Bespoke (Customised & Personalised) Portrait Photographer in Singapore

The Meaning of Bespoke Photography

Bespoke implies tailor-made, custom-made, customised, personalised, exclusive, limited and boutique. Bespoke portraits are therefore custom-made portraits that are personalised for the models (clients), which are limited and exclusive.

What to Expect from a Bespoke Photoshoot

Who would want to do bespoke photography? Why would bespoke photography produce better photographs as compared to the usual photography?

Bespoke photography is for people who wish to create special sets of photographs that can be differentiated from the millions of photographs being taken worldwide. The models would receive photographs that are unique, eye-catchy and/ or meaningful to them.

My bespoke photography helps you to customise and personalise:

Photography ideas that suit you and/ or your personal need
There are many different reasons why a person needs to have their portraits taken. Be it for a meaningful purpose or just for fun, the photoshoot can be tailor-made to outweigh its initial value.

That's no one photography idea that can fit everyone; a photography concept may suit you but not another person, and vice versa.

What you truly need is a photographer who works to identify and achieve what suits you best or serves your interest the most.
Photography ideas that are special and unique
Why choose to be normal when you can be special? It's boring to do the same things as most other people, resulting in getting images that won't be noticed by others, and won't grab your interest for long.

Your photographs can be eye-catchy and stand out from the rest. They can be trophies that truly represent you, the one and only you in this world. Remember that there can be people who resemble you in looks but there won't be anyone who have both your looks and personality. You're unique and your photographs can display your uniqueness.
Lighting to create the mood intended
Lighting is the most important part of photography as it helps to bring out the mood and draw viewers' attention to any part of the photograph as intended.

There's no single lighting set-up that can help to create all kinds of moods, not even in a controlled environment like a photography studio. That's why I may be changing the exposure, position and angle of my lighting every now and then, even during my studio photoshoot.

I customise my lighting to fit each mood that I want to create. I can keep the background dark, I can highlight a certain part of the photograph, and I can customise my lighting to give you the most flattering light possible.
Lighting to create the best photographs possible
We can plan a fantastic outdoor photoshoot but there are many unforeseeable situations that could happen to destroy our supposedly perfect plan. The most common culprit would be the weather.

For example, we can plan for a golden hour photoshoot in the early morning but a sudden downpour could stall the time and drag it till the sun was out in full force. Another common problem is having the direct sun shining at you even on a cloudy day.

When an unfortunate problem arises, what you need is an experienced professional photographer who can customise the lighting to deal with each individual bad situation to create the best photographs possible.

Apart from having to find a better spot or angle at the location, the use of powerful (heavy and bulky though) professional lighting can help to battle the harsh sunlight.

Under every circumstance, I will try to keep the dynamic range of the photographs as high as possible to keep the photographs looking good.

How to Make a Photoshoot Unique?

Many non-professional photographers think photography is only clicking on the camera's shutter button. They don't see the effort behind every photograph that has made the photograph different from the rest.

I have a respectable client who appreciates me a lot. However, to her, all professional photographers would produce good quality photographs of a certain level. She approached and hired me because of my personality, after going through my entire website.

My photography experience tells a totally different story. Throughout my entire portrait photography journey, I have been trying to work on creative and bold concepts. Creating all these spectacular works helps to keep my love and passion for photography going. I also see the beauty of personalising pictures that would relate to the models' personal lifestyles, so as to create more meaningful photographs for them.

My effort in both planning and executing of photoshoot concepts for many individuals is hectic, but they are what make my bespoke photography different from other photographers' photoshoot packages.

Ideas: Ideas don't simply appear at the snap of a finger. It takes experience, inspiration and creativity to come out with good ideas. It usually takes time to do researches.

High-end photography: Setting up for the specific kind of lighting is very tedious as compared to setting up a standard light. If the photographer were to adjust the lighting for different poses, the effort would be even greater.

Below are the elements of photography that can be customised and personalised for a bespoke portrait to make it unique:

Ideas/ concepts
The photography idea is the initial and most noticeable part of the photoshoot.
Location
Sometimes, I have to spend hours researching for the best place to do the photoshoot. I would try to explore places that I have not used before so that all my models would have a more unique set of photographs.
Date/ day and time
For certain locations, it's better to do the photoshoot on either a weekday or weekend. The timing matters as well.
Outfits
The outfit shouldn't be distracting nor blend in with the background, unless intended. The design and material would make a big difference.
Props
Props can help to make a photoshoot more interesting. They also help non-professional models to perform better.
Hairstyle
Hairstyle can greatly affect the look of the model. It can also help to shape the face.
Makeup
Makeup can hide flaws, highlight features, shape the face and bring out the feel.
Posture
The posture of the model can tell a lot about the photograph.
Expression
An experienced photographer would be able to help the model to create the expression intended.
Quality of light
I usually work with soft light in order to produce more flattering photographs.
Quantity of light
Non-professional photographers usually mistake quantity of light as quality of light.
Direction of light
The direction of light will affect the mood.
Number of light
The number of light can include both natural light and artificial light. Sometimes, more lights have to be involved in order to achieve certain effect or mood.
Lens
The lens and the focus length used can affect the mood.
Composition
How the photographer frames the entire picture matters a lot.
Angle of lens
The angle which the photographer capture the picture from can change the mood and appearance as well.

