I’ll be out of the studio/country from June 30 to July 14; so I will not be able to return phone calls and have limited access to my email. But, if you have booking inquiries, please feel free to use the contact form on my EMAIL ME page and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Image(s): New & Return Clients. (One beautiful bride. Three awesome couples. Three adorable newborns.)

This last photo almost made me cry! [For this wedding, I was a second shooter for Michelle Young of Endearing Studios.]

The Philippines. I’ve seen images of this country here and there, in magazines, on TV, etc. But, to see it with your own naked eyes is a totally different story. I don’t even know how I feel about my 14-day trip to this country; I can’t really explain it. Am I happy? Am I sad? Am I enlightened? I just don’t know. But, here is what I do know:

In the USA, I live in my air-conditioned home and drive around in a nice SUV. I drive to Starbucks whenever I please, drop $10 at nearly every visit, or sometimes two visits in one day, as if it’s chump change. And, it was to me, as always. But, $10 (or p500) is a whole lot more on the other side of the world. It means providing a nice hot meal to an entire family of six or more members, and even clean water, too.

I watched as a young boy, no older than 7yo, mount a pile of garbage looking for his next meal (in the middle of the night) as I rode by. I saw an entire family of six huddled over a tiny pot while traffic moved past them as they continued to “live” in the middle of a two-way street. And, I saw children playing in dirty brown water just inches away from a mass of garbage that nearly covers this man-made river. I’ve seen so much in 14 days to last me a lifetime. Sadly, I barely broke the surface.

Despite their less fortunate living conditions, my new cousins and aunties/uncles never once complained. They ensured that I remained on vacation by preparing my daily meals, cleaning afterward, doing my laundry by hand, etc. I was never allowed to pick up a dirty water glass because I was “on vacation.” I’ve never felt so useless in my entire life. At the same time, I’ve never felt so cared for and loved. Usually, one can tell when one is being smooched, but that was clearly not the case with my new family. They observed me as much as I did them. I ask myself, What do I have to complain about? I have it pretty damn easy in the USA. My bad days will never compare to what my family in PI face every single day. Again, what do I have to complain about living the American dream? Nothing. And neither do you.

NOTE: All shots were taken with my Canon 5D and 50mm f/1.8 lens (90% was shot behind car windows), formatted by Poladroid.net.
[VIEW SLIDESHOW]

I’ll be out of the studio/country from April 24 to May 13; so I will not be able to return phone calls and have limited access to my email. But, if you have booking inquiries, please feel free to use the contact form on my EMAIL ME page and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Image(s): New & Return Clients. (All in the month of April alone! Wowzer!!!)

Did you know that you can get money back from the total cost of a wedding photographer? Yep! Here is how…

Once you hire me as your wedding photographer your guests — near and far — can purchase gift cards from me in lieu of a crockpot or fancy photo frame that you really don’t want. This way, you can still afford that Wedding Package of your choice and get some help from your guests in the form of a gift card. That’s right, any excess dollar amount goes back to you in cash! Nice, right???

Image(s): Got Gift Cards?

[WHAT's THE DETAILS?]
The Love Story is filmed before your wedding date so that the video can be shown at your wedding reception. It includes a photo montage and an interview of the two of you. So, do you have an amazing love story, romantic or funny proposal story? Was it destiny that brought you two together? If you have the most touching or hilarious love story, you could win a free Love Story video. So, hurry up and enter!

[WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?]
Any engaged couple whether you have already booked a videographer or not for your wedding day.

[YOU READY TO ENTER?]
Visit A Niko Productions to enter your chance at a free Love Story video today! (DEADLINE: 05/10/09, 12:00 AM PST)

Image(s): A Niko Productions (Demo Video)

This great couple got married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last year with their immediate family in tow. But, for the 99.9% of their circle of friends and family who could not be at their destination wedding, too, they put together a reception tonight as a post-celebraton. Par-tay! So, they came out last Sunday (yes, last Sunday!) to create some photos for their sign-in guestbook. Unlucky for us all, it was raining. However, we danced around the rain and shot when it wasn’t pouring. And, even grey skies could not darken Sokunthea’s beautiful and bright smile. Their 2yo son was an adorable addition to some shots we got; he’s a spitting-image of his dad Jeffrey, for sure!

