PhotoSpeak : Portraiture inspired documentary projects
Sunday 7 September 2025
3.00 pm - 4.30 pm
Exhibition space, Hin Bus Depot
Free to join. Registration required.
KLPA have lined up 2 unique Malaysian photographers who are widely recognised within their fields, to share their methods in photographing documentary projects which are inspired by portraiture. This public presentation will reveal individual approaches from concept-creation to execution and dissemination of their works to a wide audience. This series of talks will benefit photographers who may be planning similar long term projects or just curious about documentary projects and photographing people in close quarters.
Speakers
1. Steven Lee, Director of KLPA : Introducing the backstory of KLPhotowards, Steven will present a selection of his personal favourites from the past archive of finalists from 2009 - 2024 with a general discussion on what makes a 'good' portrait.
2. Sue Anne Koh : Photographer Sue Anne Koh presents an insight into her portrait project "They too, are seen" through a personal connection with the Tong Sim Care Home, where stories of forgotten seniors are seen, remembered and honoured. She secured a full sponsorship for public exhibition of the project in Kuala Lumpur in 2025.
3. Nadirah Zakariya - Photographer, producer - Sharing the thought process of her recent portraiture project "hatsuyume (初夢) " whilst at a residency at the foothills of Mount Fuji, Japan. This project was developed in conjunction with the Two Mountains Photo Project 4.0. which culminated in a joint exhibition at the Sabah Art Gallery, Kota Kinabalu in 2025.
Q&A follows.
Profiles
Steven Lee
Steven has been involved in photography advocacy and education for over 20 years. He is the founder director of KLPA (Kuala Lumpur International Photoawards) and co-founder of Exposure Plus Photo Festival based in Malaysia. He actively participates in international photography events as jury, portfolio reviewer, mentor and workshop leads. He acted as nominator for the World Press Photo 6X6 Global Talent Program and Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA) and in 2025, the Deloitte Photogrant award. Steven is also a photographer who began his career in fashion and portraiture, as well as travel documentary work in the early 2000s, and has self-published several books. @stevenvllee
Sue Anne Koh
Sue Anne is a photographer based in Kuala Lumpur specialising in portrait photography. Her portfolio ranges from creative portraits to editorial, commercial, event photography and professional corporate photos. Sue Anne is known for her strength in capturing the rawness or emotions or her subjects. She is also a Sony Alpha Guru where she represents Sony Malaysia and shares her expertise through portrait photography workshops. @sueannekphotography Notable clients: Valiram | Victoria's Secret Sime Darby Motor | Porsche Robb Report | Ferrari UEM Sunrise Grab Malaysia Meta | Facebook Macallan Sony South East Asia
Nadirah Zakariya
Born and raised in Malaysia, Nadirah Zakariya draws inspiration for her works through her non-specific geographic upbringing, focusing on the emotional impact and how it shapes who she is. Currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Nadirah received her Bachelor in Fine Arts from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. In 2011 Nadirah was invited to hold her first solo exhibition “Daughters Ago” in New York. She later exhibited “GIRLHOOD”, another solo show, in 2016 at the Leica Gallery Kuala Lumpur. In 2018, her series “Fuji-san Love Letters” was showcased at Ilham Gallery. Her latest and biggest solo exhibition is Feeling Feelings Makes Me, Me which took place at temu house in May 2023 showcased nearly 40 of her photography works. Nadirah is an internationally published photographer with works in publications such as The New York Times Magazine, VICE, Dazed and Confused, Refinery29 and Vogue Italia. In 2022, her artwork was published in Thames and Hudson’s Flora Photographica : The Flower in Contemporary Photography by William A. Ewing and Danaé Panchaud. The book is described as “Vivid, bold, spectacular and unexpected: a definitive overview of one of contemporary photography’s most innovative fields, showcasing flower imagery by more than 120 of the world’s leading practitioners.” With a passion in photography and film making, she is the co-founder of Layar Lucida, a women-led creative studio and also the co-founder of Exposure+ Photo in Kuala Lumpur. @nadirahzakariya