I can shoot too! a Cristeen Quezon photoblog

Livin' La Vida Imelda

2012-02-02T11:16:00.005+08:00

We joined the Imelda Tour by Carlos Celdran over the weekend. It was very entertaining and i like that he delivered the information in a fun and different way. The tour started in CCP and ended up in PICC, two of Leandro Locsin's finest buildings.

No cameras were allowed inside CCP so i managed a few mobile snaps.

I have been to this place many times for trade shows. Here's my last mobile shot from under the stairs. Magnificent architecture! The cantilever above left is just beautiful!

We took a jeepney ride, provided by the tour, from CCP to PICC. Fun!

Here's Carlos Celdran with his cassette player. Everything in the tour is timed and he enters on cue.

Interiors of PICC - sublime!

Love the rough coolness of concrete.

My tourmates - the Ds, Effie and G.

This is the part where he talks about Imelda's 'dark side'. The room was awfully silent whenever Carlos would pause.

Everyone loved the tour. I especially like the architectural side of it. Perhaps my fascination to the 70s and brutalist architecture drew me into it. Locsin and the likes of Le Corbusier have used 'raw concrete' in beautiful striking geometries.

It was great being surrounded by those awesome structures. Even better to be in it!

shot with Olympus E-P1.

i love photobooths!

2012-01-31T14:33:00.002+08:00

family photo souvenirs from baby Alessandro's christening.

the repeat

2012-01-24T10:59:00.006+08:00

My sister Effie and Kayla flew in three days ago to view the whale sharks. So i went back to Oslob along with my older brother Vince, and his friend Anatole, who came with his other friends.

I love this footage Anatole took of us, together, on that quick trip down south. I am grateful to have spent that day with my siblings. We had a grand time!

To Anatole - one of my brother's lifelong friends, and an 80's man...daghang salamat!

Thank you for capturing it so well. It is precious and it's tucked away in the little pocket of my heart.

0:39, 1:00 and 2:00 are my favorite moments in the vid.

Happy birthday, Effie!

a great gift

2012-01-21T01:48:00.007+08:00

snippets from an epic day spent with the gentle giants in Oslob.

snippets from videos recorded on a Samsung W200.

here's to another long weekend!
may yours be filled with love and laughter.

Today...

2012-01-19T21:04:00.005+08:00

...we swam with the gentle whale sharks in Oslob. The encounter with one of the largest fish in the sea was astounding!

Tonight, Anika made this. I love that she remembers all the details.

We asked her who's on the boat. She goes 'it's me and dad'. She glanced at Michael and smiled.

that garden...

2012-01-15T21:05:00.005+08:00

My siblings and i spent every single Sunday in this garden when we were little. While my parents and my older brother Vince played Pelota, we enjoyed this beautiful spot.

This garden seemed so much bigger back then.

hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!

P.s. -- when i wrote that my brother Vince played Pelota, he actually climbed walls Jai-alai style!! **wink**

shot with the Olympus E-P1.

a day in the life...

2012-01-14T14:44:00.011+08:00

...of a four year old girl.
A peek into what a normal day is like for Anika.

Me : "Can you give me a bigger smile, please?"

Anika : "Mooooom!" Then she crossed her arms.

Me : "Come on, please! You are so cute to me right now and i just want to eat you!" I snapped. Then i put the camera down.

Me : "Ok. Don't smile then." Right after saying that, she gave me a sweet one - one that's picture perfect! I quickly put the camera up to my face...i snapped, she giggled. And got this shot.

I grew up the complete opposite. I think i've said that too many times here.

Happy long weekend!

new beginnings

2012-01-10T20:43:00.009+08:00

We had a quiet new year, which we loved.
It was lazy. Even too lazy to crack open the fancy champagne on New Year's Eve. We just enjoyed and took in our being together, us four, and spent it like a normal day.

