Maia: portrait session

I photographed Maia's baptism last weekend. But a couple of weeks prior to the event, I went to their home to do a portrait session of this little angel.

Maia was about a month old when I took these shots. At this stage, babies usually start to get fussy, but Maia slept through the entire session and cried only once when she needed to be fed.

There were a lot of nice elements in their home.

At one point, she opened her eyes and gave me this scowl that says, "Why do you keep pointing that thing at my face?":D


And then she was back in dreamland in no time.


A big smile from Maia! This was the photo they chose for the canvas frame which was displayed during the baptismal reception.

Before we started the session, I looked around the living room for possible spots to shoot in.  I asked Mommy Ann if it would be ok if I photographed Maia on different furniture. My eyes probably lingered on the piano a few seconds too long because she read mind and asked me if I wanted to use the piano!:)  I love these next shots! I love it when my clients go along with my ideas.:)

Yup, still sleeping. We figured she liked this position.

After a few minutes, Maia looked so comfortable that we didn't want to bother her and take her from the piano after the shoot.

Mateo: 1st birthday party

October 11, 2009
North Forbes Pavillion

Mateo's birthday celebration was my first event after the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng (I was lucky enough not to have work during both weekends when the typhoons hit!) and people were still talking about the devastation that the twin calamities brought. However, as soon as the party started, all worries were forgotten and everybody got into the spirit of fun.

Mommy March emailed me many months before the party to ask if I would be available to shoot Mateo's party. I was so happy to hear that she also hired my good friend Ces Kasilag as second photographer.  When I learned that she was working with Kathleen of Hi5 Parties, I knew there were going to be a lot of interesting details in the party. And I was right.:)

Below are some of the photos that I love from the party...

We started shooting at their lovely home. And Mateo seemed very comfortable in front of the camera. It's no surprise really as both Mommy and Daddy are photography enthusiasts.

Getting ready.


The party had a Club Penguin theme. I didn't know what that was but Google tells me it's a MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) designed by Disney for kids between ages 6 and 14 years old. Hmmm...interesting...:D


M&M's in cute bottles as party favors.


The following family photos were taken right outside the venue. I saw that the light was PERFECT when we got there, so I asked the family if we could take a few shots. We did these in under 10 minutes as more guests were already arriving.


My favorite shot of the family.:)

I love these two as well.



I don't know what these were, but they looked so cute and colorful!


More details...

Just some of the yummy food!

Mateo enjoying ice cream while watching the program with Mom.


With Dad.





Teachers from Gymboree were there to entertain the smaller kids. Every one had a blast!


Host-magician Ruther doing one of his magic tricks.

Mommy Evelyn's 65th birthday photo session

I've been doing quite a number of portrait sessions the past couple of weeks and I can't wait to share the photos here on the blog. Shooting portraits is one of my favorite things to do as a photographer, and it makes me happy that more and more people are getting interested in my style of portraiture.

I did Jap's maternity session at the start of this year.  A few months later, she contacted me again and asked me to photograph her family on her mom's 65th birthday.

It was a stormy day in June when we did the pictorial at the Sofitel.  I texted Jap earlier that day to ask if she wanted to postpone the pictorial due to the bad weather. She told me they wanted to go through with it no matter what. She later told me they couldn't postpone it anymore because they had the whole evening planned for her mom. Although her mom knew they were going to have their photos taken at the hotel that day, Jap and her siblings had a some other surprises prepared.

Because of the storm, it was so dark outside and there was virtually no window light that I could use during the shoot.  I had to use off-camera flash (which I don't usually like to use, because I prefer natural light) and make use of the lamps in the hotel room.  The portraits we got were a bit different from those that I usually do, but I loved them anyway. And I was glad to hear that Jap's mom loved them too.:)

Aside from Jap and her mom, Jap's sister and nephew also joined us for the pictorial. Also present was the newest member of the family--Baby Jeanne.:)


Here's Jap with her lovely baby.





For a few minutes, the skies cleared up a bit, and there was enough natural light coming in through the windows.  Here's a photo of Jap's sister and nephew.


I love this shot. It looks sunny.:)

Here's Mommy Evelyn. The star of the day.

And then it got very dark again.


I had to use the lamps in the room for the following shots.

One of my favorites from that session.  It reminds me of one of those vintage studio portraits.:)

Jap's hubby Loelle had to go back home for something and he got back to the hotel only towards the end of the session.  I loooove these next two.

Drama!:D Love Jap's black dress.

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 enjoying one of the games.








One last shot of the family after the party.