever.’

https://youtu.be/pPD7b09VgHc

Featured in video: Chelsea Ang (@chel.sea.ang)
Thisvideo was recorded at Prudential’s #OnePersonOneThing video booth.

Your Own Messages Of Love

Most of us millennials are crazy busy.

We’re juggling work or school (sometimes both), and we’re trying to discover what we really want, and who we are as individuals.

Sometimes, in the midst of our busy lives, we tend to forget what truly matters – the people who have been there for us from the start.

As part of Prudential’s Relationship Reconnect campaign, Prudential has launched its #OnePersonOneThing booth. Record your video messages to family and friends and send them out to your loved ones and share it on Facebook!

So this season, why not take an hour off your busy schedule and share with us your messages of love?

Happening this week (7 Dec – 9 Dec), record a video message for your loved ones at Prudential’s #OnePersonOneThing video booth at the Ocean Financial Centre from 11am to 7pm!

For more information on Prudential’s #relationshipindex check out their Facebook page.

Also Read: Hello, December: 13 Fun Activities To End Your Year With A Bang [1-15 Dec]

Durian Guide: 9 Trusty Heartland Stalls That Are Worth Your Every Dollar & Cent!

Mmm.. durians. Just thinking about it makes us drool!

But the king of fruits can get a little pricey and it sucks if the taste doesn’t match the price you paid for.

There’s a stream of loyal customers who know that Uncle Leong only serves the best durian.

Just look at the amount of fans he’s got on Facebook. With close to 3000 followers and a general rating of 4.8/5.0 for his durians, you really need to make Uncle Leong one of your go-to heartland durian stalls.

Plus, Uncle Leong is known for is honesty too!

His all-you-can-eat durian buffet is priced at $40, and a kilo of Mao Shan Wang (Musang King) will cost you about $18.  That sure is a pretty sweet deal!

Leong Tee Fruit Trader
Address: 264 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437051
Opening Hours: 2:00PM – 10:00PM (Daily)
Contact no.: +65 6346 6683
Facebook: Leong Tee Durian

2. It’s All About The Kampong (Wild) Durians – Wan Li Xiang Durian Stall

This is probably the last durian stall still standing in Dempsey.

Here’s another fun fact – Wan Li Xiang is one of a few durian stalls that still offers durians sourced from our very own Pulau Ubin.

These Kampong durians come by usually at 3pm, but are usually gone in a matter of hours.

Fortunately, you can secure yourself some tender durian goodness by placing a pre-order.

Just let the Ah Di, the veteran stall owner know your preference of bitter or sweet and he’ll pick the right one for you.

Wang Li Xiang Durian Stall
Address: 7 Dempsey Hill, Singapore 249670 (Secluded carpark at the end of right hand side of the fork road after Blk 7 Dempsey Hill)
Opening Hours: 3:00PM – 12:00AM (Daily)
Contact no.:+65 9756 2385,+65 9018 2853
Facebook: Wan Li Xiang Durian @ Dempsey

3. Best For Non-Mandarin/Dialect Speaking Patrons – Sindy Durians

Shy to flaunt the Mandarin you picked up from watching Channel 8?

Just head to Sindy Durian to get your durian cravings fixed without any miscommunication as they converse well in English.

A family-run business, Sindy has been running their durian stall for over 30 years! They were previously in Balestier before moving to Whampoa.

They were also one of the first durian stalls in Singapore to provide durian vacuum packing for overseas travel since 2005. In fact, they occasionally ship durians to Hong Kong. Other durian stalls were then inspired by this ‘durian influencer’ and have since followed suit.

Sindy Durian
Address: 01-835, 89 Whampoa Drive, 320089
Opening Hours: 2:00pm – 10:00pm (Daily)
Contact no.: +65 97102427
Facebook: Sindy Durian

5. Yesss to Durian Buffet – 211 House Of Durian

Ask anyone from Toa Payoh about the best durian stalls and they’ll surely mention 211!

Formerly known as Sin Yee Wang Durian, 211’s durians are driven in daily from Malaysia! This ensures the freshness of the fruit that we all crave for.