Michael and i have reflected on a few things - the lessons we've learned from mistakes we've made, and appreciated the friends who stood by us when push comes to shove. Also assessed how far we've come, as a couple, as parents, and as business partners.

We are still working on our 2012 goals, big and small.

I am excited to explore new roads together and look forward to what this year will show and teach us.

apple shot strobist info : 430EX above camera, diffuser pulled out, 1/4 power.
two folded sheets of paper on camera's left and right side for fill shadows.

more photonerd info : ISO 125, 1/40 sec, f/4.5, partial metering.

mobile snaps : new year's day

2012-01-01T21:50:00.002+08:00

thanks for everything 2011!

Christmas and fishing

2011-12-26T20:16:00.007+08:00

Five year old Jack woke up this morning and said these words -- "there are two things i want in life - Christmas and fishing!!"

When his mom Kathy told us about it, we knew today would turn out to be a great day.

here are cousins Miggy, Jack and Izac.

Jack was the first one to catch a fish!

he couldn't wait to hold his fish!

so did Izac!

and Anika,

and Miggy.

i love these photos of Jack and Kathy.

it looks like momma means business! haha!

Anika got pumped up after her first catch.

Miggy checks out what his little cousins are up to.

we all had a wonderful time together. it was simple, but GREAT fun!

awesome memories were made again.

just one...

2011-12-25T19:36:00.005+08:00

...frame from this morning.

we had Christmas lunch with Arleen, Miggy, Wes, Kathy, Jack and aunt Eli.

no photos.

just memories of a wonderful day with our families.

Hope everyone is happy, healthy, comfy, cozy, and full!

they made this tonight

2011-12-23T01:10:00.004+08:00

Merry Christmas everybody!!!

life and Instagram

2011-12-20T20:01:00.017+08:00

Life is strange and exciting at the same time. As much as we want to live an easy going life, we also have in us to plan and make the most out of our days. Michael and i know pretty much what we're doing for the next 12 months and where we're going. Seems like the next year will pass us by in a flash.

But today is December 21st and the year hasn't ended yet. I have been Instagram-ming our dailies and i love how easy it works to upload a photo! These are photos from my timeline this month. Looking forward to more moments like these in the next year. Here’s to 2012!

1. Slowest moment of my day.
2. Anika insists on doing her own nail polish.
3. Feet up and munching on fries in the car.
4. Meet cutie. Also known as Michael.
5. Anika watched Pocahontas as soon as she woke up.
6. Made popcorn for the kiddies' afternoon movie marathon.
7. Izac writes his letter to Santa.
8. Contents of his letter.
9. Anika came home from the school Christmas party.
10.Anika's love note to us.
11.Bey Blade time!
12.Here's how she is when Izac wins.

1. Anika wears a green bracelet. Made from the extra Christmas ribbon.
2. Daily coffee time together with Michael.
3. They say they are partners in crime.
4. Love note from Anika.
5. Off to swim class with Lola.
6. Anika's stash of lip glosses and nail polish.
7. Girl time with Anika.
8. Stamp on my hand by Anika. She says the stamps would make us stronger than the boys.
9. Work station. Where Michael and i spent most of our time in the last two months.
10.Chocolates made by Mimi. The Mediterranean Sea Salt is my favorite!
11.Raggae Anika.
12.Promised myself to 'Stand still and take it all in'. I have also asked Michael to do the same.

Aaaand, since i'm still up and can't sleep. i'm sharing the songs we enjoy this holiday season.

1. All I Want For Christmas - Nat King Cole (Izac and Anika know this song by heart)
All I Want for Christmas - Nat King Cole (mp3)

2. Winter Wonderland - Peggy Lee
Winter Wonderland - Peggy Lee (mp3)

3. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin
Baby, It"s Cold Outside - Dean Martin (mp3)

4. The Merriest - June Christy
The Merriest - June Christy (mp3)

5. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin
I"ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin (mp3)

6. Happy Holiday - Peggy Lee
Happy Holiday - Peggy Lee (mp3)

7. The Man With The Bag - Kay Starr
The Man With The Bag - Kay Starr (mp3)

Our dreams...

