I just wanted to share some new photos from the album company I am currently using: Finao. I received my latest order of client albums and was seduced by all the pretty colors of their animal friendly leathers, nappy suedes and brocades – that I just had to take some photos. And just check out their new environmentally friendly packaging of the ONE series (offered as Lifebooks)! Just another reason to order a nice mini-album for your loved one, or a big ol’ one for yourself!

I’ve always been a little insecure about my photography. I like my work and I know my clients like my images too (otherwise they would not hire me) but I’ve always felt this void where I felt I should have a photography degree. Growing up, I was always into the arts and was constantly drawing and painting. My mother tells me photography was the first profession I wanted, at age 4. (Of course, in between childhood and college – there was lawyer, teacher, nurse, doctor, guitarist and newscaster.) But somehow I managed to find my way back to the path to photography. And FINALLY, finally, after 2 years from passing my PPA Certification written exam – I can now call myself a certified professional photographer. I received my letter from PPA that I passed the image review of 20 images! After failing the image review three times prior, I had already convinced myself that it was no big deal if I didn’t get certified. But I knew in my heart it was something I wanted to achieve. I should have been consoled by that fact that only about 3% of those who take the exam pass. But every six months of receiving an encouraging but FAIL notice, I was ready to throw in the towel. I cried each time, but my husband’s resolve was strong. He told me to keep trying. And thanks to help from friends like Marc Benjamin and Claudia Akers, I got solid feedback on my submissions and tried once more. I paid attention to every single detail on the images, checking my lighting patterns, pushing myself to master the craft. And FINALLY — I passed! Whew – and yes, it is important. And it IS a big deal, to me. Say hello to Auey Santos, CPP. I’m so darn proud of myself. If you are considering getting certified, go for it!  I hate to say I needed the validation, but I did and from PPA, no less.

For more information on the Certified Professional Photographer Program, click here.

A great resource for Filipina brides has come onto the market in the form of the fresh-off-the-presses coffee table book: The Modern Balikbayan Bride by Kaye Cloutman.  I was honored and happy to contribute an image which landed on the cover!

“Balikbayan” literally translates as return-country. This implies that the Filipina bride will return to her homeland to get married there. This book is a great resource on what’s new and hot in the Philippine wedding scene.

To quote the press release from Weddings@Work:

” This 250 page hardbound book gives up-to-date trends on the bridal industry in the Philippines, preparations before, during and after the occasion and other relevant and useful articles, the book  also features on personalities (pegged on weddings, of course) who embody the ideals of a Modern Balikbayan Bride and the more important and most talked about nuptial events in town.

In its approach, this book emulates the holistic style of a modern Filipina bride — that balancing work, family, love, personal growth, beauty, leisure and health could be done. Thus, The Modern Balikbayan Bride is not just the bridal coffee table book that talks about anything and everything about weddings. It offers a balanced and a variety of articles which encompass nuptial preparations, the wedding day itself, the honeymoon.

It has articles on relationships, health and beauty and other relevant features for the would-be bride. As a special, it is comprehensive, timeless and practical. In this book, I will be featuring award winning wedding shots done by our very own photographers who are not only based in the Philippines but abroad as well.”

For orders, go to the online store.

I had been dying to go the New California Academy of Sciences for some months now. Finally I found a pocket of free-time to go with the family. My favorite exhibits were the planetarium and the Philippine corral reef. If you have some free time and no where to go, do check it out. You might actually learn something new.=)

During the pengiun feeding. What’s wrong with this picture?

My son Axel loved this place!

I swear this movie should win an Oscar award. Do watch it if you have time. From start to finish, you won’t blink.

Say hello to our latest addition – the Nikon D700, who I’ve named Connie. (Yes, I do name my equipment.) She joins Nikki the D70, Suzi the S2, Sammi the S3 and DeeDee the D300. I had been wanting one of these babies the day word first got around on Nikon Rumors. But then after months of hemming and hawing, I finally took the plunge. And my, I’ll go out and say it’s one of my best decisions ever to go FX. I studied photography using an old film Nikon and a 50 mm lens. Using this baby with a 50mm has been like revisiting my past. So much extra real estate! I love it! Too bad the 2008 wedding season is now officially over for me.  I’ll be pestering my husband and sons to pose for me this entire holiday season.

So, the Union City photo contest came to a conclusion on Saturday and I finally got to see my photos on exhibit at Paddy’s Coffee shop. While I didn’t win first place – all my photos DID place in the top four of each category. I won 2 packs of Kodak photo paper, a $15 gift card to Michael’s and a small camera bag. Not bad for a no-show.

My husband and I have four photo entries that will be on exhibit at Paddy’s Coffee House (3900 Smith Street) in Union City. Get directions here. The exhibit runs through January 14 to February 15, 2008. If you’re in the area, please do check it out! To make your trip worthwhile, afterwards, you can pop into Toppings next door for some yummy grilled tocino or to Bronco Billy’s if you’re craving some good ol’ pizza..

The awarding ceremony is on January 18 from 7-8pm and do wish us luck! Cross your fingers for us! We’ll see you there as long as our baby doesn’t pop out first!

I won, I won! My print “Bliss on the Hill” got the highest score among all the entries at this month’s PPGBA contest! I was so proud to finally bring home a black ribbon. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of my win. =( But here’s the winning shot below.

I entered the same image to the WPPI 8X10 print competition last quarter and it garnered a score of 80 in the “Weddings: Bride Alone” category. Not bad, not great though. So while I didn’t place in that competition – my name will be on the Honorable Mention list on the WPPI website, and possibly, Rangefinder magazine.

My new and improved website was launched over the weekend! While I have loads of new material to add to the galleries, I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out. Do check it out!!! The address is the same www.photograffiti.net

Here’s a screenshot! You can see a glimpse of my Heroes wallpaper and messy desktop!