Rene Gaviola Alternative Photography: January 2007

Interactive FAQs

I've decided to make an interactive FAQs for clients to ask their questions before deciding to get me as their wedding photojournalist.

To start it off, let's start w/ some basics.

1. What is the minimum requirement for a wedding coverage?
I think the minimum requirement is to get someone who does good portraiture.

2. What is the ideal requirement for a wedding coverage?
Personalized photography.
In my opinion an ideal scenario would be to have photojournalistic shots over and above the portraiture sessions to complete one's wedding. Portraits alone can never tell a story and photojournalism is the only way that you will have a unique and personalized wedding memento.

3. I am in the process of canvassing photographers, some portrait photographers I see tell me that they also do photojournalistic shots, are they any different from wedding photojournalists doing some portraiture?

As a rule, portait photographers shoot 80% portraiture - 20% photojourn. Wedding photojournalists normally shoot 80% photojourn - 20% portraiture.
Simply doing some candid shots may not be enough to claim one is a true photojournalist. One should be able to create and combine all the photos (including the portraiture sessions) into a wedding story that is unique for each client.

More importantly, take note the a portrait photographer will have a different mindset. In his mind, his coverage is complete when he has done all the required portraiture shots. Photojournalists are always on the guard during the entire day anticipating anything that may happen in any moment.

4. What is the WPJA.com and how come you are the only Philippine member in this international organization?

WPJA stands for Wedding Photojournalist Association.
With WPJA, one's work needs to be reviewed to verify that one is indeed a wedding photojournalist (and not a portrait photographer doing some candid shots).
Only when you have passed this requirement can you become a member.

You may read more about WPJA when you click this link.

5. Do you do candid photojournalistic shots only?

No. My shooting style depends on the character, personality and other personal requirements of the couple. This is what makes each wedding unique. I won't force nor direct shots when the couple wishes a laid back shoot. On the other hand, I will direct shots during portraiture when the client requires it.

Generally though I prefer a good mix of fashion + photojourn.

Cheche & Tantan doing their fashion pictorial. (Click to see larger image)

6. Can you tell me more about your personalized photography

Please read the following blog entries.
No Flash
Creative Lighting Techniques
20-30

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You may email me at info@renegaviola.com for your questions and I will try to categorize them into an entry in this interactive FAQs. Many thanks in advance!

Less 150 members

[Today I just received this broadcasted email from David Roberts]

Subject: The WPJA has one hundred and fifty fewer members today

Dear Rene,

Today, the WPJA has one hundred and fifty fewer members than it did just a month ago.

Many of these members were not allowed to renew because the majority of the images in their online wedding galleries are comprised of portraits and detail shots. In light of this, the recent membership reduction is a step forward for the WPJA.

WPJA members’ wedding portfolios should predominantly showcase wedding photojournalism...period.

Enforcing the standards the WPJA has set in place is never an easy job. Some members had to be dropped and others were not sent an invitation to rejoin when their membership term expired. As much as we regret to take any such measures, we know that doing so benefits the WPJA and its members in the long run.

Moving forward,

David Roberts
WPJA

http://www.WPJA.com

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Whew! Am glad that I am still a member in good standing order (as evidenced by the gallery in my main site). I also have to be careful and qualify my recent write-ups as "Creative Portaiture" since WPJA allows such category in their association.

It's easy to become members of other international organizations but I am glad that I chose to apply and was accepted by WPJA, it keeps me up to speed and at par w/ other international photographers w/c should be a definite advantage for all my clients!

Personalized Portraiture

The last part of my 3-part creative portaiture series is the personalized portraiture.

Aside from doing some of my favorite portraiture shots (like the flying veil and the holy veil and customizing each one when able) I continuously think of new poses for some of my clients w/ such requirements/standards.

Such is Cheche. As much as possible, she wanted more creative shots than the usual. So we worked together and as I directed her to do this new pose, she executed it w/ such grace and elegance that I think we just nailed the spot!

Oftentimes, though, creative portraiture depends on the location where the bride and groom chose their reception, as in the case of Jang & Paul.

And sometimes a particular shot will hold a special meaning: like the long distance love affair between Izy (who just went back to the states) and her husband Smyl, whose relationship is much dependent on overseas phonecalls and the internet.

Other brides please don't fret, your feature will come like wine, the longer it takes, the sweeter it gets. :)

Rene Gaviola Alternative Photography - The Home of the Beautiful Brides!

Blogging as an Art Form

I consider myself to be first and foremost an artist: an artist when in comes to my photography, an artist when I take time to personalize each portrait or candid shot to be worthy (I hope) as one's personal art gallery or in a public art exhibit, during album creation w/c I layout and do all all by myself, and now am also aiming to elevate my blogging into the next level.

Couple's name, church, reception, sampler pics, slideshow...
Couple's name, church, reception, sampler pics, slideshow...
Couple's name, church, reception, sampler pics, slideshow...

This has become the standard blog for most and it is actually a good way of presentation. However, I easily get bored and always want to come up w/ something different, hence I am slowly transforming my blog into a e-zine type of blog wherein I can highlight a particular aspect of my work (ex. the creative portraiture series, the celebrity angle write-ups), some wedding highlights and sneak peeks (as I take more time, months in fact to squeeze in more creative juices for me to produce such storytelling presentations found in my main gallery), some tips or advice for future clients, to entertain in general and simply to let off some of my creative skills in writing/blogging.

So here's to the ongoing Rene Gaviola, Alternative Blogazine. Cheers!

The Holy Veil

Part 2 of some creative portraiture is what I call The Holy Veil, a half covered veil for that "virginal" look [according to QT] :)

Below is Cheche emoting...

And Jang in her stylized version

The Flying Veil

The Flying Veil is not a new kung fu movie, it is one of the creative portraitures I do to complement my photojournalism style. The Flying Veil is one that I like to execute only if the client feels like doing it.

Here is a shot taken outdoors in Baluarte San Diego with Jhun & Malotte.

And here is an indoor variation taken at the Grand Palazzo Royale in Clark, Pampanga with Rhoel & Lorena.

[Disclaimer: Each flying veil will have a life and form of its own but may not be suitable for all locations. One can try though to see if it will work or not.]

Boys Don't Cry

Earlier that morning, Cess and Arnhel got married in this beautiful church in Rizal. [They got to celebrate and say their vows again later on that night - see the previous blog.]

During the rites, Arnhel can't help but shed tears during their vows.

So much deep-seated love and emotion kept outpouring even up to the blessing of the priest.

Nearing the end of their reception, Arnhel again broke into tears when he thanked their guests, relatives and her beloved departed mom whom he wished were there.

His favorite saying was, "Boys don't cry, but men do."

The final pic below was not from their wedding (it was from Mike and Yenyen's). Just what kind of heartfelt story would make these grown-up men try so hard to hold back their tears. Mike & Yenyen's story to follow...

[click on the photo to look at the larger version]

Your Celebrity Angle - Cess

I always look for my client's best angle and study her face from the start of every meeting and during prenup so that on her wedding day, I will try to position myself to take that angle not only during portraiture time but also during her candid moments.

These are some photos of Cess on her wedding day.

During preparation...