Mejia Summer 2011.

View full album [here]

Models: Kara Mae Noveda, Steffi Aberasturi & Radha Zabala
Photographer: Anne Lorraine Uy
Stylist: Eloise Daniot
Make-up artist: Noe Mae Villa-gee
Assistants: Jon Ong, Lawrence Cabilao & Homer Medici

Shot on location at the Selma residence, special thanks to Dino Selma.
Couture from the following collaborators: Topshop, Very Mary by Mary Ty Apares, Ciege Cagalawan, Neil Felipp by Neil San Pedro, Julius Louie de la Cruz.

Initially, we planned to shoot at a beach resort since this was the summer campaign after all. But after the final meeting, the location was finalized at the brand owner’s friend’s home…. Or was it a city.

Still practicing on doing natural looking studio lights. I have a lot to learn!

I was a bit worried at first since I usually check out the location shoot before the actual shooting date, but I trusted the team and waited on the final day. And lo and behold, awesome team and awesome location. Everything we needed was there.

Posing effortlessly on dangerous rocks with sky high heels. That’s the way to go.

Eloise Daniot was a great stylist! She was so professional to the bone. There were sooo many clothes and accessories to complement the shoes of Mejia. I’ve been too lazy to take behind-the-scenes shots lately. Probably all the stress and rush I feel during the shoots this summer.. But thanks to Homer Medici for my BTS shots and for the video which will be linked at the end of this entry.

Like this 35mm film shot he took of me shooting Radha on the stones. That other photographer on the highest rock is Dino by the way, he did some shots too separately. He was a very good host! This part of the compound was called the Savanna because it was African inspired. While we were eating lunch here, Eloise spotted a bright colored lizard of an unusual size and exclaimed, “We really are in Africa!”

Our models for this shoot were all so talented.

One thing I like about Mejia shoes are they are made so durable. You can really feel just by holding them that they are made of good materials, especially their pumps. The soles are cushioned and the heels are super sturdy. They do bespoke shoes too so if you have a particular shoe design in mind and you can’t seem to find the right ones anywhere, you can contact them to make customized pairs just for you.

You can see their shoes at Metro Ayala Cebu or check out their FB page [here].

We first shot around one of the houses and then moved on to the Savanna, then the pond and then to the office building riding golf carts from one location to another. It was a really loooooooong day and everyone was super exhausted when it was all over. I think I even lost a lot of weight from this shoot. It was that intense! Add that to the ridiculously hot humid weather in Cebu right now.

This was taken beside the pond. It was getting really dark so I had to hurry.

Overall it was a good experience even though there were hard times. I learned a lot, about the commercial work and the strings with dealing with people. About scheduling and stress! I think I’m a bit more prepared to go out in the real world. I’ve realized that even though you can get dead tired from work, when it’s your passion it will all still give you those good vibes. I feel so alive when I am conceptualizing and shooting!

Shoes for that stylish corporate woman.

If you’re curious about how I am during shoots, you can watch the video [here]. Props to Homer for editing and the patience of taking all the BTS goodies.

On another note, I’m pleased to share this fund raising video made by none other than Chris Collins from the Nonsense Society. I’m really glad to be part of this awesome worldwide artist community.