New York City is one of my most favorite places in the world. It captivates me when I’m there and it captivates me even when I’m not – it is the only place I’d live in other than my beloved Manila. Yet it gets really overwhelming and lonely whenever I travel there without family, and the last time I went wouldn’t have been as enjoyable and memorable if not for Robert and Jade. For the first time after several visits, New York felt like home, it was more fun, it was more exciting, it was just amazing. Thanks to them and the company of their friends :)

Today we’re featuring the e-session shoot of Robert and Jade. I remember that day more than anything because of the heavy downpour we experienced – it was NON-STOP. I’m used to shooting in the rain (I’m from the Philippines where the only thing that out-number the rainshowers are the jaywalkers) but this was just different – NON-STOP like I’ve never seen before. It was quite a challenge but In the end, with the help of many umbrellas and many friends, we were able to pull it off. Soaked but successful.

I can’t wait to see Robert and Jade again, this time here in Manila for their wedding. I’m pretty sure that with homecourt advantage for me and with what we’ve already been through in New York, no amount of climate change can change what would be a surely wonderful wedding.

Enjoy the photos :)

This year has been the biggest yet for Metrophoto and that goes for my Hothouse Workshop series as well. We had very successful workshops here in Manila and then in London, Kuwait, and New York. It was an unimaginable feat but like a lot of our successes, with a lot of hardwork, prayers, and the genuine desire to fulfill the Metrophoto experience, we have done it in record time and fashion.

As we announce the final Hothouse schedule of the year and prepare for bigger things for 2012, we want to feature the photos from Hothouse in New York last August. We were overwhelmed by the response as all slots were booked right away and we had attendees as far off as Washington DC and Florida. My huge thanks to Sachi Villareal and Bryan Geonzon for organizing the entire workshop that turned-out awesome in each and every way. This is New York, baby; and to be able to conquer it this way was incredible.

So without further ado, let us take you throughout the Hothouse New York experience. And if you want to be part of the next Metrophoto Hothouse experience, click here for the details of the upcoming Hothouse 7 in Manila.

Lecture part was held in midtown manhattan. Here I’m definitely not singing to them while I describe Metrophoto’s one-of-a-kind wedding albums. That guy behind me is Metrophoto mainstay, Noel Dasmarinas.

Participant introductions. It was an all-filipino, all-men group.

Thanks to Sachi for these behind-the-scenes photos including this close-up of my favorite shoes :)

And this is not one of my dance moves, I have better ones than this.

Brad from D.C. – he’s the reason everyone must speak in English. lol :)

After a delicious lobster lunch, off we go to the shoot in Manhattan’s Meat Packing District. We literally packed the place.

High note :)

This is how you shoot birds – Metrophoto style. hehehe.

It was actually this shot. :)

And this is how you shoot walls – Metrophoto style.

It was actually this shot. :)

Debrief after the shoot. See my face? It was still THAT intense around that time.

I LOVE MOUNTAIN DEW! :)

Here are the official photos from the workshop. First of Winnie and Daniel.

And then of Megan :)

New York City is Metrofied.

What is a visit to New York City without going to Time Square and Central Park right? On the same breath, no Big Apple shoot series will be complete as well without those two iconic locations. =)

So here are the photos from Derrick and Mary Ann’s engagement session in New York that we shot in Time Square at the Central Park. =) Mary Ann’s cool parents and cousin tagged along too for a super fun shoot amidst the crowded streets and park! =)

Enjoy the photos =)

Manhattan Island in New York is one of my most favorite places on Earth. It always seemed like it eats me up with its immense culture. Almost everything about it is interesting (I think that’s what I get for watching too much movies hahaha) – well it least for me. There are a lot of great memories and first-time experiences.

That’s why I was stoked to be back in the city and this time to shoot engagement session – metrophoto style! =) This is the first of my series of engagement sessions from New York and I absolutely love the photos of Bryan and Dinah (pronounced as day-nah) that we shot in Soho, The Brooklyn Bridge, and The Grand Central Terminal. =) They are set to marry tomorrow in Manila btw =)

It made everything more exciting when my friend Abel and our MUA Edilyn tagged along for the shoot. We had a tremendously fun time =) Check out the behind-the-scenes photos at the bottom of the post for those =)

Here are some of our outtakes from the shoot =)
Abel, who was kind enough to assist us during the shoot and take superb behind-the-scenes shots of me =)

Edilyn, our super MUA =)

We also met-up with Malou, a high school batchmate of me and Bryan. This was our mini high school reunion in New York! hahaha =)