Destination

Italy Destination Photographer | Shen and Macky Wedding

I remember the first time I shot a wedding in Italy, and it was 13 years ago to this day. The feelings are all still too apparent – excited, as it was my first wedding in Europe; anxious, because I was shooting all by myself; and proud – I was fresh from resigning from my job to become a full-time photographer, and yet there I was stepping out the plane at the Venice International Airport, smelling the air and taking it all in just like Napoleon did when he conquered much of the world. A lot of time has passed since, and while I want to say that the rest is history, it really isn’t. This wedding feature today of Shen and Macky says that many beautiful things and places are still to be photographed and pages of history still to be written – we’re just turning the corner in this continued journey of documenting love in all corners of the world. As you step into this wedding of Shen and Macky, this dream of a world, may we all be reminded of all the roads we’ve taken to where we are now. Every client, every opportunity – both taken and missed, every moment. They are the measure of satisfaction with all we have now and the inspiration for everything that we still have to aspire to and work for. Therein lies the thing they call legacy and herein lies one of the most beautiful weddings we have photographed.

Anne and Don | Cappadocia Pre-Wedding Photographer (Part 1)

Be sure to check part 2 of this 2-part Cappadocia series of Anne and Don. There are so many things to talk about today’s Cappadocia pre-wedding shoot feature: about how great it is to be back shooting here again, about how we had some interesting ideas from the previous trip that we were able to execute this time around, about how this amazing place just never gets old, and many many other things. But the best thing about today’s feature of this Cappadocia engagement session is that mere descriptions don’t give it justice. We have a breathtaking set of photos and a wonderful behind-the-scenes video that will not only show you how unique this experience is, but also take you there, exactly where the heart of the action took place. From the Cappadocia hot air balloons, to the primitive stone churches, and all the beautiful spots this part of Turkey has to offer, we made sure that we show what Cappadocia is all about, and more. Very grateful to Anne and Don for letting us experience Cappadocia once again. Enjoy. ________________ Suppliers: Photo: Oly Ruiz Make-up: Mark Qua Styling: Adrianne Concept

Kim and Graeme | A Palawan Pre-wedding Special

Every couple that we shoot are distinct and we make sure we highlight those distinctions even further with shoots that identifies them and that they can totally call their own. Sometimes we even come up with names, hashtags, or terms to describe them or their shoots. Their photos, their wedding and they themselves become little icons that people remember them by. Recently we’ve had terms like “The Bucketlist Wedding” and even “The Perfect Wedding” and today we not only bring you to Palawan but in that amazing place we are featuring our trophy couple. If a trophy wife is a status symbol for any man, the trophy couple is a status symbol for any wedding photographer. Extremely good-looking and even better human beings, Kim and Graeme allowed us to realise every frame of their photoshoot like it was taken from the very pages of Vogue magazine. The ease, the unmistakable allure and the sophistication are truly a sight to behold. We don’t take anything for granted that’s why we are truly grateful to be able to execute shoots like these. And today we share those with you. Enjoy.

Kam and Lewis | A Shanghai China Pre-wedding Special

It’s a struggle to write blog posts when there aren’t many words to say, but the struggle is most when there are just too many, it seems impossible to determine where to start. I’m at a lost for words writing today’s feature. I don’t know if it is because the experience was amazing, or because the photos were some of the best I’ve shot, or because Kam and Lewis were two people just being incredible in so many ways. Honestly, I think it is all of those. This trip took us to China’s cities of Shanghai, Lijiang, and Shangri-la. Each city has its own charm and each offered a different adventure both photo-wise and experience-wise. Being a city guy, I love cosmopolitans. Shanghai obviously is a favourite and while I was familiar with it somehow, I was still surprised with how we were able to bring about the allure of old China just by walking around. From the shoots we did on a rooftop overlooking Shanghai’s captivating skyline, to those by the streets; we were able to capture contrasting sides of the city (old and new and night and day) that were both intense and beautiful. These photos are those you will see in the first part of the feature. The second part of this special post, showcases the photos from Lijiang and Shangri-la, which I didn’t know was a real place (and not just a hotel brand). A part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Shangri-la indeed feels like being […]

