They met at church. As they do. And although the stars weren't aligned just then, they stayed close. Sang in choir. Went to college. Grew up.

Finally, the the time was right. He asked. She said yes. And now they're getting married. As they do.

Congratulations, Emmanuel and Jessica! Can't wait to celebrate with you in January!

I'd held off blogging this session for a few months now simply because I didn't want to preempt the awesome news until I got the signed contract back from them. 

Well, I've received said contract, and I'm beyond ecstatic to get to officially say I'll be shooting their May 2014 destination wedding in Puerto Rico! Woohoo! The funniest part is, Patty forwarded me the reservation email of my hotel in San Juan even before I got the contract back. That should've been confirmation enough, haha!

Anyway, enough about me—I've known Jonathan and Patty since freshman year at the University of Maryland. Jonathan was the VP of the Filipino Cultural Association that year and gave me the chance to host the annual Philippine Culture Night which resulted in me hosting or co-hosting every year. For being so new to the scene, it was a risk he took, at least I'd like to believe, in giving me that responsibility. 

Fast-forward a couple years. Patty contacted me a few weeks after they announced their engagement mid-2012 while I was briefly back in the States. With everyone's busy schedules and my own wedding coming up, we never really got the chance to iron out the details. After a few postponements, we finally set a date to shoot their engagement session. We visited the Gaylord at National Harbor where we met up with their affable Chow Chow, Brian. And since food played a big role in their relationship, we wanted to make sure to hit up downtown DC for a bite. We wrapped up at the Jefferson Memorial where a lost bet on their first date resulted in a piggyback ride around the Tidal Basin commemorating the first of many more to come (dates, not piggybacks).

And now going full circle, as someone relatively new to the scene, I'm humbled to be given the responsibility to create lasting imagery of these two lovely people on the most important day of their lives. 

Cheers, Sterlin and Patty!

Yes, my office is the local coffee shop. Not every day, though. Five dollars for a cup o' Joe is ridiculous. In this economy? With the whole shutdown thing? ...And the children? Think of the children (sorry for getting all riled up).

So until I furnish the home studio with more than a desk and swivel chair, I'll be coming to a Starbucks near you. 

All this to say—in a span of four days last week, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting three lovely couples at nearby coffee joints to talk about their 2014 weddings! Ah! 

A big, big thank you to those who have referred me to their friends and coworkers. While part of the job, self-promotion is something I know we're all wary of and in my opinion, can easily be interpreted as being overly pushy or just plain annoying. We all know "that guy." So I certainly can appreciate those who pass my name along when photographic needs arise. 

Thanks, beautiful people. I owe you Pumpkin Spice Lattes (or other more affordable coffee)! 

It's taken a couple years, but my brother and I have finally completed what is considered in the photography community as the "holy trinity" of lenses.

I'm all about making the most out of the gear you have and strongly believe that the most important tool in any photographer's bag is their own vision. After all, this latest investment is my first ever dip into the amazing pro series of Nikon lenses after about four years of shooting. 

That said, it's a milestone that needs commemorating. Admittedly, I'm kind of a closeted gearhead. I can spend hours on end reading and researching all things camera/lens/lighting. I even have a folder of bookmarks solely dedicated to bags and cases on my wish list. In fact, there's an industry term for such a condition called "NAS" or Nikon Acquisition Syndrome. 

This may be the only post remotely dedicated to the numbers and names insignificant to the average person, so I'll get the jargon out of the way. Left to right: Nikon 14-24mm f2.8G AF-S, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8G AF-S, and the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR AF-S. 

If anything, this serves as evidence for any insurance claims that may arise down the road.