But the real attraction of this durian stall lies in their durian buffets held usually end of season to clear durian stock.

Expect to shell out S$20 as an adult, BUT be prepared to fall in love with the endless supply of fantastic durians for just a fraction of its usual price.

Keep a look out on their Facebook page for the next buffet details.

While you’re at it, you can also try their durian soft serve ice cream or buy a pack of durian puree for your baking needs.

211 House of Durian Pte Ltd
Address: #01-21, 211 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310211
Opening Hours: 10:00AM – 10:00PM (Daily)
Contact no.: +65 9108 3710
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: 211 House Of Durian

6. Seriously Reasonably Priced Durians – Botak Kho

He gets his name from his squeaky clean shaven head, but he’s also known for selling high-grade durians at an affordable price.

Botak Kho
Address: Block 157 Bukit Batok Street 11
Opening Hours: 1:00PM – 10:00PM (Daily)
Contact no.: +65 8156 2247
Blog: Image source: Durian Kaki[/caption]

The business is formed by a tight knit group of durian lovers.

They went high and low, from Malacca to Johor and even Kalimantan, Indonesia to learn everything about the king of fruits.

After some flat tyres, getting lost in foreign land and countless mosquitoes attack, Durian Kaki was formed.

Today, there are 6800-odd followers on their Facebook page and their durians are rated at 4.5/5 stars.

Their Mao San Wang, Mei Qiu and Jin Feng will not disappoint you.

Here’s a true story coming up. We’ve visited Durian Kaki a few times. Once, they opened a durian that just didn’t smell so good. Without hesitation, they threw the whole durian into a bin, and opened another. That just shows their commitment to serving their customers the best durians.

Durian Kaki
Address: Junction 9, Yishun Avenue 9, #01-83 Singapore 768897
Opening Hours: 2:00PM – 11:00PM (Daily)
Contact no.: +65 8405 8509
Facebook: Durian Kaki

8. Durian King of the West – Ah Seng Durian

Here’s super famous durian stall for Singaporeans in the west. In fact, Ah Seng Durian is regarded highly by Singaporeans all over the island.

Ah Seng Durian carries a wide range of durians – Mao Shan Wang, D15, Bak You, Xian Hong and even Green Skin durians.

Here’s how crazy the crowd gets at Ah Seng Durian. We can’t believe it!

Just look at the picture below. Their Jin Feng (golden phoenix) is absolutely gorgeous.

Image source: Ah Seng Durian

We have to constantly remind ourselves to not check their Facebook page before lunch time. It’s super tempting, you just can’t wait to head there straight away after work.

They also have durian puree at $20 per packet while a vacuum packed Mao Shan Wang goes at $40 per pack.

Ah Seng Durian
Address: Block 20, #01-119 to #01-122 Ghim Moh Market, 270020 (stall is right inside the middle of the market)
Opening Hours: 10:00AM – 8:00PM (Daily)
Contact no.: +65 9465 6160
Facebook: Ah Seng Durian

9. Best For Durian Party – The Durian Tree

This heartland durian stall is known for three things – great durians, fantastic customer service, and honesty.

They also offer deliveries – you don’t even need to step out of your house to get your durian fix!

And the best part of all, The Durian Tree has ample sitting space for those who would like to hold a small durian party.

The durians available include the luscious Black Gold durian, King of King, Mao Shan Wang, XXXOD24 and D88.

Just give their hotline a call or check out their Facebook page for availability.

The Durian Tree
Address: Block 277 Bukit Batok East Avenue 3, Singapore 650277
Opening Hours: 2:00PM – 11:00PM (Daily)
Contact no.: +65 9812 4148
Facebook: The Durian Tree

There you have it, 9 good old heartland durian stalls that are bound to keep you durian happy for days.

Enjoy the fruit and feast as soon as you can. But don’t forget to drink lots of water after your date with the durians!

How do you like your durian? Drop us a comment and let us know.

