Category Archives: // Opinions
| Essential | 29 Jan 2013 |
We featured our Essential Package during the last Getting Married Bridal Fair two weeks ago. Thank you for the bookings and inquiries. While our Premium still remains the supreme favorite, Essential also met the changing needs of our couples who just want to share, share, share. And yes, we like, like, like this. :)
Thank you again. We will see you on the next bridal fair in March.
| Sunlight is on the way | 09 Aug 2012 |
The terrible rains we experienced in Manila dampened so many people physically and emotionally. But today, I’m happy that we experience more sunshine than rain for a change.
The picture above is taken in one of those pockets of sunlight we had in between rains. It still ended in a happily ever after way, of course. Much like how it is in life. Let’s recover together. Sunlight is on the way. :)
| Smile! | 31 Dec 2011 |
It’s a camera jungle out there! I don’t mind guests soaking in the moment with their cameras as long as they smile while doing so. :)
| One | 11 Nov 2011 |
We only have one goal. Our goal is to produce pictures that reflect these adjectives:
Today we were bombarded with a series of 1s because 11/11/11 is a once in a lifetime date. Everybody had something to say. Everybody had something special to release. Some tried the numbers in the lottery. We are jumping the bandwagon here by exaggerating the meaning of the date. But I think “jumping the bandwagon” can be a rare opportunity to reinforce something. For us, it is essential to go back to basics. ONE GOAL.
(One mission? Visions of one sweet union? :) Now the Queen’s One Vision won’t stop playing in my head. P.S. It’s a great song.)
I hope you had a great 11/11/11. I was at a wedding so I did. :)
| Spot the difference | 04 Sep 2011 |
These pictures were taken on the same day. Before my wedding shoot, this group, including the “guardia sibil” were all smiles. They were allowed to have their pictures taken. But after the wedding, when it was our turn, we were told by the officers that we needed a permit. What gives? How come the first group was allowed to take pics and we weren’t?
My mind cannot process this phenomenon.
Do I need to include the officers in the pictorial for a Go signal?
Is there a secret password I don’t know about?
Do I need to wear yellow as well?
Where can I enroll for hypnotism training?
Am I not charming enough?
I respect the officers, I respect rules. But some clarity would be much appreciated. Please enlighten me on this, friends. :) I really want to know why, why and why.
| All Brides are Beautiful! | 17 Jan 2011 |
Conversation with bride-to-be:
Bride: Do you post all weddings in your blog?
Me: Yes, unless they specify me not to. Why?
Bride: In case I book you, I don’t want to be posted.
Me: May I know why?
Bride: All your brides are beautiful and I don’t fit in.
She is beautiful even in our meeting (no make-up) but I guess she got intimidated for some reason.
Truth is, all brides are beautiful – exceptionally beautiful on their wedding day. If it doesn’t show, I’m not doing my job properly.
I gathered portraits of my brides this January and here they are. Aren’t they the most beautiful brides in the world? :)
Charlene – Jan15
Nicole – Jan14
Mish – Jan11
Emma – Jan9
Anjie – Jan8
Diana – Jan7
Angela – Jan2
| W@W 2009 Most Memorable Weddings | 13 Jan 2010 |
Several suppliers shared their memorable weddings last 2009 at W@W.
In my case, I submitted a gay wedding which I shot last October 15. I know that gay weddings are not allowed (yet) here in the Philippines but it really happened. Although it was not legal or sacramental- it was a real wedding: a real celebration with real people. They did it because they believe in it and their friends believe in it.
I quote this from the invitation “Our wedding will be a fairytale… a dream with no end”.
| Being Different | 07 Jan 2010 |
One of the first questions I receive during a meeting is if I have been to a wedding in their chosen church and reception venue already. In my ten years, I’ve shot almost all churches in Metro Manila which make them confident that I’ll do a good job.
In most cases, having experienced a wedding in a particular church is an advantage. Most photographers would secure all their favorite spots and give their client what they expect. Everybody happy. :)
Last January 5 & 6, I had a wedding at St. James (Alabang), both at 3pm. You might say it was very easy. But it was not. Not in my case at least. There was a big pressure on me to come up with different shots even though my two couples didn’t know each other. Thing is, I don’t want to work on a template or a shot list.
Just to illustrate:
Jan 5, portrait of bride in the car
Jan 6, portrait of bride in car
Both in car, both beautiful, both before getting off the car but different angles.
Jan 5, preparing for walk
Jan 6, preparing for walk
The angles are almost the same, I just capitalized on their veil. They have different veils. One advantage of Jan 6 is that I was able to remove the dress-code sign. For Jan 5, I’ll try to Photoshop it. :)
Jan 5, bridal walk
Jan 6, bridal walk
I was on the left side on Jan 5 and I did it on the right side for Jan 6.
Nobody would really notice if the photographer works on a template. Although I hear stories from brides who are officemates and found out that their albums look very similar. It’s just that the faces are different.
Anyway, what I’m doing is that I try to be different everytime. I made it easier by having a system – it’s in my instict. Although there is a temptation during peak season but the difference doesn’t have to be grand anyway.
The advantage of doing this is that I don’t get bored and hopefully I don’t bore you.
| It’s not just another New Year | 01 Jan 2010 |
It’s been a decade since I started as a professional wedding photographer. The very first wedding we covered was in Subic which was the wedding of Eric Paragas and Ali Gordon last January 9, 2000. Since then, we’ve been a part of close to a thousand weddings.
How was it, you may ask? I can say that the last decade was my most fulfilling experience and obviously the happiest decade of my life. Truly, I over-exceeded any dreams and expectations I have back in Y2000.
There were acoustic and bossa nova in music. There were spot coloring and wacky poses in photography. There were the white album and Art Leather. You hardly see them now and I’m very proud to say we’re very much active and continually evolving.
What do I see in the next ten years? What am I up to?
Last May 2001, I introduced my digital storybook which became a norm in wedding albums now. It’s one contribution to the Philippine wedding industry I am very proud of. Now, I’m hoping to contribute to the world. I need your help to do that.
In the past decade, I was trying to be the greatest wedding photographer. I’ve been taught that one needs to take great pictures to be able to become a great photographer.
But this is what I learned…
It’s not about how good you take pictures but how good you feel about the pictures you take.
Have yourself a blessed New Year!
