salt&bleach

Category: Weddings

  • A Wedding in Newtown Beach

    A Wedding in Newtown Beach

    I arrived at Manu & Nickle’s wedding preparations around 10 in the morning or something. It was another one of those “no entourage” small gatherings, you know? It could not have been any more relaxed as it was. The videographer was scrambling for clips because it was terribly quiet. As for me, I was happy to click whenever I felt it mattered. In the middle of preparations, I slid out the door, sat with an americano & a turkey sandwich at Starbucks.

    I can’t recall shooting a wedding here even when it was branded as Portofino a long, long while ago. It looks like a really wonderful place to get married despite the usual humidity. Let’s get back to the preparations first.

    Around lunch, I met Manu just outside the lobby of Savoy for a few pictures. We had a long chat during the pre wedding shoot and we both agreed to take lesser but more meaningful pictures.

    It was the usual little chaos when Nickle’s family arrived to dress up as well. Not that we can’t handle that…

    And before we knew it, it was time for some more portraits.

    The Newtown Skyline.

    And it was time to begin.

    I didn’t keep a tab but I think there were less than 80 of us. The forecast said it was going to rain but the weather actually held up. We were blessed with some cloudy skies and an occasional afternoon breeze to balance out the mild humidity.

    Before the reception started, we took a few more pictures.

    And some dusk scenery

    When I left, I was under the impression that the party was just getting started. There were still 4 large coolers full of beer & wine. I can only imagine the fun and laughter. What a wedding it was.

    Thank You Manu & Nickle!

  • 45 Years of Amy & Eugene

    45 Years of Amy & Eugene

    Campo

    I can’t recall the last time I was here for a wedding. I know, however, that I have shot a couple of weddings at this church.

    This was a last minute pitch by Therese Red whose wedding I shot back in 2013. It will be their Mama & Papa’s 45th Year Anniversary. They could have waited for 50, but you know, why not?

    Luckily, our schedules were on our side so here goes.

    Therese’s Mama & Papa didn’t have the slightest idea that their kids planned for this renewal of vows. I arrived in a blue shirt as that was the running motif for the event. I can tell how everyone loved Amy & Eugene judging by the excitement I felt as soon as I entered the church.

    As soon as the church doors opened, Amy was overcome with emotions. It was such a happy day full of happy and fulfilled tears.

    I held my ground. It is not easy witnessing all of these emotions. It, too, reminds me of so many beautiful things. I had to constantly decide when to click and when to just let it all in.

    Ceremony

    When the dust settled and Eugene & Amy were ably seated in front of the altar, the ceremony began.

    While taking the pictures, I thought, “these people looked familiar.” But of course,I must have taken their pictures many years ago.

    For most, taking photos at the church might seem the most boring. To me, however, I think it is the most important and it stretches you creatively because you aren’t as free as during preparations or the reception.

    I love the photography work I get to do these days. You know what I mean? They still tire me, especially because I’ve aged but despite the toll it leaves after every assignment, I find myself fulfilled. It’s like I’ve preserved people’s feelings so that when they look back at the images I took, they will remember the exact same feeling they had at the very moment it took place.

    And before we knew it, Amy & Eugene had renewed their vows in front of the people they love and who love them. Towards the end of the mass, the priest told everyone how 45 years ago, it was just Amy & Eugene in front of the altar and that now he really admired seeing their 3 daughters, assist them while the ceremony was under way. It felt a lot like Life.

    I also had the chance to take a picture of both Amy & Eugene surrounded by everybody. It wasn’t too small of a group, but luckily they fit in my camera. And then, of course, with their daughters and family.

    Everyone, Amy & Eugene 45 years and counting.

    Life

    I am not a good planner. When I left work to become a photographer back in 2013, I didn’t have the slightest idea that I was going to be in for a roller coaster ride.

    It was fulfilling most of the time, but there were also times when I felt exhausted and confused. So I stuck to my guns and focused on the people in front of me. Trying hard as I might to make sure who they see in the pictures are they themselves.

    While I can’t deny that photography had its fair share of monetary rewards, to me it wasn’t always about the money. It was always about the people, going through all of these words and deciding in the end that they’d like me to be there on the most important days of their lives.

    Thank You Therese Red for inviting me over to take these pictures for you & your family. I am grateful.

