Multi-Splendoured Menagerie - featuring Montage Studios
by Ming Lee, 1 April 2005

For wedding photographer Tan Eng Howe, life's a journey he's thoroughly relishing. It probably has something to do with the 40-year-old's easy-going, patient nature. He focuses on understanding the client's perspective. "I always remind myself that a client must have a reason for a particular request. After all, he's talking about his wedding photographs, which will last a lifetime," he explains. "Everything becomes easier when I see it from that perspective."

Fans of local TV will be familiar with Eng Howe's works, as they have appeared in various MediaCorp Ch 8 productions. Incidentally, he also shot actress May Phua's wedding photographs last year. He tries to play down the experience: "May was very easy to work with, basically because, as an actress, she is used to being in front of the camera. She understands the why and how behind the photography process. The only stressful bit was her hectic filming schedules, which meant I had to work under a tight deadline."

Not that he's a stranger to deadlines. Eng Howe started out working with advertising agencies and corporate clients, such as The Hour Glass and Cold Storage. In 1993, he set up Montage Studios, after discovering his first love was wedding photography. "I love working with people," he says with a smile. "It helps that I have a knack for making them feel comfortable."

In fact, his clients have gotten so comfortable with him, they pop by his studio whenever they are in the Tanjong Pagar area. Felicia, Eng Howe's wife who manages Montage Studios, attributes it to the homely ambience at the cosy enclave. "Former clients have told us, the place is so inviting, it's hard to leave. For several couples, Eng Howe has even become the family-appointed photographer. Sometimes, they even come to the studio for photographs with their kids."

Which speaks a lot about Eng Howe's ability to capture a couple's most memorable moments together. And his photography style, which has remained characteristically lifestyle, is constantly winning over new fans. "To me, a photograph is about an expression," he explains. "It is important to be yourself in front of the camera, because your identity is like your thumbprint. It is uniquely yours."

And while he is renowned in the industry for those relaxed and natural lifestyle-inspired snapshots, he draws the line at "funny things". For instance, don't expect to find bizarre cut-and-paste pieces, or whimsical works, such as "people flying out of teapots". After all, according to the veteran lensman, "the photographs are all about the couple, whether they are tall, short, skinny or plump."

It is obvious this father of a six-year-old daughter loves his art. "I'm an artist first and foremost. That's what I like about running Montage Studios," Eng Howe states. "It's not so much about commercial profit. Rather, it's all about enjoying what I do best."

Montage Studio is at 77B Tras Street (3rd level) Singapore 079016. For more information, call 6227 8418, e-mail sales@montage.com.sg or log on to www.montage.com.sg or www.montage-studios.com.