Here’s to 40 destinations*, plus plus:

Southeast Asia
Singapore
Bali, Indonesia
Da Nang, Vietnam
Ninh Bình, Vietnam
and….

The Philippines
Amanpulo, Palawan
El Nido, Palawan
NoaNoa Island, Palawan
Coron, Palawan
Mactan, Cebu
Boracay
Siargao
Bohol
Batanes
Manila

East Asia
Tokyo, Japan
Fukuoka, Japan
Hong Kong

United States
Los Angeles, California
San Francisco, California
Napa Valley, California
San Diego & Del Mar, California
Chicago, Illinois
New York City, New York
Lanai Island, Hawaii
Kona, Hawaii

Europe
Sólheimasandur, Iceland
Reynisfjara, Iceland
Venice, Italy
Verona, Italy
Paris, France
Graz, Austria
Vienna, Austria
Nikitsch, Austria
Kilkenny, Ireland
Lofoten, Norway
Kinderdijk, Netherlands
San Sebastián, Spain
Malmö, Sweden

Oceania
South Island, New Zealand
Sydney, Australia

To our beloved couples featured here - thank you for letting us see the world.

40 destination wedding, elopement and engagement photos x @redsheepphotocinema, from 2015 to present. Leica M, Sony Alpha, Fuji X and Hasselblad 907x. Color remastered, June 2023.

*excluding commissioned corporate and documentary projects

Anette sent this to me via WhatsApp that very evening:

“Hey G—, I just wanted to say thank you so so so much for today. You are so lovely and really made me feel at ease, I wish you nothing but the best in life :) thank you thank you!

Do you have somewhere where I can write you a glowing review?”

Come to think of it, we don’t; we don’t have a place where we consolidate reviews and client testimonials. Any form of selling is not part of the redsheep ethos - it’s off brand. A bit of a flex here, but our portfolio speaks for itself. Any other thing besides the visuals - how comfortable we made you feel, how this friend of yours think we’re a bunch of cool kids, our Palawan and Singapore street cred - everything else is just a big bonus.

Don’t get me wrong. Kind words from our clients - these things matter to us. A lot. But we don’t flaunt them as if they were photos of celebrities on the walls of a tourist trap restaurant. Your words of appreciation - we treasure them in our hearts.

80 warm and cinematic wedding photos from Justin & Anette’s elopement in El Nido. Destination wedding photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema. Filmed on location: Pangulasian Island Resort and the Big Lagoon Beach in Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, April 2023

A Tokyo destination wedding in spring, sans the sakura during its scheduled full bloom. But hey - we make do with what we have and what we're given. And we still can't complain about the oh so fine weather that day: clear Tokyo blue skies and warm sunshine - juxtapositionally sandwiched in between two utterly rainy, wet and chilly cold spell days.

(Our first “Leica only” shoot - for the record.)

100 cinematic documentary wedding photos from Ernest & Miki's church wedding in Tokyo. Destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Old Cathedral of St. Joseph, Tsukiji and Happo-en Garden 八芳園とは Minato, Tokyo, Japan, March 2024, Leica SL2 + Leica Q3.

A couple shoot for tourists and travel couples?

Usually somewhere recognizably Singapore, where we walk the fine line between the iconic and the cliche. Tourist traps are a definite no-no.

For locals? Somewhere that feels home to them: a favorite coffee place, their neighborhood, the usual Sunday afternoon getaway, the office where they met, or simply at home.

For Shidan & Riley, it’s a bit of both. Although they’re not from town, they’ve stayed in Singapore quite long enough to consider it — home. So it’s both the iconic and “the usual” - the Singapore CBD skyline from Marina Bay + Telok Ayer, and East Coast Park where they spend their Sunday afternoons, unwinding and ‘unfolding’ their bikes.

Happy trails to you two - wherever the road takes you next!

50 candid & moody cinematic couple portraits from Shidan & Riley's pre-wedding shoot in Singapore. Destination engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema & @_elsewherelse. Shot on location: Telok Ayer, East Coast Park and Marina Bay, Singapore, February 2024, Leica SL2 + Sony Alpha.

This is us, one cold and drizzly evening in Tokyo - Van, Aiza & me (off cam of course) - for the first time since our first shoot in El Nido before the pandemic. 

I thought we would just hang in Ginza, but then I was put on the spot when they asked: "So… show us *your* Tokyo? :)” Would have brought them to Tomigaya or Daikanyama, but since we were shooting at night, off we went to nearby Akihabara, conveniently just four stations away via Kanda: compact, convenient and still quintessentially Tokyo. Or Neo Tokyo rather.

I actually tried meeting Van & Aiza when they revisited the Philippines a few weeks prior but our schedules just didn’t jive: they were in Palawan; I was shooting in Boracay. Fast forward to Tokyo - where we would serendipitously meet again. And to think this all started with Van doing a sketch of me on a… *ahem* van ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido in 2018. Kampai to you two.

50 cinematic night couple photos from Van & Aiza's holiday in Tokyo. Destination engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Ginza and Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan, March 2024, Leica SL2 + Leica Q3.

I met Anthony & Grace in a coffee place in El Nido: Hama Coffee. ‘noticed they were taking each other’s photos, so I offered to help out. (Photo #5, for your reference. I didn’t have my cameras with me, as I was on a break after shooting for three consecutive days.)

A few iPhone button presses later, I asked, “Where are you guys from?”

“Hong Kong!”

“Oh! I’ll be there next week!”

And so I was. One week later - with Anthony & Grace - this time, in Fortress Hill, in an equally hip coffee place, but without the view of iconic Cadlao Island this time. And finally, I was also able to shoot at the Sunbeam Theatre - a spot that has been on my HK list for quite some time now. I would then find out that it was scheduled to be demolished in the near future. (Sunbeam turned out to be significant to Grace as well!)

36 cinematic city couple photos from Anthony & Grace’s couple shoot in Hong Kong. Destination engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Uncle Ben Coffee, Sunbeam Theatre & King’s Road in North Point, Hong Kong, March 2024, Leica SL2 + Leica Q3.

[ continued from this post ]

“Channeling my inner Wong Kar Wai” is such a pretentious thing for me to say. The City itself made it effortlessly cinematic for us:

the dark, dingy alleyways of Central — 
The old school neon signs of SoHo and Sheung Wan —
An old world mode of transportation juxtaposed with haute couture billboards along Des Voeux Road.

— they’re all part of Hong Kong’s charm; even mundane things such as buying freshly squeezed fruit juice from a mom and pop shop, or waiting for a tram — they all look cinematic. Oh, I’m in halation heaven. Hashtag neondreams.

50 cinematic night street-style couple portraits from Weiheng & Hedy’s city engagement shoot in Hong Kong. Documentary couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema

Shot on location: Central, SoHo, Sheung Wan and Wan Chai, Hong Kong, March 2023.

If you've seen our Boracay Instagram Stories during that week, you'd know how utterly BAD the weather was. It wasn't just drizzling; it was torrential monsoon downpour. Arrival day had a dreary, gray, sunset-less afternoon.

The three of us had high hopes for the shoot day itself. But alas -- it was worse than the day before. 6:30AM of what ideally should have been a calm morning shoot in Station 1 had strong winds that battered our umbrellas. My cameras could handle drizzle and occasional splashing, but with winds like that, I threw in the towel.

"Let's ditch Plan A and let's do our hip coffee place set instead".

This turned out to be a BIG blessing in disguise. What should have been a packed morning in arguably Boracay's most popular (non-hotel) breakfast spot* -- we practically had The Sunny Side Cafe all to ourselves. Dunno - people slept in I guess? That was quintessential bed weather. We got the most coveted seat at that, the one overlooking White Beach and Willy's Rock, and the staff even allowed us to rearrange the tables for a clean window shot.

(Thank you, Sunny Side Cafe! You guys are awesome!)

50 cinematic and moody "bad weather" engagement photos from Jack & Dianne’s pre-wedding shoot in Boracay Island. Destination couple photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of The Sunny Side Cafe, Pinnacle Resort and White Beach Station 1, Boracay, Philippines, June 2023.

*Of course, Hennan is always crazily full even during off-peak season.

Singapore. One Night Only.

OG redsheep couple Ivan & Juliya only had two hours during *this* — their first night in Southeast Asia after the pandemic. Had to pull off something comprehensive and in close proximity with each other, for a couple who’s visiting the city for the first time at that.

So that’s Elgin Bridge, the Singapore River and the CBD skyline (with the MBS light show as a big bonus), SOUTHBRIDGE Rooftop Bar (prime seats sans reservations!), a Grab ride in front of a 7-Eleven and finally, laksa at Maxwell Food Centre. Hashtag: justsoutheastasianthings

36 cinematic night couple portraits from Ivan & Juliya’s travel shoot in Singapore. Destination engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema

Shot on location: Downtown Core, Singapore, February 2023

You gotta give it to Dan & Crissy —

Dan's stomach flu was so intense he had to take a breather during every "checkpoint" of their wedding day:
- halfway through the groom’s solo portraits;
- after the long walk from his room to Miniloc’s resto/lobby;
- in between the sunset cruise couple shoot and the long-table dinner;

Which makes all the smiles and kisses captured on cam a bit more priceless: that’s Dan giving it his all. And there’s Crissy setting the tone, with all-out support, being able to keep the day still in high spirits - a proverbial thermostat rather than a thermometer. And their happy bunch of friends (New Zealand, Australia, and the UK represent!) - each having a well-deserved slot in the communal cake-cutting ceremony sans the groom.

(I already said it in person, but I’m pretty sure you guys will go a long way. Cheers to you, Dan & Crissy!)

100 documentary & cinematic intimate tropical island beach ceremony photos from Dan & Crissy’s El Nido Resorts wedding. Candid destination wedding photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: El Nido Resorts’ Miniloc Island Resort & Big Lagoon Beach in Miniloc Island, Bacuit Bay and Shimizu Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, January 2023. Color remastered, June 2023.

100 cinematic documentary wedding photos from Abram & Rosanne’s intimate garden wedding at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii, United States. Intimate destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema, July 2022, Sony A7SIII + Fuji X-Pro 3, Hasselblad 907x, Tiffen Black Pro Mist filters. Color remastered, June 2023.