Examples of Creative Bespoke Concepts

Dance in the sunset
If you love dancing, why not do a dance photoshoot that's not so common? Include the sunset at the background but make sure your face is properly lighted up as well. Silhouette is cool but your face is good - show it not only with sufficient light but also with flattering light.
Pretty fairy light
If you want to do something very beautiful and eye-catching, why not do a professional photoshoot with fairy light? It can be done indoor or even outdoor at night.
Water and light
Show your character by playing with water and lighting. It's edgy, it's cool and it's eye-catching. You can also do more than dancing and use other props instead of water. You can do lots of things.
Student theme
Showing off your talent or create a back-to-school feel! You can be quirky or stylish, and it will be fun!
Having fun at the beach
Show off your lively self; be the sunshine person that the crowd loves. Be fun, be wild, just be yourself!
Musical hobby
If you've a talent in a musical instrument or others, why not include it in your photoshoot too? If you're game, we can use the props creatively.
With your vehicle
Cars and motorbikes are cool. Let's do something fun with them!
With your pet
Why not have a photoshoot with your furry friend? Doll them up to make everyone love them more. Spread the love!
Balloons
Be cute, be sweet. Other than balloons, what other cute things do you like?
Toys
Keep a good memory with your favourite toys or collection!
With fireworks
Make use of the free props. How about the street lighting? Be creative!
Fitness / Gym
Show off your fitness lifestyle in the gym instead of in the outdoor (most common). Fortunately, I've a few gym outlets to pick from.
Retro
Style yourself up like as if you're in the 70s. You can go for any rare looks!
Hiking
Keep a memory of yourself enjoying the nature. Singapore is small but have you even visited all the rural or natural places?
Special fashion
Having a special costume or theme for your company D&D? Why not make use of the chance to do a photoshoot with the styling as well?
Cool Fashion
Do a cool/weird fashion photoshoot instead of normal simple ones.
Nature themed
Make your friends think you've gone to the countryside. Amaze them and let them ask you questions!
Edgy fashion
Be edgy, be stylo. "Wow" everyone who's following you in social media!
Modern corporate
Make yourself stand out from the other corporate shoots. Do a modern lifestyle one. Let everyone know you're trendy and creative!
Pre Wedding
No more simple botanical garden photoshoot, no more overseas destination pre wedding photoshoot. Be creative for your pre wedding photoshoot and do something that will be more memorable to both of you!
Couple boudoir
Be trendy and cool. Do a couple boudoir photoshoot to celebrate your anniversary. Don't worry, we will keep the photographs M18.
Boudoir
YOLO. Increase your confidence, show off your sexiness and document down your beauty.
Art bridal
Isn't it a dream for many young girls nowadays to do a solo bridal photoshoot before the actual marriage? Bring on the game to the next level.
Document your tattoos
Because they are part of you. So, make sure both your face and the tattoos are properly and beautifully lighted up.

The Bespoke Photographer

I. How Skai Began Doing Bespoke Photography

Just like most photographers, I started my portrait photography as a clueless hobbyist photographer. I began getting my friends to model for me for the usual fashion photoshoots. I was fortunate that a commercial makeup artist friend began guiding me soon. I was imparted with proper photography knowledge and the urge to do more creative work.

Since young, I would do things differently from others. This personality of mine pushes me to work on bespoke photography. It's too boring to keep doing things that others have been doing. In order to keep my passion going, I always try to work on different genres of photoshoot. Each time, I would also think of ideas to do different special concepts whenever possible (subject to clients' approval).

II. Why Work with Skai for Your Bespoke Photography?

There are many other adventurous photographers who would do bespoke portraits and every bespoke photographer is special in his/ her own way. You have to look through their entire portrait portfolio in order to judge whose work can resonate most to you.

For my bespoke photography, on top of personalised ideas/ concepts, I also customise the lighting for each individual situation, especially for high-end photography. Therefore, the photographs don't excel only in terms of the special concepts, but also strive in terms of the quality.

It's my stubborn character to give in my best and, unfortunately, I usually don't know my limit and exhaust or even injure myself. On the bright side, my effort helps to push my work to a greater height.

III. Contact Skai for Your Bespoke Portrait

If you're interested in getting your personalised photoshoot, do contact me for discussion.

You may be interested in:
- Makeover photoshoot photographer in Singapore
- Birthday photoshoot photographer in Singapore
- Outdoor portrait photoshoot photographer in Singapore
- Special photoshoots you can hire a professional photographer to do
- Reasons why you should hire a professional photographer

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