Christine Tan

Photography

Human Stories
by Christine Tan

Hello, Thanks for stopping by!

I'm Christine!
I'm a portrait photographer based in Melbourne, Australia.
 
These are the stories and images of some of the teens I've photographed around the world. Sprinkled in here is also my work as a missional photographic storyteller which focuses on the work of organisations on a mission to do good and bring good to their local and global communities. 

Thanks for being here.    

Highlights From a Year With the Melbourne Youth Orchestras

The end of 2025 mark the third season shooting for the Melbourne Youth Orchestras. What I love about working with them is their openness to trying new ways of incorporating photography into the experience their young musicians have when they join one of their 16 ensembles.  As always, the end-of-year showcase concerts were a highlight […]

READ MORE

Thirteen Looks Like This — Portraits from a Coming of Age

Last month my youngest son turned 13. The baby became a teenager. He surprised me by wanting to have a birthday party at home. Realising these days of home-grown house parties are fewer and farther between, I happily agreed, even though it would take a bit more planning and work. We created a hybrid experience […]

READ MORE

From France to Melbourne: A Winter Beach Photoshoot to Remember Australia

New friendships and a slower, more balanced lifestyle, Nisha reflects on a transformative year abroad that reshaped how she sees the world—and herself. On a chilly July morning, I met Nisha for her photoshoot commemorating her year living and working in Australia. I wanted a spot that was quintessentially Melbourne but not too crowded—St. Kilda […]

READ MORE

“I knew you were on my side”: Reuben’s Graduation Photoshoot

I had such an AMAZING time on Reuben’s photoshoot. He was going to be a tough one because he was really sceptical of the whole thing, but he was doing it for his mum. He’ll admit that he doesn’t like being in front of the camera and doesn’t think he’s very photogenic. But I beg […]

READ MORE

Mother’s Day Mini-Sessions

I’m excited to announce the theme for this year’s Mother’s Day mini-sessions “The VISIBLE Mother” for Mother’s Day 2025. Motherhood is an honourable though sometimes invisible job. All the details we keep track of to make sure the family runs well often go unnoticed, until we miss something (which I often do)… and then our […]

READ MORE

What can I do with my digital images?

So you’ve purchased some digital downloads recently from an event, and you’re wondering what to do next? Here are not five, not six, but SEVEN ideas for how to make the most of the digital downloads this season. (Listed from cheapest to most expensive.) 1. Update your wallpaper on your computer / phone What easier […]

READ MORE

The Power of Printing Your Photos

What printing images of our teens remind us and tells them about themselves. Printing images of our teens is a dying art. It’s something I think we need to fight to bring back into our busy lives. The struggle is worth it.  I believe the simple act of hanging photos of your teens can improve […]

READ MORE

Why Book a Photoshoot for Your Teen or Tween?

You have a teen, or two, or three! and maybe you’ve never considering booking a photoshoot specifically to celebrate your emerging young adult. “Is this even a thing people do?” you may be thinking.  My answer is, yes! And if you don’t think this is something for you or your teen, let me share with […]

READ MORE

teen-girl-softball-player-leaning-fence

Eden’s Graduation Photoshoot at the Diamonds

When I started playing softball again in 2022, I met some pretty fun women who love the sport so much that no matter rain or shine, cold or hot, even all that weather on the same day (that’s just Melbourne being Melbourne), they’d make the trek to the diamonds at the Waverley Women’s Sports Complex […]

READ MORE

teen-boy-with-bassoon

The Musically Talented Teens of the Melbourne Youth Orchestras

This 2023 school year brought new opportunities to photograph more teens and young people in the Melbourne area. One organisation I thoroughly enjoyed working with was the Melbourne Youth Orchestra.  The MYO provides performance opportunities for over 580 young musicians in the greater Melbourne area across various ensembles, ages, and ability levels. Musicians range from […]

READ MORE

Teen Melbourne girl looks through a green coloured circular web structure at a playground.

A Teen’s Reflections on Moving From Dubai to Melbourne

As a fairly recent transplant to Australia myself, I love meeting teens who have moved from other countries because their parents believed they would have more opportunities or a better future here. Moving during the teen years, let alone to another country, develops a certain type of adaptability that living in the same hometown your […]

READ MORE