Sunset Sail x Four Seasons Resort the day before...
Adventure trek to Shark’s Bay the day after…

This warm-up ice breaker shoot, one day before Gabriel & Pamela’s adventure elopement in El Nido - and Las Cabanas sunsets are utterly spectacular, as always. Everything here was shot in 40 minutes - from golden hour until dusk - within a stretch of beach less than 15 meters - and yet we were still able to get a full spectrum of hues from the warmest of oranges to the coolest of blues.

36 moody & cinematic sunset couple portraits from Gabriel & Pamela’s elopement in El Nido. Destination wedding photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, January 2024, Sony Alpha.

January 2, 2024. Second day of the year. Second shoot of the year. Second shoot with Gelo & エリ -- a 2-hour city walk at night, in two Tokyo neighborhoods that they call "home".

50 cinematic night street-style couple portraits from Gelo & Eri’s city engagement shoot in Tokyo. Documentary couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema Shot on location: Sensoji Temple and the streets of Asakusa, Sumida River, Taito City, Tokyo, Japan, January 2024. Leica SL2 + Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 + Sony A7RV.

50 cinematic intimate beach wedding photos from Masa and Yuki’s destination wedding in El Nido: マサとユキの結婚式の写真-ミニロック島-エルニドリゾーツパラワンフィリピン 写真とビデオ Photography & cinematography x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Miniloc Island Resort, El Nido Resorts & Big Lagoon Beach, Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Sony A7III + redsheep Chromavibe 160M. May 2019. Color remastered July 2023.

You know the saying, “This meeting should have been an email.”
Enter: Shidan & Riley. “I think our meeting should be an actual shoot.”

The original plan was to do the engagement session January next year, but the night prior to our ice breaker over coffee meet-up, I stumbled upon an brightly lit Padang area with the F1 Singapore Grand Prix grandstands being setup.

“Want to do a quick warm-up shoot tomorrow?” :)

50 cinematic night street-style couple portraits from Shidan & Riley’s city engagement shoot in Singapore during F1 season. Documentary couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema

Shot on location: St. Andrew’s Road, Downtown Core, Singapore, September 2023.

There are three atmospheric elements that we’re suckers for — neon glow, halation, and sea mist.

Also known as the cinematic and more photogenic twin brother of haze, sea mist gave us an ethereally surreal and rather minimalist backdrop compared to what we’re used to when shooting in Palawan.

The clincher? Putting Greg & Caroline front and center, nuances, quirks and all, during this 20-minute chill and easy-going warm-up shoot one day before their Club Paradise destination wedding.

36 dreamy & candid couple portraits from Greg & Caroline’s warm-up shoot one day before their destination wedding in Club Paradise, Dimakya Island, Coron, Palawan, Philippines. Destination couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Coron, Palawan, Philippines, February 2023

When Plan B turned out to be better than Plan A. Like this practically empty but gorgeously lit platform in Shibuya Station. *pause for effect* Shibuya. Ever-busy Shibuya. Thirty minutes before rush hour. Didn’t come across this spot while I was location scouting the day before. Come to think of it, I can’t consider this as Plan B; it wasn’t even part of any plan to begin with! Like most of my Milky Way shots. Or my most picturesque sunset after the storm shots. Just going with the Flow. Flow with a capital “F”. Not aimless spontaneity, but Guided orchestration rather. * “Qarah” wrapped in a flurry of forced faux coughs *

That was such an inspiring way to kick-off our three-day “as we are” shoot in Tokyo. Just Briggs being Briggs. Kim being Kim. Briggs and Kim being Briggs and Kim. Doing the things that they love doing in Tokyo: good specialty coffee, psychedelically trippy art exhibits, hole in the wall whiskey bars - a quasi-speakeasy at that, izakayas, international music festivals, and walking backwards in Shibuya Crossing. Oh. Not that one.

50 moody and cinematic Tokyo engagement photos and save the date video in 4K: Briggs and Kim’s three-day “as we are” engagement session in Tokyo and Chiba, Japan x prenup photographer and videographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: EPSON #teamLabBorderless at the MORI Building Digital Art Museum; in and around Shibuya; Saturdays NYC Daikanyama; and Akihabara, Tokyo and Summer Sonic 2018 Chiba, Japan. Sony A7S II and Huawei P20 Pro. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160, June 2023. (c) 2018 redsheepphotocinemusic. #福岡 #結婚式 #前撮り #東京写真部 #結婚式準備 #ポートレイト #ウェディングフォトグラファー #ウェディングフォト #結婚式写真 #結婚式カメラマン #持ち込みカメラマン #外人風ヘアメイク #ロケーションフォト #ビーチウェディング

Which of the following activities did Kyle & Michelle do on the day of their wedding in El Nido?

A) Take a 40-minute bike ride North of El Nido Town, all the way up to Nacpan Beach.

B) Enjoy Nacpan Beach and its sparse, mid-morning crowd (or lack of it).

C) Rent a motorboat and head for one of El Nido’s lesser-known beaches. (ie, Bukal Beach)

D) Get married of course. A full-on elopement in an isolated cove. Have a heartfelt exchange of vows in ankle-deep water.

E) Go snorkeling. The water is waaay clearer during the summer months though. But don’t panic, it’s organic. Debris, that is.

F) Climb all the way up one of Cadlao Island’s view decks.

G) Aren’t Multiple Choice questions until D or E only?

H) Have a spontaneous AcroYoga session in Papaya Beach.

I) Enjoy the sunset in Corong-Corong Beach, somewhere near Panorama Resort.

J) Have dinner in El Nido Town. Say… Osaka Castle. Then literally rub elbows with the locals in the town fair. Immersion backpacker style.

K) All of the above except for G.

50 cinematic backpacker adventure elopement photos from Kyle & Michelle’s beach wedding ceremony in El Nido. Destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Nacpan Beach, Cadlao Island, Corong-Corong and El Nido Town, Palawan, Philippines. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 400M+. December 2019. Color remastered, June 2023.

I met Pablo y Angela on a plane going to Palawan. The three of us were row mates and we chatted while I was taking airplane window photos for my usual El Nido Instagram stories.

A few weeks after, 3,401 km away to the northeast, at least 20°C degrees colder but amidst a fever pitch crowd, there we were again, trading powdery white sand for pinkish-white sakura 桜 - camera on my right and a can of Kirin on my left: a perfect way to end a sunrise engagement session (and a red-eye flight to top that) earlier that day.

25 cinematic night couple photos of the Meguro River during the Cherry Blossom Festival in Tokyo: couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Meguro, Tokyo, Japan, April 2017. Color remastered August 2023.

As with all my El Nido redsheep couples, I met up with Jordy & Cherie at Wantusawa Pops District the day before our island hopping shoot. Cocktails. Oysters. Danggit Rendang. (The miso custard baked oysters? Consistently top notch!)

Oh, back to that. The redsheep Ice Breaker. Doesn’t have to be over cocktails or craft beer. Could be over coffee. Or just eat a bunch of caramels. (Good Will Hunting reference). Whatever your “poison” is, the ice breaker chat is actually the first 40% of a redsheep shoot. It’s not just for formality — it’s the equivalent to a tailor getting your measurements for a bespoke suit. It’s me “reading” you so I know how to shoot you the following day. It’s me shifting from stranger to friend in less than two hours, after six pieces of baked oysters and a glass or two of Negroni.

It’s not about finding your angle or your “good side”. It’s about building an honest and accurate narrative. That’s why redsheep shoots have that certain “look”. Because when we see each other again tomorrow, I’m no longer a stranger.

(I’ll see you again in Singapore, Jordy & Cherie!)

100 bright and airy vs moody and cinematic destination engagement photos from Jordy & Cherie’s adventure pre wedding shoot in El Nido. Destination couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Small Lagoon in Miniloc Island, Balinuod Beach, Paradise Beach and Nat-Nat Beach in Cadlao Island, Hama Coffee and El Nido Beach in El Nido Town and Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines in Southeast Asia, May 2023

36 feel-good cinematic couple photos from Wenjun and Jacqueline’s sunny street engagement shoot in Singapore. Pre wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Potato Head Folk, Keong Saik Road, Neil Road, Birds of Paradise Gelato, Ann Siang Hill Park, Singapore, May 2022. Sony A7SIII + Fuji X-Pro 3. Color remastered, June 2023.

The three of us were all on the same page on how to go about with their New York City engagement shoot: NYC - Manhattan in particular - should be recognizable, without being too familiar or too touristy; chill, because we were two days shy of their wedding day; and, lastly, unabashedly run & gun because of the inevitable: the holiday crowd, shameless photobombers (seriously dudes, just don't), and a very steep exponential decay of daylight, from golden hour and deep darkness in... *ahem* a New York minute. Hello, New York in autumn.

Engagement photos from Pao & Carissa's pre wedding photoshoot in New York City. Destination couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of The Roof (PUBLIC Hotel's rooftop bar overlooking the Manhattan Skyline), Tacombi NOLITA, Fanelli's Cafe and Prince St in SOHO, Grand Central Station and Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, New York City USA. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 400M+. November 2017. Color remastered, July 2023.

Makeup: Lilian Yeung. Hair: Jay Wee.

At first, this might seem like your usual “walk around the city” engagement shoot, going from point A to point B, just arbitrarily wandering around — but everything* that you see — the buildings, streets, neon signs, restaurants, alleyways, coffee places, mom and pop shop, and that burger joint — it’s Weiheng & Hedy’s Hong Kong.

— their residential building.
— their tram ride.
— their Five Guys.
— their work place.
— their juice stall.
— their Sun, Moon and Star Streets route.

Victoria Prison / Tai Kwun Art and Heritage Centre served as an interlude before our night set in the streets of SoHo and Sheung Wan

[ to be continued ]

50 cinematic & street documentary style couple portraits from Weiheng & Hedy’s city engagement shoot in Hong Kong. Reportage couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema

Shot on location: Wan Chai, Central and Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, March 2023.

*well, everything except the Monocle Shop , ROR and Blue Bottle - those were redsheep spots.