Header image source:  yelp.com.sg

Also, read Bitter or Sweet? Guide To Identifying Your Favourite Durian Types

True Story: A Singaporean Man’s Journey As A Ladyboy In Cambodia

Standing before a nightclub with dazzling neon lights, her rusty golden locks blew gently in the wind as she took a heavy drag from her cigarette. In a figure-hugging dress and black strappy heels, Shauna strutted flawlessly from the red light district of Siem Reap to her apartment.

Shauna
Source: Sean Lee

In the bathroom, she tugs gently at her hair, removing her curls before running water across her face. Looking up, she could barely recognise the man in the mirror. This is the story of Sean Lee, the man behind ladyboy Shauna, in Cambodia.

Sitting across the man with young, boyish looks, we could hardly tell the similarities between Sean and Shauna. It might have been the blonde wig but hey, never underestimate the power of make-up.

Sean Lee
Source: Sean Lee

All in all, journey of thirty-one year old Singaporean photographer Starting out as an assignment, Shauna soon developed into an immersive photography project where Sean takes on the persona of a ladyboy.

Source: www.gupmagazine.com

Just to be clear, by “taking on the persona of a ladyboy”, we mean dressing, behaving and living within Siem Reap’s red light district. Effort gao gao.

As we sat down with Sean himself, we find out how his photography journey began, the inspiration behind Shauna, and what it was like becoming a Singaporean ladyboy in Siem Reap.

1. So Sean, what first made you first pick up the camera?

Oh, I’ve always had an interest in photography. Though it was after I’d graduated from junior college when my Literature teacher, who knew about my interest, introduced me to it.

Working his way up from a photographer’s assistant, Sean has, over the years, built an impressive list of clientele including DBS and Singapore Airlines where his works have been featured in several exhibitions, notably the Saatchi Gallery and Les Recontres d’Arles.

2. What do you think is the main challenge of being a professional photographer?

As a freelance photographer, I’d say the inconsistency of the jobs. You know, having no clue as to where your next job will come from. This really got to me when I was younger.

3. Let’s talk a little about Shauna. What’s the story behind the project?

I was 22 and was attending the I did try taking on different personas such as a tuk tuk driver and construction worker but they just didn’t work. So I eventually got around to Shauna and settled on a ladyboy persona.

Source: www.emahomagazine.com

I started with this really cheap wig and borrowed clothes from my lady friends, who also taught me to put on my make up.

It started out as a week-long assignment but I ended up spending two years flying back and forth Cambodia to complete the project. During the process, I took on professional make-up lessons and learnt how to strut in stilettos!

4. What was it like, being Shauna?

Here’s the funny thing. Whenever I look back at her photos, it’s like looking at a complete stranger (even though that person is me).

Taking on her persona wasn’t easy, because some days you just don’t feel committed, but other days you are completely into character. It’s crazy.

5. Your photos of Shauna are amazing. Did you have any help in taking them?

Well most of them I took with tripods and self-timers, though I did have a friend of mine who would help me in taking some of the shots.

Source: www.emahomagazine.com

It was great to have him around because you know, sometimes I’d need him to explain to patrons that we’re dong photography project.

6. What would be your main takeaway from Shauna?

Life is very different in the red light district of Siem Reap. Many of them don’t have a choice, but some of them are honestly looking for love.

I’ve actually bumped into one of the working girls a couple of years later, who told me about her marriage and new life abroad. I’m really happy for them.

7. So what have you been up to lately? Tell us a little more!

Something I’m currently working on is Looking at my students made me reflect on my youth and the friends that I used to hang out with, partied with, fallen in love with.

[caption id="attachment_19007" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Young Love | Source: Sean Lee[/caption]

Through this project, I hope to really capture the essence and innocence of youth, to document this precious stage of life that we all come to miss.

8. Lastly, any advice for budding photographers?

Never. Stop. Working. Assist as much as you can, because that’s where you learn the essential skills to photography. Never forget to work on projects that are close to your heart, to pursue projects that you’re interested in, where you’re not in it just for the money.

If this isn’t dedication, we don’t know what is.

For those how are interested, Shauna now comes in a photobook and is available Instagram.

Header image credit: Sean Lee

Also, read The Perfect Shot – DarylAiden’s Photography Journey & DreaChong