XOXO: PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP BY NELWIN UY

Last June 2012, we had the honor of being chosen by one of the Philippines' top lens man, Nelwin Uy (NU), to provide a bouquet for his first-ever photography workshop, XOXO. Needless to say (but we're still saying it), we've been a huge fan of Nelwin and his work since we entered the wedding industry. We had the chance to work with him at our home base, The Mango Farm, for the first time back in 2007 or 2008 (not so sure anymore, sorry!) and we've been following his meteoric rise ever since.

It took us some considerable hemming & hawing to finally come up with a bouquet exciting enough for NU and his participants, and we didn't really have to look far for inspiration: our SoCal design philosophy already dictated the look of this project from the onset. In the end, our all-Tillandsia arrangement not only lasted a day (heck, even more!), it also complemented the whole NU look.

Though we weren't there long enough to witness the workshop, we're very happy to share here the behind-the-scenes take of a good friend, J Lucas Reyes, who was present on the second day to lend support. We've also listed some of the participants below and provided links to their workshop outputs. With great talents like them, the wedding industry is truly all the more richer. We wish everyone all the best in your careers. ^_^

May the work of your hands give glory to God, the source of all inspiration.

XOXO, Team Vatel Manila
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Photos in this set by
J Lucas Reyes | Fine Art Weddings + Lifestyle Photography
Email: photography@jlucasreyes.com
Mobile: (+63).919.836.3620

PARTICIPANTS//

Nicolo Manreal & Matet Spagnolo | Rainbowfish Photography

Pol Tiglao | Pol Tiglao Photography

Don Estacio

Marvin Dungao | 12 Masters Photography

Malou Pages | Shutterfairy

Nog Bernido | Photographs by Nog Bernido

Jeri Ahana | Reality Box Manila

Eugene Martinez | Eugene Martinez Photography

Abel Baldemor | Red Monkey Studios

Quincy John Tampo | Yap Photography

Kent Lazarraga | The Orange Studio

Bon Aserios | One Happy Story Photography

Blizzard Suguitan | CamZar Photography

Puy Talde | Really Awesome Weddings (R.A.W.)

Mike Paglalunan | Ruffa & Mike Photography

Grace Pamparo-Bandoy | The Vanity Clinic

{ SPEAKERS }
Janna Mendoza Simpao { Bride & Breakfast }
Marbee Shing Go { Wedding Essentials Magazine }
Dan Matutina { Twisted Fork | Plus63 }

{ SPONSORS & PARTNERS }
Makeup: Karen Mae Reyes for The Make Up Studio
Groom's Suit: Jorge Palmos
Bride's Gown: Veluz Reyes & Veejay Florersca
Models: Drew Rivera & Tricia Centenera of W Talent Management
Food: H Cuisine
Collaterals: The Fozzy Book
Bouquets & Boutonnieres: Vatel Manila & Teddy Manuel

{ LOCATIONS }
Cocoon Studio & La Mesa Ecopark

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AM+DG

PHOTOGRAPHER FOCUS: PUY + CHIE TALDE OF REALLY AWESOME WEDDINGS (R.A.W)

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If memory serves me right, I first worked with Puy & Chie in this wedding. Since I almost always arrive early (as most VM brides would attest), I always do not meet my co-suppliers. I only know them all by face (thanks to Facebook) and name, but never had the privilege of meeting anyone.

I finally had the chance to meet Puy & Chie during this wedding. This was when I woke up really late and found myself running behind my delivery schedule by 2 hours. The moment the hotel's elevator doors opened, lo and behold! Puy was standing there. Mustering enough courage, I asked,"You're Puy, right?" When he said yes, I offered my hand for a handshake and said,"I'm Dylan. Vatel Manila." And he goes,"Oh, you should meet my wife! She's been wanting to meet you!" And that's how our friendship with Redsheep / RAW started (met Guj & the Photato Brothers that day, too). :-)

It's been a year since that happy day and here we are, looking forward to working together on more really awesome weddings. In this post, know more about what makes RAW tick. Enjoy! :-)
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Q: What led you to a life pursuing images?

Puy: Chie and I started doing photography by accident. When I was still working with HP, they sent me to an assignment in the UK. Since it would be my first - and probably my last - trip there, I invested in a fancy entry-level dSLR thinking I should at least take good photos of my trip. It was love at first sight. :) I never stopped taking photos since.

I, however, came to a point where I experienced a plateau in my interest in photography. I had a camera, but I was shooting the same subject every day: my room, the stuff in my room, the occasional get-together of family and friends. Don't get me wrong, I like being the official photo guy of my family, but I felt I wanted something more. My interest in weddings came when Guj of Redsheep invited me to shoot a wedding with him. Being with Redsheep deepened my faith in God and opened the doors to the wonderful world of weddings.

Chie's interest in photography started when she borrowed my camera during a friend's wedding. She probably shot 10 or so photos during the reception, and she liked the photos she took. A month after, there were two events that Guj and I had to cover: a debut in Quezon City and a despedida de soltera in Makati. Chie asked, "Gusto mo samahan kita mag-shoot?" Right then and there, we bought a camera for her that she used that same afternoon for the despedida de soltera.

Chie: Nasa wedding vows ko kasi na susuportahan ko sya sa photography so here I am, one of the resident shooters for R.A.W.!
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Q: How did you come up with the company name?