*drum roll*
Ayo! Four-time redsheep couple Ivan & Juliya. That’s Manila, El Nido, pre-pandemic and Singapore and Bali, post-pandemic.

Welcome back to Southeast Asia! And you’re officially our most photographed couple: a million “thank you’s” and one “congrats”!

Always a pleasure to shoot you two! *stoked smiley*

50 vibrant, warm and candid couple portraits from Ivan & Juliya’s travel shoot in Bali. Destination couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema

Shot on location: Lloyd’s Inn and When I Met Coffee in Seminyak, and The Slow and Batu Bolong Beach in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia in Southeast Asia, March 2023.

Chapter One: "Scarlet"

"It has to be perfect."

It took Tsunade one hour to put on her scarlet kimono. One hour - even with Livio's help. But I didn't mind at all. My eyes were glued to my newly purchased viewfinder, shooting almost ceaselessly as one would expect from someone seeing something as intricately beautiful as this for the first time. Everything had to be done in the correct manner, as spot on as a Marunouchi Line subway on a Monday rush hour. A wrong overlap of the fabric would imply going to a funeral instead of a wedding. And the consequence? Thankfully not utter banishment or something as dire as seppuku [ 切腹 ]. "My relatives will just make fun of me." *sweat drop*

...to be continued.

Wedding photos of Livio & Tsunade's beach elopement ceremony in El Nido Resorts. Tsunade wore a traditional Japanese wedding Kimono. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Pangulasian and Big Lagoon Beach in Miniloc Island, and Pinagbuyutan Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, February 2018. Color remastered, July 2023.

The redsheep Nordic Sessions: a collection of pocket shoots, pre-wedding adventure engagement shoots in Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Color remastered July 2023.

Dong & Cynthia, Sólheimasandur Plane Crash Site, Iceland
Sam & Brooke, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Iceland
Ronald & Johanna, Gamla Staden, Malmö, Sweden
Niclas & Kristine, Lofoten, Norway

One stormy Saturday afternoon in Fukuoka. (IATA Airport Code: FUK) Yeah, blame Typhoon Kong-rey for the moody-gloomy feel. Sharing with you guys some stills and frozen video frames from this chill, come-as-you-are session. Total shooting time? Less than 40 mins, not counting the travel time between Point あ and Point び. I wanted to take it easy on Seiya & Zynn. After all, it’s the day before their wedding. (Yes, this wedding.) *smiley*

36 cinematic urban couple portraits from Seiya & Zynn's street-style engagement session in Fukuoka: pre-wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of: FUK Coffee, Mangyoji Temple, Tenjin & JR Hakata, 福岡市 Fukuoka, Japan. #福岡 #結婚式 #前撮り #東京写真部 #結婚式準備 #ポートレイト #ウェディングフォトグラファー #ウェディングフォト #結婚式写真 #結婚式カメラマン #持ち込みカメラマン #外人風ヘアメイク #ロケーションフォト #ビーチウェディング Color remastered, June 2023.

Mael et Anais. From Paris, France. It was the day before their destination wedding in El Nido and we had a warm-up / getting to know you / ice breaker island hopping shoot. I had to keep it down though. We couldn't go all-out, whole-day, Tour C + snorkeling + Pinagbuyutan Island and all; we had to be back in Miniloc Island Resort before sunset, just in time for their Rehearsal Dinner. (Ergo, no sunset couple photos.) So there we were, a bit shy of two full hours, from 3:30PM to shortly before 5:30PM, just comfortably close to the resort in neighboring Cadlao Island and Entalula Island, as chill and easy going as we could have been. 'coz they needed all the energy that they could get for their beach wedding the day after.

36 cinematic travel couple photos from Mael & Anais' "day before their destination wedding" island hopping adventure session. Utterly candid pre-wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Entalula Island (El Nido Resorts), Bukal Island, Bacuit Bay and Paradise Beach in Cadlao Island, El Nido in Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, April 2019. Color remastered, October 2023.

36 moody and cinematic lifestyle and surf portraits for a Bali-based swimwear brand. Travel portrait photography x @redsheepphotocinema.

Shot on location: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Ubud; Lloyd's Inn Seminyak and Seminyak Beach and Green Bowl Beach in Bali, Indonesia, June 2022.

36 cinematic destination engagement photos in Boracay Island: Gabe & Liane’s casual and chill morning shoot in intrapandemic White Beach Station 1. Photography x adventure engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: White Beach Station 1 and Lambas Point, Boracay Island, Philippines. Sony A7RIV. November 2021. Color remastered, July 2023.

Our friends at the Leica Store Singapore gave us the privilege to use the Leica SL2-S for our shoots this month. Sharing one of them, this urban portrait session with Riley. Is this really your first solo photoshoot, Riley? :)

Got a very positive response when I posted the unedited SOOC (straight out of the camera) jpgs in our IG Stories. Oh, and I AM very pleased with the results.

25 urban portraits in Singapore's Downtown Core using the Leica SL2-S and a Leica 50mm Summicron-SL f/2 ASPH lens. Portrait photography x @redsheepphotocinema

Shot on location: Elgin Bridge, Singapore River and Esplanade, Downtown Core, Singapore, October 2023.

50 moody and cinematic couple photos from Eric & Sabrina's engagement session in post-shutdown + pre-pandemic environmentally rehabilitated Boracay: destination pre-wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of White Beach Station 1 (in front of Discovery Shores), Puka Beach and Crimson Resort and Spa, Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines, December 2018, color remastered July 2023.

Reconnecting with Ryan & Nadia a few months after their pre-wedding shoot in El Nido, Philippines —

Bacuit Bay, out : Victoria Harbour, in;
limestone cliffs, out : Hong Kong Island’s iconic skyscrapers, in.

Sorry-not-sorry for shooting at the “Dark Side” (i.e., Kowloon) for a change.

36 blue hour Victoria Harbour couple portraits from Ryan & Nadia’s engagement shoot in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Destination couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Ocean Terminal Deck at Harbour City, Heritage 1881 and Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, March 2023. Color remastered, June 2023.

Full Circle.

0°
On 15 October 2019, we shot and filmed a destination wedding in Amorita Resort, Bohol, Philippines.

Enter: Dennis & Alyce. They’re now based in Singapore.

90°
Ralph & 은지 (Eunji), who are also based in Singapore, are also getting married in Amorita.

180°
They found us through Dennis & Alyce’s portfolio entry on our website.

270°
On 15 October 2022, I met Ralph & Eunji for the first time over coffee…

360°
…right on the day of Dennis & Alyce’s wedding anniversary, which was ultimately the reason why I’m meeting Ralph & Eunji to begin with. (Chye Seng Huat Hardware was our mutual choice!)

There you go. Full Circle.

(I also met up with Dennis & Alyce for post-pandemic catch up over cocktails, one day prior to meeting Ralph and Eunji.)

Ralph & 은지. 50 casual, chill and cinematic Sunday afternoon couple portraits in Singapore. Candid engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Nylon Coffee Roasters, Outram, Downtown Core / CBD, Thian Hock Keng Temple / Telok Ayer, Jubilee Bridge, The Float@Marina Bay Grandstand, Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, January 2023. Color remastered, June 2023.

Meeting your life partner during your daily commute at the Admiralty (金鐘) MTR Station sounds like something from a movie.

Enter: Ryan & Nadia. (See you guys in Hong Kong this spring!)

and Exit: F or C2 or wherever :)

50 moody and cinematic adventure engagement couple portraits from Ryan & Nadia's pre wedding shoot in El Nido. Utterly candid couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Balinuod Beach in Cadlao Island, Entalula Island, Small Lagoon in Miniloc Island, Las Cabanas Beach and Wantusawa Oyster Bar, Pops District, Corong-Corong, El Nido in Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, November 2022. Color remastered, June 2023.

イブキ と エミ with a little bit of Led Zep. 

Ibuki & Emi’s engagement session in Singapore. Little India and Farrer Park over the MBS, Gardens by the Bay, Tiong Bahru and Haji Lane? That's Ibuki and Emi. They wanted to show a Singapore that's closer to their hearts, 2015 haze aside.

Little India is home to these fellow Michel Gondry fans, who also share the same disdain for pop music. Thanks for the Otoro & Uni treat guys!

50 moody and cinematic pre-wedding photos in Little India: engagement photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Little India and Farrer Park in Singapore, Southeast Asia, October 2015. Color remastered July 2023.

Chillin’ with Peter and Alexis, in the eye of the storm that is the Los Angeles midweek rush hour. We were obviously oblivious to the chaos in the 101, as cool, calm and collected as we were in El Nido a few months earlier.

Next, Griffith, where it was anything but tranquil. Man I’ve never seen that place as packed! With a weekday crowd that seemed like the average weekend crowd on steroids, patience was indeed, a virtue. So there I was, armed with a little “すみません (sumimasen)” here and “lo siento” there so we could do our shots.

(Great seeing you guys again! That Ballast Point craft beer six-pack as a send-off gift was very much appreciated!)

50 cinematic couple photos from Peter & Alexis' chill and casual engagement session in Los Angeles. Pre wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of 1st Street Bridge, Downtown Los Angeles and Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, Southern California, July 2018. Color remastered June 2023.

A match made in Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL). Hence the lemniscate in the title sequence "Clarence ∞ Tiravan"; the infinity symbol instead of the usual operators &, +, /, | and x. But more than the romance that budded in THE most sought-after company to work for*; more than actually filming inside the Google campus in Singapore; more than the saturated reds, bright yellows and pale blues in the film's color palette; more than this indie rock tune that I had to extend to twice its original runtime so I can tell a more compelling story; more than the time-lapse-worthy Singapore sky during their pre-wedding photo shoot a few days prior, it's the air of authenticity and warmth that you rarely see in big banquet hotel weddings - that's what struck me the most. So right up my alley, with distinct undertones of Silicon Valley.**

*I should know; I came from the IT industry.
**That didn't mean anything. It just sounded nice. *wink + laugh*

36 cinematic photos from Clarence and Tiravan's engagement shoot at the Marina Barrage and Google Singapore HQ, and their wedding and solemnisation at The St. Regis: engagement photography and same day edit wedding videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Marina Barrage and Google Headquarters in Singapore for their pre-wedding and The St. Regis for their ROM Solemnisation and Wedding. March 2019. Leica M + redsheep Chromavibe 160M+ and Luminoir 800, our proprietary signature color grade. Color remastered August 2023.

