Bertram & Astrid

Just over 2 months ago, I did a coverage for a small wedding.  I was referred to the bride and when we met, she gave me the details of their love story.  Bertram and Astrid have known each other from church, have been friends for a while.  She plays the piano for the male choir that he sings in and therefore they have a similar group of friends.  She said the whole thing was unexpected and when he professed his love for her at first, she thought he was just joking around until he sincerely admitted that he has been praying for her and if she wouldn’t give her hand in marriage, he will still remain to be there for her for the rest of his life.

Their relationship started as a secret.  Astrid figured there is no need for drama, plus it’s more exciting when they all hang out with the group and they all pretended as if she just had a secret lover that no one knew.  As they all try to pry who the guy is, little did they know, he was sitting in the crowd with them all along.  She said the only time their relationship was revealed was when she started handing out the invitation from there wedding…and from there, it is the start of their new beginning.

Here is book preview I have made for the special couple.  Enjoy!

Book Preview

Importfest 2010

So I decided to go to Importfest for the first time.  It’s their 10th Anniversary here in Toronto and it was held on MTCC.  I came in early in the afternoon with my kuyas (older brother) and caught the bikini contest, all the way to the night show of lingerie models.  There were tons of people that came out.  I mean, who would want to miss it…sexy music, sexy cars, sexy girls.  I must say, everytime I go to car shows, I struggle on taking pictures.  I don’t know anything about cars, so I don’t know what I should put my focus on.  Atleast if I were taking pictures of models, you know which to highlight.  I also had a chance to see and take pictures of the import model Natasha Yi.

I enjoyed hunting for the models and being recognized by the guys as one of the only other girl in there with my gear, taking pictures.  I mean, for the bikini/lingerie show, the only girls I saw in there were the ones holding unto their bfs, covering their eyes as the models came out…lol…jk…but yes, it does brush up on my ego to see that I can stand out as a female photographer….since there aren’t really that many of us.  Well, here are some of the shots.  Please visit my flickr account for more of the awesomeness: http://www.flickr.com/photos/janierobles/sets/72157624972790516/show/

Caribana 2010

This past weekend, I got a chance to watch the Caribana Parade.   We reached The Ex by noon-time and it was already starting to get filled.  It was my first time to go, so the experience is very new to me.  When we got to the area, people were already picking their spots, settling in with their blankets on the grass and umbrellas hovering over them.  Some of them even brought tents that they pitched in, gathering their family with their baon (food-on-the-go) and getting ready to see the parade.  As we continued to walk further down the strip, there were booths of BBQ corn, roti, caribbean food…tents after tents of great food.

We found an opening through the fence and we managed to join the crowded parade.  There were so many people!   I’m just glad I survived crossing through the sea of dancers and spectators and being carried along from side to side as the song Pallance came on.  I almost lost my slipper!  Note to self for next year:  Do not wear skirts to be able to climb fences and wear shoes that will protect your toes.

The music was loud, the costumes were vibrant and people are enjoying their time.   I’m so glad to be a part of multi-cultural city that embraces differences on culture, beliefs, race….it’s just wonderful!  It was an awesome experience that I would love to hit-up again.  Please visit my flickr account for more awesomeness:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/janierobles/sets/72157624530363149/show/

http://www.caribanatoronto.com/

Casa Loma

This is a real castle right?  But where are the dragons?  Ok, that was cheesy!

I finally get to hit-up inside of the Casa Loma.   The castle structure itself is beautiful.  I was more focused on taking pictures and imagining having models with me and doing a photoshoot in certain spots.  I think it would be great to do a photoshoot in some of their areas such as the random old fashion tubs, the dark attic…oh…the attic!  I climb the very top story of the castle and oh man, I think I just lost 10 lbs from their evil, tight stair master case and hot space.  Needless to say, I wouldn’t go back there on top again unless I’m doing a photoshoot.  Though, I suggest you should come check it out if you haven’t been.  It’s a pretty neat place overall.  Please check out my flickr for more awesomeness:    http://www.flickr.com/photos/janierobles/sets/72157624605552390/show/

4th Annual Community Health & Food Fair

For the fourth time in a row, Bramalea Filipino-Canadian SDA Church’s held a Health and Food Fair to reach out to the community.  This year’s theme is on Mental Stress and Depression and on healthy eating for the children.  The two special guest speakers were Dr. Clarence Duff, author of the book, “Unlocking The Mystery of Depression” and for the parents, Carolyn and Leah from Sister to Sisters; focused on teaching the parents and the kids on healthy eating.

