Workshop: Lawrencia Serie

One of my favorite images; mysterious yet beautiful yet ordinary yet unique on its own.

Last year I had a one-on-one workshop with Francis. I asked one of my favorite models named Angel to work with me again and this particular time I was able to rekindle my love for the Pre-Raphaelite paintings with how she transforms beautifully after being prepped up for a shoot. She definitely has those angles that remind me of the beautiful women from that era. Can’t believe no modeling agent has taken her under their wing yet, *hello headhunters?*

Goddess beauty, aptly named Angel.

This time to cut the budget (initially I had a big one for this coz 2 people were gonna participate), I did the model’s makeup myself. To be honest, I’m always hoping for the best every time I do makeup… I usually just do the basics to be safe– highlight, define corners of eyes, blush, contour nose, lips, eyebrows… Anything and everything I learn from the Academy of Youtube. And just change color palettes to suit the theme! I’d prefer to work with makeup artists though,  the prep time is usually when I can discuss some photography theories and personal tips with my student-of-the-day, and just get to know him/her more!

I must say this galaxy kitty shirt dress from South Shores is pretty cute.

This was kind of last minute, so I couldn’t find anyone I could trust to do makeup then. BUT thinking about it now, I think Angel would have looked good with any makeup so I probably should have just gambled and took a chance on any rookie makeup artist. (Hello, if you are interested to collaborate with me please email me with your portfolio! x)

My garden at home isn’t photogenic at all so I’m always at a dilemma when it comes to location shoots. The only park I know of in Cebu is the Fuente Circle, and it’s so not convenient to find parking there, then walk, lugging expensive equipment beside a beautiful model while trying to protect her from wide-eyed gazes from DOMs and pervs. Shooting at a location when it’s in the middle of the busiest traffic circles/roundabouts in Cebu with the unfortunate possibility of being a victim of a hold-up or worse! …Cannot be lah.

So my last and safest resort is always the dead-end of my street, where the season is kind to me with beautiful flowers and rich bunches of bushes and leaves. I’m currently doing my own little observational experiment of the subtle seasonal changes in Cebu in relation to the fauna, along with the weather in relation to photographic light translation. It is very interesting and enriching to become more in touch with your personal surroundings, to see everything through the eyes of the camera lens. Suddenly I find mundane shadows to be oh so amazing… I just wish my neighbor wasn’t as diligent in maintaining his garden. 🙁 I love the natural growth it gives.

It’s so beautifully wild there’s even a small monkey behind all those yellow flowers; neighbor’s pet

This was taken after a very rainy afternoon. Cloudy weather always gives the most balanced light in photographs and I find that in Cebu this works best. Sunny days often seem too harsh and imbalanced even though I try my best to find the perfect exposure. Oh and yes, light is different everywhere around the world. How interesting, right?

It’s fun to take photos when people don’t want you to. They’re just too photogenic together I couldn’t resist. 😉

In addition to theories, personal tips and Photoshop secrets I share to my student, I also give them the PSDs of everything we work on for their keeping and lifetime support to anything photography related! My student was very busy so I wasn’t able to get sample photos from him. Interesting that most of my students are from call centers.

Photography and makeup by me. Styling by Charmaine de Leon from South Shores. Model is Angel Dela Torre. Student is Francis Gimena. I would link him up but I don’t have his photography album portfolio. So Francis if you’d like, please send it to me ASAP.