Borderline “The Batman”-level of darkness. ‘would have gone darker if it were entirely up to me. [chuckles]

50 moody and cinematic engagement photos from Azmi & Wenxin’s rainy day couple shoot in Singapore. Pre wedding and engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Lavender, Golden Mile Complex, The Projector and Ann Siang Hill, Singapore, May 2022. Sony A7SIII + Hasselblad 907x. Color remastered, June 2023.

PS. Thanks for always believing, Wenxin! Owe you big time!

You know you love your job if you’re perfectly ok shooting half an hour before the clock strikes midnight on your birthday. And this is Eric and Sabrina’s third shoot with us by the way. [stamps Eric and Sabrina’s proverbial redsheep Loyalty Card]

50 cinematic night urban photos from Eric & Sabrina's late evening city engagement session in Hong Kong. Pre wedding photography x destination engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Central, Hong Kong. Pictures taken using a Leica M240 & Sony A7III with an iconic “Merde il Pleut” umbrella. Color remastered July 2023.

Kleines Cafe. Albertina. Prater. And the alleyways of Innere Stadt.

It's easy for one to conclude that we were trying to pull off another "Before Sunrise"-themed shoot, but we weren't.* And it's more of a "One sunset, One sunrise" kind of thing. We intentionally left Zollamtssteg Bridge out this time. It's just B-- & L------, the soft early morning sunlight, and this oh so beautiful city by the Danube. "Milkshake".

It's easy for one to conclude that we were trying to pull off another "Before Sunrise"-themed shoot, but we weren't.* We intentionally left Zollamtssteg Bridge out this time. It's just B-- & L------, the soft early morning sunlight, and this oh so beautiful city by the Danube. "Milkshake".

*Well admittedly, the three of us are fans of the movie. But do you want to know a better love story IMHO? It's "Good Will Hunting". No, not the one between Matt and Ben. It's Robin Williams' - or Sean's enduring love for his wife. That, is what love is, my dear friend.

50 cinematic travel couple photos from B&L's Vienna destination engagement session: pre-wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot and filmed on location: Vienna, Austria. August 2017. Leica M240. Color remastered November 2023.

36 dark, moody and cinematic couple photos from Gerardo & Monica's sunset engagement shoot in Los Angeles. Couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of The Arts District and the 6th Street Viaduct, Downtown Los Angeles, California, July 2022, Sony A7SIII + Fuji X-Pro 3 + Hasselblad 907X. Color remastered, November 2023.

A bit of an irony here — after literally dozens of adventure couple shoots in El Nido, it’s our first time to do ever-popular Tour A. Most of the shoots that we’ve previously featured here are custom private tours with redsheep-curated locations. Apparently, due to new local government guidelines post-pandemic, it’s not that easy to go for a custom DIY tour like the ones that we did before.

Island Hopping Tour A?
That’s the Big Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon in Miniloc Island;
Shimizu Island for lunch;
Then lastly, Seven Commandos - oh hell no.
Too crowded and totally not picturesque there.

So we went to *that* usual redsheep spot — Ipil Beach — technically not part of Tour A, right before our sunset session at Corong-Corong Beach.

Cheers to you Sam & Shiela! I know you guys came all the way from LA, - jetlag and all - but we were blessed with textbook tropical weather and perhaps the best sunset that I’ve seen post-Covid.

50 cinematic adventure engagement photos from Sam & Shiela’s couple shoot in El Nido. Destination engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema, featuring locations from island hopping Tour A: Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon in Miniloc Island, Shimizu Island and redsheep preferred spot Ipil Beach, mainland El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, March 2023

All these Hong Kong foodie bucket list staples, in under three hours:

Mak's Noodles 麥奀雲吞麵世家
The Coffee Academics' Causeway Bay Flagship
Yat Lok Restaurant 樂燒鵝
Tai Cheong Bakery 泰昌餅家
CRAFTISSIMO (Hong Kong's Only Dedicated Craft Beer Shop)

*pause for a 2-hour shower break - you know how hot and icky Hong Kong summers can get*

Mammy Pancake 媽咪雞蛋仔
Four Seasons Claypot Rice 四季煲仔飯

Finally, Kubrick/Yau Ma Tei for an early evening session.

That's eat-and-run-and-gun at its finest -- the adrenaline rush easily overpowering what could have been a severe case of food coma -- an engagement session drowning in quasi-epicurean oblivion.

50 cinematic couple photos from Marvin & Des' food trip engagement session in Hong Kong. Pre-wedding photography x destination engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Central and Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong. Pictures taken using a Leica M240 & Sony A7III. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160M. July 2019. Remastered September 2023.

Sounds overly cliché but Ninh Binh is one of the most beautiful places that we’ve ever filmed in. Imagine: an elderly Vietnamese woman wearing a nón lá, rowing a small steel boat meandering through a tranquil river; cicadas chirping, ducks quacking - no mosquitos buzzing; the golden afternoon tropical sun illuminating the bride and groom - port side - and towering limestone cliffs to our starboard.

And we’re quite credible when it comes to destinations in Southeast Asia with limestone karst formations #borderlinetreason (Just kidding, El Nido. You’re still our second home.) Scenery aside, we’re also suckers for rainy day weddings. The “man vs nature” conflict effectively catalyzes a compelling narrative. And the “sunshine after the storm” kind of lighting? [chef’s kiss]

Zachary & Savannah's elopement wedding in Vietnam.
Cinematic destination and adventure elopement videography x redsheep cinema.
Photography by Mirror Wedding (Vietnam).
Wedding Planning & Styling by Bayla Planner (Vietnam).

Filmed on location: Aravinda Resort, Ninh Binh, Vietnam, October 2022. Filmed using a Sony A7SIII, SLR Magic MicroPrimes, Tiffen Black Pro Mist filters. DaVinci Resolve 18 + Apple Logic Pro.

Prologue
This set has a backstory that's rather interesting. These were all shot and filmed last September, during our then recently concluded filmmaking workshop in Verona, Italy. Just hours prior to this session, we didn’t have anyone to shoot. Our models - an Italian faux* couple [not "faux Italian couple"] - because of, errr… “reasons”, which I firmly believe were also - faux - made a last minute cancellation.

So there we were, "in fair Verona where we lay our scene", utterly clueless, but, by no means helpless...

Enter, stage left: Andrea & Anastasia

*Looking back, I'm thankful that we didn't have those models - good-looking as they were - for the afternoon session. They weren't a real couple in the first place and that would have defeated the purpose of the workshop. Buzzwords: organic, authentic. There’s little added value in shooting subjects who are already comfortable in front of the camera.

Act One
And so, after my early afternoon Keynote on filmmaking, we went out for two things: to look for a couple to shoot*, and to have a very late working lunch; prosciutto e funghi pizza, tiramisu and espresso would have been a worthy consolation if we didn’t find anyone. The thing is, I couldn’t ask just any couple if they were willing to be an integral part of our workshop. Heck, we were in “fair Verona” and more than great Italian food, there's never a shortage of lovers (star-crossed or not). More than finding a real couple, and more than finding a willing couple at that, there was something else that I was looking for - not the physical appearance or the way the dress; they had to share this "very particular vibe” which I really can’t describe with words, verbose as I am as you might have noticed already. It was up to the good Lord to lead us to the right place, at the right time, to a willing couple that shared the vibe that I was looking for. Note that it was almost three in the afternoon and my appetite was leading me elsewhere.

[ Enter, upstage right: Nicolas and Joanne. ]

Long story short, I approached Nicolas and Joanne as they were about to leave the restaurant. (Coperto!) I told them about our predicament with our “no show” models*. And, just like that, and in a very enthusiastic tone even, Joanne said “Yes!”. I promised to keep the shoot as fast as possible; it was perfectly understandable that they wanted to see Verona as well and I couldn’t take more than 30 minutes of their time. The interesting thing is, they’re from Vienna! I was there two weeks earlier so I had something to break the ice with, like my adventures with sachertorte and käsekrainer (Nicolas & Joanne! Danke schön for saying “Yes!”).

There. 30 minutes, all-in: 15 minutes walking time, 15 minutes actual filming time, one cinematographer, one camera, no changing of lenses, no storyboards. And once again, the good Lord provided. Just in the time of nick… or just in the nick of time, rather, and for the nth time. And, thirty-minutes and a glass of eiscafe (iced coffee) later, He will usher in another couple for us to shoot.

Act Two
"I guess we have time for one more." And so, after a glass of iced coffee, a "no" from the couple seated next to us, and 30 minutes later, we went around again to look for another pair to shoot. [ Enter: Andrea & Anastasia ] We spotted them about 20 yards from us, in one of Verona's narrow alleyways. 'figured that they were locals, so I let Valentina do the talking this time. I didn't want to sound like Aldo Raine pulling off a "Gorlami" in front of them. After listening to Valentina's pitch in Italiano (I could infer terms like "workshop" and "filmmaker" because of hand gestures.) they said "Yes", not "Sì"; their english was spot on! And, guess what. They [also] visited Vienna a month ago. No BS. Easy icebreaker again. This time, we talked about how Italian coffee (the original espresso, of course!) is way better than Viennese coffee. I believe in Divine orchestration - "qarah" - not coincidence. And, seeing how things turned out, I'm glad that our models did that last minute cancellation. Our good Lord to the rescue. For the nth time.

redsheepphotocinema wedding filmmaking workshop and mentorship program + mock pre-wedding, engagement session and couple photos in Verona, Veneto, Italy. October 2017. Leica M. Sony A7R II. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M++ July 2023.

Our nth elopement wedding. But our first ever outside the Philippines, just comfortably nearby though, in neighboring Vietnam* ** - our first elopement wedding in mainland Southeast Asia.

Our nth, where { n | n ≥ 15? 20? } I don't know. I stopped counting.

There. n. Where n stands for n-e-thing but numbing or "not again" or "next...".

