Malaya Project : Allison Santos

Check out Malaya Project's new post featuring Allison Santos.

I'm really happy with the final images.

Packaging

We're trying out different ideas on how to package my photos and image files for clients.

Here's what Amado and I came up with so far.

Candy and Evan

A couple of months ago, I received an email from my cousin asking

 if I could be the photographer for her wedding. "Yes" was the only answer that popped in my head.

I'm going to get a bit nostalgic here, like the rest of my cousins, I've taken care of her at one point.
 I used to watch over her and her sisters when they were younger.

I remember when they were still in grade school, we'd walk to drop them off to school.
Yes, I have to accept the fact that she's all grown up now (and that I'm old...er.)

Over the weekend, Amado and I headed to San Diego to do Candy and Evan's engagement photos.

The weather was perfect that morning. We drove to a park just a few minutes away from their place.
Candy and Evan did great that day. But I can't forget to mention our dog wrangler Angela "On-Time", Kristine who did Candy's make up and Amado who also helped me out that day.

I can't wait until the wedding!

The Burning House

I currently have two online site obsessions.

Things Organized Neatly and The Burning House.

I'm too much of a cluster-eff kinda person to try out photos for Things Organized Neatly.

The Burning House type of items on the other hand, I think I've always wanted to try.

What others consider to be valuable fascinates me.

Obviously there's sentimental value. Some people put on a little smirk when they

start telling others why a certain item means so much to them. It simply triggers a memory.

While gathering my items together, I noticed that most of them were electronic/digital items.

To me they're irreplaceable.

Yes, by looking at them, you can definitely go to the mall and get everything in one trip

but what they hold is what matters to me.

- WD My Book Essential - holds every single photo I've taken with my friends and family
for the last 10 years or so.

-Greeting cards and notes that Amado and I have given each other since we've been together.

-Juku and Kami of course. They were grumpy today and I couldn't get them to stay still so I can photograph them with my items.

-My all time favorite bag. Name it, I have it in my bag.

-Belly (Teddy Bear)

-iPhone 4

-Canon 5d Mark II and 50mm

-MacBook

Matt and Laura

I've only attended a couple of weddings so far.
And I have to confess, observing the photographer was the last thing on my mind.
Being a guest or part of the wedding party, you don't really get a chance to learn the technicalities
of what goes on in the day of the wedding.

I met Chuck Espinoza at Ryan and Holly's wedding. He was their wedding photographer.
His style fit just right with Ryan and Holly's personality. The whole wedding party's energy showed in the photos. I mean he was working with a large group, all in their mid 20's (except me :I ).

I didn't really try to talk to him much that day since he was working. And I was kinda having
too much fun at the wedding. Side note: Holly and Ryan's wedding video. Great times! Mercy, I was embarrassing that night. I got to know him more on Facebook and mentioned to him countless times that I'm available if he needed an assistant for any events. Ok I think "mentioned" is an understatement.
I told him I didn't even have to shoot, I'm willing to just carry his bags and fetch water if needed.
We've kept in contact since then. He's even passed on some smaller gigs towards my way.

A month and a half ago, I received an email from him about a wedding that he had scheduled
and asked if I was available to help him. Of course my answer was "Yes!".
Amado can attest that I went from being excited to nervous and back and forth for a few weeks.
But I knew that it was what I wanted and needed. Definitely at the top of my To-Do list.

We met at the venue (Ramsey's) a couple of hours before the wedding and dove right into it.
I learned so much just from watching him. Questioned I had for months were answered without me
having to ask them.

Here are some photos I took at Matt and Laura's wedding. It was a pleasure to be a part of their wedding day.

Laura was glowing even more the second she got in her dress.

I love love love the minimalist look and definitely the flower arrangements. 

I mean, look at that gazebo!

Now I have a better understanding of what a photographer's responsibilities are in a wedding.

Again, thank you Chuck for giving me the opportunity to work with you.

His Prized Possession

Well for the moment atleast.
Amado picked up this ceramic knife set at FPAC a couple of weeks ago.
The people working at the booth sensed a guaranteed sale even though we were still 50 feet away.
They didn't have to do much convincing. Amado was hook the first tomato the guy sliced.
It got to the point where Amado was explaining the features to the other people watching the demo.

Ok I will have to agree that this is a pretty amazingly sharp set. But it being ceramic
makes me feel like I have to handle it carefully. I'm sure the "new" novelty will wear off soon
and we'll stop treating it like its a new born child. But for now I have to follow Amado's
instructions on how to take care of the knives.
Yes, he's given me detailed instructions!

Yes, we get giddy with what most consider as ho-hum kinda items.

Like a pen, don't get me started with buying new pens.

 I still scour the school supplies section at Target for new pens.

By the way, I was prepping the ingredients for stuffed cabbage in these photos.

Things got a bit messier down the line and I didn't want to handle my camera anymore.

I'll settle for the Instagram photo.

PULSE Contemporary Art Fair

Flipboard is probably the only reason I pick up my iPad lately.

While browsing through the app this past weekend, I found out about PULSE LA.

A 3-day event showcasing contemporary artworks in Los Angeles.

I suggested to Amado that drag ourselves, including our guest Will (his high-school friend 

visiting from SF) to hop on the Metro and check it out.

Izama Kaoru's Kimura Yoshino wears Alexander McQueen (right)

"Hanauma Bay Series" by Masami Teraoka

Obviously Amado's favorite.

"Dirty Movies Project" by Harley Swedler

I love this installation. Each ipad was playing a video of the artist lip syncing

 to a very unexpected selection of songs. It wasn't until you pop on the headphones that you will find out what song he was listening to. I think it was the idea that someone captured it

on video while most of us only uninhibitedly sing when we're alone is what made me enjoy it the most.

by Gina Phillips

"Italian Travis"

"A Sense of Distance" (left) by  Keisuke Shirota

Two of my favorites from the fair. Photographed scenery extended on canvas (acrylic).

Amado and Will lounging on the inflatable chairs.

I so want those big balloons!

"Little People" by Slinkachu

I've seen his work on MyModernMet. Nice to finally see one in person.

"Studies on an airship ride" by Kiel Johnson

I want that Kate Moss photo (top right)! Not sure if its also by Chuck Close. 

He had one at the Beauty CULTure exhibit at Annenberg Space for Photography.

"Two and a half somersaults forward" by Alex Massouras (bottom left)

by Fernando Rascon (bottom right)

*edit* Top right Bodyscapes by Angelo Musco

"Trust No One" by Dan Tague

Looking forward to catching this again next year.