2011-12-17T22:12:00.010+08:00

shot with Olympus E-P1.

P.s. - Michael, the kids and I have been singing Dean Martin's 'Baby, it's cold outside' ALL night.

May your weekend be filled with happy melodies!

the 'little' things i live for

2011-12-12T17:54:00.004+08:00

Anika came home from school with this.

she often tells Michael that she's not a baby anymore. well, the inverted letter K shows that she's still one.

those hot pink glitters are so her!

shot with Olympus E-P1.

collect moments. not things.

2011-12-07T17:04:00.010+08:00

here are photos of my favorite memories of 2011.

michael gave this flower to Anika on Valentine's day. he vowed to send her flowers every year even after she's married. i just think that's the sweetest.

i hope this year was a good one for all of us.

my week in instagram

2011-12-04T22:46:00.005+08:00

i have instagrammed bits of my life almost everyday this week. my sisters and i are following each other's timeline of photos and it's quite amazing in a way, that i can see their world, their lives, in instagram, as it happens.

so many things...

2011-11-28T23:52:00.002+08:00

...to be thankful for today.

these are just a few of them.

Sweet and slow

2011-11-23T23:17:00.006+08:00

We are in the middle of crazy, work-wise. And i'm afraid it will be Christmas when i wake up tomorrow. The kiddies have no idea how hectic our days are these days. It's difficult to explain to a six year old and a four year old that mommy and daddy are swamped with work. They keep things 'slow' around the house.

Christmas just takes on a diferrent meaning with them around.

I have been using the Olympus E-P1 this week and i'm loving how fast it focuses.

Here's a snap from early this week.

Have a wonderful weekend! May yours be sweet and slow.

FOR STEVE

2011-11-23T21:01:00.003+08:00

feathers and push-pops

2011-11-22T08:44:00.002+08:00

wishing you a sweet Tuesday!

3d anika

2011-11-17T21:25:00.005+08:00

Found these two photos in my notebook.
These are snaps from our movie date for Anika's fourth birthday five months ago.
Crappy mobile shots but photos of memories worth keeping.

Michael never carries my bag. With Anika, he can't say no. I think it's cute.

where in the world are you this moment?

2011-11-16T00:06:00.005+08:00

the most attractive aspect of using only my phone to make images is that, the possibilities are limited.
i think when parameters are constrained, creativity becomes more genuine and intentional.

snaps from a recent train ride.

mobile snaps : where i was...

2011-11-14T01:05:00.003+08:00

yesterday.

i have no words. just snaps from an afternoon i had for myself.

nice little frozen moments...

2011-11-03T17:30:00.003+08:00

here are the photos from that day.

la dolce far niente

2011-11-01T22:18:00.005+08:00

i remember hearing that phrase quite often while walking the streets of Florence many years back. i would usually hear that from folks who hung out in the piazzas and outdoor cafés during their siesta. they took it seriously and for that, i envy the quality of life they have.

later on, i learned what it meant - 'the sweetness of doing nothing.'

we just came back from spending two wonderful days in Carmen with dear friends and all our kids doing just THAT!
it was a treat to enjoy in each other's company and just take-in the present. the now.

here's a diptych from today.

feeling the pull

2011-10-30T21:58:00.005+08:00

today doesn't feel like a Sunday at all.

frames from a train ride.

shot with Olympus E-P1.

photo diary

2011-10-28T22:07:00.010+08:00

days five and six. Guangzhou.
no photos. just work. --
we got a week to ourselves with nothing but good food, our thoughts and each other. travelling reminds me that life is so much more than being tapped into social media. it also reminds me to look over my husband and appreciate him more. i don't know, travelling has a way of doing that to me. the thought of being alone together put me back in touch with how minor we are in the big scheme of it all. perhaps that is one of the reasons why Michael and i love doing it.

