I started Oh Dear Photography in the year 2010, shortly after my wedding.
Back in 2009, while preparing for my own wedding and looking for photographers, I just couldn’t find the right style for me; mainly candid, spontaneous and not posed. Neither could I find the right mix of vintage, bright, airy feel I was so in love with. Hence, as a professional Graphic Designer and being versatile in both Digital Imaging as well as photography; I rented an Olympus camera, and started to photograph my friends’ Couple Portraits, and then post them online.
My spontaneous, fun and happy style of photography gradually captured the attention and imagination of many young couples, and people began to commission my work! Over the following years, I was amazed by the numerous couples and families that I met throughout my professional journey. The railway tracks, the Queenstown Cinema, the Tanjong Pagar railway station – these were venues which I used to photograph at. They are all now replaced by newer buildings; further proof of the importance of photography in documenting such irreplicable memories!
I met couples from all over the world – Japanese, Germans and Americans.. We stayed in touch via social media and I was privileged to be able to witness the growth of their young families (and babies!).
Photography also brought me to gorgeous countries like Australia, Bali, Taiwan and Macau. Again, I was incredibly lucky to have been entrusted by my clients with their overseas pre-wedding shoots. It was an eye-opener to shoot in different countries, as the lighting and culture were vastly different from Singapore. We created amazing photographs from among beautiful vineyards, the famous Perth blue house, little quirky little back alleys and breath-taking mountain landscapes.
In the year 2013, I became a mother to my firstborn and had my second baby 3 years later. That was when I focused more on Family and Baby Portraits. I got to know and understand kids well, and I was able to build amazing rapport with these little clients.
Over 10 years of professional photography, I met over 500 families and couples. ‘Auntie Melody’ was always busy photographing frame after frame of timeless family images; that were proudly displayed in the homes of many families as canvases and prints.
In 2020, I finally took the plunge and started my very own Natural Light Photography Studio. I had always wanted a place of my own; decorated in styles of my own invention – a unique blend of vintage with a dash of old-world colonial style charm.
With the encouragement of my family and especially my firstborn (she’s 7 this year!) I started looking around for a possible location. I knew I wanted a shophouse as I love the flair and feel of them.
My online search pointed me right to this place which I’m at right now: 87 Kampong Bahru Road. #02-01. I fell in love with the tall French glass windows and immediately contacted the agent for a viewing.
I brought my two children along for the viewing as I wanted to make sure little children were comfortable and happy in this space. My children are my muses in everything and whenever I have any new photography techniques or locations, I always turn to them for their first impressions as a form of indication that my decision is the right one.
So we visited this shophouse and everyone instinctively knew this was the right place for Oh Dear Studio. My kids were happily running around, peeking out of the windows and shouting in excitement. The very next day, I signed the lease.
The journey ahead is exciting and as Elsa puts it; it is one leading “Into the Unknown”!
With two kids in tow, starting a new business (especially during these strange times) seems to be a slightly crazy move; but again, as my girl puts it: “If not now, when?”.
With that inspiring phrase from my wise 7-year-old, I’m signing off with some pictures of my sun-kissed studio. I really look forward to seeing you and your family in my little space!
See more inspirational photos here at our Gallery or Contact us to have a chat about your next shoot with us!
Love,
Melody
with lala and lele!
