Creative Portrait Photography in Singapore With DJ Takura

I hosted DJ Takura for a portrait photography session at my portrait studio in Singapore. As a portrait photographer in Singapore I combine studio lighting, wardrobe planning and in-camera experimentation to create standout images for personal and corporate clients. For this shoot I used my Fujifilm XT4 camera along with lights by Elinchrom to capture both candid and posed frames, while planning shots that also work for advertising and editorial use. Whether you need a corporate photographer in Singapore or a creative advertising photographer, my studio offers tailored portrait sessions with professional backdrops and lighting.

Creative portrait photography in Singapore- concept and collaboration

As a portrait photographer in Singapore, I was quite excited when I got an email from DJ Takura requesting a photoshoot in my studio. It’s always exciting for me when a fellow creative asks for a photoshoot, since the creative possibilities are endless. So as arranged Takura came over to my studio in Singapore in March and we had such a fun time doing this shoot!

DJ Takura is originally from Zimbabwe, but moved to London to study and then eventually made his way to Singapore. Check out his website at: https://takura.live/  and his Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/takura.dj/

Lighting techniques and in-camera gold accents

Creative portrait photography is often different from corporate portraiture in that the lighting choices and the backdrops are very different. For DJ Takura’s shoot, he wanted gold accents to figure in some of the shots. So I went to this party accessories shop in Bugis and bought some gold coloured accessories. By keeping these in front of the lens and angling the light at the right angle, I was able to get some interesting in-camera effects. This is the kind of experimentation that makes studio portraiture a lot of fun! I used Elinchrom lights to light the backdrop as well as to light the subject and also add a bit of a rim light.

Portrait studio - preparation, moodboard and wardrobe

What made this creative portrait shoot in Singapore even more fun was that Takura brought along his DJ deck and table. It certainly was a beast to drag into the studio-but I admire how much preparation he had also put into this shoot. We had discussed in advance the vibe and look we were going for, and he came prepared with the right set of clothes. The difference between a good shoot and a great shoot often comes down to a good wardrobe (in addition of course to the choice of backdrop and lighting which are in the photographer’s control).

Moodboard Preparation

Rather than wing it in a photoshoot, I like to be prepared. To prepare at my end, I took out my trusty iPad and made a moodboard. When I make a moodboard, I put down lighting ideas, backdrop colour choices and also a general flow of how the creative portrait shoot should go along.  I love the fact that with the apple pencil, I can use my iPad like a notebook and sketch ideas. My chosen app for notetaking is Notability.

Music, atmosphere and candid portrait work

My style of portraiture relies on getting people to relax in the studio and bring out the best of their personality. It was awesome that Takura had brought along his DJ Deck. I had him play his usual setlist and the studio was filled with the chilled out beats of Afrohouse. I kept shooting while Takura started vibing to the beat of the music. We got some great shots that felt very candid and in the moment.

Singapore Photography Studio offerings

While this session was creative, the same studio techniques apply to corporate work. As a corporate photographer in Singapore I offer headshots and branding sessions that use professional backdrops, wardrobe guidance and lighting strategies. My experience as an advertising photographer also in Singapore means I plan shoots with commercial use in mind — from concept to retouching.

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