"...speed racer"

Guys dig women who rides bikes. Jamie has been my wife's co-worker for 5 years, and has been converted to a good friend of ours turned one of our "in-house" model. Behind the lovely looks lives a fun, edgy persona of Jamie. She rides bikes - from Ducatti's to Harley's! This is when I say... "real women ride motorcycles!" :)

"Speed Racer Le Chic"

Model: Jamie Clark

Make-up Artist: Paula Navarro Mauricio

Location: Orange Coast College Studio

"Project Audrey II..."

Project Audrey Hepburn II

I have been motivated by the two photos on my previous post to replicate the iconic Audrey Hepburn - photo of her in Sabrina back in 1954.

Model: Jamie Clark

Make-Up Artist: Paula Navarro Mauricio

Location: Orange Coast College Studio

Special thanks to Sei for assisting with light set-up, and for momentarily sitting in as Mr. Hepburn during my test shots :)

"Project Audrey I..."

Project Audrey Hepburn I

I have been motivated by the two photos on my previous post to replicate the iconic Audrey Hepburn - poster photo of her accessorized with scarf, sunglasses, and leather gloves.

Model: Jamie Clark

Make-Up Artist: Paula Navarro Mauricio

Location: Orange Coast College Studio

Special thanks to Sei for assisting with light set-up, and for momentarily sitting in as Mr. Hepburn during my test shots :)

"... the iconic, Audrey Hepburn"

For my tungsten lighting project, I have chosen as an inspiration the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn. She was not in my era during her prime, however she has always been the classy, and one of the beautiful actress to hit the silver screen. In honor of Audrey, the photos below will be my motivation for this project.

"... in the spirit of trick or treating"

This past week has been portraits after portraits after portraits! Halloween... Old World Portrait... and Tungsten Portrait! Fun fun fun!

This one's for my goddaughter's annual Halloween costume as Tinkerbell... I just hope she sprinkled some pixie dust on my film and camera to avoid the black marker!

Have a safe Halloween to all... Scare 'em trick or treaters! :)

"sprinkles... eaten alive"

Yes, my CD Cover project of a pomegranate surrounded with cupcakes finally met the black marker of death from our Art Director. Learning experience of the demands from clients are always good. I will not be posting the original as I will be re-shooting this project. For now, enjoy the cupcakes my wife and I enjoyed when we celebrated our 7th year wedding anniversary.

"...faith"

I shot this photo to capture water play of the young at heart. It turns out to be something else as I look closely to it. With the mist of the water fountain, and the light behind it, it has created somewhat of a cross, of which the kid is rejoicing to. Pretty cool when you set your camera to high speed shutter :)

"...calendar rush"

It's Saturday and instead of relaxing and enjoying the weekend, I (and most of my A180 classmates) are mad rushing for their calendar images. Yes, this is our final project... a 2010 functioning calendar. My theme is ZEN inspired - with elements of water, land, air, and fire. Still brainstorming on inspirations for this calendar, of which I will need to shoot, print, mount, and present to our art director. I have not yet pushed the panic button as I have the "Easy" button handy. Good luck to all my talented classmates... we will get through this! :)

"harajuku in SF..."

I've lived in 3 cities in my life; namely Manila, New York, and Los Angeles. However, given the choice to move and venture to another high rise populated city, I would have the following: San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. I have only been to San Francisco among the list, and I must say that I would move and live here in a heartbeat. This city has so much to offer in terms of corporate work places, food and entertainment, and nightlife. Photo above of my wife Paula chilling out at the famous Ghirardelli Square.

Will we live here... yes! Will we move here anytime soon... no! :)

"... born photographer"

pretending to be holding an slr

Some people are photographers... and some are just born photographers :)

I've caught myself a lot of times where my life revolves in photography... and I would like to share them, as I think (and hope) that I am not the only one.

10 Things Photography Has Affected Your Mind:

10. You have forgotten to hold/operate a point and shoot camera,
9. Buying film is more important than that yummy breakfast burrito,
8. You browse through magazines understanding the light positions
7. You only care about catch lights
6. You meet someone, and you try to find an 18% gray in their face or clothing
5. You look up at the sun/sky, and pretend your eyes are aperture blades from f/2.8 to f/32
4. When asked how you maintain your flawless skin, you answer "A little bit of cloning, unsharp mask @ 50%, and 50% high pass" <-- for Photoshop nerds
3. You agitate your water bottle like a film canister
2. You dream of 4x5's, 35mm's, medium formats, and large formats
1. You call your special someone either of these names: Hassy, Canon, or Nikon <-- this has yet to happen :)

Happy shooting all!

