Hiking Photoshoot with Michael Tan

When planning the shoot, Michael and I knew we wanted to weave in a few themes that reflected different aspects of his life. We planned our route carefully, striking a balance between energy and logistics. We kicked things off with something close to his heart: his love for hiking and urban exploration in Singapore. Starting with that felt like the most authentic introduction.

Before heading to the Gallop Extension, we kicked things off at the main area of the Botanic Gardens. It's undeniably beautiful, but also a magnet for crowds. That gave us our first challenge—constantly adjusting and timing each shot to catch moments of calm amid the movement.

Because it was Michael's first time in front of a "professional camera" and our first time meeting, we treated the opening set as a gentle introduction. With just a few easy prompts and space to breathe, he quickly found comfort in the process and started to shine naturally.

Looking back, I'm glad we started with this set. It gave him a feel for how I work and helped us build that photographer-subject rhythm early on. That connection made a real difference—it set the tone for the rest of the day and paved the way for some really great moments in the later shoots.