Milan Teh is how people call me since I started to pick up digital SLR several years back. I used to be an amateur classical flute player, professional classical musician wannabe and still a huge fan of flute playing. To cut things short, I couldn’t find fulfillment with my ICT degree and work life until I start to create ‘that-nice-thing’ through photography. Risking of having no income, I quit everything I did in life and jump out telling the world I wanted to be a full time wedding & portrait photographer.
Am a sensible and rational, introvert yet extrovert Virgo that loves expressive acoustic or classical instrumental music, flavorful food, tasteful art & designs, natural smiles, the stars, sky & sea, travel to new places & everything beautiful. Since started photography, I seem to be repeatedly creating images which I think is comfortable to view at.
In case you are curious, I were one of the rare few youngest Malaysians being awarded in the internationally acclaimed competition by Wedding & Portrait Photographers International(WPPI, USA) since I was *ahem* much younger at the age of 22 and counting. I am addicted to capturing smiles and creating photographs for the heart.
Identified by people around me that my craft looks natural, I think it has something to do with the soft side of me as I believe in one couldn’t be as good at what they are not. My photos might not be edgy even if I try to imitate, rough physical look could be there, but that just won’t work cause being pretentious will never resonate, in my personal opinion.
“Heartfelt. Natural. Artistic.” is how I define my work. I’ve been doing this all the while but couldn’t put them into words until one day realizing them from a wedding speech – all suddenly became clear and makes sense for what I am doing. Since then, I have a clearer vision on who I am uniquely as a photographer and what I do best.
Heartfelt. This is the quality I enjoy the most from my work and the toughest. I create images which recall memories which matters to you uniquely, images which put a smile in your heart, images which evoke true emotions inside you when viewing, telling you story at the same time. It’s definitely challenging and abstract at times but it gives me a lot of fulfillment and energy.
Natural. It’s what I do since day one holding the camera. When I felt that something doesn’t look right or natural, I just couldn’t take the shot or will delete it soon after. It somewhat became my second nature to find out one’s personality and then having them depicted in the photos I shoot. Sometimes, through simple guidance from me. Love doing this repeatedly, I heart genuine expressions especially smiles.
Artistic. I adore this dearly – ensuring I have the proper knowledge in photography and finishing an image professionally through constant learning from reading to attending workshops to nurture the artist within me. I wanted to be reminded for braving myself to break the traditional rules, daring to fail-forward, and trying new approach from time to time. All this, will however return to square one – I want my work to be comfortable for viewing the first, the second, the third, and the countless times through these efforts.
All these, pretty much sums up who I am. Actually, I enjoy the artistic side of photography business more than the business side, cause I think when a decision is needed to be made between business vs art, the art side will most probably being ‘sacrificed’ literally. Therefore, for the long run, it’ll lead to a lack of fulfillment and motivation in what we do down the road.
Thus, “Heartfelt. Natural. Artistic. “ will help reminding me on and off to stay focused and do things I truly enjoy and matters to each of you. I’d like to know you who follow my work, it’s always enjoyable talking to like minded pupils, get connected with me in Facebook.
