Dino Lara

Coleen and Billy’s Official Prenup Photos

Many of you know that we went to the extremes to shoot a totally unique prenup session for Coleen and Billy in Ethiopia (see it here). With it, we were able to showcase that prenup pictorials can be done with such splendour and passion. By design, we now go to the other end of the spectrum to give you a side of the couple that is unguarded, candid, and relaxed. Shot with ease and in backdrops that exhibit simplicity and clarity, it is the love and connection between Coleen and Billy that is the highlight of these prenup photos – the most official ones. We hope that these photographs, together with those from Ethiopia, show that love can be represented in many ways but still be tasteful, still be beautiful and still be real. We can’t thank Coleen and Billy enough for allowing us to dream and to execute in limits that has not been done before. Their passion for each other, for the people around them, and for their wedding is exceptional and they really deserve all the best that life can offer. We hope you enjoy the photos and look forward to those of the wedding photos of Coleen and Billy in a couple of days. Special thanks to the following people: Coleen’s Make-up: Pong Niu Billy’s Grooming: Aimee Grey Hairstyling: Renz Pangilinan Styling: Adrianne Concepcion Videographer: Bob Nicolas Location: Casa Bendita

The Official Wedding Photos of Coleen and Billy

Several years back, Coleen caught my attention with her Creamsilk ad, with it was an attached write-up describing herself and it really hit a spot. She could be the absolute Metrophoto celebrity bride – if only she chooses Metrophoto to shoot her when hel time to tie the knot comes. Fast forward to a few years after. Those thoughts became a reality, and Coleen and Billy are exactly what I dreamt them to be – a blessing to this craft that what we love to do. They have taken the core of our style, embraced it and shared it for the world to see. It took more than 10 years, but everything that happened before culminated to what is Metrophoto’s finest moment yet. From Ethiopia, back to Manila for their prenup shoots and now to Balesin to celebrate and shoot their wedding, it has been to us what is probably the equivalent of an NBA team’s journey to a first ever championship. So please do allow us to share the official photos from the wedding of our beloved Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia-Crawford. Enjoy. Thank you to all we have worked with in this adventure. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity and we’ll never forget it.

The Wedding of Benjie and Cris

The work that we do allows us to travel to places, see unusual things, and meet new people quite regularly. Some experiences stand out, as do some people. One such person is Benjie. I first met Benjie when he attended one of my workshops back in 2013. We didn’t know each other very well then but he impressed me with his passion and sincerity. Since then, I’ve seen his growth and progress as a photographer and couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Because of who he is and what he stands for, whatever success he is enjoying now, he truly deserves it and more. Imagine my (very) pleasant surprise when he and then-fiancée Criselda asked me to not only photograph their wedding (of course, I was very honored to do so) but also to be their one and only ninong. After I got over my initial shock, I very happily said YES! On the day of the wedding, I discovered that they only had one pair of principal sponsors for their wedding. It was flattering, humbling, and very special. What a great honor! We always do our best for clients but I wanted nothing but perfection for Benjie and Criselda. Benjie is a sought-after photographer (there’s already added pressure there) and Criselda is a very good makeup artist. More than all of this, they’re 2 of the kindest, nicest people you could ever meet. Whatever I could do for them, I was glad to do so… as their […]

The Wedding of Kim and Keane

4:00 am call time. Normally, this kind of wedding schedule is not favorable for us suppliers. However, we never complain to any wedding schedule. It definitely helped that Kim and Keane are such a beautiful and kind couple. Despite the incredibly early shoot, they were very much willing to work and help us create everything as beautiful as we did. Even after the morning ceremony, they were still shooting with us at Intramuros in the afternoon heat. Then even later that night we stayed with them throughout their evening reception with close to 1000 guests. Couples like Kim and Keane undoubtedly show us how weddings are a team effort between the couple and their suppliers. And the result? The photos you see below. Suppliers Coordination: The Knot Events Video: Treehouse Story Makeup: Cherry Pacheco Bridal Gown: Teena Sabrina Tan Event Styling: Event Styles by Kathy Sy King Venue: Century Park Hotel / Manila Cathedral Emcee: Kevin Lapeña Cake: Bethany Dream Cakes