I just love how my “elopees”, despite them having similar reasons for taking the off the beaten path to matrimony, still allow their relational-emotional nuances as a couple to take centerstage. The presence or absence of something - like “holy moly that’s the biggest hedgerow ever” (the former) or absolutely no wedding ring photos or bouquet shots (the latter) - how everything else, takes on a supporting role.

I’ll let Chris & Brooke’s wedding film speak for itself. Enjoy!

* And so, it’s undeniably unadulterated Grace after all. Not SEO.
** cà phê đá in Ho Chi Minh for the win.

50 cinematic elopement wedding photos and video from Chris & Brooke's cliffside exchange of vows ceremony at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Da Nang, Vietnam. Candid and reportage wedding photography & cinematography with original musical score x destination wedding photographer & videographer @redsheepphotocinema. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K + Sony A7III and Voigtlander primes. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160M. October 2019. Color remastered July 2023.

I haven't seen anything like it. And I'm not talking about Seiya & Zynn's traditional Japanese wedding ceremony at Kushida Shrine - visually appealing kimonos, utmost silence and all. Or how the food was prepared in such an artisanal way, with all the intricacy and none of the Andersonity of the sushi scene from Isle of Dogs. It wasn't that super amusing voice-controlled sumo game during the after-party even. I'm talking about 02:28. And I was at a loss on how to articulately and artistically describe it, I defaulted to something as straightforward as a situational meme: When your husband is a hairstylist and he gives you an entirely new haircut for your second look at the reception.

Seiya & Zynn. Traditional Japanese wedding in Fukuoka, Japan. 福岡 結婚式 ビデオ. Filmed on location: 櫛田神社 Kushida Shrine, 日本の料理屋 Imuri and ルーリー Luree, 福岡市 Fukuoka, Japan.

redsheep original music. "Discovery 103-2-1" (Our first full length track!) (c) 2018 redsheepphotocinemusic Sony A7S II. VSCO frame x frame grading. Final Cut Pro. HolyGrain 4K Grain.

https://redsheepphotocinema.com
https://redsheepphotocinema.com/originalmusic/

#福岡 #結婚式 #前撮り #東京写真部 #結婚式準備 #ポートレイト #ウェディングフォトグラファー #ウェディングフォト #結婚式写真 #結婚式カメラマン #持ち込みカメラマン #外人風ヘアメイク #ロケーションフォト #ビーチウェディング

50 candid, moody and cinematic travel couple adventure photos from Johnny & Sylwia’s honeymoon in El Nido. Travel & lifestyle photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema, featuring location photos of Lagen Island Sandbar, Snake Island, Dibuluan Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Small Lagoon, Bacuit Bay and Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, December 2019.

Special thanks to Lagen Island Resort / El Nido Resorts, as always! Color remastered, August 2023.

A destination wedding weekend in Venice, Italy. That's all we're allowed to disclose. No names. No date even. The thing is, this is one of the most [effortlessly] beautiful weddings that we've ever filmed.

40 documentary wedding photos and highlights video from a destination wedding weekend at the GranCaffè Quadri and the JW Marriott Resort and Spa in Venice, Italy. Candid wedding photography & videography x @redsheepphotocinema. 2015. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, November 2023.

I don't know exactly how to introduce Ryan & Angela's Bali wedding film:

...how it was done almost entirely handheld and intentionally without a steadicam, or how Angela and her bridesmaids did their own hair and makeup (and how boys, given ample pool time, will always be boys), or how an intimate wedding with just 14 guests allowed us to give at least a second of exposure for each one of them, or how cool it is that everyone flew in from the US, or how thinking out loud already does the job of introducing Ryan & Angela's Bali wedding film.

50 cinematic photos Ryan & Angela's intimate destination wedding in Bali: photography & videography x @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Villa Atas Awan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia in Southeast Asia, October 2015. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe, November 2023.

50 cinematic photos from Shawn & Serene's solemnisation in Singapore: Registration of Marriage and pre-wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Keong Saik Road (Potato Head Folk, early in the morning), the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Michelin-starred The Song of India, 33 Scotts Road, Singapore. January 2017. Color remastered August 2023. Leica M + redsheep Chromavibe 160M+.

A sunset cruise off the coast of Lanai Island with your best buddies in the world? I’d take that over the usual destination wedding rehearsal dinner. Those sun-kissed cliffs against a clear blue sky - even the nearby Nobu on its best day can’t compare.

50 cinematic travel & lifestyle photos from Abram & Rosanne’s destination wedding sunset sail x the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii, United States. Intimate destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema, July 2022, Sony A7SIII + Fuji X-Pro 3, Tiffen Black Pro Mist filters. Color remastered, November 2023.

100 light and airy vs dark and moody destination wedding photos from Ralph & Eunji’s intimate garden ceremony at Amorita Resort. Destination wedding photography & videography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot & filmed on location: Amorita Resort and Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, March 2023

A redsheep pre wedding session in a nutshell? Just happy people being happy people, with one or two artsy moody shots, for good measure. Buzzword-hashtag: authentic/organic.

30 cinematic rainy day couple portraits from Lewis and Siaw Fun's pre wedding photoshoot in Singapore. Engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of East Coast Park, Potato Head Folk and Keong Saik Road, Singapore. October 2017. Leica M + redsheep Chromavibe 160M+ and Luminoir 800, our proprietary signature color grade. Color remastered August 2023.

First photo: The best seat in the house, well, for around 10 minutes or so. And what of that fine Englishman who was sitting there earlier? One latte from the three of us, for responding amicably to my ten seconds of imploring, asking for a good three minutes in the - quite literally - hot seat.

36 cinematic photos from Hisa and Raquel's pre wedding photoshoot + save the date teaser video in Singapore. Engagement photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Duxton Hill, Tiong Bahru (Tiong Bahru Bakery and Plain Vanilla) and the National Gallery, Downtown Core, Singapore. May 2018. Leica M + redsheep Chromavibe 160M+ and Luminoir 800, our proprietary signature color grade. Original score: “Invisible Horizon” (c) redsheepphotocinemusic 2018 All Rights Reserved. Color remastered, August 2023.

The El Nido sunset that I took for granted.

"Nah. I'll see this again tomorrow. “
”And the week after.”
”And almost every week next month."
”And the month after.”

Then COVID-19 happened and a community quarantine was announced a few days after this.

Although "tomorrow" came to be - "the week after", "almost every week next month" and “the month after”? We all know that's not going to happen.

To all our April and May couples - hold on, keep your heads up high and be steadfast. This shall come to pass. And we'll be seeing you guys again real soon.

50 cinematic elopement wedding photos + video of Kash & Agnes's beach ceremony in El Nido, Palawan. Destination wedding photography & cinematography x @redsheepphotocinema. Filmed on location: Pangulasian and Miniloc Island, El Nido Resorts, Philippines. DaVinci Resolve 16. March 2020. Original score "Glitter Path" by redsheepmusic. Color remastered, February 2022.

25 cinematic adventure honeymoon photos - Kash & Agnes's island hopping tour in El Nido, Palawan. Travel couple and lifestyle photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Filmed on location: Cadlao Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Entalula Island and Pinagbuyutan Island. March 2020. Special thanks to Pangulasian Island Resort/El Nido Resorts. Color remastered, February 2022.

So here's what we did: 

(And by saying "here's what we did", I don't claim this to be an ultimate fool-proof travel guide of sorts. This is not a definitive 5-day South Island New Zealand itinerary.)

Day 1: Auckland
Arrive in Auckland late afternoon. Just enough time to take an evening stroll and enjoy a local burger joint (BurgerFuel!). Our trip also coincided with the British and Irish Lions Tour so I had a glimpse of Rugby Fever in Auckland that evening.

Day 2: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Early morning flight to Christchurch. They're strict with carry on baggage so here's a lifehack: wear a jacket with pockets big enough for cameras and lenses. *smart ass wink*

Arrive in Christchurch. Pickup the pre-booked rent a car. Not as photogenic as we wanted it to be, hence the lack of exposure for this shoot. Note to self: get a vintage-looking camper van next time.

3-hour drive to Lake Tekapo. In hindsight, we should have taken the more scenic inland drive instead of Highway 1. Took us four hours with occasional shooting stops along Highway 79. Not bad though.

Arrive Lake Tekapo two hours before sunset. Just in time for a golden hour shoot, rack of lamb for dinner and qarah ("right place right time, God-orchestrated") Milky Way shots. The Church of the Good Shepherd's silhouette + dark sky conditions + winter time = astrophoto perfection.

2-hour late night drive from Lake Tekapo to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. I slept almost the entire time. Jet lag, just a few hours of sleep the night before and the very cold weather. Arrive midnight, feverish, but excited nevertheless. 

Day 3: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
4:00AM. More Milky Way shots before sunrise (which was at 7:00AM). This is what we came here for. A quick morning session near our log cabin, followed by a hearty-hefty lunch buffet at The Hermitage Hotel. Hike-cum-shoot to Instagram staple Hooker Valley Track. Leave for Queenstown shortly before sunset, but not after I take my bucket list shot of two people walking down an empty road with Mount Cook's prominent peak in the background. You can do that on your way down 20-minutes from the National Park. 

Dinner at quaint Arrowtown, 1 hour shy of Queenstown. Really good artisanal pizza and craft beer (IPA!) at The Fork and Tap to end the day. Late evening at our Queenstown Airbnb. Best. Airbnb. Ever. Watch The Killing Joke on Netflix before hitting the sack.

Day 4: Queenstown - Lake Wanaka
Morning Airbnb shoot. Late lunch drive to Lake Wanaka for “That Wanaka Tree”. Consider spending a night here if you want to shoot at Roys Peak. Back to Queenstown for dinner and a late evening city shoot. (Fergburger! Give 'em a call instead of falling in line. Shake Shack is still better x far.)

Day 5: Auckland
Early morning flight back to Auckland. Enjoy a 12-hour layover - lunch at Depot Eatery, enjoy two local coffee shops - Mojo & Remedy - late afternoon catch up with a friend - before flying back home.

36 cinematic adventure engagement photos from Charles & Nikki’s pre wedding shoot in New Zealand: prenup photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Canterbury - Lake Tekapo - Aoraki / Mount Cook Nationa Park - Lake Wanaka and Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand. June 2017. Color remastered, February 2022.

