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!:)

Hermione: 1st birthday party

So, how was everyone's weekend? Mine was pretty exhausting but great.:) It started with a nice birthday dinner for Pete last Friday night. We went to Tagaytay and stuffed ourselves at Josephine's. On Saturday, we had brunch at Conti's in Nuvali, and then bought decorations for our tree (it's been up for about two weeks). In the afternoon, we bought some furniture at SM--because it's been five months since we moved in, and we still don't have a dining table. Hehehe. That night, I decorated the tree until around 1AM.:D

On Sunday, we left really early for QC because we had tickets to watch the Pacquiao-Cotto fight at SM North. (Great fight, by the way!)After the fight, we rushed to UP Diliman for a family holiday photo session. (Hi, Nikki!:)) And then, we had to drive back here Sunday evening.

And now, it's back to work.:) And I want to start the week off with Hermione's party which I photographed last September.

September 13, 2009
Village East Clubhouse

Yes, her name's Hermione. Just like the character in Harry Potter. So, it was no surprise that they chose a Harry Potter theme for the party.

There are days when everything just seems so easy. The weather cooperates, the venue is fairly well-lit, the details are beautiful, the celebrator is in a great mood, and my camera just seems to do whatever I want it to. This was one of those days. Of course, it could also have been because Mommy JV planned everything so well.:)

Below are some of the photos from the party.

This was just one of the dresses that Hermione wore that day. I think she had 3 or 4 outfit changes!


Awesome balloon decorations by the awesome Jacque of Party Boosters!








This candy stand deserves special mention. Mommy JV wanted to book a candy stand supplier, but they were no longer available. SO, she MADE her own candy stand! I told her she should consider renting this for parties.

A close up of the yummy candies.


The birthday family next to the colorful cake ensemble.


Pretty Hermione in her witch costume.



We went outside for some family shots before the program started.



I love the color of Hermione's dress!






Hermione strutting her stuff. Check out the beautiful wings!



The lovely family all dressed up for the party.

This was my favorite shot of Hermione. I love her smile here!

Blowing out the birthday candle with Mom and Dad.





The kids enjoying the magic show.


It was my first time to watch Pocholo's act and I really enjoyed it.:) The birthday family seemed to enjoy it as well.