day seven. Hong Kong.
no work and decided to give ourselves a treat. --
returning to HK always puts a spring in our steps! here are our photo souvenirs.

shot with Olympus E-P1.

anika

2011-10-25T20:03:00.003+08:00

my little girly girl.

i grew up the complete opposite. think firetrucks and race cars.

she's growing up too fast.

where did the time go? i cannot even believe Christmas is just around the corner.

photo diary

2011-10-17T21:55:00.005+08:00

day four. Guangzhou.

shot with Olympus E-P1

on the street...

2011-10-13T13:43:00.007+08:00

Guangzhou, day three.

nice shot by Michael.

shot with Olypmus E-P1.

that place...

2011-10-09T16:09:00.005+08:00

i know i'm breaking some sort of rule here. because when you spend a great weekend with dear friends, you're not supposed to share it with others. you want to keep it to yourself.

but Camp Enzo did something to us and our kids. lots of memories were made in that place. our kids had great adventures there. it has a special place in their hearts.

can you believe this is just in Cebu? only 1.5 hours away from the city.

the fog. it seemed like we were away. far away.

our kids have been friends since birth. i just think that's awesome! i hope they stay that way.

Izac and papa Laurd.

photo diary

2011-10-08T01:13:00.004+08:00

day two.

rainy day in Guangzhou.

this is Li Rong.

food was unbelievably cheap and amazingly good! so that compensates for bad weather.

we are spending the weekend with our best family friends in Camp Enzo. hoping for nice weather.

enjoy the weekend!

shot with Olympus E-P1.

waiting...

2011-10-05T03:03:00.005+08:00

we spent six days in China and did what we do best -- EAT. been here at the airport for three hours. two hours more to go till our plane to Cebu flies out.

Mike and i can't wait to be with Izac & Anika!

just a few photos from day one.

chow time!

yummy frog's legs! thought of my sister Denise when this arrived at our table.

all shot with Olympus E-P1.

preach it

2011-09-28T08:08:00.004+08:00

grabbed from Tumblr.

in between the cracks

2011-09-22T22:32:00.004+08:00

some people see beauty in ways others don't. they see it in crevices, chinks, cracks.

Michael is that kind of person. i think i am too.

not only seeing what's on the surface, i tend to look for what's inside...

below...

in between the cracks.

shot with Olympus E-P1. 17mm, f/4.5, 1/100, iso 200.

little beauty

2011-09-19T01:29:00.007+08:00

our weekend in Manila has come to an end. as you can tell, i had an incredible time photographing baby Alessandro. Anika and i just couldn't get enough of this sweet boy.

Mike, the kids and i will surely miss him. i shot a lot of frames and sifted through the photos. a ton of patience and love helped bring my ideas to a reality. here are my favorites.

being adorable is exhausting

2011-09-17T01:02:00.003+08:00

Alessandro is a darling. he is my nephew and he's 12 days old today.

it was such a pleasure to photograph this little guy.

this little boy has won my heart

2011-09-15T18:45:00.003+08:00

he is eleven days old today.

baby love...

2011-09-14T13:16:00.002+08:00

a baby changes everything.

this sweet boy belongs to my sister and BIL, Denise & Dom.

to the Ds, i love you both so dearly. thank you for this precious addition to the family.

webcam snaps...

2011-09-08T19:10:00.001+08:00

didn't know it's going to be a long weekend til yesterday.

what to do?

happy THIRSTday!

wordless wednesday

2011-09-07T13:10:00.004+08:00

tent over couch and tv

2011-09-06T23:25:00.003+08:00

just a few quick photos before bedtime.

exactly...

