About Me

INSTAGRAM
www.instagram.com/dgtportraits

CITIES
Singapore

AUTHENTIC PORTRAITS

My singular focus in photography is portraiture. It’s been this way for nearly two decades. A great portrait photograph is one of the most elusive and complex types of photograph to capture; one with the power to immediately intrigue a viewer.

I relish the opportunity, challenge, and complexity of taking an authentic and arresting portrait for my clients and the people I’m interested in. I genuinely believe that there is something to be learned and admired in everyone, and I channel that curiosity when I make my portraits.

Instead of over-engineering a good-looking but contrived photo of a person by choosing a theme, location, clothes, and props that don't reflect who the subject is, I try to get the most authentic and genuine portrait I can get of the individual. I need the help of my subject to co-create their portrait. A key part of my method is conversation, where I take time to know my subjects as individuals.

I am also fascinated with how an understanding of light and lighting, paired with a craftsman’s pursuit for perfection in post can elevate a portrait completely to render nuances and aspects of an individual’s gravitas and personality.

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MY START

My first camera was a LOMO LCA - a film camera with virtually no controls which helped me dive into photography without being encumbered by technical things like shutter speed or aperture. I found that I had a good eye for taking photos. This is in part because I have watched many more movies and TV than most people. After all, what is a movie if not a series of photographs? At 25 frames per second and an average full-length feature film running 90 mins, you would have seen a million photographs when you watch 6-8 movies (or 17 TV episodes). My passion for watching TV translates to billions of photos from all the movies and TV I’ve watched, each frame deliberately and lovingly composed by so many creative and talented Directors of Photography (DOP) across decades of filmmaking history, and I’ve paid attention and developed my own visual vocabulary and tastes.

WORKING WITH ME
I cherish every opportunity to take a person’s portrait because I get to meet and connect with new people and learn and experience new perspectives. I work with a wonderful team whom I trust and we bring this enthusiasm to every shoot. I was inspired by my mentor Geoff Ang’s manifesto. I wanted to create my own to convey my own values, and I’d like to share this.

If you like the way I capture portraits and would like to invest in an authentic portrait of yourself (or if you have a question or would just like to connect), hit the yellow button to get in touch with me.

I look forward to meeting you!

DGT
Portrait photographer
Singapore

NOTE: I have had instances of dishonest people impersonating me, reaching out on Facebook and other channels and saying they are a part of my team. I communicate directly with all of my clients and all first-contact will be via myself. Please do not engage with anyone who claims they are from my team for a casting call. Thanks!

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