THIS HOUSE IS FOR SALE.....

The Dining Area And Kitchen..... The Outdoor Garden..... The Living Room..... The Master's Bedroom..... The Garage..... I received a text message from John. He asked if I was available to shoot on the 10th of January, a Sunday. I asked what will I be shooting on that date. He replied that his friend planned to sell her house and wanted to have some photos which will serve as a remembrance of her property. John also wanted to have some pictures that he could use to show to prospective buyers of the house.

Although John came to the house a few days before New Year's Day to take pictures, an unfortunate event befell him. His camera was stolen as he left it in his car while it was parked at HMR Sucat during New Year's eve. The thieves forcibly opened the door at the front passenger side of the car. That is why he failed to notice the absence of his camera because his door opened normally when he turned the key. The sad part was not only did he lost the pictures of the house that was for sale, he also lost the photographs of the family outing that he took during their day trip to Laguna too. Hence, the S.O.S. text that he sent to Buboy and I.

I haven't taken that much architecture shots of houses but I have shot interiors of churches a lot so I feel that I won't be having any problems. The house, though showing some signs of aging, is a modern, spacious and elegantly designed property that it wasn't that difficult to photograph at all. In fact, its simplicity inspired me to capture pictures from every conceivable angle that I can think of. Even John sent me a compliment when he saw the images that I took in the cd that I gave him.

It was a pleasure to meet the owners. The couple were a joy to talk to as we discussed about topics ranging from their family to religion to the traditional Latin Masses. I have always wanted to attend a Latin Mass. I did once though, while I was at London years ago. Now that I have some information about the places where the Latin Mass is being held here in the Philippines, I might decide to attend one in the future. But I still have to go to Sikatuna Village in Quezon City to look for the parish where the mass is being held.

GOTIDOC-KINTANAR NUPTIALS.....

The Happy Couple!






















This was the time when I shot a wedding and had the most enjoyment doing so! I found it such a breeze working with the families of the bride and groom; working with Boyet, Neil and John was such a blast; I went to Lipa City, Batangas to shoot the couple's prenuptial! What more can I ask for?

The minute I met Miko and KC, there was no room for boredom. Perhaps the reason why I was at ease especially with KC's parents is because their daughter and I are in the same profession, that of being a nurse. And we also share the common experience of working at PGH sometime in the past, but not exactly the same years. She didn't last long though, as the back breaking schedule of the hospital can be extremely difficult at times that even our health can be compromised. But I did tell her though that comparing the workload that I have in PGH and the NHS in London, the latter proved to be more difficult as I didn't have utility workers and nursing aides to help in our tasks, even if I took care of 1 patient in ICU.

I came late at the Kintanar residence, but not of my undoing. John picked up Boyet and Neil from Edsa first then went straight to their residence to begin shooting. It was after John had dropped off the others did he eventually picked me up to proceed to the house. Apparently, the subdivision where John's clients live has a very strict policy when it came to private vehicles entering without the required stickers as proof of home ownership inside it. So John, as he was secured a pass by his clients, opted to pick me up at Las Pinas instead. So, by the time I was brought in, they now where in the flow. I found it difficult to get into the groove of shooting when most have started before me. I had to observe them first, take some test shots before joining in.

I forgot the name of the church where the ceremony was held. But I do remember it to be inside a posh village in Alabang. Reception was at The Palms Country Club at Alabang. We posed the couple inside the sporting areas of the club. So we took photos of them while they played billiards, while they played bowling, while they played badminton and while they went SWIMMING? NAHH! That proved to be too much! Although we took the couple's pictures as they posed beside the pool.

We ended the shoot at around 9:30pm. And I was so happy with the outcome. Unlike my previous wedding shoots, I didn't really feel tired.

Congratulations to the married couple!

ANOTHER WEDDING TO SHOOT......

At The Reception.....






The Bride.....






The Groom.....






With Their Families.....






During my post about the World Pyro Olympics, I mentioned about shooting for a wedding that I have agreed to. It was the main reason why I didn't go to Esplanade for 2 consecutive nights, since I had to prepare myself for the shoot. And that means no physical, emotional and yes, even spiritual exertions the night before a wedding shoot. Shooting a wedding can be very draining because of the long hours involved. But nothing beats looking at a very happy and satisfied couple and knowing that me, as a photographer, am one of the reasons why they were happy during this most glorious day of a couple's life.

It's Jonathan and Te-ann's wedding that I shot. Thank God they are not a Chinese couple! I enjoyed my last shoot but I wasn't prepared to last until the wee hours of the night covering the event. Preparations for the wedding were done at The Astoria Plaza Hotel, which is in Escriva Drive in Ortigas. The ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Church which is in Greenhills. Reception was at The Oasis, a condotel where John Mateos Ong's Imagine-nation studio is located in Aurora Boulevard. I didn't know that the place can hold a wedding reception. So, I was surprised when the rest of us saw the venue. It even has a lawn where photographers can take pictures of the couple for formal portraits for the wedding album.

For one thing, I realized that the secret in having good photographs for a wedding album of the couple is a breathtaking venue, if money isn't an issue. I have said enough! Just enjoy the pictures! c",)