2011-09-04T02:02:00.005+08:00

a week ago...

we were here...

with dear friends...

met new ones...

had great convos...

and soaked up every single minute of it...

we all had a great time...

all our kids had a blast...

would love to do it again...

and again...

good times

2011-08-28T23:39:00.005+08:00

we are loving the 4-day weekend and we are headed to go to a fishing pond tomorrow with dear friends.

the kids are absolutely enthusiastic to catch some fish and looking forward to spending more good times like these...

have you tried 'the best pig ever'?

2011-08-26T21:10:00.004+08:00

that's what Anthony Bourdain said about Zubuchon's lechon when he visited Cebu.

the Marketman.

my bloggerina, Maybelline.

happy customers!

here's what i remember from that day --
- the place was packed at lunch, on a Wednesday.
- my friend Jude ordered everything for us. Maybelline and i are Zubuchon newbies.
- everything on our table was delish. particularly the squid stuffed with lechon sisig and the soyless slow-cooked adobo.
- we finished a large platter of plain rice. ha!
- the "iba" shake was good!
- nice to have met the Marketman himself. the MM has been featured in Esquire (UK edition) and Time magazine.
- much nicer to spend time together and catch up on each other.

happy looooong weekend! spend it with the ones you love.

wednesday thoughts

2011-08-17T09:45:00.003+08:00

there are no short cuts in photography, unfortunately. it's all about shooting a lot.

for the past couple of years, i shot almost all the time. looked at other photographers' work, analyzed my shots compared to theirs, went out and shot some more, then analyzed more...the cycle never stopped.

eventually your voice finds you in the midst of all that shooting. it sorts of sneaks up on you from nowhere, more and more present for every day you're behind the lens.

trying to chase your voice is pointless. you just need to shoot and shoot and shoot...

and it will find you.

so, i'm still test driving my new actions set. happy how the colors blend well with the photos.

how sweet thou art

2011-08-16T22:46:00.004+08:00

i am in the middle of preparing some props for a newborn photo session for my sister Denise, who might pop anytime soon!

really wanted to order a few props online, but unsure if it will make it on time. so i decided to activate my "Martha-complex" and made a hat myself.

so, without further ado, here's The Debonair newborn hat.

it measures 3 inches wide, 2-3/4 inches high and 3 inches deep.

Anika was watching me make the hat and decided to make her own.

here she is, proudly showing off the hat she made.

she also gave specific orders for the session -- to put her creation, (not just mine) on baby Alessandro's head.

4

2011-08-16T00:36:00.005+08:00

just trying out new action sets.

happy Tuesday!

gratitude...

2011-08-15T14:55:00.000+08:00

words are beautiful…

the simplest “thank you” can be so sweet...

happy days

2011-08-08T23:45:00.002+08:00

more laughter...

more excitement...

more memories...

more love...

more frames from that reunion.

sunday blues

2011-08-07T18:28:00.002+08:00

i don't have the words to write right now...but i have a few tunes to play.

enjoy Sunday!

bliss...

2011-08-02T18:03:00.004+08:00

i was tasked to shoot a reunion over the weekend. and as i was choosing the photos for this post, i remember how my mom describes the word 'joy'.--

Joy is that kind of happiness that exponentially exceeds normal happiness and rubs off on everyone around them.

that kind of bliss is so apparent in these photos.

there wasn't any bad photo in the bunch. seriously. i could have chosen with my eyes shut. the warmth and the smiles were just so evident. so genuine. to me, those are the best ingredients to have in a good photo.

childhood sweetness...

2011-08-02T00:10:00.003+08:00

...it's all about the little things.

may you have a wonderful week!

sweet saturday

2011-07-30T14:04:00.004+08:00

sharing a few photos from a reunion i shot last night.

happy sweet saturday!

wishing you cupcakes and smiles for the weekend.

thursday musings

2011-07-28T09:30:00.003+08:00

flew by myself to Manila the other weekend to be with my siblings. shot this and thought of my kids.

my kids-- they're big on skies and clouds. this one made me sigh.

izac lost a baby tooth yesterday. a major childhood milestone which means he is officially not a baby anymore...sniff...sniff...

read this quote in twitter and thought it would be nice to share --
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things." ~ Robert Brault

happy thursday!

p.s. - i'm still listening to Amy Winehouse.

boy oh boy!

