With all due respect to the amazing places in the Philippines, there is nothing that can compare with the uniqueness and the charm of Batanes. It is simply the single most spectacular location in the country – it is a world of its own. Its lack of facilities and the unpredictability to get to just adds to its appeal. I guess this is the reason that it has become more and more popular. In fact just in this last year alone I’ve seen countless of shoots (mostly wedding related) being done there.

Such an amazing place may mean pretty pictures – yes because it’s easy to shoot and that leads to most of the photographs taken in Batanes looking more and more similar than the last. I guess the challenge really is how to make something marvellous even more well, marvellous. How to exceed the expectations when the expectations are already lofty.

The answer, while I know it, is as difficult to explain as it is to actually shoot it. Surely it begins with the couple – beautiful as the place but tough as nails. I have been in awe with what my brides do for the sake of our shoots. I ask them to do what I know are not only possible, but are also considerably safe. I’m the first one to take back an idea if I realise that I myself might not be able to do it. Hana, as I have proved, is tougher, more flexible, and a lot braver than me. On one instance at the lighthouse, she remarkably climbed a window which I thought was impossible to get to. I was somewhat shocked but indeed overjoyed. She and Afshin made something spectacular with what is already spectacular. Other things of course are the team, the planning, and the experience. There are so many other NEWER things and ways one can see Batanes if they know how to look or if they are with people who know how to look. How all of these go together are more difficult to explain by mere words but surely the photographs below will answer what I’m trying to say.

We’ve been waiting to show these for quite some time and now we are proud to share with you a Batanes pre-wedding shoot – done the Metrophoto way. Enjoy.