Monday, March 4, 2013

HKG : Best Family Photographers by Sassy Mama

from Sassy Mama Guide dated 26 Feb 2013 edition

Much as most mamas quickly become masters of iPhoneography, there’s nothing quite like having a professional capture those really special moments in time. Whether you choose a one-off shoot to mark a special occasion like a newborn or a birthday party, or a longer-term relationship with a photographer that documents your children growing up (and don’t they do that so fast?), we’ve got a comprehensive roundup of all our favourite shutterbugs. Say cheese, mama!

Sassy Mama loves DFN Studios

Birthday party photography and videography, family portraits and beautiful maternity shots tailored to your concept are all on offer at DFN Studios. Working in studio spaces on HK Island, Kowloon and Tung Chung, they’ll find a location that works for you. Alternatively, if you’re strapped for time (yep, we hear you!), then they can bring the shoot to you with their portable studio. We love their creativity and professionalism and their results speak for themselves. Mamas will love their photography workshops for parents and grandparents will love their video slideshows set to music and gorgeous photobook keepsakes. A Sassy Mama fave.
DFN Studios
Website: DFNstudios.comEmail: cs@DFNstudio.com


Cheeky Monkey specialise in gorgeous sleeping shots of newborns that will make your heart melt! There’s a load of options available and the focus here is on simple, yet beautiful images that you’ll treasure forever.
Encouraging children to have fun, relax and be themselves throughout their shoot, Claire Woodrow aims to capture their true personality in simple and totally bespoke images.
Denise Pontak works with children of all ages at home or on location, providing natural portrait shots. Whether it’s a graduation pic or a toddler’s party, Denise is happy to cater to you.

Divi Photography love to capture bumps, babes and children and their special maternity photography package would make a great gift for an expectant mama.

Ifat Kafry Hindes of Hindessight Photography is one of the photographers behind our That Mama shoots, which tells you just how good she is! As a mama herself, Ifat has the natural touch when it comes to getting a great result from kids.

If fashion-inspired portraiture is what you’re looking for, Jill Carter Photography can oblige. Jill creates beautiful storybooks around a theme, so is also perfect for parties. She also runs new mama’s photography courses, so if you’ve got a newborn and an SLR, drop her a line to book a one-to-one session.


Don’t yet have a clear idea of what you want from your shoot? Check out Just Smile About It’s simple guide to getting the best from your session. Brian Jala can steer you in the right direction and is approachable, with a creative eye for family shoots.

Sai Kung Mamas should check out Lightjar Photography (although photographer Karin is happy to shoot on location throughout Hong Kong). Her family portraiture makes the most of the subject’s surroundings and she also captures striking event photos, ideal for birthday parties.

Love True Light showcases Lakshmi Harliela’s creative eye and positive attitude. She’s another of out That Mama photographers of choice, and from the feedback we’ve heard, she’s very much in demand! Lakshmi specialises in family portraiture and events.

Lumo Photography offers the ultimate in convenience for any family finding it difficult to find the time to schedule a shoot. With portable backdrops that bring the studio to you, Elizabeth at Lumo works around you to create beautiful images at home or on location. For more details and a special Sassy Mama deal, click here.


Jenna, of Lucky Fish Photography is all about fun photoshoots and relaxed, natural images. Steering well clear of stiff, formal poses, this is a good option for creative pictures that are all about the little details.

Maria, of Maria Z Photography is a proud member of the NAPCP (National Association of Professional Child Photographers), so you can be sure that you’re getting a photographer who knows her stuff! Maria has a team of female snappers who can create gorgeous newborn and maternity shots for you.

Melanie Aldridge has produced beautiful images for our That Mama features, and we think she’s lovely too! She can shoot at your home or a location of your choice and is super-friendly, putting everyone at their ease.

Sakshi at Oh Precious aims to capture families at their most unscripted, spending time with her subjects and getting to know them before a single shot is taken. She works on location or in your home to capture the real family moments that we all treasure.


Radhika Rao Photography specialises in family portraits, either in your home or another location of your choice – ideal for taking a fantastic family photo to feature on your Christmas card! She has a number of well-priced packages available.

Rosa and Daniel are a husband and wife photography team, working together to create gorgeous pregnancy and family portraits. They’ve been shooting Hong Kongers for over 10 years, so definitely know their stuff!


It’s no secret that we love Sabrina Sikora Photography! As a regular style blogger for Sassy Hong Kong, Sabrina certainly knows how to create visually stunning images. An internationally renowned model, Sabrina is now more often found on the other side of the lens, where she works with clients to create beautiful lifestyle, portrait, family and maternity images at home, on location or at her midlevels studio.

And yet another That Mama fave photographer, (you see why we find it impossible to pick just one!) Shannon of Shannon Gill Photography is creative, accommodating, and professional. She produces beautifully natural family shots and we love her work.

William Furniss is considered one of Hong Kong’s leading portrait photographers. William is as equally adept at smaller sessions as he is at large scale commercial work. If you are after someone fantastically friendly and patient, William is your man!

HKG : Afternoon Tea with Kids

from Little Steps Asia dated 21 Feb 2013



Sit, brew, sip...it's tea time! Head to one of the city's best afternoon tea sets and choose from the traditional to the unconventional, by treating your little darlings to a bit of tradition. Slather on some Devonshire clotted cream onto a toasty scone and enjoy the steaming pots of goodness—afternoon tea is an indulgence that everyone deserves once in a while.

