Man's Greatest Flaws

Set in an evacuated garage with just black backing and a whole lot of awesome talent and imagination, we transformed a little space into a portable make-shift studio. Pair it up with artistic young bloods to trailblaze and interpret their own art, then viola! You have witnessed digital miracles of this age. Oh, let's just say, we make do of what we have and magically make awesome photos, shall we?

The peg for the shoot are the 7 capital sins. Technically, one model would portray one sin and that's that. It is all in preparation for the upcoming Holy Week, which is quite still far off. But you know, it is not bad to over prepare. I think the best photos from all the photographers would then be put in a tarpaulin as a shout out for the townfolks to repent for their sins. If you ask me, I've never seen one of those and this is certainly a first for such a campaign. Can you identify each sins? All of us are guilty of more than one of course.

Everything was pretty much set when I arrived. The models' faces were already made up, our magical wall already set up and the clothes and props were, well, there. So, there isn't much to do other than to art direct the models on which way to twist their body or find the right light. Tim, spearheaded the production which is, overall, was done under 3 hours, take out the karaoke singing and random raving around, we made good time. I'm still uneasy in studio set-up type of shoots, but we do what we always say - Make it work.

Hair and Make-up were done by I-style - Joeny Rarela and Joseph Martizano, which I might add are pretty darn good. Especially, one of the model's prosthetic. Whereas, Gillian Villaflores, Jovinell Galing and Jaziel Castillo proved to be the best production assistants and designers on the shoot. Oh, the wardrobe ensemble was provided by Roja Martinez which are very promising if it is in my size. Haha. Art Directions were mostly done (and sang) by LS Pasang and Aeious Asin.

It's all about the money, money, money...

The undying peace sign

I'm distracted by hair flaming red hair. I want to have one.

Spike bracelets!!! and other non-spike bracelets...

Fierce off

The Family of Fierce
"Smize and Work it girl", is their family motto.

Models' standby area.
Somehow, we need to have one of those in the future.

This photo cannot be explained.
:D

Oh, I like sudden smiles. 

*clap* *clap* RETOUCH *clap* *clap*
Diva-much?

Ooh, Vanity.
You could never be 'just pretty'

Edward Scissorhands and Hawaiian shorts.

Don't be surprised. You know I ALWAYS take BTS.

Cuteness overload.
Well, if you look closely, there's a puppy in all of these.

On the technical side were the photographers, Ian dela Cruz, Edison Salgado and Me. But Vonna Vista tag along to experience her 'first' collaboration shoot with Arts Society of Pakil and Pakilarawan Photography Club. Photos below were shot and post-processed by me.

Note: Random titles are random titles. I choose movies for this one for better understanding. lol.

Tony Rose Papa
3rd Runner-Up Mutya ng Pakil 2004
ENVY - Mean Girls

Marlon Rarela
Ginoong Pakil 2011
WRATH - Anger Management

Mark Louie Padgett
Ginoong Pakil 2012
GLUTTONY - Hunger Games

Gian Carlo Balita
1st Runner-Up Ginoong Pakil 2010
GREED - Money Ball

Myka Gail Sornillo
Binibining Pakil 2012
PRIDE - Pride and Prejudice

Mary Grace Kaharian
Mutya ng Pakil 2004
LUST - Sex in the City

Jimson Dalena
Ginoong Pakil 1st Runner-Up 2012
SLOTH - Requiem for a Dream

Start of Something Better

I've repeatedly told everyone who wanted to ask for my services that I'm not open to shoots. I don't even know how to price my services. I'm utterly clueless. All I know is that I love taking pretty photos of pretty girls (mostly) and uploading them to my portfolio or online collection. I don't exactly think that it's a portfolio tailored for work. I just upload them because I feel like it, that's all. Well, sort of to show off, somewhat. But my work is still blah for me, the feeling of a perfectionist to journey the never ending path of mastering my craft, creating my own style and being good at it.

I've been thinking of taking up Photography professionally for months now. It's the only thing I feel most confident about. But doubts creep inside my head every time I start to have the courage to do so. I feel I'm not yet ready to render my services nor tell everyone that I'm accepting shoots because I'm still an amateur. But this quote reminded me of a promise I gave to myself early this year. "DO or DO NOT. There is no TRY." That's from Master Yoda of Star Wars. I realized, I have to start somewhere and that somewhere starts now.

I recently uploaded photos of my cousin, B - a result of our boredom during the holidays. Then apparently, someone took notice. That someone inquired about my services. We talked and I seem to decline her offer gently as possible with excuses that "I don't do it professionally" or "I'm still new at this" but eventually I muster up the courage to agree and took it as a sign to finally TRY my hands professionally on Photography. It was a leap of faith for me. I'm nervous and excited about the whole thing. The fear of hit or miss starts to flood in as the date of our shoot drew nearer. What if I suck at it? Or What if she doesn't like my work? All these negative thoughts start to dwell on me. I even wanted to back out the last minute which is totally unprofessional. But then I thought of her, her mum and the chaos of debut preparations. I will be quite a burden for them if I back out given the amount of time they have before her debut. So I decided to push through with it.

Given my amateur experience on make-shift shoots that me and my cousins had, I try to make her as comfortable as possible. I also thought that this total stranger trusted me of taking her photos, which means she believes that I can produce a good picture. She trusted me, and I kept repeating that to myself as I go along. That kicked me in the stomach that others believe in me, so why can't I? I also even brought along a friend of mine, just so to keep me at bay and not to make a run for it. He knew me well and he attest that my photos are good. I just have to keep that in mind. But there was seriously a war going on in my head. A tug-o-war between doing really good and just doing for the sake of it to never do it ever again. But the shoot ended on a high note and it was really nice to shoot her and I even get to meet her mum. So, I patted myself on the back for pushing through with the shoot. It sure was nice to know that I can really be productive at times...

Maybe I should try going out of my comfort zone as a hobby, it's rewarding to think that you did something worthwhile or different for a change. I'll keep this in mind more often now. :D


Love,
M

Backyard Studio Production

I confess, I have this lucid dream of becoming a High-Fashion photographer because they get to envision whimsical and out-of-this-world ideas and making them become a reality, at the same time immortalizing it, through a photo. I just want to capture beauty in every sense of the word like they do but I've got to start somewhere, you know?

And thus my backyard studio is born! Well, it's sort of like my uncle's house with movable furniture, color coordinated rooms and spacious backyard. We don't have a backyard at all in my own house, sadly. But then, I arm myself up with my trusty camera and take on whoever willing cousin of mine is available at that time. Most of the shoot happened on lazy Sunday afternoons.

So here's what I've gathered so far to start off the year right. Be sure to drop by my Dropr account for more of these photos - sort of.