A collection of redsheep elopements, pre wedding + engagement sessions and intimate destination weddings in Southeast Asia. Wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema, color remastered, February 2022.

+62 Bali, Indonesia
Ryan & Angela’s intimate destination wedding, Villa Atas Awan, Ubud

+84 Vietnam
Zachary & Savannah’s elopement wedding, Aravinda Resort, Ninh Binh
Chris & Brooke’s elopement wedding, InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort

+65 Singapore
Clarence & Tiravan’s pre wedding shoot, Marina Barrage
Ibuki & Emi’s pre wedding shoot, Little India
Boon & Lynette’s wedding at The St. Regis
Shawn & Serene’s ROM solemnization, The Song of India
Lewis & Siawfun’s pre wedding shoot, Potato Head Folk
John & Fiona’s pre wedding shoot, Eunos
Hisamisu & Raquel’s pre wedding shoot, Tiong Bahru
Shawn & Serene’s wedding, Armenian Church of St. Gregory
Erik & Shirley’s engagement proposal, Upper Seletar Reservoir


+63 El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Mael & Anais’ island hopping adventure session
Kyle & Michelle’s adventure elopement, Cadlao Island
Bem & Kat’s intimate wedding, Miniloc Island Resort
Jamie & Natasha’s elopement, Miniloc Island Resort
Ronald & Johanna’s wedding, Lagen Island Resort
Kash & Agnes’ elopement, Pangulasian Island Resort


+63 Northern Palawan, Philippines
Craig & Marbie’s elopement wedding, Amanpulo
Henrique & Evelyne’s elopement wedding, Apulit Island Resort
Struan & Nedal’s elopement wedding, Apulit Island Resort
Mirek & Kristyna’s elopement wedding, NoaNoa Private Island

+63 Siargao Island, Philippines
Sebastian & Maria’s travel couple photoshoot
Geo & Bianca’s elopement wedding, Nay Palad Hideaway
Mace & Leda’s intimate destination wedding, Isla Cabana

+63 Bohol, Philippines
Dennis & Alyce’s intimate wedding, Amorita Resort

+63 Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Renaud & Kat’s Island Hopping Engagement Session
Renaud & Kat’s Club Paradise Palawan Wedding

+63 Boracay, Philippines
Eric & Sabrina’s engagement session, White Beach Station 1
Gabe & Liane’s prenup shoot, White Beach Station 1

Going on an island hopping adventure shoot in El Nido? Which boat tour? Should we get a private one instead? What’s the sand like? Are there palm trees there? What about limestone cliffs? And the sunset? And what time should we go there for the best lighting? Hip and off the beaten path or touristy? Just some of the questions that we intend to ummm, shed light on in this concise, photographer-centric, übervisual guide to island hopping and photoshoot spots in El Nido Palawan, Philippines. No, I don’t want to use the words “ultimate” and “definitive”.

These photos were taken during our elopements, destination weddings, adventure engagements and travel couple shoots from 2013 to pre-COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Big Lagoon
Small Lagoon
Pinagbuyutan Island
Entalula Island
Snake Island
Hidden Beach
Helicopter Island
Cadlao Island: Beaches & Coves
Cadlao Island: Paradise Beach
Cadlao Island: West Beach
El Nido Resorts: Miniloc Island Resort
El Nido Resorts: Big Lagoon Beach
El Nido Resorts: Lagen Island Resort
El Nido Resorts: Lagen Island Cove 2
El Nido Resorts: Lagen Island Sandbar
El Nido Resorts: Pangulasian Island Resort
El Nido Resorts: Entalula Beach Club
Three Coconuts x Skipper Charters
Star Beach x El Nido Yachting Club
Bacuit Bay
Nacpan Beach + Twin Beach
Corong-Corong Beach
Las Cabanas + Maremegmeg Beach
Papaya Beach
Lio Tourism Estate
El Nido Town

You’re welcome, I guess.

Number of elopements that we've done in the Philippines?
Quite a lot, actually.
All of them in Northern Palawan.

Number of *FILIPINO* elopements that we've done in the Philippines?
One.
Just one.
This one.
Our first.
And our first elopement in Siargao as well.

And I must note that the sunrise ceremony in Nay Palad - beautiful as it was*** - was just the tip of the iceberg. Island hopping (and not a few shots of gin) figuratively (and literally) blurred the lines between wandering and working. Oh wait. Who's working again?

A shout out to Nay Palad for 'em Swan Oyster Depot-tier oysters. That's a compliment. And thank you, Jeo and Bianca for such an awesome time!

***The moon and sun sharing the same sky?
A visualization of “When Dream and Day Unite”?
Just. Wow.

50 cinematic sunrise wedding ceremony and island hopping photos from Jeo & Bianca's Siargao Nay Palad Hideaway Siargao Philippines adventure elopement. Destination wedding photography by @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Nay Palad Hideaway, Naked Island, Corregidor Island and Malinao Paradise (Secret Beach), Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines, Southeast Asia. Processed using redsheep Chromalicht 160M++ Leica M240 + Sony A7III. February 2020. Color remastered, February 2022.

Chapter 1
I have a problem. A good one. I'm running out of shooting spots in El Nido. I've been shooting almost every week since the year started and I want to give my clients something more than my usual Bacuit Triangle: the coconut tree-lined shores of Pinagbuyutan Island, the Lagen Island Sandbar - easily the best place to shoot an hour before sunset thanks to Lagen Island's silhouette - and the third vertex, the west of Bacuit Bay sunset cruise, for inside-the-boat golden-to-blue hour shots. Those three, Cathedral Cave, and, tide-permitting, Snake Island. Secret Beach, because of sheer distance and practicality, is out of the question for after-wedding portraits.

Surely, there's more to El Nido than these spots, so I was looking for logistically feasible options that are quite near to the usual beach wedding spots: Big Lagoon Beach in Miniloc Island and Cove 2 of Lagen Island.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not tired of shooting in El Nido, and I don't think I ever will. And I've mentioned that it's always like the first time given how dynamic the lighting and weather here is. I've seen El Nido's bright sunny best and stormy/trade windy worst!

Chapter 2
Enter: this. Tour D, which addresses two issues spot-on:
One. It features locations that I haven't been to - Bukal Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Paradise Beach, all of which are in Cadlao Island, the poster boy of Bacuit Bay - and my new personal fave Ipil Beach. I've been to most of the islands in Tours A, B and C.

Two. Most are a few minutes by speedboat from Big Lagoon Beach making them feasible for post-wedding portraits.

And so I went that Sunday morning, on a private island hopping tour. Private. Trust me, it's worth every penny, particularly if you're taking lots and lots of photos.

Chapter 3
Ah, but wait. Who will I shoot? The elopement that I'm shooting isn't until the next day, and I don't want to shoot my elopement couple Rudy and Francesca on a two-fold unfamiliar ground. First, the new locations - I wasn't sure then if they were worthy replacements of my usual favorite spots, and second, I was using a new GoPro thingie that allowed me to do those half-and-half [ half surface-half underwater ] shots that one would typically see on IG: a GoPro dome. Surely I don't want to use it for the first time on a commissioned shoot.

I didn't want to do a "models wanted" or "couples wanted" post - in the same way that I don't like mainstream advertising, announcing my travel schedule guns blazing and whatnot. Nothing wrong with it. It's just. Not. Me. (Well to each his own.)

And so, I decided to let the good Lord do His thing: put me at the right place at the right time. Qarah in Hebrew. Strong's H7136. Like what He did for me during the filmmaking workshop in Verona, Italy, or the wedding in Venice. Or those Milky Way shots in Mauna Kea or New Zealand. Or finding my missing car keys in Iceland. Or that time when I was in a van going to El Nido. Then this guy starts drawing me - beard, earphones and all - on his "Mol-uh-skeen-uh" (i.e, Moleskine). Using a just a black Sharpie. Candidly, like a taste of my own medicine when I do street photography. With artistic prowess. While on a zigzag road somewhere in Northern Palawan. And so we chatted, exchanged travel stories, and hours later, I gave them my usual "Beta" of El Nido (cocktails and tapas at Republica and pizza at Altrove!), then, after a few disclaimers, there. Done deal. Van and Aiza - a hip, like-minded and typically "redsheep" couple, ready and willing to join me in a private island hopping tour. Well that time was this time.

Appendix
25 cinematic and minimalist adventure travel couple photos in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. GoPro Hero 5 Black + Shoot Dome Port 5.0 + VSCO Film + lots and lots of HSL adjustments. Plus some Sony A7RII shots. @vanhoangart and @msaiza (No, we're NOT hipsters. All three of us!). Love that Patagonia LoPro Trucker Hat BTW! Van & Aiza's private island hopping tour (Tour D) and adventure couple session. Travel photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Ipil Beach 2 and Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach and Cadlao Lagoon, Cadlao Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines in Southeast Asia. March 2018. Color remastered, February 2022.

40 moody, cinematic and black & white couple photos from Abram & Rosanne’s destination wedding weekend at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii, United States. Honeymoon photography x @redsheepphotocinema, July 2022, Sony A7SIII + Fuji X-Pro 3 + Hasselblad 907x, Tiffen Black Pro Mist filters. Color remastered, September 2022.

From Renaud & Kat [not in verbatim]:
“We wanted something not just about us — something a little bit more travel adventure-y. Perhaps imagery that would compel our undecided wedding guests from France to fly 11,000 km all the way to Palawan. Something that would evoke a non-negotiable ‘OMG-I-MUST-GO-TO-THAT-WEDDING’ feeling. Like your usual photos.”

And so, here’s a little bit of something for everyone: for the “composition is king” camp; those fanatic about framing and all things geometric; or to the “emotions above all” type, adherents of the #loveauthentic and #momentsovermountains movement; from the travel-adventure-y to the GoPro dome underwater-y; foreground blur fiends; street reportage meets soft glam; team #tinypeopleinbigplaces; everything that we normally do (minus the night sky shots); all these, woven together by organic storytelling and authenticity, as always.

30 cinematic prewedding photos from Renaud & Kat's adventure session in Coron: pre-wedding and engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of the Twin Lagoons, Kayangan Lake, Club Paradise and Malpagalen Island, Coron & Busuanga, Northern Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia. Leica M240. Color remastered February 2022.

