Cover Self-taught photographer Omar Ariff Ariffin, who champions storytelling and heritage through photography, at his family heirloom Sentosa Janda Baik (Photo: Fady Younis)
Self-taught photographer Omar Ariff Ariffin, who champions storytelling and heritage through photography, at his family heirloom Sentosa Janda Baik (Photo: Fady Younis)
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A self-taught photographer opens his family’s four-acre retreat in Janda Baik to share the nuances of Malaysian heritage, beauty, and culture
“A photo is made, not taken,” asserts self-taught photographer Omar Ariff Ariffin, recounting his early days developing film in darkened labs where every exposure error became a lesson. Now, with digital cameras and drones, Omar explores unconventional abstract locations, using altitude and angle to create breathtaking landscapes.
He’s emphasising the intentional, thoughtful process behind each image he creates. For him, photography is not just about capturing a scene but about constructing a narrative and carefully crafting each element within the frame. This perspective implies that a powerful photo involves much more than pressing a button; it requires a combination of planning, skill, and artistic vision.
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This approach aligns with his broader philosophy on storytelling and heritage, as Omar strives to create images that resonate and evoke deeper meaning—much like the way he curates and presents his family heirloom Sentosa Janda Baik.
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“Sentosa has always been a private home,” Omar says, reflecting on the history of the estate his father, Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin, purchased when Omar was just two years old. The lush enclave in Janda Baik is four acres and is surrounded by the timeless beauty of nature. For decades, it was a sanctuary for the family, a place for weddings, celebrations, and quiet retreats. But in recent years, the family decided to open the estate to the public.
“The main goal,” Omar shares, “is to have everyone learn something new when they come.” This openness to sharing encapsulates Omar's ethos, grounded in a desire to connect others to his heritage and the nuances of Malaysian culture.
Sentosa’s story began when Omar’s father, Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin, bought the land over 60 years ago, driven by a desire to be surrounded by greenery and the open sky. “He wanted a place where he could see nothing but trees,” Omar recalls.
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Walking through the estate’s galleries, one can’t help but feel transported through time. In the Islamic gallery, ornate carvings tell tales of faith and artistry, while what Omar calls the “Grandfather’s Gallery”—a restored home of the family’s ancestors—preserves the modest tools and trinkets of generations past.
Omar speaks with reverence of his father’s dedication to preserving history. “This whole project… it’s not about money,” he says, explaining that the space is an invitation to witness the beauty of Malaysia’s cultural and natural heritage.
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With over 20 coffee table books on topics as varied as Malaysian fruits to the caves of Perak, Omar honed his photography skills over three decades. Omar’s work is not merely about aesthetics but about connection—whether to the land, cultural heritage, or marginalised voices.
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A long-standing advocate for the disabled (OKU) community, he aspires to document their perspectives through a future project that would hand the lens to differently-abled individuals. “People have different ways of seeing things, and that perspective is vital,” he emphasises, hinting at his plan to mentor these individuals to capture their own unique stories through photography.
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This advocacy is also embedded in Sentosa itself, which is designed with accessibility in mind. Omar has overseen renovations to ensure that ramps and pathways make the estate inclusive to all. This commitment to accessibility is personal: his younger daughter, Sofia, has spent her life in a wheelchair. Omar speaks of her resilience and how it has reframed his worldview. “She’s my teacher in empathy and understanding,” he confides, embodying a legacy as much about empathy as it is about heritage.
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The White Gallery, a restored home from Kelantan, showcases sculptures of mother and child, as well as artefacts from the Orang Asli people, embodying the generational continuity that has defined Omar’s family. These artefacts mirror Omar’s approach to photography, where he captures the essence of the subject and the setting.
Each shot he captures aims to evoke a story and every corner of Sentosa tells a tale of Malaysian culture, natural beauty, and familial legacy. The same sensitivity he brings to his photography—a focus on details, on evoking emotions and capturing essence—is echoed in how Sentosa is maintained and displayed.
See also: How photographer Chien C Lee captures the natural wonders from the East
Just as he meticulously selects his compositions in photography, Omar has curated Sentosa to reflect his artistic sensibilities, from the wild greenery to the placement of each artefact. This harmony between his photographic eye and Sentosa’s ambience creates a seamless extension of his vision, where the property itself becomes a canvas, and visitors stepping into it are invited to see the world through his eyes. For Omar, Sentosa is more than a family estate; it’s a “living photograph” of his heritage, his art, and his life’s work.
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Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
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Lynette loves travelling and dancing to Latin music almost as much as she enjoys period films and pastry desserts. She is constantly in search of the perfect nude lipstick and finds her best ideas through walks in nature.
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As the Editor-in-Chief of Tatler Malaysia, Lynette leads the content teams for print, digital and social media platforms of the brand. She has over 20 years experience in media, having been editorial director and editor-in-chief for lifestyle titles such as Cleo, ELLE, Esquire, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health.
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