I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation.
It is too long ago.
I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”
― Jane Austen
Living in a foreign country for the better part of the year can be daunting and lonely. My first months in CQ were spent indoors. Although I love staying at home, there comes a point when it becomes stale and you crave for human interaction once again.
This is why JP and I are so blessed to find a group of like-minded people who come from where we come from, speak the same language, and love the same things we do. M and C hold a special place in my heart because they were the ones who basically taught me the ropes about living in this big and beautiful city, from how and where to buy a SIM card to where to go for a haircut and everything in between. Honestly, we enjoy living in this city so much because of them and the family that they welcomed us into. And for that, I will forever be grateful.
Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the whole sky.”
― حافظ
couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples
Freslyn, one of my closest high school friends, recently got hitched to the love of her life, Adrian. There is no other picture of head-over-heels in love than these two and if you knew their story, you will understand why. Seeing them finally tie the knot made me believe in happy endings and the true power of waiting for love. Their wedding was also something that I will remember for the rest of my life. The couple sang and danced to the delight of everyone who was there, and I didn't even know they do that in public haha!!! Seeing them so comfortable and so in love just filled my heart. If I have a message to give to the young (and not so young) girls out there who are excited and impatient about finding true love, it is this: Love takes it's own sweet time, so there is nothing to be worried about, and there is no need to hurry. When it comes, it will be more beautiful, magical, and exciting than you could ever imagine or hope for.
I only got a few pictures since I was part of the bridal entourage, but I sure did enjoy watching them bask in the love of family and friends on one of the happiest days of their lives.
Cheers to a life of wedded bliss and everything that goes with it.
Love you guys! :)
couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples
“As if you were on fire from within.
The moon lives in the lining of your skin.”
― Pablo Neruda
couples, couples, couples, couples, couples
A month ago, I tagged along with Glenn, another photographer friend of mine (see his works here) for couple shoot set in one of the resorts here. It was my first time meeting Jay-R and Adai and immediately I felt at ease. Both were down to earth, with ready smiles, and they were just so comfortable and sweet with each other that you can't help but believe that what you're seeing is pure and true love. To last that many years, go through all sorts of things together, both good and bad, and still look and smile at each other that way, it takes an amazing kind of love. And these two have found that.
Jay-R and Adai were extremely game and fun and obviously still in love after so many years of being together. Fun fact: they already have a house together, which really impressed me. I've always liked the idea of having everything prepared for life as a married couple before you get married and it looks like they think the same way.
The shoot was fun, there were a couple of concepts planned that took us all over the resort but both didn't seem to tire and were ready to try all sorts of poses and outfits. It was a good thing that the weather was good and the location was equally as gorgeous. With a fun couple and a great location, you get the perfect mix for a good couple shoot.
"I can still remember us musing about where our "The Ones" could be at that particular moment over Mamia's iced coffee as we sat on one of the cold benches at the boulevard. Now it's your wedding day and that question is not as significant as before, because it didn't really matter where he was at that moment. What really matters is that he was destined to be with you in this one. Wheeeee! (happy noise sa.) A blessed, happy, exciting life full of laughter and joyful tears to you and Adrian. "
That's the message I had for a good friend of mine who got married today. Fre is one of my close high school friends and despite being drawn to different areas of interest as we got older, this group of friends that we belong to always found that we would effortlessly gravitate toward each other, something that has kept us close through all these years. We would spend hours in cafes talking about our future group dinners together with then unknown boyfriends. Now,most of us are married, Fre being the newest one to enter the club. Having seen how their story unfolded in front of my eyes, it brings in just the right dose of inspiration, something that tells me that things have a way of working out the way you hope they would.
couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples, couples
When Fre texted me to ask if I was available to do a shoot for them, I immediately said yes. This was a way to catch up, give something to a friend for her special day, and one day where I could see Fre and Adrian in love and having fun. And they didn't disappoint! They were naturals, posed and hugged and laughed like I wasn't there. It was so much fun just watching the two of them smile and laugh at some little inside joke or talk about what they had planned to do next after the shoot. And the way Adrian would look at Freslyn during the rare times when I pulled them apart---precious!!!
After all the trials and the risks these two took just to be together, it's about time they start their happily ever after. Congratulations Fre and Adrian!!!
Some photos from the short shoot we did last August :D