2011-07-20T22:11:00.003+08:00

my sister Denise and BIL Dominic, are expecting a baby boy, Alessandro, in less than a month from now.

so when my other sister Effie planned on throwing the Ds a baby shower, i was stoked to share my ideas. it gave me an excuse to craft!

we decided to go for a red, white and blue color theme, inspired from the Vespa target logo.

everything was how i imagined it to be. kudos to kayla, effie and gee. these three did a great job - from making the paper pom-poms to setting up the decors.

a few souvenir shots.

Dom's mom and sister Tintin shared a moment before all the other guests arrived.

to the Ds : we couldn't be happier for you both! i can't wait to watch our kids grow up together!

i wonder what it's like...

2011-07-19T17:18:00.003+08:00

...to fly this thing at a cruising speed of 850 kmh.

sneaky peek : a swaddling soiree

2011-07-18T23:55:00.004+08:00

here's a taste of what i've been doing over the weekend. i loved how it turned out so thought i would share a couple of photos before calling it a night.

i love those paper pom-poms.

goodnight folks!

hide and go seek

2011-07-12T18:04:00.007+08:00

yes, i'm still blogging about those little fellas - those that love to hide behind the rocks.

we got ourselves glued on the tank for minutes. watching them swim by,...together...flawlessly...in sublime harmony.

hello!

2011-07-10T18:27:00.006+08:00

for those of you who keep coming here, wondering why i haven’t posted in a while. well, i’m back...and i have a few things to share.

but first, let me post this.

yes, i am doing a blog post about a fish tank!

a fish tank that has caused a lot of happiness and brought a new brand of fondness in my household.

have a wonderful sunday!

old school

2011-06-25T16:58:00.005+08:00

working on a new concept...

and listening to this.

yep! i'm old school. still dig that t-square.

have a wonderful weekend!

my boy...

2011-06-25T13:15:00.002+08:00

...who's trying to keep a straight face.

...but couldn't.

izac turns six

2011-06-21T00:45:00.002+08:00

izac

2011-06-17T15:13:00.004+08:00

this little boy...

is this little big boy now. Izac will be turning 6 tomorrow!

in my heart, he is still a baby boy. and yet he keeps reminding me he’s not a baby anymore.
i feel so lucky to be his mom.

michael and i cannot wait to meet the man he’ll become.

creativity comes from within

2011-06-15T23:53:00.004+08:00

on my first couple of months into photography, i didn't get the shots I wanted. i wondered, then realized this -- instead of searching within, i looked outside to try to find out who i was. instead of taking a long and hard look in the mirror, i tried to find “inspiration” elsewhere.

it didn't work.

still won’t work now.

i look at art, photography, movies, graphics, etc. but when push comes to shove, it all comes down to who i am, what i want to do, and how i see things around me.

Nokia E63 snaps.

come away with me...

2011-06-14T09:39:00.002+08:00

a sweet fresh start…

2011-06-13T21:06:00.003+08:00

shot for Dupplo Espadrilles.

enjoy your week. xoxo

sweet nothings..

2011-06-12T22:25:00.002+08:00

...tell me something good.

happy sunday!

2011-06-12T12:27:00.003+08:00

borrowed this clever and pleasing line from my friend Jude, who borrowed it from @jason_mraz in twitter --

Today I feel like a semi-colon meets the latter parenthesis. ;)

shot this Urbanno in black for Dupplo Espadrilles.

happy Sunday, everybody!

sometimes it's back to basics

2011-06-11T18:03:00.006+08:00

sometimes you need to remind yourself what you know for sure...these are the things I know for sure :

whenever there's a dark cloud above your head - two is better than one. that's why i am always assured when michael is by my side.

movie night with the kids make me happy.

movie marathon makes them happier.

thank you, to me, is one of the kindest things you can say to someone when it is truly heartfelt.

sometimes a good old fashion cry is just what the doctor ordered.

nothing is ever the same twice.

that you have a true friend when you pick up like you just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it's been, or how far away they live.

