Forget about the end of the world this December. Before that, an unprecedented and the ultimate wedding photography workshop + seminar in Asia is about to take place. Wiki School Pedia presents this 3-day event in Bali, Indonesia on August 13-15, 2012. Of course, I will be there as a major speaker and will hold a series of classes – Metrophoto style. :) Click the here for details on how to take part and click here for more about the Metroman! :)

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.

The Metrophoto Hothouse Series, which is an intensive wedding photography workshop, has been one of the most successful workshops from the Philippines and we have travelled around the world to share our story and craft. Last July, the hothouse workshop invaded Kuwait – not literally, dictators to that not photographers. hahaha.

We wanted go hold the workshop earlier in the year to avoid the excessive heat but due to schedule conflicts, we had to go right in the middle of summer. But even with the idea of more than 100F heat, I was really excited, the Pindot Group of Photographers was the most prestigious in Kuwait and I was sure I was up for an awesome time :) Check out the photos below and experience Kuwait in a very short time but in the Metrophoto way.

Since the idea of having the workshop in Kuwait has long been discussed and has been moved several times already because of schedule complications, the tag line “the kuWAIT is over” was perfect :)

Here I am upon arrival at the Kuwait International Airport – feeling famous! hahaha. With the Pindot Execom

And guess what else greeted me when I arrived? Mr. Sandstorm

We needed facemasks to stay outside, I really think they looked cool. This photo below on our way to some Mid-eastern dinner :)

Shisha/Hookah or whatever it is, was enjoyable after a 12-hour flight and definitely a good warm-up for the workshop the next day.

Workshop was held in Holiday Inn Hotel and we were packed :) Check out photos from the lecture and behind-the-scenes shots below courtesy of Jeb, Brehn, and Emil :)

And of course, the workshop photos :) We wanted to shoot more and longer outside but the sandstorm just wouldn’t let us

Had a blast in Kuwait. My 1.5-day stay sure wasn’t enough especially in the company of great people

And just this month, that group shot above was used in the feature for the Arab Times newspaper. Great great write-up by Maxy Santiago. :) How epic is that article title right? :)

I know some of you might complain that after just a couple of days, I’m writing over Kerwin and Mary’s fabulous E-session with a
new post already. But don’t fret, I’m writing over them with another shoot of them. get it? hahaha.

While I’m here in Kuwait preparing for the Hothouse workshop tomorrow, I thought I’d share the photos from our recent workshop in Manila, the Hothouse Cinco where Kerwin and Mary modeled for us. This happened before we had that shoot in the yacht so they still didn’t know their full potentials then. hehehe.

Again, the playful but elegant styling (inspired by Katy Perry’s photoshoot in Elle) is done by Deb Bernales :)

Enjoy the photos and watch out for features from hothouse seis, hothouse London, and the upcoming hothouse in Kuwait and in New York (August 13).

Right on the heel of the recent success of Hothouse America comes the third installation of the Hothouse Workshop Series, Hothouse Rizal. And this one was the most intense yet – two entire days with the most awesome thirty-five participants (yes, treinta y cinco) with nothing but pure metrofication! yeah! hahaha.

Set in the elegant and laid back thunderbird hotel and casino resort in Angono Rizal, the workshop not only featured Metrophoto but the other top brands in the Philippine wedding industry as well. Top-notch designer Veluz Reyes provided the wedding gown for the shoot along with Teddy Manuel (wild flower-inspired bouquet) and Madge Lejano (make-up and styling). It was a feast for the eyes.

Again, I would like to extend my deepest gratification to all those who made the Hothouse workshops not only possible but such a kick-ass success. The outpouring support from both friends, family, and followers (who are now my new found friends) is hugely humbling =) We got participants who flew in from all parts of the country to be Metrofied – from CDO, Davao, Bohol, and Cebu. =)

With such a big hit, it would be easy to assume that it doesn’t get any better than this. But like with anything Metrophoto, it always gets better (and more fab!). Hahaha! We’re in the middle of redesigning the next edition of Hothouse. It will be something that’s unprecedented and unheard of in photography workshops. It will be like Hothouse on steroids! hahaha =) While it won’t be happening until at least after several months, please do frequent the site (especially those metrofyees who failed to make the list) for teasers and official announcements. See you in Poro! =)

This is Jerremy, a metrophoto groom and currently the only hothouse two-timer! =)

The boys are out! From Cebu =)

Team Davao!

Team Metrophoto! =)

As a bonus, Madge Lejano provided a short talk on the importance of make-up in creating kick-ass photographs.


Tanja Winheim was the beautiful metrophoto bride for the workshop =)

Teddy Manuel named his wild and elegant bouquet after me. Oliexotica! love love it! =)

Looks like a scene from CSI! CSI Rizal! hahaha.

My trusted and talented #2, Francis Yllana, proved further his varying skills by modeling for us. =)

Metrofied!