Jeiden: 1st birthday party

September 21, 2009
Montgomery Place Social Hall

This was a last-minute booking for me. I wasn't expecting to be working that Monday, which was a holiday, but when Jhoanne Alon of Polkadots Events texted me about a week before to ask if I was still available, I jumped at the chance to work with her. I love working with Jhoanne. She's so nice, and she's also very creative and talented!:)

Because I was booked for this event through Jhoanne, I never got to meet (not even through text or email) the clients (Mommy Gianne and Daddy Jeff) before the party.  And when I did meet them, I didn't really get to talk to them except for the usual introductions. They were very nice to work with though.  And two days after the party, I got a really nice email from Gianne thanking me for photographing her son's party. She also told me that she's actually into photography as well, so it was really nice to have a fellow photographer appreciate my work.:)

Here are a few of the photos from the pirates-themed party.

First off, the colorful decorations from Polkadots Events.

Some of the souvenirs for the guests.


We didn't have great weather that day. It was hot and humid, and then it started raining.  Fortunately, i was able to find a spot where the light was great so we were able to take some family photos before the party started.

Some more shots of Jeiden.





I love these face and body paintings!:)

The cake.

Here's host/magician Symond, entertaining all the kids as well as the adults.

Some kids during one of the games.


Some of the lolas and titas during enjoying one of the games.








One last shot of the family after the party.

Raffy turns 3 and Mico turns 1!

September 20, 2009
Ayala Hillside Recreation Center

Michelle is another one of my old clients. She booked me for her 1st baby Raffy's first birthday party over 2 years ago. This time, it was her 2nd son Mico's 1st birthday party.  They made it a joint party though to celebrate Raffy's 3rd birthday as well.

We started shooting at Michelle's in-laws' house just like we did 2 years ago.  And the party venue was also the very same one where Raffy's party was held.  Michelle went further to try to recreate the events from Raffy's party. She even had Mico wear the very same shirt that Raffy wore 2 years ago!:)

Here are some of the photos from the day.

Raffy had photos taken on this very same chair (which I love so much!) two years ago, so Michelle wanted similar photos of Mico as well.

I think Raffy had photos like this with his grandpa as well.:)

With Mom and Dad.





With lolo and lola.

One of the very few shots that I got of the whole family. Raffy didn't want to be in the pictures.:D

Because I didn't get a lot of shots of Raffy before the party, I tried following him around when we got to the venue.:D


The cool cake! The other side says "Happy Birthday, Raffy!"


They had a "Curious George"-themed party. And Michelle had all the details planned out.

Curious Mico.;)


I kept following Raffy around until he stayed still enough for a few shots.:D


Oh hey! Another family photo!:D

Raffy had a very similar game on his first birthday.


Watching the program with Daddy.

It got really dark fast, and the venue was quite dark, so Michelle made sure we did the candle-blowing early in the program.

Christmas!:)

I'm editing a holiday portrait session that I did over the weekend, and I just couldn't help feeling so Christmassy today.:) Christmas is my FAVORITE season of the year! And I feel so blessed to be living in a country where the season lasts for about 5 months! Hehehe. It's November so we're practically in the middle of it already.:D Christmas really is in the air! The movie "Love Actually" (one of my favorites) comes to mind..."I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes...CHRISTMAS is all around me"...Hehehe.

I made the decision early on in my career as a photographer to never let my work interfer with my life. And that includes spending important holidays with my family, especially Christmas. Ok, so it took me a few years before learning my lesson. The past few Christmases, I was always too busy with events, and then as soon as they were all over, I would collapse and get really sick from exhaustion. This year, I have decided to accept fewer bookings and reserve the dates around Christmas and New Year's for personal time with my family.:) (It's very hard for me to turn down bookings, though, but I feel that I have to stand by this decision.)

Oh, and I also decided to start decorating early this year. Last year, I started late and got too busy to even finish the tree. Yes, I had a half-finished Christmas tree in my living room. Hee. Good thing nobody ever visited us in our old apartment. This year, as soon as Halloween was over, I set up the tree and put on the lights. Last night, I stayed up all night to finish decorating it.:) I don't have my camera with me right now, but I will post a photo of our Christmas tree soon.

For now, here is a photo from that holiday portrait session that I'm editing. Christmas is here!:)