Stan and Armi's Prenup

In most days, i take photographs of food, gadgets and other nifty objects... but there's also one thing that I love to point my camera on, couples. Every time I photograph that moment, that sweet point in time, makes me really happy. It was an honor taking pictures of Stan and Armi. Celebrating their love...

It was a very nice weather. Sun is up and the clouds are marvelous. I was really excited for this shoot that i bought myself a new Black Rapid camera strap! Which i bought if on sale.. anyways., i was so excited for this shoot because shooting prenups are fun. I was with Ms. Love's prenup and I really enjoyed shooting them... Im somehow getting used to this so when Raiza, also my officemate asked me to take photographs of her sister, i immediately obliged. Indeed it was fun!  

We had the shoot at Real Ship Yacht Rentals stationed along Manila Bay. It was my first time to step foot on a yacht honestly. It was also my first time to shoot a prenup on a boat! A lot of 1st times on this day. The boat is really beautiful. This is how rich people roll..i mean float. What a great location for a prenup. Definitely worth it. 

 Im not really good in making poses but i tried my best to be the cheesy guy for this moment. I asked them to do sweet poses which I think looks good eventually. Our very talented make-up artist, who happens to be my Remy's, my officemate's mom, gave a lot of ideas regarding the poses... 

One of the boat's caretakers, Ate Maria, also gave some suggestions on the poses. Thank God for all their help coz i ran out of ideas... Love this shot by the way. I love the way Stan smiled on this one...Its so natural. 

 at the bridge, cuddling... :) i envy their sweetness...  hmmm.. anyways..

also one of my favorite shots on which is one of the hardest coz i was actually lying at my back with some bars of steel poking my spine... i just have to get this angle coz the clouds at the background is absolutely gorgeous. A photo of a kiss would be perfect!  

 the shiny reflections of the waters amuses me... and i wanted to include it to the photo... I would like to thanks Jeric for helping me hold the speedlight for me. Without him, it would be really tough to do these kind of lighting...

This pose was an idea of Ate Maria... Very nice things to warm things up and relax...

I really want to thank this beautiful lady over here for inviting me and entrusting me to cover for her sister's wedding. I said to her im not a wedding photographer but I will do my best to make her sister's wedding worth memorable. I do hope i made them happy with their prenup shoot...

I also want to thank Malcolm for letting me ride the dinner cruise. It was quite an experience not to mention the food was really delicious. Awesome buffet... I was so full on the trip good thing i didnt barf on the side of the boat! 

It was such an experience! Hope to do this again some other time. Many thanks to RealShip Yacht Rentals.. im leaving you with this lovely sunset photo with the lighthouse silhouette. 

Gil and Ina's Wedding

Its Gil's wedding! The countdown is finally over as Gil and Ina tied the knot at San Agustin Church in Intramuros. Its such a beautiful wedding! Im so happy for Gil because he's waiting for this for quite some time now. I didnt bring a camera with me on that day... good thing my friend EJ brought a dslr but hes kinda reluctant to use it... Due to my undying eagerness to capture moments, i borrowed it and took some snaps. It was my first time to use a Canon camera on  a wedding and it was quite impressive! 

I told myself not to bring a camera coz i wanted to enjoy the wedding as a guest, not as a photographer...But then again, i enjoyed taking photos rather than just sitting around. Took this one when they were on their way out and man i was so happy for the great capture! Never seen Gil so happy like this ever before... 

of course there's the production team to back him up! These guys look really fine and dandy! We also had a our lovely Anne Cua and Kannika! Its so good to see them once again!  

Ze lovely ladies of production team! Tracy always has this really curvy and voluptuous pose...

 they are like the batman and robin of the creative writing department of the production team...

 of course our lovely boss Ms. Mara who looks stunning in her green dress..

As the bride and groom started to enter,the party has just begun!  

Mel actually won the garter wearing ceremony and boy she was nervous! Its her 1st actually! 

The traditional cutting of the cake! Gil got a big slice from inah...Gil didn't mind.. :)

 the lovely Anne Cua with our soldier of love Marky!

Angel came! These three ladies are surely missed at the production area... 

 getting crazy at the photobooth. This was ej's challenge, to fit the entire production team inside the frame. Good thing it did! Thanks to Pop Picture for the great photobooth photos! 

Gil with his wacky Mr. Pogi pose! 

After that long delicious dinner, we are all full and happy... you can actually see it in our faces! Busog!!!! :)

Thank you so much Gil for inviting us. It was a really awesome and wonderful wedding. We all had a good time. Best wishes to you and Ina.

Lovely and Christian's Prenup Sneak-peeks

 Ms. Love from HR asked me if I could do their prenup...well, of course i can do that.. I just gave them a disclaimer that im not really a wedding photographer and they said its alright.. they trust my work and we gave it a go! 

