Mita Kelder: Life Behind The Lens

“Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t turn out [well], take another shot.” – (Unknown)

People and photography are Mita Kelder’s food for the soul. The former Thai model is consumed with fuelling her photography practice and helping feed Thai migrant workers in Singapore.

My introduction to Mita was on social media. We were about to celebrate the first birthday of my daughter when I asked a question in a popular online Facebook group, which included thousands of female expats living in Singapore. “Any recommendations for a family and event photographer?” Within minutes, fellow wives and moms replied: Mita Kelder. Mita Kelder Photography. Mita!!! And so, I booked a session with her.

Confession: Posing for the camera is not for everyone. Some people panic in front of the camera. Others end up with pretentious or overly awkward portrait poses without depth and character. I am one of those unfortunate subjects whose auto-response to a flash of light is to put one hand on a hip and tilt to one side. It’s a pose so unnatural that I cringe and laugh after seeing the shot. I’m no Vogue model, that’s for sure, and in great need of a photographer who can make me feel comfortable in my own skin. Moreover, I needed someone to record all the beautiful moments my family will cherish forever and ever (where we all look as natural as possible). So I needed no further prodding when Mita was unanimously endorsed.

After working with Mita, I could easily understand what the buzz was all about. What she does is more than just pointing a camera and pressing the button. Her work is an art form that uses creative techniques to capture the heart and soul of each moment. Her portfolio is, indeed, beautiful, with everyone looking natural.

She is easily one of the best photographers I have worked with, if not the best one. A session with her is stress-free and devoid of those cheesy fake smiles and unnatural poses. Witty and funny, Mita knows how to engage people during her shoots. She knows which buttons to push to keep her subjects comfortable and relaxed. A very animated woman, you can see how much she enjoys her craft. She’d lovingly spend time styling her set to bring out the mood. She’d lie on the floor or climb the highest step for that perfect angle and one great shot.

But there is more to Mita than her superb photography skills and creativity. She is someone with the biggest heart. Every now and then, you’ll see photos of her donating and delivering food to Thai migrant workers in Singapore.

“My husband would always travel for work. And I always wished we had family in those places he went so he would have someone to take care of him. Since I couldn’t cook for him, I thought of cooking for people who were also away from their families. Our Thai workers are someone’s son and father. Someone should show them kindness and take care of them too.”

For years, Mita has been donating food to Thai migrant worker especially during Thai festivals. Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, she has upped her efforts, cooking day and night for her fellow countrymen.

“She gives away all our food in the refrigerator and we always have no chicken left,” Merel, her 12-year old-daughter, unabashedly said during our interview.

“My husband and my family have supported me a lot in helping our migrant workers. Many Thai people have had it tough. I wouldn’t have been able to cook and deliver food to them without the help of my family, the Thai Association and Thai Embassy. All the Thais in Singapore have come together to help out during the pandemic.”

“When you’re in a situation [like the pandemic], you realise what is truly important in life. It’s all about family and sharing that love around you. We always need to be strong. We need to continue teaching ourselves. We need to continue growing even when under pressure and facing many challenges. Lastly, the world needs someone to rise to the occasion and do the right thing. That someone can be us in our own little way.”

Thai-born and a Fine Arts graduate, Mita moved to Singapore in 2004 to be with her husband, Maarten Kelder.

Mita, Maarten, Mirabelle and Merel with their dog Mocha

“I moved to Singapore because I was in love with my husband. I am still in love with him,” she says in her melodic Thai accent. “Back in Bangkok, I was a model and loved doing photoshoots. When I was pregnant with my first daughter, Mirabelle, I booked an appointment with a photographer to take my photos. After the shoot, we went through all my photos in the projector. They were all beautiful. But I was shocked because on top of the session fee that I previously paid, I had to pay an additional amount for each photo that I would choose. After that, I bought my first camera so I can take my own photos of my growing family.” Her journey to becoming a staple name when it comes to family and newborn photography in Singapore started because of her family.

When her two girls were babies, she fell into photography as a way to better capture their childhood. Soon, she realised she loved capturing other people’s family connections as well. Her husband, Maarten, encouraged her and gave the support she needed to start her fledgling business. Mita has worked with many families through the years recording their life’s precious moments since and has expanded to corporate photoshoots.

Mita with her daughters, Mirabelle and Merel, 2016

Mirabelle and Merel with Tamaruke, 2020

Mirabelle and Merel, 2015

If Mita is not in an event or her studio, you can find her at home capturing stills of her favourite subjects, her daughters, Mirabelle and Merel, both her pride and joy. Mita is a homemaker through and through – a loving wife and mom. She loves to cook for her family and grows herbs and vegetables in her garden. One can see how she makes each moment special for the family.  Regular family meals at the Kelder home are beautiful with the table set-up according to a specific theme for that day. She decorates her living space with as much love as she has for her craft. Mita documents her family life every month on Thai Mother Digest, Baby Digest and Travel with Kids, where she is a columnist.

Whether it’s catching happy family moments through her lens or capturing the hearts of Thai workers through her home-cooked meals, Mita doesn’t skip a beat.

Tisha | ws

To see more of Mita’s work, visit www.mitaphoto.com.sg.

You can also follow her on Facebook.com/mita.kelder, Facebook.com/mitakelderphoto/or on Instagram @mitakelderphotography.