Meet Eddie and Joyce, the duo looking to create the picture-perfect experience for every client. With nearly two decades of partnership on a personal level, they have developed a deep understanding of each other’s strengths — trusting one another’s expertise and communicating openly throughout every session.
Their shared priority is always the client’s experience, ensuring that every pose, every touch-up, and every captured moment is done with the client’s best interest at heart. Their approach is a testament to how strong teamwork, humility, and a shared vision can deliver not just beautiful photographs, but an uplifting, memorable experience for their clients.
What inspired you to approach photography as a form of therapy and a deeply human experience?
Eddie: We started our photography business in 2021, but it was only last year that we started to approach it like, like what you say, a form of therapy for clients. It started when one client booked us to shoot headshots for her whole team, which was 12 pax in total.
The majority were actually working mums. When they came for their individual photo shoot sessions, we saw women who had sacrificed a lot of their time and energy juggling between work and family.
Many of them looked very tired and shared that they were very self-conscious about the weight they had gained since giving birth. Talking to them made us realise that they only had photos of their children in their mobile phones, and almost none of themselves, because they did not feel photogenic enough to be in photos.
It was then that we realised we wanted to remind people, especially women, that self-love is important and that they should prioritise themselves as well. That led us to launch our successful campaign called Celebrate You.
It is a campaign whereby we offer ten women a celebrity-like experience, including a bespoke makeover, wardrobe styling, editorial photo session, and at the same time, we interviewed them on their personal stories and struggles.
Can you walk us through an example of a client journey at Terra Headshots, from the initial consultation all the way to the final photo shoot?
Eddie: Each client journey is different as we provide a customised experience for every client. An example would be one of our clients, Mei Konishi. She is a voice actor and wanted us to capture her professionally, looking like she was in a recording booth.
She valued a professional headshot for her work, but at the same time, she had a special request: she preferred to hide parts of her face in the photos due to privacy concerns with the internet, and she is also an introvert. On the actual day, she brought different outfits as well as her own microphone setup.
While Joyce did her magic on Mei’s hair and makeup, I designed the setup for the photo session. Eventually, I captured her in different poses crafted with her microphone setup and also captured her favourite shot of her in her favourite turtleneck, as a moment to celebrate her personally.
We not only captured her in a professional look but also captured her as she is—as a work of art. That being said, we understand each of our clients from the beginning through a video discovery call where we ask them questions.
This allows us to craft personalised sessions for them and help set the tone and design an experience that is unique to every client.
You mentioned helping clients overcome physical insecurities like double chins or body shape. How do both of you use styling as well as photography to build their confidence?
Joyce: When it comes to flattering the body shape, we have this process called the Pre-Shoot Wardrobe Consultation. That’s where we get our clients to send pictures of themselves in their shortlisted outfits. Then we help them choose the outfits that they look best in.
In fact, Eddie even went on a shopping trip with one client to help him find clothes that suited him because he really did not have anything suitable for the shoot. For clients who are unsure of what colours they should go for, we also offer a personal colour analysis session.
I do personal colour analysis for clients and help them find out which colours make them look best. Usually, such sessions are organised about two to three weeks before their shoot so that they have ample time to prepare.
On the day of the shoot, I will address any concerns they have in terms of complexion, features or hair during the makeover—for example, helping them conceal blemishes or contour their faces for a slimmer look on camera.
Eddie: During the session, I will check in with them if they have any parts of themselves they feel more conscious about. From there, I guide them into certain poses that draw attention away from those areas. For example, placing the hands in a way that conceals the tummy area.
However, the more important part of building their confidence is changing their mindset about themselves. One thing I love to do is get my clients to visualise moments they love, such as going on a romantic date with their other half.
That is when they switch from feeling insecure to feeling good, and those are the special moments when they shine and look amazing. Also, I show them some of the photos taken after a pose, and this usually boosts their confidence and trust in me even more.
However, the more important part of building their confidence is changing their mindset about themselves.
It is possible for everyone to fall in love with themselves again and celebrate how far they have come.
What message would you like to bring across in your photography?
Eddie: It is possible for everyone to fall in love with themselves again and celebrate how far they have come. I remember the story of a client, Lup Wai, who was bullied when she was younger and was told that she was ugly.
Imagine the internal work she had to go through all those years to tell herself that she is enough and that she is beautiful. Self-love and self-care are important and we would like to bring that across not just in the photography experience but in every little thing we do—from the initial video call, the hair and makeup process, to the final review session of the final artwork.
With AI tools like ChatGPT and image generators evolving rapidly, how do you see the future of portrait photography and what aspects will always require a human touch?
Eddie: Moving forward, I still see portrait photography as not just producing photos but as a way for one to fully experience what it means to be present—to be connected with themselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
To feel a sense of fulfilment from knowing the effort they have put in to get the end results. For example, we had a client, Susanna, who always disliked taking photos. As a stroke survivor, she wanted to face her fears of being in front of a camera and prove to herself that she could still be independent and not let her impediments set her back.
For her photos, she shared how she wanted to show a sense of confidence, resilience, empathy and compassion. Through careful thought in posing and expression, we were able to capture that, along with a perspective she had never seen herself from before.
Knowing that she was able to achieve all these for herself is an experience that AI can never provide.
What do you think makes a good entrepreneur?
Joyce: I feel that being able to solve the client’s problem well while providing massive value in the process is what makes a good entrepreneur. If you are able to do that, then you are a good entrepreneur because you can differentiate your business from the others.
In our case, besides giving our clients amazing headshots and portraits that they are proud to use, we also solve emotional and personal problems by changing their negative self-perceptions.
For example, from “I don’t look good” and “I’m not photogenic” to “Wow, I’ve never seen myself like this before, I love it.” That’s what we feel makes a good entrepreneur.
As a husband-and-wife team and business partners, how do you navigate disagreements during a photo shoot?
Eddie: Joyce trusts me with what I do in the photography arena. She 100% trusts me in the process of how I get our clients to be photographed and how they look as well.
At the same time, when she sees something that can be done better, she will signal to me, like, “Hey, maybe can try and capture our client in a certain manner that helps to hide body parts they are more conscious about such as the tummy.”
Because we have been together for about 19 years, our foundation in communicating with each other is very solid. Miscommunications or disagreements were resolved long ago in the early years of being together.
For makeup and hair styling, I trust her 100% because this is her expertise and she’s been doing it for over 10 years. I’m personally a huge fan of her work. In terms of business, disagreements are very minimal.
Joyce: To add on, one of the most important things for us during a photo shoot session is that it is not about us, not about our own egos—it is really about the client.
It is about making sure every single step is a positive and uplifting experience. For example, after the makeup, we always do a test shoot. Eddie checks with me, “What do you think? Need to touch up anywhere?” I give my feedback from the makeup perspective, and he gives his from the lighting and camera angle perspective.
We also show the client and ask for their feedback. If there is a pose I think we could improve or add, I suggest it, and Eddie is always open to it. We are very collaborative. The key is always making sure the client feels their best.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
Eddie: Staying financially strong and politically stable regardless of the happenings around the world so that SMEs can continue to thrive in Singapore.
That being said, I would also like to have more Singaporeans say, “I am enough,” and have more people practising self-love. Asian culture and family dynamics do not always foster this, so I hope more Singaporeans will be reminded that they are enough.
Connect with Eddie and Joyce: LinkedIn (Eddie), LinkedIn (Joyce) and Instagram.
