Happy 18th Birthday, Ska! August 27, 2007

Francesca’s 18th Birthday, August 25, The Westin

We helped celebrate Francesca’s 18th Birthday at the Westin San Francisco Airport last Saturday, by providing great images and great video coverage, courtesy of Fade 2 Focus Productions. We had a blast! The feast and festivities included yummy Filipino food like lechon, halo-halo and kare-kare, several song and dance numbers, a sampling of native Filipino dances and even a karate presentation by the debutante. The day was capped by a birthday surprise gift from Dad – a Hummer H3!
Here are some of our favorites from the day.

Timothy and Jennifer @ Monterey August 23, 2007

Pirates Cove, Monterey CA

Beach weddings make me feel so summery. It’s only the end of August and fall is just around the corner.

This lovely wedding was taken, with Mike Danen Photography. The wind was blowing hard and at one point, blew the bride’s veil right off! I love beach weddings. If I can do my own wedding over, I’d definitely have it at the beach. So romantic!

Passport Photos August 22, 2007

I was sorting through my archives and found this early attempt of shooting my son’s passport photos when he was three years old. It was a real challenge but I finally got a decent photo for his passport. Top left: no smile, eyes open and looking at camera, both ears straight on. Whew!!

Doreen and Joe at Golf Ranch Course August 18, 2007

August 11, 2007 Golf Ranch Course, San Jose CA

I had the honor of working alongside Kinsley Wong of Kinsley Wong Photography to cover the wedding of Doreen and Joe in San Jose. It is always a pleasure to see a couple so much in love. The entire wedding program flowed perfectly and we were so happy to be part of their special day.

Print wins Best Studio Portrait at PPGBA August 16, 2007

Yehey! My print of my husband and son won a Gold Ribbon in the Studio Portrait category for the July monthly competition at PPGBA. I wasn’t really planning on competing the print but since I didn’t prepare anything that month – I literally tore it off my walls and brought it to the monthly meeting. I’m glad I did.

This photo was taken from the August monthly PPGBA bulletin. Photo by Joerg Lehman.

From left to right: Lucie Silveria for the Album Category, me, Paul Tsang for the Environmental Portrait category, John Paulson for the Illustrative category and Mischa Purcell for the Wedding Category.

Francesca Pre-Debut Photos August 16, 2007

Debutantes are always great to photograph – great skin, coupled with a fun attitude, and the beauty of youth. Francesca aka ‘Ska’ is no exception. I will be shooting her 18th birthday party in two weeks time, and we decided to have a mini-pictorial at her house. We only had about 20 minutes of shooting time but I managed to grab some nice shots. It didn’t hurt that Ska was so cooperative, friendly and a natural in front of the lens. Don’t her glamour looks deceive you. Beneath it all, Ska is one tough cookie!

I’m really looking forward to the party!

Dario @ 18 months August 15, 2007

18 month old Dario is the son of one of my best friends, Chix, who’s visiting from Brussels. The first time I laid my eyes on him, I knew I had to photograph his goofy grin and big Eurasian features – such a cutie! And boy does he know how to mug for the camera! Here are a few shots from a pictorial we did at the Palace of Fine Arts, during some sightseeing in the city. I’m taking most of the week off to tour them around the Bay Area but the goof off time is well-deserved. It’s my birthday on Saturday so call it a self-declared vacation leave!

Nurturing Moments: An Exhibit August 8, 2007

It has recently come to my attention that Mommy Matters, a Manila-based clothesline geared towards nursing moms is sponsoring a photo exhibit featuring some of my photos. Other participating artists are Pilar Tuason and Mary Rose Pena.

Breastfeeding has always been an advocacy of mine since I had my first child in 2003. I breastfed my son until he was 1 1/2 years old. Sadly in the Philippines, breastfeeding education is sorely lacking. Most new mothers are discouraged in the early phases, are dissuaded by elders that formula is better than mother’s milk or simply are not guided through the process. Education is key. I try to do my part by spreading the word of the benefits of breastfeeding, for both mother and child, to my own circle of influence. If you are pregnant and are interested in breastfeeding, try contacting your local chapter of La Leche League for more information and support.

Nurturing Moments: An Exhibit is sponsored by Mommy Matters, Best Friends in Breastfeeding and PACE supported by Unicef and the office of Senator Pia Cayetano. The exhibit just finished its run at Glorieta and will be at the East Avenue Medical Center Lobby tomorrow until August 10.

Lori & Nathan: One Ring to Bind Us August 7, 2007

FADE IN MUSIC: “Reminiscing” by the Little River Band.

I am currently going through my archives of photos because I’m in the process of revamping my website and need new/old material. It’s often humbling (and sometimes, comical!) to see my work from 6 years back and see how much my style has changed and developed. I came across this 2004 wedding and had to repost it here. It’s not often you get a chance to shoot a wedding as unique as this one. A Lord of the Rings Themed Wedding.

It was held on May 1, 2004 at the University of the Philippines Lagoon. The on-line wedding album has been often linked to Lord of the Rings fansites. Photos from this wedding have been published twice: in a Manila Bulletin About Weddings premiere edition and in a Canadian wedding zine. You could say it was my wedding of the year.

And while I examine the photos and see all the technical flaws and noise from Suzi (my now retired Fuji S1), I also see the labor of love and sheer joy shared during creative unique wedding on that hot May evening. I am happy to hear the couple are still together and still share in their love of Tolkien.

Lorie & Nathan: The Wedding

One Ring to Show Our Love
One Ring to Bind Us
One Ring to Seal our Love
And Forever to Entwine Us.

Mead offering and Cake Plate

Saruman (Usher) guarding the gates.

The Ringbearers – Frodo and Sam

All the groomsmen…

Pretty Maidens in a Row

Getting married Middle-earth style: under a blanket of trees.

A moment.

Officiated by Gandalf. Yes, he is a real priest.

Marco at Three Months August 4, 2007

The last time I saw baby Marco, he was only two weeks old. A little wrinkly and all brand new. I was so surprised to shoot him again for his First Year package at 3 months, all filled out, and even more adorable. But don’t take my word for it. Here are some of the photos from that pictorial session.

News: Upon special request, I’m reviving a photography package which I had back in Manila, called the 3-6-9-12. Four separate pictorials will chronicle your baby’s first year of life at 3, 6, 9 months and shortly before his/her first birthday. The result will be a beautiful 7×7 hardbound keepsake album of the best photos from each pictorial, plus a 12X12 collage print. For pricing and booking information, please contact info@photograffiti.net