Puy: Guj coined that name when we were defining the teams of Redsheep before. It was originally called Redsheep RAW. Along the way, the styles evolved and it was a good time to introduce and cater to different markets. We then took on the classic-contemporary side of Redsheep. After a while, I asked permission from Guj to use the RAW brand and that gave birth to what is now knowns as R.A.W. or Really Awesome Weddings.
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Q: Tell us about your nature as photographers.

Puy: It's all about being real. A photography session with us is an experience. Our approach in taking photos is always simple, but [allows you to] express your inner elegance. We go to weddings as friends of the bride and groom, and not just some bunch of random individuals who will take their photos.

Candid smiles are like pink unicorns. I love love love candid smiles, but it takes patience to capture that perfect moment. But after you get one, it's like seeing a pink unicorn in the wild. Pink unicorns - I just made that up, but I think anybody would be excited to see one! :-)
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Q: Why weddings?

Puy: Weddings are exciting! It's like a roller coaster ride. You get hyped up and nervous during preps time, then peak and get awed as soon as the lovely bride does her bridal march. You again get a rush with all the emotions in the ceremony. And when you think it's done, you get another round of high during the reception. As photographers, we are witnesses to all the wonders and excitement that go with weddings. :) Each story is different. Being with the families and friends of the couple and feeling all the love going around during weddings, I have to say it's the best job in the world!
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Q: What to you is a successful shoot?

Chie: When people in the wedding say 'Thank you' without even seeing the photos. That means that the experience of working with us has been very pleasant. At the end of the day, although we are committed to delivering really awesome wedding photos, it includes giving them the best R.A.W. experience we can provide.
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Q: Being a married couple, how does this affect your work & style?

Puy: I always respect the viewpoint of a woman. No man can ever understand the common bond that women have, so Chie would normally be the feminine side of R.AW. It's a partnership, and I am very lucky to be doing the thing I love most with my wife. Being a former bride herself, she makes sure our brides feel extra special on their wedding day. Everything feminine about R.A.W. is Chie's idea. :-)
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Q: Who do you look up to?

Puy: My first favorite photographer is Jake Versoza, and I was lucky to have met him personally way back in college. For me, he's already achieved a state of treating photography as a visual art in its purest form. Of course when we think of simple, clean, and elegant photography, Jose Villa would be on top of the list.
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Q: What / who influences your aesthetic?

Puy: Our experiences in a particular wedding reflect how the photos would come out. I, personally, am a feelings-and-aura type of guy and it is very transparent in my works which are posted on the blog.
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Q: What do you look forward to?

Puy / Chie: Aside from doing photography full-time, we look forward to working with wedding suppliers who have become our friends along the way. It's exciting to see what they do and how good they are in their respective crafts.
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Q: What tips can you give aspiring photographers?

Puy / Chie: Just enjoy what you are doing. You need to be in a state of personal satisfaction every time you see your photos. Don't worry about your work not being similar with another photographer's work. People would appreciate you more if you show your own style of photography. Just shoot, love what you do, and have fun!

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Really Awesome Weddings (R.A.W.)
by Puy & Chie Talde
Mobile: +63.917.807.6534
Landline: +632.425.3917
Email: askme@reallyawesomeweddings.com

PHOTOGRAPHER FOCUS: PAOLO FELICIANO

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What led you to a life pursuing images?

[To make the] long story short, it actually came out of [a] need. I run a graphic design company in Pampanga and part of it includes designing marketing collaterals. There came a point when the photos I was being asked to use by my clients just didn't cut it, so I decided to do it myself. I didn't know anything about photography then. All I was certain of was how I wanted the photos to look like. What followed were a lot of trial and error sessions, endless Googling, and several purchases from the bookstore. It was a pretty bold move back then, but I'm glad I did it.
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Tell us about your nature as a photographer.

As part-furniture and interiors photographer, my job is to make sure that my clients' works look as good in photos as they do in real life - which is actually easier said than done. Furniture and interiors, after all, are two of the more difficult subjects to shoot. So early on, I had to train myself to master, control and take advantage of how light interacts with my subjects. On top of that, you have to have a really good eye for details as these make or break a photo. That being said, I try to apply this to all my photos, weddings included.
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If you would look at my wedding photos, you will notice that they are crisp and vibrant. Weddings are happy occasions, and beyond the people, the details, and everything else that is happening, I try to capture life - and that is what comes through my photos.

Why the shift to weddings?

The beauty of shooting people is that you'll never know what to expect. Weddings are a welcome change to my regular routine. Shooting weddings always make me feel like I'm stepping into an alternate universe - a perfect world where everything is beautiful and everyone is happy.

What to you is a successful shoot?

When both the client and I are satisfied with my photos, then i know that i did a good job.
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Who do you look up to?

For local talent, that would be my mentor, Terry Uy. I am also a fan of Jessica Claire.

What influences your aesthetic?

I live and breathe design. Because my photos are often used as part of my clients' marketing collaterals, I tend to light, compose and frame my photos with a final layout in mind. Weddings are no exception. Probably that's why I often get told that my photos would fit nicely on posters or album covers.
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What do you look forward to?

As i shoot various subjects, every shoot brings new excitement. I always try not to do new shooting and processing techniques, the challenge of keeping my style in place keeps me fresh.
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What tips can you give aspiring photographers?

Keep on shooting. Practice even if you don't need to. And treat every shoot as if it were your last.


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Paolo Feliciano
Mobile: (+63)917.535.4760
Email: paolofeliciano@gmail.com
Read Paolo's blog here!