The People of Katong Culture

Founder – Gavin

Introduce yourself! Use this space to write 2 or 3 sentences about who you are, what you do, and where you are.

Snap Comm Wiz – Lea (Ninja)

Katong-Joo Chiat Through My Eyes: More Than Just a Snapshot

 

Inspired by my late brother, I swapped a 20-year shipping career for creative freedom, founding Six5 Productions LLP. Many know me as “Ninja” — a nickname Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong gave me back when I was photographing for Marine Parade & Joo Chiat CC.

 

Joining Katong Culture in 2023 has tied me even closer to this buzzing community. As a long-time resident, I’ve turned self-taught photography from a passion into a living — and they say the eyes of a photographer see differently. Mine uncovers what others walk right past: the hidden stories in old shophouses and new spaces, the bold murals, and the walls of life that make Katong-Joo Chiat one-of-a-kind. My go-to hunt route? From Geylang Serai through Joo Chiat Road to East Coast Park, then looping back along East Coast Road — each quiet walk bringing an unexpected frame I never saw coming.

 

But it’s not just about clicking a button. It’s the thrill of stumbling on a grandmother passing down kueh to her grandkid on a shophouse step, or catching that split second when sunlight hits a mural and makes its characters breathe. These little surprises are the spice in my days — and I love that my photos let others sip on that same joy of discovery. Every shot shares Katong-Joo Chiat’s unique beauty… and a slice of my own wild, wonderful journey too.