The video below by THE Jason Magbanua was the one that capped the successful I-M-30 series of events that marked both my 30th birthday and the second anniversary of Metrophoto. There is this new website by Intothedarkroom which is not only more organized and looked cleaner but also allows us to showcase our work in a way that visitors will appreciate with ease and allure. There is the successful Hothouse series where Metrophoto gave a free workshop to aspiring wedding photographers as our way of paying-it-forward. There is the 30-photographers, 30-portraits project where 30 of the most respected and closest photographers who have influenced me in one way or another, made their own take of me through a single portrait. There was the I-M-30 party where all of my closest friends and family in-and-out of the industry celebrated this significant turning point and where these were exhibited. 

And of course there is this video of metrophoto by Jason Magbanua - there was no other option on who will do the AVP of the brand. While Jason is considered the best in the industry it was also important to note that I thought, style-wise, his stunning products will suit and compliment what I wanted to highlight about Metrophoto. The video is perfect! =) We had little time to create everything. All I had was an idea that in itself was not even organized to make things a tiny bit easier. Jason had to shoot me while I shoot an e-session and a wedding and then put them all together to create a "moving" video (as how I describe it, I didn't want a rockstar-type video where I looked too dressed-up, salient and cocky) without me saying a single word. I was excited but at the same time I wasn't really sure Jason will be able to pull through because I myself was having a hard time putting into exact words what I like. But I guess that's why he's a genius.

For the e-session out-takes we only had one opportunity, it was Ramon and Zerline's shoot in Ateneo. The concept of the shoot was simple which was nice because it will be more of the couple and my interaction that will be highlighted than anything else. To make me look good (or should I say fresh), Madge Lejano dropped by straight from Cebu to provide minor styling for me and of course offer moral support. hahaha. Jason and his team (Kuya Pat, Elson, and videographer Marvi de Guzman of Cinemaworks) captured the clips and drank cheap but very cold and tasty eighto'clock orange juice. =) Check out some photographs from that day here. 

The wedding clips were more difficult to shoot. The only chance we have was on Tristan and Angelica's wedding where Jason is also their videographer - I could have easily been in their onsite AVP. hahaha. But for the purpose of my shoot, Marvi and Ian Cruz were there. Ian is responsible in capturing awesome clips that Bob Nicolas use for his onsite AVPs. Incidentally, Madge Lejano was also the Make-up artist in the wedding so my touch-ups were easy. hahaha. We shot some clips outside the reception venue where Jason had a cameo (can you guess which scene?).

Click on the numerous links in the texts above for more details and photos. And enjoy photos below from the I-M-30 party, wonderfully and beautifully coordinated by details diva Ernest Pascual. =)  

Teta Canada-Lazo was my gorgeous emcee for the evening =)

The best cake of all by non other than Judy Uson =)

Here are my pretty girls =)

and my baby boy =) >

again, to everyone who took part in all of our endeavors the last few months, huge or small, me and my family are deeply grateful =)