Guest Photographer: Derrick Bautista
P.S. It was SO.SO.SO. cold; we were all freezing yet we had on sweaters when Sokunthea had on the strapless and goosebumps. Now, that’s a hawt bride! Get it? No? Well, I still think I’m funny. At least my dog thinks so, too, but she’s looking at me funny right now. *sigh*

I had the pleasure of documenting a recent bride being hennaed in preparation for her wedding this past weekend. It was basically two hours of dancing and awesome food. It was a whole lot of fun! But, because it was girls only, all the guys were removed from the house — only after running some errands first. haha! So, that meant my regular second shooter (Derrick Bautista) was ousted, too. Luckily for me, Missy Cochran, an awesome lifestyle and wedding photographer, was able to second-shoot with me. She is such an amazing talent!

Guest Photographer: Missy Cochran
NOTE: Per my client’s request, I can only share these few shots with you.

I am so in love with photography that I dream it; I wake up because I want to do something photography-related. I guess that’s why I have insomnia most nights! I have loved photography since a child, even more so when I discovered my uncle’s old Canon SLR lying around the house just collecting dust. Apparently, no one knew how to use it so the money spent on that camera was a bit remorseful. But, I bought some film and made great use of that camera on my own!

My love affair with photography sizzled down when my family told me it was a waste of time and that I would never make any “real” money in that foolish profession. I should be a business major instead. So, I went about with school then one job after the next since it was “the right thing to do.” But, I was never happy, and I was completely lost as to who I really was or destined to be. Two years ago, I finally managed to get myself a Canon Rebel XTi; all $1300 later, I started my photography business with it. I shot whoever wanted to spare me their time and reimbursed them with my best efforts. I got better with more and more practice. Now, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Yes, I still have a lot more to learn and grow, yet I feel deep inside with all my being that this is really me, who I am … a photographer.

Image(s): Mother & Child

[WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?]
—Any engaged couple over the age of 18 is eligible; couples outside of Oregon are welcome to enter, too!
—You must already have a wedding date and location set for sometime this year. That’s 2009, to be exact!
—NOTE: Entries cannot be a former client.

[WHAT YOU GIVE.]
—There’s no catch! This is absolutely free (if located in Oregon).
—For locations outside of Oregon, travel fees is applicable.

[WHAT YOU GET.]
GRAND PRIZE: Free Wedding Photography avec moi ($1,800 value)
—6 straight hours of unlimited shooting
—250+ proofs (4×6) in box and hi-res photo CD
—password-protected gallery for print ordering
—online slideshow of pre-selected wedding photos

[YOU READY TO ENTER?]
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

DISCLAIMER: There’s really no catch to this, whatsoever. Really! I was a bride in 2002, so I know exactly how expensive professional wedding photography can be. But, it was important to me to have it so this is my gift to you for your own important day. Best Wishes!

Image(s): Cecilia & Daniel (2008 “Romance Me” Winners)

I say that because most couples, if not all, will automatically get in the poses that inarguably resembles a high school prom picture — even 30 years after prom they’ll do it. What some couples have a hard time with is not doing these poses. So, this is where I come in…

HINT: Guys, don’t place your hands around your girl’s waist as if she’s pregnant. If she is, then that makes sense. If not, then you are the reason why she looks pregnant or “fat in pictures.” Even if she doesn’t have a belly it’ll still look like she does with your hands there. Yes, we know the photographer at your prom thought it was a good idea, but this pose does nothing to compliment the lady.

We know you’re a couple — that you’re together — but you can pose without wrapping arms at all times. Photos can be outdated the second you immortalize these poses because it’ll all look like you’re at prom or something. You can photograph together without “posing.” Try it, it’ll be a better habit than the common prom poses and it may last longer than a year. Check the sample photo below.

Guest Photographer: Derrick Bautista
Image(s): Liselle & Andrew