The Baguio Wedding of Shar and Mc

The fresh and cold air breeze touches your skin and the magnificent scent of pines tingle your nose. It was the perfect day to have the perfect wedding for Shar and Mc. Final preparations were happening and organisers were rushing here and there to get everything done. The women were laughing with the lovely bride, and the men were congratulating the groom. Everyone, including me, was excited to see Shar walk down that aisle surrounded by the beauty of nature. But fate had other plans when it started to rain and we had to move from the garden to the ballroom. What’s beautiful about this couple is that they did not let this unpredictable bump ruin their wedding. They knew that having each other, and having your beloved family and friends celebrate marriage with you is more than enough. Shar and Mc’s wedding reminded me that marriage is more than the venue, it is about love and sincerity towards one another. I hope that you see that in our pictures and be inspired. Photo: Dino Lara Video: Notion in Motion HMUA: Pong Niu Couture: Boy Kastner Coordination: Celebracion Weddings Lights and sounds: Reinforcement Lights and Sounds Emcee: Igor Labs Event styling: Celebrar Events

The Ting Hun of Kiara and Aldrin

Ting hun—a Chinese tradition practiced for centuries. It is a wonderful ceremony celebrating and announcing the betrothal and engagement of the couple. Aldrin spared no expense to shout out loud to the world his love and sincerity in marrying Kiara. It was beautiful to see them gleaming with joy and excitement, knowing that in a few months’ time they will be tying the knot and spending their lives together. I hope that you will see the beauty of this tradition in a modern world through our pictures. Enjoy.

A Corregidor Island Pre-Wedding | Karen and Ian

Karen, Ian and I made our way to the swaying boat and traveled to an island located 48 kilometers from Manila, called Pulo ng Corregidor. It is an Island filled with noble history and heroism. From the clear sea to the bluish sky, it was a perfect day for a pre-wedding shoot. The hope and freedom that our brave ancestors fought for us can be seen everywhere. It’s seen in the structures now ruined and reminiscent of the lives which were sacrificed for the sake of freedom. And amidst this backdrop, Karen and Ian look to their future, filled with hope yet ready to face sacrifices for the sake of their love. Yes, love indeed is both hopeful and sacrificial. Just as the brave soldiers defended this beautiful island, this courageous couple will surely do everything they can to keep their marriage strong up to the very end. Enjoy!

A Bataan Pre-wedding | Kim and Keane

In a fast-paced world, I tend to forget the beauty of a leisurely and unsophisticated life. That is the reason I am most thankful when my clients want to shoot in the untarnished and beautiful provinces of the Philippines. Such clients are Kim and Keane. Traveling to Bataan gave the couple and I a chance to relax, to slow down, and to breathe in the fresh air. What makes this pre-wedding shoot special is that Kim and Keane were very modest throughout the shoot, and they did nothing but enjoy each other’s company. I hope you see how beautiful and positively simple these two are. Enjoy! Suppliers: Photo: Dino Lara

Gelen and Anton | Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Pre-wedding

As we stepped out of the car and into our location for Gelen and Anton’s pre-wedding, it was like we suddenly time-traveled to Old Manila’s glory days. We were surrounded by classic architecture, gallant landscape, and extravagant waterworks. Even though the sun did not greet us immediately, we were thankful. The greyish sky added to the beauty and effect of the location. Not only that, we were able to see how Gelen and Anton’s love can light up any place we shot in. Their sunny personalities made it easy to work with them and lift our spirits. It’s was a beautiful sight – to see a new love in an old and nostalgic place such as Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar. Enjoy! _____________ Suppliers: Photo: Dino Lara Styling: Aira Franco-Capistrano Venue: Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar