I first met Nicole on the same day we took her pre-birthday portraits. We went together with her parents, travelled to our shoot locations in San Jose. While in the back seat of the car, I saw a lot of great spots for portraits. I forgot how beautiful the trees and the tall grasses looked when the sun's light touched them. The light was so soft and golden you'd want to take a few moments to experience it. Most people take this for granted but I cherish it whenever I can, because it's so fleeting. One moment it's there, the next, it's gone. Our main spot was on top of a hill overlooking the ocean and the wide expanse of this side of Negros Oriental. We had to take our stuff up there, hiked up for some 5-10 minutes. I found myself a bit gasping for air but when we reached the top, it was all good.
I saw Nicole as a very demure, soft-spoken lady. I also had a vision in my mind how I wanted the photos to look, I was going for something effortless, simple and inspired in the presence of nature. I will say my vision was a perfect match with her smile, in the way she moved and her personality as a whole.
I'm thankful for this opportunity to have a lot of creative freedom in these portraits, for Nic's parents for taking us up to these wonderful locations. All our combined efforts made a very simple, low key shoot into a success, show the world this girl's beauty inside and out, as she comes of age.
Coordination by Veronica Vicuña
Special thanks parents to Jan Ellen and Morris
Photos by Kat Banay
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