"... the cyclist"

Extreme sports has always been part of my life. Individuals who seeks thrills, speed, and excitement are just plain "crazy". They are built to endure the stress and pain one can put through his/her body... built like tanks!

Shot this photo for my cousin who has been traversing California mountains for quite a while now. He has received his fair share of spillage and crashes that led to bandages and ointments. Why does he do it... "it relaxes me" he answers. Enough said.

He has asked me to ride with him a couple of times, however after a painful "Jackass" inspired stunt that turned to a nasty spill leading to ER, I am still in the process of mustering the "craziness" that has been part of me. I wish I can just pick myself up and do crazy stuff again... however those butterflies still lingers in me.

Maybe the wait is well worth it... Whistler Mountain awaits this coming holiday season!

"... old St. Vibiana"

Cathedrals of old and new still continue to capture my heart. I can spend most of my time walking around these sacred places and likely finish 5-6 rolls easily. Talk about design elements to its perfection!

The Old St. Vibiana used to be the mother church cathedral parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles until the 1994 Northridge Eaerthquake caused extensive damages to her. Now a venue for numerous events, she continues to take everyone's breathe with her exterior and interior beauty.

"lights... camera... dance!"

DDR? ... sounds juvenile huh? Prior to "Dance Dance Revolution", the art of dancing has a special place in my heart. My dad has taught me a valuable lesson when I was growing up - dancing is one way to a woman's heart. I clearly remember the words leaving his mouth "Son, the most effective way to hold a woman's hand... is by asking her to dance", and he follows "...the rest, you will have to work your way". Nowadays, we dance without even getting in contact. My dad was clever, he taught me Ballroom! It was so old fashion for me but at age 12, I learned how to dance Swing, Cha Cha, Tango, Reggae, Foxtrot, etc. Mom was my practice partner, and she enjoyed every single minute of us spending quality time... and it's a form of exercise.

Well, my dad did not mention that women my age know no clue how to dance a single ballroom step. I ask myself... "how can this be a way to a woman's heart?!?". Ahh, yes HE was BRILLIANT!!! It was the mom of who I was courting who I would be asking to dance. It worked!!! I work my way to the mom, and the mom builds me up to the daughter. Amazingly, it worked on all of them (don't ask how many, but it worked every single time!).

Thanks Papa for teaching me how to dance Ballroom... looking back now, the whole ride was worthwhile!

*** Photo above was one of the dance competition I attended this year. I rarely dance anymore (weddings, party's, @ Vegas), and participating at these competitions yearly keeps me abreast to one of my passions. I also have chosen this photo as an example of the lesson I learned at class... lighting, lighting, and lighting. Various lighting, and how to compensate for each one of them.



P.S. For sure I would teach my son to dance Ballroom at an early age... he'll thank me when he gets older :)

"Runway Bella..."

Presenting "Runway Bella" -



I met Bella last Thursday, up close and personal. She was a bit lonely as she has been in the cage. I guess it was just meant to be for me to take her on a wild LA weekend. She was a pure beauty inside and out; her shutter whispers love whenever I actuate.

Our weekend date was at Vibiana... the location of LA Fashion Week featured event, it was my treat. Our day started shooting away instant film inside the venue. For a while, I forgot the urgency to build my easels and prepare for my exhibit. What can I do, Bella took my breathe away. Bella and I sparked conversations from strangers, and made a couple of individuals turn their heads to check us out. Jealous?... for sure!

Overall, we connected. I am just sad to bring her back to the cage... well, "No Goodbyes, Just Hellos". Don't worry, I hope I can request for case #13 all the time. But for now, you had me at "click"... you complete me :)

"Passion... Revealed" - The Designers

Never been exhausted, and yet enjoyed it. I have covered a couple of red carpet events, and 2 runway shows... however this runway show was different in many ways: The venue was amazing... the light was not that greatest but workable... the exhibitors are great friends I met since being in the business... and the designers were just awesome breaking through mainstream fashion. The whole event was to showcase new talents, driven by passion, to breakthrough and be great at what they love to do. Red Glass Photography was fortunate to be tapped as the official photographers for the event, albeit a ton load of cameras and flash bulbs were present.


