BTS Engagement Shoot at Sweet Harmony Gardens

I found a way to lessen my photo loaded entries because I most of the time let the pictures do the talking themselves. I have many events coming right up and I've got to find a way to segregate pictures so I asked my sister to teach me how to lay out pictures using photoshop. Excuse the photos, these are my first ever try at the program and the pictures are all raw. 

We had the opportunity to tag along at my friend and former colleague, Veeya's pre-nup photoshoot with Nice Print Photography. The last time I saw Veeya was during our good friend, Chubi's wedding and that's more than a year ago. She and her beau were already making plans of getting hitched and now we're a couple of months away from the big day.  (Plus: She's 5 months to family way as well!) 

Couple: Veeya Monteclaro & Louie Fadul

Official Photographer: Nice Print Photography

Hair: Aprille Araguas

Make up: Kristine Araguas

Photos by Aprille Araguas

Venue: Sweet Harmony Gardens, Taytay, Rizal 

The Venue and pictorial site

Engagement Shoot collaboration with @ellipra

When my sister invited me to do the styling and creative directing for her colleague's photo shoot to be held at Museo Pambata I immediately said "Gow!" for these reasons:

• I've never been to Museo Pambata
• I need a break from grad school 
• I need to do something that I looooove to do!

My sister, Aprille, introduced me to the couple. We were running against time so all the pleasantries happened during the preparation (read: hair and make-up).

The couple was very easy to work with, they were shy and not the PDA type of couple but they gamely posed when instructed to do so. We were done shooting after 2 hours!

I chose my personal favorite shots of the couple. The complete set is on my sister's blog.

Date: September 2011
Venue: Museo Pambata, Manila
Photos taken and processed by: Aprille Araguas
Creative Director: Kristine Araguas


When I found these typewriters sitting quietly at a corner, I immediately had an idea on what to do with it! 

We played with the typewriter concept

We had to make use of the stairs of the miniature old house exhibit...

There's a fake grass and even though there were kids running everywhere, the couple gamely posed and got the job done!

We saw this cute barbershop and thought of an on-the-spot shot:

This is such a cute church! I was inside the church while this photo was taken because I had to hold the door.

These candid shots were taken inside the replica of the human intestine. I was outside giving directions through the holes.

It's a good thing the fire station display provided costumes for kids.

We had the train shot by end of the day because we couldn't find the proper timing where no one is sitting on the train. 

Of course, what's a pre-nup shoot without the "silhouette of a kiss"...

Complete set of the pictures at: Aprille Araguas' Official Website.


All photos are processed and edited by Aprille Araguas.


It's very challenging to do an on-site concept shoot but I enjoyed it because the venue provided lots of inspiration. I've done and participated in pictorials before but this is the first time that I only met the couple on the day (actually on the set) of the pictorial so the concept and poses were all on the spot. There were no costume assignments or prior instructions or preparations. 


It's a good thing that the couple gamely posed for us and it's a good thing that their official photographer was also accommodating and friendly. I thought I would only instruct my sister who's taking the candid shots, but it turned out I directed and assisted two photographers (amateur and professional) at the same time.

Nigel Barker for Philippine Tatler

I remember getting a call from my friend Joy about Nigel Barker being in the Philippines and being a guest later in the afternoon at ATC. I was on my way to meet my friend Camille for our long overdue date.

It was also the second time that the Philippine Azkals would be practicing in UPLB ground so I've been getting tweets asking if I'd somehow photographed it.

Nigel Barker vs Azkals? Of course Nigel Barker!

But since my girlfriend bonding ruled above everything else, I did not get to see Nigel Barker talk about shooting for The Philippine Tatler, that's why I am so glad that I got to see this online. For original source, click here

Today is Fool is Cool Day!

First and foremost...

Image Source

Anyone close to me knows that when my friends travel, I always ask for pictures. I ask for pictures for the following reasons:

• I am a photo/photography enthusiast.
• I am curious how the photo was taken.
• Pictures of places and adventure (most especially raw ones) are eye candies to me.
• I am curious what struck my friend's fancy by capturing a certain image.
• I just ask them to upload it in their own personal Social Networking Site so I can look at it.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, I do not ask for pictures and put it in my blog without their permission, or borrowing their photos without crediting where it came from. ( I'm still a pissed at moment after recently finding out that some of my photos in the blog were allegedly stolen, and by stolen I mean "Save-As-If-My-Own-Then-Upload-It-Somewhere-Without-Crediting" kind.

Two years ago, I have this personal project where I take photos of funny business establishment names, wrong spelling/ grammar, and the likes. My friends find it really funny (after showing them my then cute collection of funny pictures) that they decided to join in the fun, take photos and send them to me as well. I asked my friends to take photos of funny signage and pictures of where they went. Today, since it's cool to be fool day, (April 1) I am uploading some of my personal favorites! ( I have 68 of them I am only uploading a few).

Photo from Karen Tumaliuan

Eye was a model for a day

I was enjoying a spontaneous Monday of coffee, book sales and girl talk when I got a call from my high school friend Marc Maligalig.

Marc: Kea, may contacts kang blue diba?
Me: Oo, Bakit?
Marc: Good! Kailangan ko!
Me: Ok, may grado yun ha!
Marc: Ok lang, ikaw naman magsusuot.
Me: Ha?
Marc: Please, please, kailangan kita, picturan ko mata mo. Nasa bahay ka lang ba?
Me: I'm out. Urgent ba?
Marc: Hindi naman, pero please kailangan kita kunan ngayon para sa blue project ko bukas.
Me: Okay sige, I'll get back to you. Uwi ako to get it, iba na kasi suot ko.
Marc. Good, good, sige, text text.

And that's all it takes for me to be a model... an eye model specifically, for just a day.

Anyone close to me  knows that I am more interested and passionate in working behind the scenes in concept shoots.Next thing I know, I was already with Marc and Poch going to Jim's house to borrow external flash and have my eye photo taken.

Four of my Highschool barkada (a.k.a. friends) were in this club called The Los Baños Camera Club. Every 2nd Tuesday of the month they have this themed contest among the members of the exclusive club and they invite guests to be the judge of the picture. Members are required to submit two entries in adherence to the theme. Every month they get to pick top 5 photos, proclaimed as winners, where their work will be shown in the club's upcoming exhibit on November of this year.


This month the theme is BLUE. Anything blue.

The Boys, all camera jargoned-up. I decided to take a photo of them exchanging lighting tips. Uploaded the dim/blurred version of this pic or else Jim will kill me that I exposed his sanctuary :)