Chippy is my weakness.

truffles makes michael's heart sing.

that sometimes settling for what you've got is better than chasing what you want.

and tonight, on a hot and warm Saturday, those are the things I know for sure!

aaaand because photos make me happy, here are a few frames i took while lounging in 'the lounge'.

Olympus E-P1. 6:6 square format. in-camera monotone.

happy long weekend!

simple fun...

2011-06-10T20:36:00.003+08:00

...but great memories were made again.

our birthday girl.

miggy LOVES anika. it was such a joy seeing them share this moment. cute!

the little one stared at her cake for minutes. content that it was everything she wanted for her birthday cake.

izac and anika with cousin miggy.

miggy goofing around. i adore this boy. he spoils his little cousins big time.

love these last two frames and the people in it.

our sweet anika

2011-06-09T21:27:00.003+08:00

lucky lucky me! i am this little girl's momma. anika turned four this week. michael and i still couldn't get over the fact that she's already a little big girl.

mobile snaps : sunday morning

2011-06-06T21:56:00.004+08:00

Nokia E63. Polaroid generator on CS3

two from today

2011-06-04T00:25:00.006+08:00

i've been on a guitar-jam-music kick lately. the kids and i were just hanging in the lounge this afternoon. played a few tunes for them while izac snapped these two frames.

i was surprised to see this!

second shot was blurred and out of focus. it is what i would call...ARTISTIC! haha!

Olympus E-P1

happy Saturday! hug the one you love.

these two...

2011-06-01T22:25:00.002+08:00

...made me a mother.

...have taught me and Michael so much about love.

we are celebrating their birthdays this month.

June always puts a spring on our steps.

shooting squares

2011-05-31T01:10:00.004+08:00

May 30th photo diary.

6:6 ratio, in-camera monotone setting, Olympus E-P1. straight from the cam.

aahhh...

2011-05-29T15:01:00.002+08:00

it’s Sunday...so kick off your shoes & kiss your sweetie.

shot for Dupplo Espadrilles.

there is something special...

2011-05-28T00:27:00.001+08:00

...so timeless about monochrome photos.

style...

2011-05-26T21:12:00.004+08:00

is a deeply personal expression of who you are.

Dupplo Espadrilles' Urbano collection for men...will be heading to the yacht club on the weekend to shoot more of these.

i hope you all had a wonderful day today, whatever it is you're up to. xoxo

ah-ha!

2011-05-25T16:38:00.004+08:00

Michael and i have been having a lot of light-bulb, "ah-ha!" moments this week and the past week! there is nothing like being inspired and excited about ideas.

may your week be full of little thoughts that make you smile.

shot with the Olympus E-P1.

strobist study 01

2011-05-24T23:02:00.002+08:00

strobist info :
PL lamp attached on office desklamp. right side, above subject.

70mm, f/10, 1/320 sec, iso 800, manual, partial metering, no flash.

what workshop would you recommend?

2011-05-22T15:40:00.008+08:00

i have been getting that same question through messages on FB or FlickrMail this year.

so here's my answer :
i haven't enrolled myself to any photography studies or workshops. i did go to university studying architecture. i have studied the craft by reading myself and learnt by doing.

however, i will share one big secret with you --

...there is NO big secret to photoshop nor there's some sort of fairy-dust you can sprinkle over the images you took. just look for flattering light, put your subjects in it. shoot!

practice a lot. that one really helps.

your editing is going to matter very little if you do it right.

happy Sunday!

may your day be sprinkled with some love and laughter!

french guys in mid-air

2011-05-21T22:11:00.002+08:00

Olympus E-P1.

sometimes...

