P. S. Teo started his career by assisting the chief photographer and dark room technician at Studio De Luxe. At the same time, he did a correspondence course conducted by Alpha Correspondence School of Photography in London, reading, self-study and doing experimental work on photography. The famous portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh was his mentor. Karsh who passed through Singapore encouraged him to be a photographer. He sent him a gift of his book of black and white portraits and gave him one piece of important advice – never be stingy with films. In his younger days, P. S. Teo participated in photography exhibitions and competitions both in Singapore and abroad. He won two bronze medals from the Singapore Art Society. In 1955, he had three portraits exhibited at the Institute of British Photographers Exhibition of Professional Photography at the R.B.A. Gallery, London. In 1956 he was awarded the Associateship of the Institute of British Photographers (A.I.B.P) for portrait photography making him just one of two Malayans to receive the honour. In 1957, he became an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (A.R.P.S.). The following year, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (F.R.S.A).

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