The Initial Hesitation: An Unwilling Muse When I first approached Rebecca Hall, the Principal Flute at the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, about my first solo exhibition, Women in Malta (2015), she was honest: she hated being photographed. This is a sentiment I hear often, especially from high-achieving women—they are powerful in their careers but feel vulnerable and unseen in…
I had the pleasure of working with Kim Dalli, a well-known and talented local actress, as well as a passionate artist and playwright. She has taken on the monumental task of translating and adapting the story of Artemisia Gentileschifor a contemporary audience. When Kim shared Artemisia’s story with me, I was captivated. The play will be performed…
It’s amazing how often conversations in the Cranberry Studio circle back to the same theme: personal transformation. Recently, I’ve had several inspiring conversations with clients who are deep into their own fitness and weight loss journeys. While I can’t share their private stories, those conversations truly motivated me to share a chapter of my own. We all walk similar…
Welcome to the Portrait Stories newsletter!I’m Amanda Hsu, I’m a portrait photographer and I run Cranberry Studio here in sunny Malta. I’m writing a portrait book filled with beautiful images and inspiring stories. If you haven’t subscribed yet, join us for free to stay updated on this exciting journey. Through photography, I’ve witnessed so many…
Look at this gorgeous portrait of Marcia! She is one of those strong ladies who took on a lot on her shoulders. A real-life superwoman. She takes care of her family, pets, elderly parents and a career. However, even the strongest among us need a moment to breathe and recharge. Recognizing the importance of self-care,…
Today, I want to talk about something that’s meaningful in my work: celebrating relationships through photography. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many amazing women who come to me for a photo shoot. Many of them want to include their loved ones to take some photos together at the end…
Welcome to the Portrait Stories newsletter! I’m Amanda Hsu, and I run a Portrait Studio – Cranberry Studio here in sunny Malta. I’m writing a portrait book filled with beautiful images and inspiring stories. Sonia is a passionate runner. This year, she completed the 2024 La Valletta Full Marathon!! It was a crazy 42.2-kilometer full…
Welcome to the Portrait Stories newsletter! I’m Amanda Hsu, and I run Cranberry Studio here in sunny Malta. I’m writing a portrait book filled with beautiful images and inspiring stories. If you haven’t subscribed yet, join us for free to stay updated on this exciting journey. When I first met Lorraine, she looked through the…