Wedding Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City, Philippines
Antonio and Pressia were already married in Spain right after the Christmas of 2007. But since most of their friends were in the Philippines (and couldn't go to Spain for the wedding), the couple decided to hold a wedding party here in the Philippines.
Which was really good. I had always wanted to go to Davao for so long a time. Antonio invited me to go and be the official wedding/party photographer. I grabbed the invitation, of course.
The party was held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City. It's one of the bigger hotels there.
After more than half a day of travel (from Bohol to Davao, via Butuan), we arrived in Davao City around lunch time. After a super heavy lunch in SM City Davao, we dropped by downtown to grab some stuff and went ahead to the hotel after. So I really didn't have time to rest. By 3pm, I started preparing for the shoot, scouting for locations, casing the joint..the beach wasn't that nice, I noticed. By 4pm I proceeded to the couple's room to start shooting preps.
The venue was in an open-air bar at the end of a narrow walkway just off the hotel's beachfront. The couple marched the walkway and were greeted with percussionists beating the drums and chanting.
As soon as they reached the throng of guests, a simple ceremony was started. Again, as they were already married in Spain, a prayer for the couple was made and greetings were said. It was short but sweet.
The party which followed the buffet dinner was a blast. It really helps that guests are close friends. Everyone stayed on 'til late and had a helluva great time.
Party music was provided by - none other than - (the great) DJ Bodo himself.
No wonder "YMCA" was such a great hit.
And the people were out and proud with their 80's dance moves.
Even Antonio who was never a dancer (he claims), burned the dance floor away.
All in all, we had a great time and tons of fun...especially the couple. Of course, especially the couple!
For the rest of the photos in this set,
Flickr Album.
Picassa Web Album
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Wedding: Antonio & Pressia, Waterfront Davao
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wedding: Trash the Dress, Bohol Style
Photos by Bohol Wedding Photographer Ryan Macalandag
Clients: Kim and Cindy Majam
Church: Dauis Church
Preps & Reception: Panglao Island Nature Resort
I had the opportunity to shoot Kim & Cindy for their Bohol wedding. They were quite young and hip and wanted a Bohol wedding photographer who can explore. So I did a "Trash the Dress" session with them right after the church ceremonies.
The day had started with a fickle weather already. It drizzled slightly in the morning but the sun had shone nicely that afternoon. But come late afternoon, the rain was torrential - almost a storm. All the plans I had for their post-ceremony shoot was gone and had to think fast and sure. I had thought we would do a sunset shoot by the beach already but the setting sun was nowhere to be found.
Thinking quick, we still headed for the beach in dark and did a TTD shoot amidst the thrashing waves. The couple were so cooperative and we had a blast. It was still raining then so we finished quick. My camera was a bit wet, needless to say.
The photos above are some of my early edits and loved it. Amazed really. And quite humbled by the experience as well. As a photographer, I learned that I could only do as much. Beauty really should come from the subject. It is only up to the photographer to capture the moment if only to record it to be cherished for years to come.
Thanks for the opportunity, Kim and Cindz.
(More of this set, click here.)
