TimChin Photography

Every Autumn for the past few years, I’ve been privileged to photograph some incredible and beautiful families at my annual Pop-Up Portrait Studio Days.

For many who come, they’ve made it a sort of tradition. Couples whose weddings I photographed 15 years ago have returned year after year. They have brought their newborns, and I’ve seen them become toddlers, enthusiastic preschoolers, self-conscious in-betweeners, and then, seemingly in a blink, towering teens. Seeing their families grow has been a joy I did not anticipate when we had our first holiday-themed family photo day 12 years ago. This blessing has led me to realize something about these photographs. Still images being still images, they are, by their nature, moments frozen. But they are not static. Mysteriously and profoundly, they are alive. They are a built-upon, cultivated, visual accounting of growth. Like the rings on a crosssection of a tree, they don’t just exist somewhere in a past otherwise forgotten, but are simultaneously memory and structure, a gift for the future version of ourselves.

This year, the Pop-Up Portrait Studio will be taking place on November 16th and 17th. I’m grateful for those who have already reached out before I could even secure the space to book their slot. Sessions are limited so comment below, or message me directly if you’re interested.

A small selection of images from Dorothy & Alvin's engagement session in the Montreal metro

With the first quarter of 2024 nearly over, it's becoming clearer and clearer that this year will be one of growth and expansion, of re-invention and tenacity. While photographing weddings will always have a special place in my heart, I am opening my availability to other avenues in pursuit of creativity and collaboration.

The first project in this process is a team-up with uber-photographer and dear friend Steve Gerrard. Last month we did a soft launch of our Head-Shot Pop-Up. Amongst those who trusted us with their images, we met an AI industry expert, an accomplished jazz vocalist, and an up-and-coming actress - all incredible people with incredible stories to tell. It will be a joy to see where they all go on their careers! And we can't wait to meet more!

Here are a few samples of what I caught through my lens.

We will be running a second date on April 28th.

A teaser from my engagement session in the Montreal Metro with Dorothy & Alvin. Looking forward to their wedding in September!

Fabulous news today as I've picked up some new awards for the 2024 season. 3 from the latest collection from the Masters of Wedding Photography North America, and 1 from the very elusive and exclusive Fearless Photographers collection.Yay!

We're running it again! Head Shot Pop-Up Day returns with myself and the incomparable Steve Gerrard Photography. This time on the weekend - Sunday, April 28th.

Uber talented Steve Gerrard and I are running a one-day only Head Shot Pop-Up in Montreal on Feb 20. If you're looking to update your LinkedIn Profile image, need new Portraits for your auditions, or would just like to give the world a peek at the New Year New You.

Timeslots are for individuals (i.e. not couples or families); you'll get a two dedicated sessions - one with Steve, one with me - so you'll receive a variety of looks, feels and visions.

DM us here if you're interested and we can give you the details. Also, we'd appreciate the share if you know someone who's ready for their close-up.

Looking forward to spending the day with these two lovely souls tomorrow! Wedding season 2023!

I wrote this last year for a piece I worked on with my friends at Fête Chinoise:

*Heritage* is defined as “valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations.” *Culture*, conversely, is “the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.”

Heritage comes from the same root word as inheritance or hereditary. Culture comes from the root that means “to tend, guard, cultivate”. Heritage is passive; Culture is active and participatory.

Over the past few weeks, I've had the privilege and honour to be a part of a CBC Montreal series exploring the question "How do You Carry Our Culture?", in celebration Asian Heritage Month. You can follow this series here throughout the month of May:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/carrying-our-cultures-asian-heritage-month-1.6824734

How do I carry my culture? I participate in opportunities like these, telling stories of those around me and those before me for those that will come after.

It has been ages, but I BLOGGED. There's a ton of content that I've collected over the past few years that I want to share with you all, but we'll take it step by step.

Until then - I give you Kristen and Tony's emotion-filled, joyous day. They are both such sweet souls as the pictures testify, and I'm sure you will fall in love with them.

Kristen & Tony get married in Montreal » Tim Chin Photography On a beautiful sunny day in Montreal, Kristen and Tony exchanged their vows at the Montreal Chinese Alliance Church. The ceremony was filled with love and laughter, and Kristen looked stunning in her white wedding dress. Tony only took his eyes off her to wipe tears of joy as they exchanged their vo...

Catching up on some social postings - latest stuff up on Instagram

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of waiting.

Tired of waiting for restaurants to open, waiting to see my friends again, waiting to go to a wedding, or the swimming pool, or to watch a movie. I’m tired of putting life on pause.

But however different it is right now, the reality is that life, is still happening. And furthermore, it is happening at a furious pace.

So, this is how I am currently responding to that realization: over the past few weeks I’ve been intentionally documenting my kids. I’ve been watching their expressions, their wonder, their routine. I’ve been watching their interactions and their interests. I’ve been watching them grow. And I’ve been noticing the light, how it illuminates the tiniest of idiosyncrasies that make each of them unique. I’ve been noticing how they fit themselves in their context in the world around them. And I’ve been noticing the subtle, yet profound power of their moments.

It’s been transformative and joyful and healing.

So this is what I propose. Let me capture your today story. Let’s go and make some pictures of your family in your park, of how you practice your violin, or play your favourite board games or how you make that sick deke in street hockey. Let’s let the kids make a mess and unawaredly dip their noses in ice cream. Let’s make a point to remember these instants - for them, but really, also for ourselves.

I am running a promotion from now until May 31st*: $200 off a documentary family session. To qualify for the promotion, you have to either comment below with one thing that has been helping you get through this mess we’re in OR tag a friend who you’d like to have dinner with as soon as we’re allowed to gather. (*Register your comment/tag before May 31st to qualify, photo session can be scheduled later)

Allow me to photograph your family like I photograph my own. Let’s capture the innocence of childhood and your ridiculous, incredulous, spectacular normal.

Packages:

2 hour session: Home. Park. Home. A glimpse into your usual.
4 hour session: You in the city. Let’s be tourists in your city.
Day in the Life: Your routine. Your space. Your rawest of moments.
Extra Special Extra Limited Special: Curious? Ask to find out!

PM me for pricing!