ANOTHER FINE DAY
Bring your darlings to this sweet spot for a bit of inspiration. Decorated with plenty of classic English charm, sip tea from pretty porcelain ware while nibbling on a savory item and sweet treats, such as their rose gold scones. You and your little one can write letters to yourselves, which will be mailed to you at a future date—a great way to manifest something wonderful in your life! Afternoon tea for one is HK$198 for non-members and HK$168 for members.
Another Fine Day, G/F, 13A Prince's Terrace, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, +852 2525 8256,www.anotherfineday.com.hk

C'EST LA B
Have your cake and eat it too—C'est La B has all the divine treats of swanky Sevva, but at affordable prices. Your little ladies and gents will love the mini ham and cheese sandwiches or the jiaozi dumplings dipped in a tangy mango sauce. Satisfy your sweet tooth with cakes like Sunshine—a poppy seed lemon cake with an delicate edible flower. Tuck into a tea set for two at HK$380.
C'est La B, Shop 202, Level 2, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2536 0173, www.msbscakery.hk

HULLETT HOUSE
If your darlings can stay put for a pot of tea, bring them to The Parlour. If your hyperactive tots simply can't sit still, let 'em run loose in the Hullett House's grassy area or play by the old watch tower while you unwind. A tempting assortment of petit fours awaits, including standard scones with clotted cream and fruit preserves. The signature black tea blend pairs perfectly with the sinfully dark chocolate cake.
Hullett House, 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3988 0000, www.hulletthouse.com

THE PENINSULA
You can't go wrong with this tried and tested favorite, its sweeping palms, marble floors, grandiose high ceilings, complete with a live, classical music band are legendary. Little has changed about The Lobby, but for the first time in 75 years, they'll be changing up their high tea set with new sweet treats on offer. You may even get a bit of quiet time to soak in the gorgeous surroundings from a bygone era!
The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2920 2888,www.peninsula.com. HK$588 for two.

VERANDAH
Saunter down to The Verandah and laze away the afternoon with your gal pals and babes in arms. This class act calls for your finest afternoon dress and maybe, just maybe a hat to take in the sun. Order a sandwich trio for something satisfying, and finish off with your choice of cakes from the cake trolley. After tea, bring your munchkins to burn off some steam with a walk (or run) along the beach.
Verandah Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2292 2822,www.therepulsebay.com

MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Don’t miss out on The Mandarin’s fragrant rose petal jam to spread on their freshly baked scones. Choose the more bright and airy Cafe Causette or the traditional Clipper Lounge. There's plenty of 50th anniversary promos going on, including several art-themed exhibitions in the Clipper Lounge where you and your cuties can have an impromptu art lesson all while sinking your teeth into tasty treats.
Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road West, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2522 0111,www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong

LANDMARK MANDARIN
Bring your discerning 'tweens to MO Bar for a stylish spread of pastries, savory snacks, scrumptious scones and cupcake buffet. There's always a new twist to tea at the Landmark Mandarin, from collaborations with fashion labels like Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs. It's conveniently located next the The Landmark shops - perfect for pre- or post-shopping relaxing!
Landmark Mandarin, The Landmark, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2522 0111, www.mandarinoriental/landmark

RITZ CARLTON
Kids get their sugar fix at the Ritz Carlton’s Chocolate Library at Cafe 103 with a Classic Chocolate Afternoon Tea that has a cornucopia of chocolate cakes and sweets, all with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Enjoy the sweet view from the 103rd floor! Highchairs are available for wee ones.
Ritz Carlton, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2263 2263,www.ritzcarlton.com

INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG
You and your mini me will have a ball watching the boats glide by Victoria Harbour, all while sitting prim and proper in the hotel's newly refurbished Lobby Lounge. Choose between two tea sets: Contemporary Afternoon Tea offers an assortment of finger sandwiches, petit fours and scones, while the Red Box Chinese Afternoon Tea comes with dim sum and Asian- inspired desserts.
Intercontinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2721 1211, hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com. Both tea sets are priced at HK$548 on weekdays and HK$568 on weekends, for two people.

LOCK CHA TEA HOUSE
Take a stroll around Hong Kong Park before having an educational experience in Chinese tea that the whole family can enjoy. Lock Cha Tea House has an encyclopedia of teas available. For a site to be seen, choose one of the blossoming flower teas, which blossoms in your clear glass pot. Order some vegetarian dim sum or delicate desserts for an interesting tea pairing.
Lock Cha Tea House, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2801 7177, www.lockcha.com

THE LANGHAM
Spoil your little prince and princesses silly with a choice of fairytale- inspired tea sets at Palm Court. Grown ups can choose between the Sleeping Beauty tea set, which has all the traditional favorites, or The Beauty & The Beast—a chocolate-infused set for chocoholics (HK$398 for two). Their crowning item is a special Princess Tea for kids that includes crowd-pleasers such as lemon marshmallow macaroons and strawberry cupcakes with hot chocolate (HK$98 per child).
The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2375 1133, hongkong.langhamhotels.com.

CAFE GRAY
A panorama of Victoria Harbour will wow you and your kiddies, so be sure to request prime spots by the window. The afternoon tea has all the classic favorites with a few fusion twists such as crisp wontons. If your growing sprouts are still wolfish after tea, Cafe Gray now offers an all day kid's menu with faves like mac and cheese and three types of milkshakes. Walk it off after at nearby HK Park.
Cafe Gray, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2918 1838, www.cafegrayhk.com. Afternoon tea HK$354 for two