There is a quiet allure that Davao possesses – the seemingly slower pace of life they adhere to leaves me nostalgic for the days back then when the passing of time was more an abstract concept rather than everyday reality. And I was very much looking forward to that – something laidback in terms of pacing, just taking everything in, yet getting into the groove of being very intense when it was called for. The results were abstract and also real, a combination that’s difficult to grasp but amazing in all its aspects. 

This was one of those shoots that really got my creative juices flowing since we traversed into three stunning locations in Davao, and the nearby (and the not-so-nearby) locations. We started at the spectacular Yura Highland Resort, then to the Kalipay Museum in Davao and finished at the quaint surf town of Mati.  Each site paved the way for me to really experiment with new and exciting environments to highlight how good-looking this couple is and the places they were in. 

What really took each shot to the next level was Claire’s beauty; her timeless features breathed such a serene brightness into each frame, and her courage to make my every idea possible – she was outdoing herself set after set (check the BTS video to see what I mean). Justin, of course, complemented her perfectly and was such a gentleman throughout this week-long shoot, making sure that is was also a time for us enjoy and relax. Ash also graced the sets, which made for some precious moments caught on camera between her and the couple. 

We really made the right choice to shoot here versus other locations. This place, in all its picturesque simplicity, is the perfect mix of refinement and homeyness that is difficult to capture elsewhere, add to that the company we were in. It was truly a pleasure to be able to spend all these moments with Claire and Justin in a city that is home for them, and for a whole week, home for me as well. Enjoy the photos.

Photo: Oly Ruiz
Make-up: Joan Quizon
Styling: Yvonne Camay