We went to Camp Crame (its actually quite having a prenup there but might as well give it a shot) at a very hot and scorching day...  It was almost noon and the sun is raging like hell.... im sweating like im in a basketball game but still managed to be the on the top of my game. Had my gear up, rigged my lights and fired using my telephoto on this shot...Bokeh is really sweet with the 70-300 f/4 nikkor lens... 

 its quite hard doin the poses coz i always wanted it to be as natural as possible. I made them talk... i made them crack jokes to each other.. i wanted them to feel relaxed... and i just pointed the camera at them then click and click and click....

As much as possible i opted not to take a glimpse at the viewfinder....i tried to avoid chimping as much as possible coz i might miss that kodak moment... like this one right here... 

I owe it to all those wedding magazines, wedding photographers who share their tips and techniques. Covering a prenup..or a wedding is quite challenging coz you really have to be good because are precious moments that you need to document and it gives you that feeling that you are carrying the world on your shoulders... But you should learn to accept the challenge.. do good... and always remember this quote.. "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail..." its applicable not just in photography, but also in everyday life...... im planning it to be tattooed onto me someday for me to remember.... 

Many thanks to Love and Chris!

DK and Judy's Renewal of Vows

After 10 years of Marriage, DK and Judy renewed their vows at Magallanes Church. My friends at Images by Mediaworld Creatives Co. gave me a chance to take photos of this momentous event. The scene was very touching when the couples shared their ups and downs, their memorable moments, their joys and sorrows after 10 years of being married together. To me, its a pleasant experience looking at couples who are still madly inlove after a long period of time inspite of all the hardships, trials and challenges. Id like to thank again Marco and Angge of Mediaworld for this opportunity. Congratulations DK and Judy! Many thanks for having us!

Mark + Ayza

It was a beautiful saturday when Mark and Ayza exchanged their vows at the Parish of St. Benedict at Don Antonio Heights in Quezon City. I was fortunate enough to witness and capture this momentous event of their lives.

I was kinda nervous because this is serious stuff yeah know. Weddings are very important since these memories will be cherished for life! I have this certain kind of pressure and weight on my shoulders that I should perform well. I do hope Mark and Ayza love my shots.

Tried capturing moments like these...emanating the bond between two lovers. Two become one... Used my trusty telephoto for this shot and Im glad i bagged it real tight! I love this shot. Love the blur on the background.

I noticed the rose at the isle., and tried to do something creative. Since i love blur., i just tried this one out and i love it! Im lovin my new lens! I just love to play with it. Theres so much you can do with it. The bad side of this lens is that., vibration stability... I really have to use high ISOs to compensate for camera shake. This shot is handheld and the venue is quite dark...thats why i have to crank up the ISO... good thing the camera im using is still amazing at ISO 3200!

Capturing moments like these is timeless! The smiles., the smirks.... Thats why im a great fan of using the 70-300m.. i just love to lock in to my targets at long range. Working on sniper mode. I placed my speed light somewhere far away... triggered by my poverty wizards, i kept shooting at the far ends of the room and still making my captures well lit.

The emotions are natural when your subject doesnt know that they are photographed. Like this one, another candid shot....

Their cake is beautiful. Its simple., looks delicious and out of the ordinary. Most cakes are at least a foot high but this one is as beautiful without the towering design. Love it! Love the colors as well..

Wedding traditions is a must and with this shot., i did not used the burst mode on this one. Just took the right timing and boom! Love the motion of the doves.

Finally, the boquet toss! Single ladies at the back are quite decided for the boquet. I just have to say sorry to my sister coz i included this photo , capturing her kodak moment! haha

I know i still have a lot to learn when shooting weddings. I hope Mark and Ayza loved my shots. I wish them all the best of luck. I hope their love would never change inspite of all the hassles in the real world. Janel's face is really funny.. haha :) Thanks to our lovely newlyweds for inviting me. I wish all the best for Ayza and Mark. For more photos, check out my multiply site

Caleruega Church

Caleruega Church , Philippines 2009 © Mac Centeno

Caleruega Church , Philippines 2009 © Mac Centeno

Caleruega Church , Philippines 2009 © Mac Centeno

Caleruega Church / May 2009
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I have been to a lot of churches in the country and recently, I have witnessed the most spectacular of them all, the Caleruega Church in Batangas. Its like you are in a different country when you graze its wonderful landscapes, serene foliage and a magnificent view of Mt. Batulao. Anywhere your eyes turn to, you will see hues of yellows., reds.. whites and greens. Its like your living in a dream in some sort of paradise. What a perfect place to celebrate your vows and have your wedding dreams come into reality. I am so thankful to be here.