Photography, Yoga and Friendship

I don’t think I’ll ever stop practicing taking photos, I don’t think I’ll ever stop practicing yoga (at least once a week) and I don’t think I’ll ever stop being friends with my gorgeous friend Zip who willingly posed for me last Sunday :).

Zip was the one who introduced me to yoga, that’s why until know I make sure that I practice at least once a week in the studio and try my best to practice at home.  I’d like to share some of the photos I’ve taken 🙂

Venue:  UP Diliman, Make-Up and Styling:  Zip 🙂

 

DIY Cake Smash

A “balikbayan” friend of mine, Tacks, asked me about the studios here in the Metro where she could have her baby’s birthday photoshoot. I gave her ideas like Portraits by Heidi Aquende (of course 😊) and Picture Company. But I also gave her an option that I could take photos of her Baby Liam. An opportunity for me to practice and at the same time a birthday present for this cute little boy. I suggested that we do our own Cake Smash shoot. I’ve always wanted to do this for Lucas before he turned 1, but I don’t know why we didn’t have that opportunity 😒. So I just asked my friend to have a cute cake with no. 1 on it made at Shoppersville Katipunan (they make nice simple cakes at very friendly prices without compromising the taste). Then out of old Toys ‘r Us catalogues I cut out several triangles and long strips to create buntings and a number 1 wall mount (i lost the photo 😞).

We had the shoot at the house of Tacks’ aunt. It was challenging for me because I only have my camera (with 18mm-55mm lens only) and flash (SB 600). It was also indoors so I really have to adjust a lot with the lighting. I usually shoot well with natural lighting (outdoors). So far I got some cute shots of this adorable little man.

Double Happiness

Today, some of my co-teachers and I decided to visit one of our colleagues who just gave birth to a beautiful set of fraternal twins last March 25.  Oh my!  They are so adorable!  I wanted to hold them, but in a weird way I felt like I’ve never held a newborn before.  I was hesitant because they are so fragile.

Of course, I brought our camera with me to take some photos (another opportunity to practice).  I have a lot of ideas but I was too scared.  I just told myself that I would read more to learn more how to do newborn photo sessions.  So far I made some shots but I needed to do a little bit of editing.

Presenting…. The Dumlao Twins:  Briana and Amaia

 

Thank you so much Teacher Yeng, Daddy Jovian and Malix for letting me do this 🙂

Confession:  I know they’re fraternal twins, but I still get confused who’s who.  Haha!  But they’re so beautiful..don’t you agree? 😉

Brother and Sister

Last Good Friday, we’re still in Lingayen, Pangasinan so I got the chance to take photos of my two other pamangkins Gelo and Kaixin.  Gelo is almost 5 years old and Kaixin is 1 year and 7 months.  We had the shoot at Lingayen Capitol Veterans Park at around 5pm.  The natural light is still good so I took advantage of it.

Kaixin was just effortlessly cute.  She likes looking at the camera and giving me timid smiles (and guess what? She’s not even feeling so well that day, what more if she’s not sick?).

Gelo and Kaixin

Gelo on the other hand was a bit of a challenge.  He was too shy. He literally ran away from me several times.  But I was really persistent to capture his handsome smile, with that really nice dimple on his right cheek.  I literally ran after him.  When I was reviewing the shots,  I’m happy that I got what I was looking for.  However, when Brio took the camera from me and tried to take photos of Gelo, unbelievably, he started smiling and posing.  Geeez!  He likes Brio better that’s for sure. 🙂

Thanks to Rachelle, my cousin and her husband Jason for letting me take photos of their wonderful kids.  They even gave us a tour inside the Capitol Building where we had the chance to enjoy the cool wind at the roof top and see how it looks like in the Governor’s office.  It was a very humid  afternoon but it was fun and all worth it. 🙂

My First Ever Model

Last March 27 of 2013 my family together with my parents spent the Holy Week in Lingayen, Pangasinan.  I’m just so glad that my cousin agreed that I take some photos of her 1-year old baby girl Gaile.  We decided to have it in the park (Lingayen Capitol Park) right in front of my cousin’s home.  We had it at around 4:30 pm where the sun is not too bright and not too hot because I prefer the natural light.  One good thing is that Gaile just woke up from her siesta as she traveled from another town (Dagupan) to Lingayen.  All I could say is that this little girl is so adorable!  I didn’t have a hard time taking photos of her. She smiles a lot as if she knows what’s going on.

Gaile’s also super sweet.  When we’re done I felt lucky to take a shot of Gaile hugging and kissing my cousin.  

I also got a chance to take some photos of one of my nephews, Gaile’s first cousin, Jake.  I just caught him enjoying the afternoon with Gaile and Lucas as they lay down on the picnic mat.  I truly enjoyed that afternoon so I told myself this is just the first.  I’m hoping that I’ll have more opportunities like this.  As a preschool teacher, I work closely with children all the time so I’d say I gained patience and I sort of have some techniques on how I could encourage them to give the smile I’m looking for.

Actually, two days after, I had another photo session with my other cousin’s kids.  I’ll be posting those photos too as soon as I’m done :).  I hope you enjoyed looking at Gaile’s photos.

Life Behind the Camera Lens

I’ve always been interested in photography and I just enjoy taking photos of the things I see around me using the mobile phone camera, iPad, point and shoot or the DSLR.  I just enjoy doing it.  I got even more interested when I met Heidi Aquende through a common college friend, the photographer who shot our family portraits.  Not only she is also a Lasallian, Heidi and I (even Brio) easily got acquainted the first time we met.

Heidi’s really talented and creative.  She makes everything look beautiful or I’d say she makes everything desirable to look at.  Her passion can be seen on her works.  Based on experience, she creates a “magical” connection between her camera and subject.  She is also comfortable to work with (well at first I was conscious because I’m also always behind the camera).  I don’t know how else I’ll describe how good she is with her craft, but I truly got inspired by Heidi.

Our meetings made us learn about each other a little bit on a personal level.  I learned that we have something in common, being a mom.  She is a mother to a beautiful and cute little girl Issa.  We were even able to share our parenting skills.  She and her husband also got curious about our lives as educators which Brio and I gladly shared with them.

Meeting and knowing Heidi made me realize that maybe I should go back to taking pictures.  Doing something I love to do besides being a nanay and a teacher.

Now, it’s officially summer break for me, I might as well take my shots.  What do you think about that? 😉

To check out Heidi’s works check out the following sites:

www.portraitsbyheidi.com

www.heidiaquendephotography.com