Cover The Toors enjoy reminiscing over the photos in their family album by White Room Studio
The Toors enjoy reminiscing over the photos in their family album by White Room Studio
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Tatler+
The local photography studio specialises in emotive portraiture that captures the love, joy, and spirit of its subjects
How often have you found yourself laughing at your child’s antics and thought, “I wish I had caught that on camera”? Or shared a tender moment with a loved one and wished it could last forever?
In the capable hands of the team at White Room Studio, “forever moments” are just a shutter click away.
The award-winning local photography studio has been named best in portrait photography by Tatler for seven years running, clinching the title in the Best of Singapore awards between 2017 and 2023. Its 15-strong team, which has more than 75 years of experience combined, has been telling the stories of families, milestones, and important anniversaries for the past 14 years.
All the magic happens in the studio’s expansive premises, which stretch across two storeys of a beautifully restored 1920s colonial shophouse. The space offers a variety of backdrops and settings to suit any style of photoshoot. There’s an open balcony bathed in natural light; an airy, European-inspired hall with tall windows; and a Peranakan-style wall with the rich textures and colours of traditional tiles, to name a few.
This is a space where memories are created and captured, as shared by White Room Studio’s clients.
In case you missed it: Get the Perfect Shot For Your Family Portrait with White Room Studio
1. Making memories with the Susilo family
Above The Susilo family particularly likes these photos because they capture the personality of each child
The Susilo family particularly likes these photos because they capture the personality of each child
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The Susilo family has a tradition of commemorating the birth of every child with a family portrait, so when Amelia's sister surprised her with a photography package from White Room Studio, she was delighted. She had just had her third baby then, and trusted her sister, who mentioned enjoying a session at the studio.
Turning up for the shoot without a brief, the family gave the team full creative freedom–and wasn’t disappointed. “The location had a lot of natural light and our photographer was very engaging with the kids,” Amelia recalls. “We didn’t feel the pressure to pose at all. White Room Studio truly has a knack for capturing natural emotions and the little moments.”
Three portraits from the shoot–one of each kid–have been transformed into giant canvases fit for display. The oldest daughter is pictured grinning from ear to ear. Amelia’s son, the middle child, is looking into the distance, while the youngest is smiling into the camera.
“We really like that our children’s personalities are shining through in these pictures,” Amelia says, explaining the family’s choice of display photos. “Our oldest daughter is a very cheerful and joyful person, and you can see that in her picture. Our son is calm and peaceful–you can see that in his eyes in his photo.”
For the Susilo family, photography is a way to immortalise precious moments and special occasions. “We really value our memories together. Family is the core of everything for my husband and I. It’s what makes everything worthwhile.”
Don't miss: How White Room Studio Builds Its Legacy One Portrait at a Time
2. Following the growth of the Toor family
Above The Toor family pictures are presented in an album that's displayed in a unique frame
The Toor family pictures are presented in an album that's displayed in a unique frame
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As repeat customers of White Room Studio–not just twice but three times, the Toors are not the sort to wait for a special occasion to have family photos taken. With a family member living overseas, simply having everyone in the same country is reason enough.
“The first shoot was in 2015, when my daughter, Amrita, had just had her first child,” Mrs Toor recalls. Coincidentally, it was also the year of her and her husband’s 40th wedding anniversary, and their son, who lives in the US, was in town. “Whenever we get together, we never know when we are going to meet next,” she continues.
The family enjoyed their first experience with White Room Studio so much that they decided to repeat it a few years later. Again, it was when Amrita’s US-based brother was in town, but this time, Amrita came with two kids in tow instead of one.
The third shoot happened post-pandemic. “It had been a number of years since our last one, and we felt like it was time to do another one,” says Mrs Toor. “Many people lost family members and got separated during the pandemic, so the shoot was a get-together for us.”
Amrita recalls all three photoshoots with fondness: “The team was very warm, accepting, and patient. They allowed us to be natural in our element, but with a bit of guidance. We felt like we could be authentic. Dan (the photographer) was also very engaging with the kids.”
The results of the shoots are now immortalised in two fine art albums that have been hand-stitched and printed with archival inks that will stand the test of time. Mounted in unique frames that display the books like framed photos, they take pride of place in the Toor family’s home.
“We are not a family that likes to plaster our own pictures around the house. These are the first portraits that we feel are gorgeous enough to be put out,” says Amrita. “They are so artistic, they incorporate perfectly into the aesthetic mum’s got in the house. They are also a great conversation starter when we have guests over.”
3. Capturing the festive spirit with the Proulx family
Above The Proulx family has plans to create a gallery wall displaying family portraits by White Room Studio
The Proulx family has plans to create a gallery wall displaying family portraits by White Room Studio
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Christmas family portraits with White Room Studio are quickly becoming a tradition with the Proulx family. Their first encounter with the studio was during the festive season in 2019, when Joann Proulx decided to prepare Christmas photos to send to their extended families. They returned again the following year in 2020 during the same period for another shoot.
“I want to make memories together and create something that the kids can look at when they grow up,” says Joann. “I’d like to do it every year. I love seeing how the children have grown in the photos taken a year apart.”
The main thing that keeps the Proulx family coming back is the experience that White Room Studio consistently provides. “It’s just so easy to work with the studio,” Joann attests. “Be it the photographers or the space, everyone and everything is so welcoming. Every time I needed or asked about something, there was always an answer and it has never been difficult.”
It certainly helps that the younger members of the family have taken to the team, too. “My favourite part of the experience was witnessing all my kids actually listening to the photographer, especially Yan,” Joann enthuses. “It was nice when it all came together perfectly in the photoshoot. The children also liked playing in the studio–they felt right at home.”
The Toors, Proulxes, and Amelia’s family are just three of countless personal stories that the White Room Studio team has captured through its lenses. For the many happy clients of the studio who have come before and after them, photography is a way to celebrate their nearest and dearest, and to remember the good times spent together.
White Room Studio | 219 River Valley Road, level 2, Singapore 238277 | +65 8769 6003
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