  • A Wedding in Dumaguete

    A Wedding in Dumaguete

    The last wedding I shot in Dumaguete City was back in July of 2019. It was a small crowd pretty much like the one in the pictures below and the fact of the matter is, it is because of that wedding that Febe & Dylan came across me as I wrote down in the previous post. When I received Febe’s message in Facebook last year, I immediately knew we were going to get along just fine.

    I took the boat from Pier 1 in Cebu City. I planned on sleeping in until 5AM but when it docked in Dumaguete, they turned the air conditioning off. I stayed on one of the boats benches until I could see bits of the sunrise before heading out to meet my cousin for breakfast.

    As always, the boys didn’t want too many pictures so we just obliged and took a few.

    The ladies, on the other hand, were a bit game so I dragged them out of the house but still put them on the shade on their “terno” shades.

    Details

    I was quite surprised when I arrived and was asked to sign something for the details. Luckily, I don’t prioritize details so I managed to squeeze my way out of the situation. I did took some photos of the said details, but I didn’t make an effort to highlight them.

    Casa Bianca and Yucca Villa, the Airbnb places that Febe and Dylan booked were certainly nice. It provided a lot of backdrops which didn’t require too much effort.

    The ceremony was scheduled at 2PM at a church nearby. We quickly finished the preparations and arrived at church an hour early.

    You will need to scroll left or right on the next set of pictures. Otherwise, this is going to en up a bit longer than usual.

    And as always, a kiss to seal the deal.

    The reception followed at The Barn in Valencia. I didn’t drive so I rode with the rest of the guests. Febe & Dylan wrote wedding day letters and read it to each other before the reception started.

    Before we let the entourage enjoy some refreshments, we took them out for a quick all together photo. After which, I told them to leave Febe & Dylan behind for some potraits.

    No Fuss

    The reception party didn’t take too long. We were done before 7:00PM. The longest part of it was the entrance. Of course, the cake was sliced, wine opened and some speeches too!

    And just like how it was back at the church, a longer kiss to signal the end of the wedding day and the beginning of the married life. Thank You Febe & Dylan for allowing me to preserve some of these memories for you.

  • A Wedding That I Missed

    A Wedding That I Missed

    Ironic

    I don’t shoot as much as I did back then nowadays. So, it was puzzling to realize that I said “yes” to this wedding and turns out I had a company activity happening. Kind of ironic if you ask me. Luckily for me, I have trusted photographers I can call. On top of that, I have people who ask nothing from me but to capture them as they are. Arthur & Charie, Daghan kaayong Salamat!

    It was raining all morning in Cebu City. While I did worry for my kids, because I took them with me for our annual company Summer Event, I didn’t worry one bit for this wedding. I knew it was going to turn out just fine.

    I had known Tim for quite some time now and while I’ve always been the primary photographer even when he is around, I have no doubt in my mind that he is a better photographer than me. Thank You Tim for taking care of these.

    Click left or right.

    I was kind of excited for the church because it’s one where I haven’t shot a wedding yet. Next time San Isidro. Next time.

    Church pictures always are a challenge because this is the part where you don’t have control over what’s happening. You are only left with the choice to click and hope for the best.

    I’m glad these pictures look like I was there too.

    The reception, happened to be just across the church and the entrance to the banquet hall was the perfect place for some post wedding portraits.

    And then it was off to the reception.

    Thank you Arthur & Charie

    Thank you Florianne

    And thank you Tim & Chris for taking care of this for me.

  • Karren & Serge’s Small Wedding

    Karren & Serge’s Small Wedding

    I remember bringing Coxon and Kuya when I met Karren & Serge to talk about their wedding. This was a Saturday afternoon just as they wrapped up their pre-Cana seminar. Luckily, they also have a little girl so having the kids during the discussion was pretty much normal.

    I was on my way to their house but Karren told me their baby was sick and asked if we can just start taking pictures at the church. It was my first time taking pictures at San Isidro Parish in Talamban.

    I wish I took something like this every time.

    Everybody’s always exited about the first kiss.

    Karren told me their little girl had a dress. Unfortunately, she wasn’t feeling all too well and chose to wear this instead. With the unicorn, of course.

    A small gathering followed at Kape Tano just nearby. There wasn’t a formal program. Just food, and drinks, and kids running around. Karren and Serge just sliced the cake and drank wine. After that, we all went home.

    Thank You Karren & Serge.