Pick the odd one out.

Going... Going... Gone.

Pencils up!

The last photo. All of these are generally candid-organic photos from this quick, easy going sunrise photo session in Siargao Island: just Sebastian & Maria being Sebastian & Maria - board shorts, tank tops and all, baby. The last one, however, you can file it under the "solo adventure travel" and “#instagramtrap” category.

[ Ice breaker round, usually during the first set. Small talk. But not about the weather. About your home city or country for example. ]

G: "Hey guys, I know another German word..." [ other than the usual pleasantries ]
M&S: "What?"
G: "scheiße" [ Thanks Liane Cartman! Eric Cartman’s mom.]

*laughs*

G: "Do you know where we're to going next?"M&S: "Where?"G: "Cloud Nein."

*laugh track disabled*

The 2nd one didn’t happen BTW. But it’s still better than telling your couple to do a ‘fake laugh’ for the camera. IMO. Oh the heck no. *cringe*

25 cinematic couple photos from Sebastian & Maria's travel adventure and sunrise shoot in Siargao: lifestyle photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of General Luna and Cloud 9 in Siargao Island, Philippines. March 2019. Color remastered, February 2022.

Max, Kat, the El Nido sunset, jaw-dropping as always, and a healthy dose of Seattle weather. Which, in hindsight, worked to our advantage:

1. The cold blue atmospheric ambience juxtaposed well with Kat's warm yellow dress;

2. Gloomy weather scared half-hearted tourists away - perfect for shooting inside the Big Lagoon, which was surprisingly empty during midday primetime;

3. Seattle-like lighting and weather conditions that a couple from the Pacific Northwest would feel very much at home to; Max & Kat were as close and as cozy as possible.

4. Stormy weather sunsets are more interesting, don't you think? Just as long as the clouds don't cover the sun entirely. And the blue hour that comes after? Blue-aqua-orange-red-pink hour rather.

Oh, and yes, Skipper Charters. I gotta give it to these guys. I've done "quite a number" of shoots in El Nido (*faux cough sounds like *thirty* *forty* *) and surprisingly, I had two "oh good Lord, how great and marvelous are your woks" moments during this shoot alone: Skipper Charter's private beach with a jetty made of bamboo (so indigenously picturesque!), and a secret cove that's reminiscent of Danny Boyle's "The Beach". But I can't tell you where that one is. If I did, I would *ends abruptly*

25 moody and cinematic photos from Max & Kat's Tour A adventure session in El Nido with Skipper Charters (@skippercharters): pre-wedding and engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Pinagbuyutan Island, Big Lagoon in Miniloc Island, Three Coconuts (@three.coconuts.elnido) Private Island, Star Beach in Tapiutan Island, Maremegmeg Beach Bar and Las Cabanas, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, Color remastered, March 2022.

50 cinematic photos from Mirek & Kristyna's exchange of vows ceremony and beach elopement in Palawan: destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of NoaNoa Private Island in Taytay, Palawan, Philippines. Pictures taken using my Leica M240 & Sony A7III and color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160M. June 2019. Color remastered March 2022.

Well - this just proves that we’re not weather jinxes. Here’s best-case-scenario El Nido weather for you: clear blue skies, fluffy white clouds, a warm sunset with matching glitter path. Name it.

50 cinematic wedding photos + highlights video of Elliott & Laura's sunny beach elopement ceremony in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Pangulasian and Miniloc Island and Cadlao Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, May 2019. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, April 2022.

36 cinematic travel couple adventure honeymoon photos in the Philippines: Ivan & Juliya’s El Nido, Palawan island hopping Tour D adventure session. Travel photography x adventure pre wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Cadlao Lagoon, Austria Beach, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach in Cadlao Island, Ipil Ipil Beach and Las Cabanas Beach in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Sony A7III. February 2019. Color remastered, February 2022.

Jacob & Sabine's picture-perfect garden-in-a-castle wedding was held at Schloss Nikitsch in Burgenland, 98km south of Vienna, just a stone's throw away from Austria's shared border with Hungary. Auf wiedersehen Wien. Hallo Austrian countryside.

Our portfolio entries are anything but detail intensive, but heck, this just might be enough to compensate for all those times wherein we opted to leave them out. Couldn’t help it. Everything was just eye candy - simple yet elegant - basking in gloriously warm summer light.

Wedding Design and Planning: A Very Beloved Wedding (@averybelovedwedding)
Floral Design: A Very Beloved Bloom (@averybelovedbloom)
Photography: Ashley Ludaescher (@ashleyludeascherphoto)
Cinematography and additional photography (these photos): redsheep (@redsheepphotocinema)

Make-up and Hair Stylist: Strahlkraft
Ice cream: Hoxton & Hill
Venue: Nikitsch Castle
Cake: Das Tortenstudio (@dastortensutdio)
Rentals: Rotfuchs (@rotfuchs_moebelvermietung)
Stationery: Milia Ink (@milia_ink)

Wedding Gown: Pronovias (@pronovias) & Fine Dress (@fine_dress)
DJ: Face II Face (@face_ii_face_djs)
Catering: Theuer & Punzet (@theuerpunzet)

36 cinematic photos from Jacob & Sabine's country garden wedding in Schloss Nikitsch: destination wedding cinematography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Nikitsch Castle, Burgenland, Austria. Color remastered April 2022.

"G-j, we just wanted to let you know that we're awkward - as in really awkward - in front of the camera."

I get that all the time. 

OK, not ALL the time. Maybe 90% of the time to be more accurate. It's either that, although not verbatim, or something like "We don't know how to pose." Good. Because I too am, errrr, awkward in front of the camera. *high five*

Tell you what: we won't do a photoshoot. Yes, "won't". We'll just "hangout". The camera that I use is rather small and is anything but intimidating. And the most that you'll hear from me are instructions on where to sit or stand, or where to walk. The exactly what, how, and how often, it's all up to you. Truth be told, making people look good through posing isn't my gift. I thrive in spontaneity. I'll throw in what you call moment bait from time to time, if needed. Essentially, it's just you guys being you guys.

Case in point: AC & Winona, after that oh so damn good brunch at Jack's Wife Freda, then wandering around SoHo and Nolita, just "hanging out", talking about, errrr, stuff in under an hour and a half, walking, bathroom break and Sunday coffee at #SaturdaysNYC included.

25 cinematic couple photos from AC & Winona's candid, casual and chill city engagement session in New York City. Pre wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Saturdays NYC Crosby St and Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream in SOHO and Bowery and Greenwich Village, Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. December 2017. Color remastered, March 2022.

But first, let's backtrack one day earlier.

9:00AM MSK (Moscow Standard Time) Marry the love of your life then catch a flight from DME to MNL a few hours after the ceremony.

Check.

Fast-forward. Music video montage trope, optional.

11:00AM PST Arrive in Manila.

Check. *Goes further down the list*

Heck yeah honeymoon in Cebu, Coron & El Nido!

1:00PM PST McKinley Hill Airbnb check in. Freshen up.

Check.
Check.

3:00PM Late lunch in BGC. On the fly.

3:40PM. Shoot in BGC, street style, coffee and all.

Check.

5:20PM GrabCar for three from BGC to EDSA/Orense Pedestrian Overpass for a more immersive and authentic shoot.

Chhhhecckk yeah.

6:10PM. Walk all the way to Power Plant Mall via EDSA/Estrella.
On the fly. Wrap-up. Done.

Part Two. Shoot in El Nido. *check box left blank for now*

30 cinematic photos from a travel couple's honeymoon trip in Manila: Ivan & Juliya couple photo shoot in the Philippines. Travel photography x lifestyle photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and EDSA in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Sony A7III. February 2019. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, March 2022.

A celebrity lifestyle and fashion shoot in El Nido featuring Canadian TV host, model and social media influencer Marina Bastarache. Sounds like a pipe dream for a guy who primarily shoots beach weddings. I was more than ready to show Mademoiselle Marina my favorite shooting spots in El Nido, but lo and behold, early morning of Valentine’s Day: "Gale Warning. All island tours cancelled."

A fashion shoot in El Nido without access to any of its iconic islands?!? Isn't El Nido essentially about island hopping in Bacuit Bay? It felt like hitting a brick wall when I found out about the coast guard's announcement. And like sea salt sans artisanal ice cream to an open wound, the weather that morning was close to perfect! Well, that was until 2PM. The thing is, even if it was bright and sunny in the morning, it could go really bad and stormy in the afternoon. Anyone who went out for an island hopping tour might not be able to make it back once the waves go pounding! The Philippine Coast Guard made a good call. Seriously.

And I thought we had it all figured out - Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula and both Lagoons - a private custom tour in a well-planned sequence to minimize photobombers and hordes of selfie-stick'ers; such was Plan A, with at least five sets of swimwear. We already took note what to wear and where.

Enter: Plan B. From Bacuit Bay to its bayside beaches. From island to mainland: Corong-Corong, Lio, Nacpan and Las Cabanas - all of which are worthy alternatives having their own unique charm. Am I right, @marinabastarache? *smiley*

30 cinematic celebrity and travel influencer photos of Marina Bastarache, taken in El Nido, Palawan. Lifestyle and fashion photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Corong-Corong, Lio Tourism Estate, Nacpan Beach and Maremegmeg Beach Bar in Las Cabanas, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. February 2018. Marina Bastarache for @juneswimwear and @bikinivillage. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M+ March 2022.

Cinematic photos and video from Koke and Pam's chill and outdoorsy prenup photoshoot in Bonuan Beach. Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines. Pre wedding and engagement photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema November 2015. Color remastered March 2022.

From +62 to +63. Think about it: Paula's got Bali, Lombok, Komodo and Raja Ampat - all these - at her very doorstep. Yet here we are, 2,386 km and one time zone away to the North East, doing a travel and lifestyle portrait shoot, because El Nido (her one and only stop in the Philippines BTW) is so damn worth the trip.

25 cinematic travel portraits from a fashion and travel influencer's photo shoot in El Nido. Lifestyle and portrait photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Miniloc Island Resort (El Nido Resorts) and Big Lagoon in Miniloc Island, Lagen Island sandbar, Pinagbuyutan Island and Paradise Beach, Cadlao Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. March 2019. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M+ March 2022.