2011-05-16T22:19:00.002+08:00

...it's the simplest things that brings the best smiles.

it's a sunday!

2011-05-15T19:25:00.004+08:00

so kick off your shoes, smell the flowers (as Michael would always say), spread your wings and be sure to soak up all the beautiful details of your life.

skimboarder. bantayan island.

take in the little sweet moments in your day…

2011-05-14T19:56:00.004+08:00

came back from spending six hectic days in Davao. i know some, if not most of us can't stop working.

but a smile...a cup of coffee...a little sun on your skin - all that good stuff needs to be appreciated.

am just letting my myself loose and spending time with the kiddies today. allowing them to make a mess around the house, and not make a big deal out of it. let them be just kids.

happy saturday!

hope yours is a little messy & unpredictable.

my other half

2011-05-12T10:14:00.000+08:00

Michael is who i call a "dreamer" of the world. he loves life and see the world a little differently than everyone else.
he can make me laugh like no one else. he fills in most of my MANY many gaps, and just makes me an all around better person.

happy 39th, hon!

that little truth...

2011-05-10T01:29:00.002+08:00

why i take photos

2011-05-09T13:53:00.002+08:00

i haven't brought my camera along on my previous trips. but on my last trip with the kiddies, i've decided to lug around my big camera.

so with my sisters being with us all the time - it's been fun to snap a few random fun things and not dwell on composition, exposure and the perfect light. these photos may not be 100% technically perfect but they are full of great memories and meaning, and to me those are the best kind.

a nice afternoon

2011-05-08T21:08:00.001+08:00

happy mother's day!

less is more...

2011-05-05T07:29:00.001+08:00

sometimes just a little something is better than too much.

kite flying

2011-05-02T03:04:00.003+08:00

michael and i loved watching izac try to fly a kite.

there is something so beautiful and sweet about it that i cannot explain.

life is better...

2011-04-30T16:44:00.003+08:00

with espadrilles.

shot Dupplo Espadrilles' Veevo collection a few weeks back.

let's go fly a kite

2011-04-30T13:03:00.002+08:00

enjoy the weekend!

just my two cents

2011-04-29T20:14:00.008+08:00

there are quite a lot of photographers creating stunning images who are inspired by various aspects of the craft.
i personally think that there is no right way to be a photographer and that’s what makes it so interesting.

a good image appears different to everyone.

even if we all agree it is good, we find ourselves appreciating different aspects of the image for different reasons, in different ways.

photography is just so personal- we can’t help but create our own poetry around a compelling image.

it is fascinating and intimate.

so i guess what i’m really trying to say is - there is no formula to creating. the way i see it, as long as you are honest with yourself in your images, you’re doing it right!

sharing a few photos of the kids being deeply engrossed on the hermit crabs.

j'adore these series of kabuki-like frames of Chloe.

it's Friday! put your feet up!

one from last week

2011-04-28T22:31:00.000+08:00

dreaming...

2011-04-24T23:01:00.004+08:00

... of YOU.

here's Anika taking a nap this afternoon.
we just came back tonight after spending four wonderful days with our best family friends in Carmen.

i can’t wait to dig into the rest of the images from our 4-day staycation.

Happy Easter!

wordless wednesday

2011-04-20T00:59:00.002+08:00

every week we get a little gift...

2011-04-11T10:56:00.007+08:00

...it’s called 'Monday'.

i am grateful to have spent the weekend with my family in Manila.

i wanted to write something long-winded about this day. but because this is me, and this is what i love to do - to just capture moments as they happen. so now i'm thinking maybe i don’t need to explain too much and just show you the photos instead.

here are photos from Saturday.

Rafael. Izac. Anika.

spent a slow but lovely Saturday with my dear friend Cristine. she said this about our kids -- 'they are a good bunch'. that made me smile real big... like one with all of my teeth showing.

it's just so beautiful to see our kids together.

may you have a great week ahead!