Some time ago, I started a new series here called ‘The Things I See in a Photograph’ - a blog featuring one photo of mine, either from my personal archive or a client photo, where I would share about the story behind the photo, what I saw or loved about the moment which made me want to freeze it in time.

They turned out to be fun conversation starters and were even positively received by other photographers, who would also leave comments themselves and share their thoughts on the image. I love that because art is subjective! How we view a moment, subject, place or an object in its environment will vary between different people. It means we all have different points of views to see the world. As an artist and documentary photographer, it makes sense that I make photos to express how I see the world around me, whether that be in a family photo session, a wedding or through daily life experiences. It’s what makes my photos unique to someone else’s.

It’s also why I love photography so much. I get to tell stories through the photos. With creativity and skilful composition, I elevate them into contemporary art; it gives a different perspective to what you might see and evoke feelings that allows you to find a sense of belonging from looking at the photos.

I wanted to capture some of that essence in writing. Hence, beginning this feature series, although reluctantly I had to put it on hold after the first lockdown while my mental energy was being redirected elsewhere in our daily life. Time has passed since then and now I think I want to resurrect this feature again. So I like begin with a reminder of this photo below, which I captured during a day-in-the-life session with a Singaporean family on their London Family Vacation Photoshoot. And I’m thrilled to say Light. Touch. is one of the images selected to be a part of NIGHT MOODS, a Shutter Hub book edition coming out in early 2024!

One of the things I love about documentary photography is that I am always observing moments happening around me. Sometimes I might have to go searching, but most often they reveal themselves in front of me simply because I was in the right place at the right time. This was one of those moments when magic happened where I was simply travelling in a London taxi cab with the family of three, the parents and their teenage son, while travelling from Trafalgar Square through the busy London streets en-route to visit the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. If you’ve ever been in London in December, you’ll know how magical the city streets look with all the Christmas light decorations. Despite the freezing cold, there’s a warm and joyous atmosphere from lots of people being in one place; many of whom come to enjoy the sights or celebrate early Christmas with friends or family. It certainly sets the tone of the story behind this photo, but I’m sure you are not here to read a description of London at Christmas.

As a documentary photographer, I love the challenge to stay alert for the fleeting moments that can pass by so quickly and are part of the threads of your story. There can be so many things to see and capture, but I will always try to look past the obvious to find the details that often occur in the least expected and unstaged moments - you’ll be surprised at the magic I find!

One of the things I love to capture and show in family photos is how much you are loved. I think this is best represented in this photo where the volume of story is in the smallest amount of details. There’s the immediate recognisable things, like the windows up and down, the red light; it gives you a sense of place and show love can take place in any setting you are in. I love the hint of the blue to give a sense of the cool and wanted to include some the outside to balance the warmth inside. The darkness gives a sense of time and, although not shown, the sense of space inside the cab as well. It draws you in closer to the emotion of the hands caressing each other. The angle giving a beautiful sense of movement. I did not try to stage or ask the two people to come into the light as I, and the family, already knew whose those hands belong to: I am aware to you it’s so unknown, but also known. It allows you to think who it is, where have they been. In effect, you can create your own story from the photo.

Let me know if you like this photo feature or any comments you would like to share. I’d love to hear what you think! Keep following here for more from the ‘Things I see in a photo’ series and take a look back on the first feature HERE too.