The day started off gloomy, a bit damp but the garage sale and the food booth kept their ground outside the church.  There were tons of random treasures bought as well as delicious Filipino desserts and delicacy sold.  Inside was the information area where they had more booths on ADRA and health hand-outs.  The sanctuary was occupied by teens and adults wanting to learn more about causes of stress and how to lessen it and the basement was filled with children having fun activities and healthy snacks.  There were tons of draws and give aways every hour.  It wasn’t just about getting free goodies, but also getting free information that a person would normally pay for if they were to attend an actual seminar provided by these special guests.  Overall, the hard work that was put together in making this happen, the days of handing out flyers, it was another year of successful event and I hope that it continues on for more years to come!

As the head of the communication department for the church, my job was to create the promotional ad and take pictures of the event.  Here are my creations and my snapshots of the day.

3rd Annual Valentine’s Family Banquet Fundraising

For the third year in a row, Bramalea Youth Group organized a fund raising event for the home church.  For the past two years, our fund raise was sent to Free The Children, this year, it was sent to Haiti ADRA Relief and also towards Youth Ministry funding.  Every time this is set-up, my main task for this event is promotion and photography.  I am the main promoter and as part of our “Thank you” for your support, we set up a photo booth and give them a print-out of their family portrait for free.

We usually have a background theme set-up, but this year, we decided to keep it nice and simple.  I used my charcoal background and made a more clean/casual family portrait setting.  I had a limited room and didn’t have the proper lighting available and all I was using was my speedflash and natural room light.   As I was practicing my shots on a box, a few couple of willing volunteers decided to model for me…I mean…model for the box.  Fun times as usual with the kids….and the kids at heart!

Edge Imaging: The end with a fresh beginning.

As my contract came to an end, I’m truly grateful for the given opportunity to work with an amazing team and a great company, Edge Imaging.  I’ve learned so much in terms of studio settings, handling the clients of various age groups, and the importance of customer service.

I remember on the second last day of my grad photos, the older sister of the graduate came along for the photoshoot.  She was telling me her experience from the old photographer a year ago on how….ummmm…*unpleasant* she was to her. Yup, that sounds kosher, *unpleasant*.  Even after a year later, she remembered it  and perhaps she was there for her sister, just in case her little sister was mistreated the same way…who knows.

The ex-graduate admitted she was a couple of minutes late and it was her fault.  I can understand why the other photographer would be upset over it.  It’s the last client, and she would just want to go home….understandable right?  I guess that’s what differentiates a person who does it for the sake of keeping a job, versus a person who does it out of the love for photography…that at the end of the day, no matter what obstacle, or unwanted things comes up, you still do what you do with care, because it’s not about you, it’s about them.

With the new year coming up, I am inspired to work even harder incorporating the new lessons I’ve picked-up and utilize these tools for success.

Edge Imaging: Grad Photos

After a week of doing graduation photos, in dealing with different types of highschool students, the more it dawns on me how much I love taking pictures!  Last Tuesday, my last appointment commented that I must be really sick and tired of work at the end of the day.  I paused and thought about it, and without a lie I said, “I’m actually not ‘sick and tired’ of it.  I love doing what I do!”  She added, “Ya, but it’s the exact same pose every single time.”  True enough, it is the exact same pose that I direct them but it’s not about the pose, it’s about them, every single one of them.  It’s about the satisfaction that I can provide them these images that they will cherish and look back to years ahead.  Just being there to put on their gown and hearing how excited they are to finally graduate just boosts me and they simply transfer all that energy unto me.  My favourite moment of all time is when I put on the last prop, the cap and the diploma.  By then, it really hit these kids that they’re done, they have survived and accomplished a great task!

During those days, I’ve missed most of my breaks because students would come late, or I need to squeeze them in, and one specific lady couldn’t make up her mind.  I missed my lunch because she wanted to do different poses.  I will admit it was a bit frustrating in the beginning.  First she wasn’t sure if she wanted to take it, 15 mins later she finally decided and another 15 mins later she came back because she had to do her make-up.  The entire session with her with 10 poses took more than 30 mins (aside from waiting beforehand)!  It took my whole lunch time but I must say it’s one of my favourite moments, because she was just bursting with ideas in terms of her own pose.  I ended the day with just a bottle of water in my system….and still very much satisfied knowing these students are happy.  It’s  nice to know that these students enjoy their time and feel comfortable with me and they see me as more than just a person who took their grad pictures.  Some of them keeps dropping by during their break/spare/class switch, simply to say hi.  Just the fact that they stop by re-assures me that to them, it’s not just a photoshoot, it’s an experience, and I’m proud and happy to be a part of that moment.

