I AM GUILTY! Yes, I can be convicted of adding photographers I look up to as a friend in Facebook. Shhhh. I came across Ryan Ortega Photo through another friend who I look up to, Paopao Sanchez. Surprisingly, Ryan added me back and he was even the first one to talk to me on Facebook. Wow! I wish all everyone were as kind as these two :)
A few months ago, Ryan brought up the idea of conducting a Wedding Photography Workshop here in Cebu. Without hesitation, I said “We should! I’m sure we would be able to garner enought participants”. It would also be refreshing to have a photography workshop focused solely on Weddings & how to run the business, a far cry from the technical ones (although one should take the basic technical workshop first!). That’s a policy! We ended that conversation still not sure if we were pursuing it or not.
I am based in Cebu, while Ryan is based in Manila so soon as I had the chance to travel to Manila, I made it a point to meet Ryan and we did. We were almost lost on our way to a great dinner at Maja’s Home Cafe (you should not miss this place) and had coffee at Starbucks in Greenbelt. (One of my favorite places in Manila). I’m sure you know that we talked about our favorite subject, Photography, and we also revisited the discussion on whether there was really the possibility of conducting a wedding photography workshop in Cebu. We ended up drinking all our coffee but still, we didn’t come to a conclusion that night.
It wasn’t until around the middle of the year when Ryan decided that it’s time to finalize the workshop. He branded it “XLOVE CEBU | Workshop for Wedding Photographers”. After countless lines of Facebook Chats, text messages, failed Facetime attemtps, we finally gathered at the marvelous Henry Hotel in Cebu. Around 23 participants from Cebu, Rizal, Tagum, Zamboanga, Bacolod including some the wonderful sponsors shared 2 days of wedding photography lessons from one of the best in the country & worldwide, “The Ryan Ortega”.
Towards the closing of the workshop, our teacher & photography extraordinaire wasn’t able to contain his emotions and shed a few happy tears (If your name is Ryan Ortega, you may skip this part). I was really happy to see my friend bask in all those mixed emotions scrumbling to be heard. Not so long ago, he’d started his photography business taking ID pictures in the province and now he was standing in front of other photographers and peers, some looking up to him as a hero, hoping he could somehow impart the lessons he has learned throughout the years.
Ryan/Bai, I could not be thankful enough to you for trusting & allowing me to help you make XLOVE Cebu a resounding SUCCESS!!!. There were parts, I wish I could have done better, I’m sorry. To the team from Cebu, Andy Sinadjan, LiL Gwen’s Corner, Cielo Diamante, Suzanne, Anchan Pajuay and our Couple Kritie & Cedrix, I am forever grateful that you guys joined us.
Here are some of the photographs I took during the workshop.
Custom-made T’s for the participants & crew. Ain’t that pretty?
T’was the first time I help in picking the outfits. I think I’m doing that more often now :)
Spot They Ryan?
My one and only picture :)
The uber talented duo of Leo & Che from Notion in Motion.
My first time shooting a Vatel Manila!!! I can only wish to shoot more of these someday soon :P
From this line, all you see is amazing details styling by Psyrille Villacarlos of Lil Gwen’s Corner!
Leoooooo!!!
Ahhh, Sandy. She warms my heart <3
The day after the workshop, Ryan promised to shoot eSession portraits for our models, Kritie & Ced, who are also getting married this December. I was lucky Ryan invited me to join. He was a genius!!! Very calm & yet assertive directing Kritie & Ced in to poses. I was in awe. He actually asked me to shoot and direct but to avoid embarrasment, I happily declined :P
I will blog the full set soon but for now, enjoy the preview. Head Crown by Ryan’s Sister, Make-up by no other than Vanessa Gamus!
The XLOVE Friends
Ariel Samaniego | Albums & Co.
Prima. | real leather-covered coffee table book
The Gown by Cecilio Abad
The Bouquet by Vatel Manila
The Video Coverage by Notion in Motion
The Styling by Psyrille Villacarlos | Lil’ Gwen’s Corner
The Models | Kritie Gandionco & Cedrix Dumalos
The ESession Workshop HMUA | Cielo Diamante & Suzanne
The Wedding Workshop HMUA by Andy Sinadjan
The Busay ESession HMUA by Vanessa Gamus
The Stylist for the Busay ESession by Barbie Alvez
The Head Crown by Pretty Little Things | Ela Ortega
The Locale by The Henry Hotel
The Raffle Items by PrgPhotoshop
Ryan wrote about the experience too :)
Jon of Rated Love have these words to say :)
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