Through the Lens: Nicolette Ow

Singapore photographer on elevating unvalued communities
By Danisha Liang

‘Through the Lens’ is a series that explores in detail images from fashion photographers in Southeast Asia, shining a light on their technical and creative processes.

In Plain Sight Nicolette Ow — ‘In Plain Sight’, featuring Vijay, 2021. Image courtesy of Nicolette Ow.

Nicolette Ow is a content strategist and photographer from Singapore. Since the beginning of her undergraduate studies in BA(Hons) Fashion Media and Industries programme at LASALLE College of the Arts in 2018, she has been engaging in photography and art direction. Her works often feature Asian subjects and offer social commentary on society and culture, exploring how fashion and media can intersect with social issues.

In this conversation, Nicolette delves into the inspiration behind a series of photographs featuring low-wage essential workers in Singapore, as well as her role in the series as art director and editor.

In Plain Sight publication Nicolette Ow — ‘In Plain Sight’ publication, 2021. Image courtesy of Nicolette Ow.

Could you describe this photo series?

This series of photos is for ‘In Plain Sight’, a publication I established that gives visibility to unseen and undervalued communities in Singapore through the lens of fashion. The debut issue focuses on essential yet low-wage workers, in particular migrant workers, foreign domestic workers and elderly cleaners, who are the talents featured in the images.

Vijay is a project engineer at a manufacturing company, who has been working in Singapore since 2013. Like many migrant workers, the pandemic has disrupted his plans of reuniting with his wife and family in India, whom he has not seen since 2019. As he works to support them, he turns to writing as a creative outlet. He dreams of becoming a popular Tamil poet and was the winner of the Migrant Worker Poetry Competition last year. His colleague, Ponnusamy, is an electrical engineer working to give his 10-year-old son the best future. Having lived in Singapore for over 15 years, he is used to life here and counts himself lucky to be safe in Singapore, but misses his wife and son dearly. He hopes to be able to bring his family over to start a new life together.

This issue of ‘In Plain Sight’ also features three foreign domestic workers whom I met through Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) Singapore. Angie is an aspiring entrepreneur with dreams of running a cafe with her mum in the Philippines. As a solo parent of two, it is tough being away from her family and she grapples with feelings of loneliness. However, she is proud to be a helper and hopes that by sharing her experiences, she can be a positive voice for fellow workers here. Similarly, Wartiningsih is a helper from Java, Indonesia, who is no stranger to the emotional stress that comes with being a single mother to her three sons. After overcoming past trauma from her ex-employer, she is now happier with her current employers and is working on setting up her own bakery back home. She also currently teaches the baking class at HOME Academy on her off days. Betty, a helper from Manila, Philippines, is also a volunteer teacher at the academy. Specialising in cosmetology, she dreams of opening her own salon. She has been working in Singapore for 20 years to support her family, and has also formed close bonds with the children she has cared for.

Last but not least, Poh Choo has been working as a cleaner for over 20 years. She cleans at different locations, six days a week. Her four grandchildren are her main motivation for staying in this line of work despite being in her 60s. She explains that her daughter does not earn much as well. Although it is tiring, she has gotten used to it and sees it as a respectable job.

What camera and lens were used to shoot this?

The series was shot with a Sony a7ii with a 24mm lens.

What was the concept behind it? How did you come up with this theme?

When this project was first coming together, there was a lot of discussion in Singapore mainstream media about the jobs that are essential during the pandemic, and the definition of "essential". A key issue was that despite being seen as essential by Singaporeans, the salaries and stigmas associated with low-wage workers such as cleaners, migrant workers and security officers, do not reflect the importance of their work. In the images, fashion is used to transform the narrative around these workers, seeking to elevate and celebrate them.

Was this shoot a client-based project or was it for your personal portfolio?

It was for my final year project for my undergraduate programme.

Did you work with a team to create this? Who else was involved?

Yes, of course! I was the art director and editor for this shoot. This production team helped to bring my concept to life and it would not be the same without them.

I-zak Rugdee was the photographer, Evan Tan was in charge of lighting, and Bobby Low assisted with the lighting and set production. The three of them are co-founders of framethefolks, a creative art studio specialising in image and content production, and were my go-to collaborators when I was developing this project and conducting test shoots.

Rin Low was the stylist, whom I worked with closely to plan the looks for each of the six talents. Priscelia Wong was the hair and makeup artist who turned the conceptualised looks into reality. It was great to have them both on board with the motivation behind the images, and understand so quickly the vision I had. Their suggestions and experience also contributed to the overall narrative of the shoot.

Last but not least, Joanne Ang was the videographer on set who documented the behind-the-scenes footage which made this video happen.

Are there any specific elements in this image that you would want people to pay attention to, and why?

Yes, I would like them to focus on the way the talents are standing or seated, and the attitudes they express whilst styled in this manner. These images are a space for them to reclaim feelings of power and be whoever they want to be. It is for us to see them in a different light.

“These images are a space for them to reclaim feelings of power and be whoever they want to be. It is for us to see them in a different light.”

Which fashion photographer’s work inspires you most?

I am inspired by Lenne Chai and how she creates amazing visuals with underlying social narratives. I am also a fan of Zhong Lin and Cho Gi Seok's work.

Find out more about ‘In Plain Sight’ here. See more of Nicolette’s work on Instagram at @nicoletteow.