The difference.

After collaborating with another photographer on a session and sharing our work afterwards, I can’t help but giggle on his subtle ways of trying to jack my personal touch.  Yes… jack, copy, dare I say steal my creativity just to “win” the competition.  I enjoy photography and will try any sort of genre at any given opportunity.  This other photographer and I started off agreeing that we will work this one opportunity with gaining whatever experience we can get out of it…call it “pro bono” if you may, but we agreed to do a cross-promotion work.  The agreement was that we take pictures of this guy’s product, as he launch his work, we will be promoted as “The Photographers” on his ads.  It sounds about fair, right?  At the end of the day, the other photographer and I consigned that one picture per ad will be chosen and the person who took the used shot will be the only name promoted.  Fair enough, it’s a competition for the spot.

I’m confident with my work.  My style is that I either please the client’s taste and preference of style, or I stick with my creativity since I am hired for my skills, my taste.  I mean, why else would one hire a photographer if they didn’t like they way their portfolio looks?  So onward with our first few photoshoot sessions, the guy would always pick the other photographer.  For some reason, I somehow can’t seem to grasp exactly what he wanted because he would never pick my shots.  My other colleagues were starting to discourage me into putting so much time into the competition, since it was pointless due to the loyalty concept of friendship that I’m technically competing with.  I forgot to mention, the other photography is actually friends with the guy….hmp.

Well, since we weren’t getting paid, I’ve decided to do what I want.  I took pictures on what I think looks good.  I took the angles on what I think works best.  I went against the guy’s ideas and I started taking pictures based on what I envisioned from the scene.   I wasn’t being paid, so why not enjoy myself and do something in which I can be proud of and actually add on my personal portfolio?After that one night, I handed my raw shots to the guy, as per the agreement and I edited my own shots the way I have intended it to look.  I tweaked it specifically to how I wanted it to be and posted them on my page.  A week later, the guy kept contacting me asking for the shots I’ve posted.  I informed him that he has every single one of my shots, the only difference is, I manipulated my picture catered to my very own vision, my style.

Eventually, the other photographer started personally contacting me, texting me, sending facebook messages, asking how did I edit my posted works.  I told him the basic filters and layers I’ve used and when he tried it out himself, he kept messaging me telling me it just didn’t look the same as my work.  Are you kidding me?!  Why in the world would I give you the exact details on how I do my work?  I might as well give you my bra size so you can buy the dress that I wear and fit it perfectly!  Long story short, I never gave him full details and the last time I’ve heard from him was he started asking what kind of lens I own.  I told him the spec and I will never forget his last text, “if I were to go a store and get the one like yours, is there anything else I should specifically ask for?” …..”like” mine huh?  I didn’t bother replying to that text and I never heard from him again…on that topic lol.

As time passes by, I never gave the guy any unmarked pictures of my final/edited product and he settled for posting my work on his own page, with my name on every single picture that he stole off of my page.  I guess it’s not really stealing if he kept my water mark, eh?

Ms. Bikini Canada 2009

Last week, I got a message from Kyle asking me to take coverage of the Ms. Bikini Canada, Toronto Contestants 2009.  He came across me from the Cheval Photoshoot and that’s when he asked me to do a shoot for him as well.   It was a last minute call and I had to re-arrange my schedule and pull some strings, to manage to work for that event.

The night started off with having the girls do their profile shots, and then taking them around the room of Mink NightClub and do creative shots with them.  The girls knew what they were doing, and definitely made the night flow a lot smoother.  The other promoter was also around, giving directions on exactly how he wanted the shots, and the look that he’s gunning for.  It’s good to work with clients that know what they want.  The night continued on as the girls walked down on the red carpet, and partying it up on the floor.

It was a fun night, as always.  The room was decked, the music was pumping, the people were raging with excitement and the place was just full of energy.  At the end, I even met up and get to catch up with one of the Mr. International contestants that I took shots of last year.  Hopefully, I can work with them again.