Verona Italy Wedding of Karen & Antonio

Verona, Italy – the city most known for being the setting of the most popular romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. People all over the world come here to relive their story and be in awe of this gorgeous city. Karen and Antonio’s wedding brought us to this beautiful part of the world where Antonio was born and raised. Karen is a good friend of mine from school and I was thrilled when she said she was getting married, and that the wedding was going to be in Italy. This definitely is one of the most exquisite weddings I was able witness and photograph. More than the charming Villa Zambonina, the lovely food and styling, and the whole of Verona, Italy, what’s most special about this wedding are the people who were present. Special thanks to Elia Fochesato for assisting me during the wedding. Suppliers: Bridal Gown and Groom’s Suit: Bianca Cordero Make-up: Veronica Tavella Wedding Planning: More Than Weddings Catering: Vanilla Catering Flowers and Event Styling: Ottavia Bosco Floricoltura Video: Aberrazioni Cromatiche Venue: Villa Zambonina Second Bridal Dress: Lori Sposi

Roselle and Gerard | Baguio Country Club Wedding

Baguio, the Summer capital of the Philippines. The idyllic city of pines that’s dear to the hearts  of both local and foreign tourists and the go-to destination in the country. It is a piece of heaven on earth where one can walk under the cool morning sun and be covered in a blanket of fog in the afternoon. Who wouldn’t want to go to this beautiful place with its magnificent terrain, and fresh air? It’s the perfect setting to exchange “I do’s.” This is exactly what Sel and Ger did, in spite of the pouring rain. It was a privilege to shoot their wedding, as Sel’s dad is the president of WPPP or Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines. Having a photographer for a father, Sel was at ease in every shot and every click. Ger on the other hand, although shy, proved to be the perfect partner for Sel. I hope you enjoy these glamorous and beautiful photos of Sel and Ger! _______________ Suppliers: Photo: Paolo Nierves Gown: Jazel Sy Make-up: Mariah Santos Coordination: Hip Events Videography: Treehouse Story Florist: Gary Dacanay Mindworks Caterer: Baguio Country Club Emcee: Lowell Apostol

Siargao Wedding Photographer | Joyce Pring and Juancho Trivino

Here is to making ends meet. We recently had the privilege of not only shooting again in Siargao, but also having no other than Joyce Pring and Juancho Trivino as subjects for their prenup photos. Since we established Metrophoto Siargao last year, this surely is the biggest and the most high-profile shoot as of yet. Speaking of this being a big shoot, it goes without saying that we planned for this early on. Regular readers of the blog know that we are suckers for controlling things as much as we can. Consequently, speaking of high profile as well, there are just things that we cannot control no matter how much we plan, especially in working with such in-demand personalities and celebrities like Joyce and Juancho. Our supposedly easy-paced three-day shoot was compressed to an impossible four and a half-hour window that is bookended by Juancho arriving and leaving the island via the Siargao airport. It was an insane task but we are not wedding photographers, more so Metrophoto for nothing. If any, we embraced that pressure, laid it on the floor and embraced it again. So we went through the shoot plan once again and picked what we feel are the best and most efficient we can do, with the given time. Out of the list are any shoots that will require a boat ride or far-flung attractions in places like Pacifico and Magpupungko. Given the anticipated mad rush, we chose Cloud 9, the coconut road, and the Maasin River […]

Barby and Francis | The Hills at Silang Wedding

As the holidays drew near, each mall was filled with Christmas decorations and the tunes of nonstop Christmas songs. And everyone you met had that certain holiday glow. But in The Hills at Silang, Barby and Francis were glowing not because of the upcoming holidays but because of their union. Their wedding was simple yet elegant—which reflected who they are. For them, intimacy is what mattered. And just like their pre-wedding shoot (read here), Barby was very hands-on. Yet she never let the pressure get to her, because she knew that this day was for and about her. Enjoy! ___________ Suppliers: Photo: Paolo Nierves Video: Photogenic Studios Gown: Patricia Pascual Coordination: Simple Events Management Host: Ryan Tecero

Louise | A Zambales Pre-debut Photographer

I always look forward to shooting out of town, most especially since it’s been hard to travel since this pandemic started. Traveling is a breath of fresh air even though it’s for work. That’s why I am so thankful that I was given a chance to shoot Louise’s pre-debut before season 2 of this enhanced community quarantine started. I was deeply humbled when I met Louise. She told me that she thoroughly researched my work to the point that she knew all the names of the debutants I have shot in the past. I was glad when I heard that Metrophoto had the kind of style she had always envisioned her pre-debut to be. So when the day came for us to shoot, she went there expecting, not only to get tired but also to have fun. To all debutants, I know that this pandemic is getting you down and you deserve the spotlight. But I hope that you will not lose hope. May you find joy and inspiration as you look through Louise’s photos. Enjoy! _______________________________ Suppliers: Photo: Kiko Pascua Styling: Yvonne Camay Make-up: Albrenn Malinao