Chi Yin frames Raya moments families will treasure for years

2026-03-23 - 23:10

Tan Chi Yin believes family portraits are a meaningful way to capture everlasting memories. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) KUALA LUMPUR: Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time for reunion. It is when families return home, laughter fills the house, and everyone gathers in their best baju Raya after time apart. The visiting, the food, and the quiet moments of forgiveness – these are the memories many wish they could hold on to just a little longer. For Tan Chi Yin, that is exactly what her work sets out to do. For the past six years, the Kuantan-born photographer has spent the festive season moving from home to home, capturing families at their most joyful and connected. “Hari Raya is one of the times every year when everyone comes together looking their best. So, it’s definitely the best time for a portrait,” the 36-year-old told FMT Lifestyle. More than posed photographs, Tan’s sessions become part of the celebration itself. Some families return every few years, turning the photos into a record of time passing – children growing taller, parents growing older, homes changing. “Taking these photos can be quite a heartwarming experience. It’s really nice to catch up on how they’ve been and seeing how big their children have grown,” she added. Clients are welcome to visit her studio in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. But whenever possible, Tan prefers photographing families in their own homes. It’s not just about convenience. “These portraits are a great way to preserve memories. I like to see families look back on old photos and go, ‘Oh, remember this is where we used to live?’ or ‘Remember we once had this pondok outside our house?’ “It’s quite touching,” she shared. The setting, Tan said, often brings out the most natural moments: children playing in familiar spaces, parents relaxing into the rhythm of their own home. Some families include their own Raya traditions in the shoot. Moments like asking for forgiveness, sharing a laugh over the dining table, or simply sitting together in the living room become part of the story. Clients often reenact poignant Raya traditions, such as asking for forgiveness. (Tan Chi Yin pic) Tan often encourages these small, everyday interactions, weaving them into the portraits so the images feel less staged and more lived-in. At times, she incorporates activities the families enjoy, whether it is parents colouring with their children or spending time together outdoors. The goal, she noted, is always the same – to make everyone feel at ease. According to Tan, a good festive portrait begins even before the camera is brought out. By chatting with families beforehand, she helps them understand what the session is about, which allows them to relax into the experience. Sometimes, that preparation takes unexpected forms. Tan laughed as she recounted helping to iron everyone’s baju Raya before a shoot, to ensure everything looked perfect. Tan preparing for a shoot at her studio in Bukit Jalil. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) For some family members, it can take time to warm up. “We once had a father who was very reluctant to smile and pose at first. But as the shoot went on, he began suggesting outfit changes and different angles,” she recalled. “When the following year came around, he was the one who suggested they have another photoshoot!” Tan has even been invited to stay for makan after shoots, becoming, in a small way, part of the families’ Raya celebrations. One experience, however, remains especially close to her heart: a project in Kelantan where she photographed families who had lost their homes to floods – and with them, years of family photos. Being able to help them create new memories, she said, was deeply moving. Some of Tan’s clients became good personal friends, such as Dr Nor Zaini, pictured here with her beautiful family. (Tan Chi Yin pic) Some clients have become good friends, such as Suzanne, a scriptwriter, and Dr Nor Zaini, a wellbeing consultant, both of whom provided consent to share their family portraits for this story. Nor took her first family photo with Tan in 2024, alongside other personal pictures. “Hari Raya is the most special celebration every year, and photos really help to keep the memories alive. “Capturing all our family members together really brings out the spirit of the festival,” she told FMT Lifestyle. She hopes to revisit this every few years, especially to mark new additions to the family. Through it all, Tan sees her work as something simple but meaningful – a way to hold on to moments that pass all too quickly. “You really can feel the joy and warmth among family members when they come together for their Raya shoot,” she said. “Some of them live far away from each other now, and seeing them reunite is always so nice. I’m glad to be able to contribute to their celebrations, even if just in this little way.” Learn more about Chapters Studio here.