... And now, the designs take off from the runway:


Designer: Phillip Rodriguez

Designer: Alexis Monsanto







Designer: Furne One (Haute Couture)








Presenting... the minds behind these creations:


(L-R): Phillip Rodriguez, Furne One, and Alexis Monsanto

"Passion... Revealed" - A Success

As I am going nuts juggling my schedule with work, school, and photography jobs... I am relieved that one of my projects is done, and has been a success. During LA Fashion Show event "Passion... Revealed", my photography partner and myself collectively know as Red Glass Photography has been invited to exhibit our work. Since we do mostly weddings, events, portraits, and glamour... as part of our exhibit, we decided to something that we love to do; to travel.

Travelling makes us at peace - worrying nothing about any projects or clients, but just to take our time to shoot stills at our own pace.

Below are our travels together from Palos Verdes, CA to New York City, NY.

Proceeds of the event was donated to the typhoon victims back east, the Philippines.

"...painting the town Red Glass style"

In preparation of "Passion... Revealed" LA Fashion Show, I am fortunate to create this to showcase our wedding side of the business... that is, Red Glass Photography. Wish us luck as we paint the town Red Glass style! Red carpet, drinks, celebs, models, designers, music, and art exhibit... what more can you ask for? Keeping this short as I have switched to LA Fashion Week mode.

"i need time..."

"Who needs three watches when your wrist can only wear one at a time?" And may I ask "Why do you need 5 black purses with the same shade, and 3 brown ones?" or better yet "Why are your purses taking the space of my clothes?". I guess women equates to purses and jewelry, and men equates to watches or earring/s (if pierced).

I believe that every man should at least own one fine timepiece. I know one timepiece may break the bank, but save for it as it should last you for a lifetime... and something to treasure and pass onto your children. I had to wait 9 years for mine... 9 years that my wrist was naked! That's like a woman walking without make-up! Can you imagine that... 9 *bleep* years! Well, the wait is over, and my wrist has been united with a fine looking wrist watch.

I have been freaking out on how to manage my time... how I'd wish that I can multiply myself (remember that movie Multiplicity?). Life has been crazy beautiful (i love that movie) with full time job covering my 8-5... photography school covering 5-9... photography business blocking my weekends. Not to mention my responsibilities at church, my family, and to my wife. I am not complaining... just venting :)

I talked to one of my classmates (who has now been a good friend of mine in just one day as we share the same feeling) about how demanding life can be, and said "Focus, breathe, and take one assignment at a time". My wife gave me the same advise, however knowing that another classmate is in the same boat made me feel better (I just hope my boat stays afloat).

Photo above depicts me... time for full time job, time for school, time for photography business. But in reality... manage them well and everything should be fine. Funny thing is, I am very religious... so I look at it this way; Father will take care of time at full time job, Son will take care of school life, and Holy Spirit will take care of photography work. Put them together and He will take care of me... I am glad someone up there looks out for me, and everyone else.

P.S. Can you tell the photo fairies to go away? They are seriously not helping in any way :)

"...wedding day 10 | 10 | 09"

It has been 3 months ago when Kerry decided to pursue her dream wedding. Not being able to afford the cost of such, she decided to barter for services... via Craigslist. Little did she knew, that a simple ad would bring her dreams to reality.This night was filled with so much love; from Kurt, Kerry, and their families... to vendors and guest alike. We came there as strangers to most, albeit we were the official photographers for the event. However that was not the case; it felt like we have know most of them... and there was something in the air that brought everyone there; the act of giving.To Kurt and Kerry... we thank you for being part of your special day. Continue to be an inspiration to everyone. God Bless.


Kerry getting dolled up...



Doves being release...



Kerry loves sweet and sour skittles...

Wonderful wedding dress...

Becca's turn to be dolled up...

Kurt + Kerry

Kerry + Bouquet

Kerry having fun... not so trash the dress

Kurt + Kerry + Rolls Royce...