Oly Ruiz

The Prenup Photos of Verniece Enciso and Alf Dichaves | Korea Pre-wedding Photographer

I will admit that while we very much love the work that we do, there are some shoots that are more difficult to do than most – sometimes you really have to grind it out to get the good photos. But on the other end of the spectrum, there are shoots that feel like your floating (like how Steph Curry is when he’s in the zone) and everything just seem to fall into place, or in our case, arrange into frame. This is the exact feeling I had throughout the prenup shoot we had with Verniece and Alf in Korea. The weather, the time, the team, the subjects, heck even the birds, and the crowd just seemed to get the note and all worked wonderfully together. We appreciate these even more knowing that we were in for a challenge early on. We expected it to be unbearably cold, we expected to encounter a large crowd at Nami Island, and we were working on a very tight schedule. To be able to get into the groove early on despite these is a testimonial to how great it is to work with Verniece and Alf. They not only know what it takes to get the job done, but they make it so pleasant and fun for everyone.  Thus in the end, the only complaint I have is not having more time to spend with them and the team on this trip. And if you know me and I am not complaining about […]

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.

Sei and Paolo | Shangri-la The Fort Wedding Photographer

Today’s feature was the last wedding I shot before the world turned upside-down. Last March, Metrphoto’s own Paolo Nierves, tied the knot with Sei in a fashion that’s Metrophoto in every way. To say that the expectations were high is an understatement. Putting things into perspective, we chose to travel to Havana, Cuba, to shoot their prenup photos because anything less exotic or unique would be a letdown. All hands were on deck for this wedding. The entire Metrophoto team attended and contributed in any way we can think of – including being a Ninong to the couple, that would be me; Dino wanted to be the priest, but it wasn’t something you could simply declare as we found out. Imagine the pressure to deliver incredible photos and imagine the pressure to present them to you now. Things have their way of falling into place, though; if they are meant to be, the universe will make it happen. Thus just like Paolo and Sei and the Metrophoto team, the photos came out in a way that will make one thank the universe – yes, they are beautiful. I don’t know if we got overly blessed up to this point, because somehow, after a few days, the universe thought it was a great idea to force the whole world into a lockdown. The law of averages sure is a bitch sometimes. But the times that it is not, that’s what we are hoping for now. We look forward that in a […]

The Wedding of Sarah and Edison

You know what happens when your making plans? Life. Sarah and Edison were more than ready to get married, but they suddenly found themselves needing to fast-track their plans. Sarah’s father sadly passed away, and a long-held Chinese practice is to get married within a hundred days of the death or wait for another two years. They took the plunge (of the plunge they are already taking) and decided to go for the more immediate route. What they pulled off was near impossible. This meant booking San Sebastian Church for the ceremony and the Marriott Grand Ballroom for the reception, along with invitations for about 1,700 guests. They also managed squeeze in an adventurous but super elegant pre-wedding shoot at Tinipak River in Tanay, Rizal (you should see it). Sarah and Edison did all this with hardly any hint of a rush and with grace and serenity. And we are privileged to capture it all for them. In today’s feature of the photos of their wedding celebration, we witnessed their heartfelt exchange of vows and the poignant, tearful moments between Sarah and her family. Her father’s memory lives on with them, and now, Edison is there to love and take care of Sarah and they can embrace the future and share their life together. Life happens when you’re making plans. For Sarah and Edison, they were able to uphold tradition, honor those who have gone ahead, and begin a new chapter of their lives. They did everything with such grace […]

Jeanette and Jeff | A Balinese Escape

I’ve always cringed at the sight of structures that try hard to copy authentic architectures abroad. From the mediterranean to the Iberian peninsula-inpired, these half-baked houses are the favorite of many wedding couples and photographers. We try to stay out of them because sometimes, we do get to go the actual places themselves and always, they just scream ‘trying-hard’. The reason is that the tastefully-made ones are always private, they don’t want to rent out the place to every couple (or to anyone) just to make money. Case in point for today’s feature that takes us to Bali. This exclusive estate is more Balinese that many of the places I’ve been to in Bali. And why not, the plan was carefully executed and almost all of the materials were imported from Bali itself. If that’s not enough, how about having their own orangutan? You will see what we mean in the photos we shot there. I’m very proud of Jeanette and Jeff for finding such a gem just hours from Manila. And I am even more proud of them for making such wonderful subjects in what was an already amazing location. Enjoy the photos and the BTS video below. Make-up: Mickey See Hair: Renz Pangilinan Styling: Pery Tabora

Venice Italy Pre-Wedding | Ehra and Tom

Many of you may be able to recognise the gorgeous bride in today’s feature. Ehra Madrigal, as she is more famously known, is set to tie the knot later this year to finance Tom, a pharmacist, real estate broker, business man, and overall super cool guy. A few months back, we were all in Venice, Italy to shoot their pre-wedding photos. I’ve always said that Venice is one of my most favourite places in the world. I don’t think that there is anything close to how unique the place is. It is expectedly beautiful like any place in Europe but with a locale and a landscape that is truly its own. Every visit is like the first time and this last time was even more special because we got to shoot together with Ehra and Tom and their love for each other. So at least for today, allow us to take you back with us to one of the most amazing places on earth with one of the most amazing couples we’ve come across and relive Venice unlike any other way before. Enjoy the photos. Special thanks to Mickey See for Ehra’s Make-up, Joe San Antonio for Ehra’s Gown, Boy Kastner Santos for Tom’s Suit and OTAA for Tom’s accessories.

Diane and Marvin | A Japan Pre-Wedding Feature

I have discussed a lot of potential locations with Diane and Marvin for their pre-wedding shoot – from New Zealand, to Norway, to Bataan and Siargao, – before we decided that it would be in Tokyo. It is not the most unique of places (not anymore) but Japan is still one of the most inspiring countries in the world and what was important was that it was Diane and Marvin and that it was Metrophoto shooting them. We went to some new locations in Tokyo like NS building and Skytree tower where we got lucky in the latter where they allowed us to shoot a bit, but was shooed away at the former. We also went to the usual locations in like the Shibuya crossing and Kawaguchi Lake. We failed to see failed to see Mt. Fuji and tried to make do with what we had and then got the surprise of our lives when we saw Japan’s famous crossing literally deserted. I’m sure you’ll enjoy all these adventures more when you watch our behind-the-scene video attached in this post. Huge thanks to Diane and Marvin for such a wonderful experience. I’m so blessed to be able to shoot such amazing couples especially brides as gorgeous as Diane. Special thanks also to Nicole Pastrano for doing Diane’s make-up and AJ Alberto for styling the shoot.

The Wedding of Anchesca and Vijay

We have shot many weddings from many cultures. But I think that this is the first time we had a Filipino Chinese get married to a Filipino Indian. Today’s feature of Anchesca and Vijay’s wedding is as unique as it is special. Opposites do attract. Vijay is tall, dark, and intimidating and while Anchesca is petit, sweet, and approachable. Yet they make the perfect couple. They are beautiful individually and even moreso together. They exude this very pleasant aura that makes you want to hang out with them all the time. :) We complete that Indian, Chinese, and Pinoy trifecta. haha. This wedding is overflowing with things that are novel and things that are classic but all of them absolutely beautiful. I hope you enjoy every frame, every emotion, and every detail of this marriage between two very distinct but very wonderful cultures. Suppliers: Make-up: Albert Kurniawan Coordination: Rita Neri Wedding Gown: Patty Ang Video: King of Mayad Emcee: Sam YG Reception: Conrad Hotel

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.