Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Bianca

November 3, 2007
Valle Verde 6 Clubhouse

When I post pictures in my online gallery of events that I cover, I don't just post all the "best" shots. I try to give the viewer a feel of what happened at the party, and leave them just curious enough to want to see more. I try to tell a story in only 25 photos (50 for weddings). However, this wasn't easy at all in the case of Bianca's birthday party. This was the third time that I've worked with Jody (first time was when we did her preggy shots, second time was during Bianca's baptism and Margaux's 2nd birthday party) and as always, it showed how she has perfected the skill of organizing a great party! Jody and I didn't get to meet up anymore before the party. The night before, when we were texting, all she said was to make sure I take shots of ALL the details. She repeated this to Pete during the party--to make sure I take pictures of the details, "as in LAHAT!" Unfortunately, this put Pete's slight case of OCD into high gear, and he proceeded to go around and make a list (as in on his phone!) of all the details he could see and then he followed me around to make sure I take pictures of everything! Hehe. I love taking pictures of details though, so it was fun.:)

The theme of the party was Disneyland, and this was obvious from the moment we stepped out of our car and saw the big sign welcoming every one to "Biancaland", which was written in the Disney font. Inside, the whole clubhouse was swarming in activities...and this was even before the guests arrived! There were food booths, game booths, photo booths...the stage set-up, the cake...all Disney! There were even fireworks just before the party ended! And I loved how the whole family (Daddy Dicky, Mommy Jody, Margaux, and Bianca) came in perfectly matching pink-and-brown outfits.

Ok, trying to sum up the event in a single entry would be impossible so, I'll just post a few pictures...not that they would be enough to sum up the party, either.:D

The venue, just when guests were starting to arrive.

A couple of the Disney signs that were posted all over the clubhouse.

The "loot-bags" were cute yellow pails filled with goodies.

And here's the birthday family with Ate Margaux helping out Bianca with the birthday candle.

Finally, a couple of shots of the beautiful girls.:)


Go HERE for some more photos!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Bryan and Eizelle's Engagement Photoshoot

Before I started on this entry, I actually had to check if I got the spelling of Eizelle's name right, because to me and to everyone who knew her from college, she is simply ICE. Yes, I've known Ice from UP Eng'g where we were both members of the now defunct (Huhuhu...) UP Computer Society (I just realized this is probably making me sound like I was a nerd in my past life.:D). She and Bryan also met at UP CompSoc when Bryan joined the org a couple of years after Ice. From what I've heard, these two became very very close friends for years before they finally became a couple. And now they are engaged to be married in December!

We did the pictorial at UP three weeks ago. It was a very challenging shoot because the weather was not cooperating. It probably rained five times during the entire time we were there! We had a lot of fun though because we had an entire troop with us for the shoot. I had Pete to assist me, and then my good friend Lyra (who has also been Ice's best friend since college) and her hubby Manuel were also there to help out (Lyra's brother was also there at one point). And of course, Bim and Chester of Playback were there shoot the session for an AVP they will be doing for the wedding. It was a pretty long session because we had to stop several times because of the rain. I think we took pretty good shots though. And Bry and Ice took us all to dinner at the famous Mang Jimmy's afterwards, so it was all worth it.:D

Here are some of my favorite shots:



As I said, we got rained out a few times. It wasn't so bad though since it helped us come up with photos like these.



A couple of "damuhan" shots.:D I do love the contrast between the blue of their outfits and the grass though.


It won't be an engagement pictorial without shots like these next two. Oh yeah, the wedding will have a Filipiniana theme so Ice and Bryan changed into these costumes towards the end of the shoot.

This started out as a simple ring shot, but we couldn't resist including the taho. And check out Bryan's marked finger (it was the day of the barangay elections).

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Gavin Biel

October 28, 2007
St. Jerome Emiliani Parish
The Palms Country Club

After being postponed a couple of times (because of schedule conflicts), my meeting with Gigi and Vincent finally pushed through about two of weeks before Gavin's baptism. They turned out to be very nice people and very easy to work with. The baptism (and reception) itself was a very relaxed event with only a few of the couple's family and friends. I also found out that they will be moving out of the country very soon so this could be one of their last chances to have a family celebration with their loved ones before they do. No wonder they made it a point to make it extra special.

I've shot a wedding at St. Jerome before and exactly a year and a half later, I went back to shoot my first baptism there. I'm very familiar with the church as we always pass by it whenever we go to Alabang Town Center, and I love the Spanish-inspired structure. My sister said the same thing when she saw it for the first time during Gavin's baptism.

The Palms Country Club is a popular wedding reception venue. It has a grand exterior and lovely interiors. Very swanky. The food was great too!;)

Here are a few shots from the event:



St. Jerome Emiliani (side of the church). My sister Pie said you'd almost expect Zorro's silhouette to appear at the rooftop any minute.

Gavin enjoying the company of one of his dad's friends.:D

This is Gavin's girlfriend.;)

And finally, a family photo before heading home.


For more photos click HERE!

Friday, November 09, 2007

Maegan

October 21, 2007
Pilar Village Clubhouse

Remember this cute little baby? Well, I met her again when she turned one a couple of weeks ago. Her mom Angie prepared a nice Disney-themed party for her at the village clubhouse. Maegan wasn't as bubbly as she was during her baptism but I guess it was probably because she was a bit tired (I heard she didn't take her morning nap that day) and she had a cold. As soon as she woke up from a short nap during the party though, I could tell she was enjoying all the attention from the adult guests and was having fun watching the show with the rest of the kids.

Mommy Angie worked hard on the party, and it showed in the elaborate details--from the invites, to Maegan's attire, down to the decors.

Here are a few of the shots from the party:



I LOVE this red sofa.:)


This was Maegan towards the end of the evening.:D



Click here for more photos!

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Gwen Riley

October 20, 2007
Our Lady of Pentecost Parish

Rhoda contacted me only about a couple of weeks before Gwen's baptism but fortunately, I was still available. There have been cases when I met the client only during the event itself, but this time I met Rhoda (and her family) AFTER the baptismal ceremony. Rhoda told me the baptism was scheduled at 3:30PM and wanted me to go straight to the church. My sister and I got there very early so we decided to have coffee and cake at a nearby Bo's before going to the church. Even then, we got to the church a few minutes before 3PM. About 10 minutes later, I noticed that a priest was already waiting at the altar and I started to panic because I haven't even met the client yet. Rhoda texted me that they were on their way. A few minutes more, I saw a family with a little baby rushing into the church. They went straight to the altar where the priest was. I hurriedly approached one of the guests and asked if this was in fact the baptism I was supposed to be photographing (because I didn't know how Rhoda or Gwen looked like). When she said yes, I went to the altar and tried to get Rhoda's attention. I waved and mouthed my name to her. She nodded and then the ceremony began. It was a pretty fast one and when it was all over, the clock said it was only 3:35PM.

Rhoda explained to me afterwards that there was a slight miscommunication with the priest. The schedule they had availed of was really 3:30PM but the priest had to be somewhere else after, or something. It was a pretty stressful start for the celebration but things got better during the reception. I found out it was actually a triple-celebration: Gwen Riley's baptism, Rhoda's birthday, and they had a house-blessing to top it all off. With a lot of things going on, we didn't get the chance to take a lot of portraits of Gwen and the family. I did get a lot of candid shots and I loved taking photos of the lovely details, especially the cute little cupcakes and the colorful balloons. I was only hired for the baptism, so when I left (around the time the guests for the baptism left), the party (for Rhoda's birthday) was still in full swing. In fact, I was told they were still expecting a few guests to arrive later. The whole house was in such a festive mood that the little mishap at the church earlier seemed to have been completely forgotten.

Here are a few photos from the baptism and party.

"The family that prays together, stays together."


One of the cute cupcakes...Got milk?:D

One of the few photos I got of Gwen. She was only about 6 weeks old on that day and she spent most of the time asleep. I do love sleeping newborn photos though--in fact, I actually prefer them sleeping when they're that young. They look so cute and peaceful.:)


Click HERE for more photos!

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Lorenzo Franco

October 6, 2007
Tom's World, Robinson's Galleria

Ces first contacted me about a year ago for her baby Franco's baptism. Unfortunately, I was already booked then, but I'm glad I was finally able to work with her and her family for Franco's 1st birthday party this year.

From our (Pete and I met up with them) first meeting with Ces and her husband Jon, I knew working with them would be fun because they both had this pleasant air about them. And it also helped a lot that they (especially Ces) are also into photography so it was pretty easy to discuss the details.

On the day itself, we first took some photos at their hotel room at the Holiday Inn. Franco is so used to having a large lens staring at him in the face (thanks to his mom) that he readily looked at the camera every time I pointed it at him. Afterwards, we headed to the party room at Tom's World where the actual party was held. Prizes for the games included tokens that the kids could use at Tom's World after the party.

Below are some of the photos I took that day:



Check out the matching Superman t-shirts.:)


Ces and Jon also took the opportunity to raise some charity funds from the party. They gave out these coin banks for the guests to fill up, and to give to a little girl named Hannah.

Like I said, Franco is used to big cameras so I don't think he appreciates having his photo taken by a small camera like this one. Hehe.

After all the guests have gone home, we went downstairs to take pictures at the carousel. It was so much fun!


More pictures HERE!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Happy birthday, Pie!

My little sister, who's been helping me a lot in my work the past few months celebrates her birthday today! Here she is in a photo I took earlier tonight, when we had our mini party at home.


And to everyone else, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!:)
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