Influencer travel and lifestyle portraits. Place des Vosges and in an undisclosed residence in Paris, France. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M- March 2022.

LAX > MNL/ENI, followed by their two-week adventure "tour des îles" from Cebu, Bohol, Siargao and finally, one night in Manila for a cup of damn good third wave coffee and a visit to one of Conde Nast Traveler’s best restaurants in the world (that Yardstick + Your Local combo) -- before flying back home. (The French Press coffee in El Nido town didn't disappoint either!)

50 cinematic wedding photos from Matt and Elizabeth's beach elopement ceremony in El Nido. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Lagen Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, November 2016. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 800M++ April 2022.

“A Day in the Life of…”: Quark Henares & Bianca Yuzon’s prenup video + 21 moody and cinematic urban engagement photos, featuring location photos of Antidote Rooftop bar at I’M Hotel, Agimat, 20:20 Bar, Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery, Silverlens Art Gallery, and Poblacion in Makati City and Manila House Private Club and Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Metro Manila, Philippines. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160F. February 2019. Color remastered March 2022.

If you’re a Malmöit (cool demonym huh?), you would have enjoyed that weekend: clear skies, bright sunny and all; not the other kind of Scandinavian “summer" - rainy, gloomy and grey - which was exactly the case a few days earlier. Just in time for their wedding the next day.

36 cinematic city couple photos from Ronald & Johanna's engagement session in Gamla Staden: pre-wedding photography in Scandinavia x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Gamla Staden, Malmö, Scania, Sweden. Color remastered, April 2022.

Eleonora's extended summer this year: from the Philippines' oh so fine beaches this month to Milan Fashion Week in September.

25 cinematic portraits from a fashion model's photoshoot in El Nido. Travel, lifestyle and portrait photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Pasadigan Cove and Cadlao Lagoon in Cadlao Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. March 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M+ March 2022.

When Joyce (@thedelightfulmissjoyce) contacted me about the prospect of doing a debutante shoot for Maia, her cousin, I was hesitant. (I just Googled “hesitant thesaurus” right now. I’m looking for something with a stronger connotation. Oh well, "hesitant" would do.) Debutante portraits - isn’t that shooting young ladies about to turn 18, long gown and all, with a princess-like demeanor? Nothing wrong with it, except that I’m not good at it. Honestly. Seriously. (Shhhh… but I’m really not good at making people pose editorial style. Don’t tell anyone. *chuckles* Kidding. It’s no secret.) So there, I was already preparing my list of 20++ photographers that they can consider - colleagues and industry friends who I’m sure can and will do a better job than me in doing shoots like this. But when I met Maia for the first time, I learned that her favorite post from my site was my Street Photography Gallery of Stockholm and Copenhagen, and that she would like to do something similar for her pre-debut Portrait Session. “Oh, cool. She knows what she wants, she knows what our brand stands for, and she knows what she’s getting into. Street is the shiz.”, I figured. 

So there, what happened next, in two cites almost 3,000 kilometers apart, was one of the most enjoyable shoots that I’ve ever done in my career. MAnila:MAia and TOrres:TOkyo was just a coincidence. Or perhaps, having subtle undertones of destiny, that this shoot was meant to be.

25 cinematic debutante portraits: Maia Torres’ travel and lifestyle photoshoot x @redsheepphotocinema. Yardstick Coffee and Legazpi Sunday Market, Makati City, Philippines and Shibuya and Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. April 2016. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M+ March 2022.

Ah. Da Nang. Totally not the sleepy beach town that I expected it to be.

Think: Waikiki sans the surfing.
Barceloneta without the occasional nudity.

And so, there we were, less than 24 hours before their elopement at the InterContinental Da Nang: a chill, come as you are warm-up shoot that Wednesday afternoon, in a Japanese coffee shop slash Instagram trap serving cà phê đá, and, shortly after, to what was not even the tip of a needle in a 20-mile haystack that is My Khe. That’s a huge b— …errr.. beach. (Deuce Bigalow reference.)

25 cinematic travel couple photos from Chris & Brooke's DaNang Vietnam destination engagement session: pre-wedding couple photography x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of IBASHO Coffee and Hostel and My Khe Beach, Da Nang, Vietnam. July 2019. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M+, April 2022.

A Tale of Three Milky Way Photos
Part One: "Spoon-fed, from a Silver Platter"
Dark sky location, check.
Above cloud cover, check. (9,300 ft above sea level!)
Low humidity, check.
Good weather, check. 
Away from artificial light with virtually zero light pollution... Check. Even with a bright quarter moon, you still have a fighting chance - definitely the right place to shoot a Milky Way. In fact, this is one of the best places in the world to do this. You just have to be there at the right time to shoot the Milky Way's Galactic Center: that insanely picturesque and ethereally beautiful cloudy cluster of red giant stars. (See those storm clouds in some of the photos? Without their torrential rains driving us out of the coast, we wouldn’t have gone up all the way to Mauna Kea.) And being there at the right time without planning for it? That's a God-orchestrated "qarah" moment.

36 cinematic photos from Ryan & Angela's adventure engagement photoshoot in Hawaii (The Big Island), featuring location photos of Honokohau Beach, Kona lava fields, Downtown Kailua-Kona and Mauna Kea Observatories, and Kona-Kailua, HI, USA. September 2015. Destination pre wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Color remastered April 2022.

...and, just like that, the world was never the same.

These photos were taken a little over a week before the Manila/El Nido/Coron/Puerto Princesa community quarantines took place. (Damn you COVID-19!).

Las Cabanas was still busy when we did our sunset session there with Piotr and Anna. Its west-facing beach bars were still packed, and I was happy to bump into the entire entourage of Ryan and ZJ - still stoked from their El Nido Resorts wedding in Miniloc that we filmed just two days prior. (Their six-minuted same day edit wedding video? Killed it.)

Four days later, I returned to that same spot: the crowds have noticeably dwindled down to less than half, something you wouldn't normally see during the summer months in the Philippines. I've been shooting in El Nido almost weekly during peak season for the past three years. The sparsity was quite unreal.

Looking back, I took things for granted, thinking that I'll be back there anyway next week. And the week after that. Now, I honestly don't know when this will end, and when things will get back to normal. All our March and April shoots in El Nido have been postponed indefinitely.

In the twinkling of an eye, everything - changed. But I still consider myself blessed (without the hashtag) that I was able to do these shoots in El Nido.

Yes, I'm a road warrior, but I'm so happy to be HOME right now.

Part One of Two. Travel couple adventure photos from Piotr & Anna's El Nido Yachting Club island hopping tour. Lifestyle photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Star Beach, Tapiutan Island; Hidden Beach, Matinloc Island; Bacuit Bay; Small Lagoon, Miniloc Island; Pinagbuyutan Island; Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Color graded using our signature proprietary grade, redsheep Chromavibe 400M+. March 2020.

Nedal is a fellow street photographer, which goes without saying that she wanted a full-on, 100% photojournalistic, street photography shoot for her elopement in Apulit. [Absolutely no posing, I swear!!!]

Interestingly enough, Struan and Nedal met in a street protest in Sydney, so while doing the shoot, we had an intellectual exchange that revolved around varying political worldviews: from the Apartheid, to Australia Day-Invasion Day and how the Aboriginals are the most marginalized ethnic group in the world (and how the world isn't aware of it!), not to mention the ever-controversial plight of Palestinians in Israel (or Palestine, depending on which side of the fence you're on). (For the record, I'm pro-Israel - my Lord and Savior was a Jewish carpenter - but it would do everyone a favor if we just sat down and listened to each other. Respect.) Excuse me while I play my Rage Against the Machine Spotify playlist and detune my guitar to Drop D.

Reportage and candid wedding photos of Struan and Nedal's beach elopement ceremony in Apulit Island. Chill and unposed elopement wedding photography @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Apulit Island, in Taytay, Palawan, Philippines, April 2017. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.

It was raining from 11:23PM to 2:40PM.

Raining hard. Really hard.

Though not as hard and torrential as Typhoon Hagibis that hit Tokyo a few days prior (and we were right in the middle of it), but definitely hard enough to push a Plan A, "garden wedding overlooking the Bohol Sea" setup, to a Plan B, "just inside a restaurant slash covered area" kind of thing.

But you wouldn’t know if I didn’t tell you.

You wouldn’t know, if not for some scenes in the wedding video and some obviously rainy photos below.

Because in the midst of a Plan B already in full swing* were Plan A-level smiles all over, from both team Alyce and team Dennis.

*Seriously, the folks at Amorita already relocated the entire ceremony setup.

Wedding photos and video from Dennis & Alyce's garden wedding ceremony overlooking the Bohol Sea, at Amorita Resort in Bohol, Philippines. Candid and reportage wedding photography & cinematography x destination wedding photographer & videographer @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of the Amorita Resort, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K + Sony A7III and Voigtlander primes. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160M. October 2019. Color remastered April 2020.

An intimate beach wedding in El Nido Palawan. Margo & Jo’s wedding photos and video: destination wedding photography & videography x @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Lagen Island Resort and Lagen Cove 2, El Nido Resorts, Palawan, Philippines. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 400M+. April 2020.

Considering an elopement in Pangulasian? Here's a tip: get Villa #28.

It arguably has the best view of the resort's beachfront, and it even has its own swimming pool - perfect for that pre-dressing up downtime-chilltime that's distinctive of an elopement - and an infinity pool at that, one having a perfect view of Pangulasian's sandy cove and Bacuit Bay's outlying islands.

Oh, and one more thing: that evening was LIT! Not that kind of "LIT". The other kind of "LIT" - literally LIT (i.e., "well lit", not "this party is lit, fam!"). Thanks to a bright full moon that we saw rising from the east almost simultaneously as the sun was setting! So surreal!

Wedding photos Aaron and Gaby's beach elopement ceremony in El Nido. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Pangulasian and Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, April 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 800M++ May 2020.

Full circle: Miniloc, Apulit, Pangulasian, and finally... Lagen Island, El Nido Resorts.

So it's Lagen for the sunset and the sandbar. 

Miniloc for the local feel and the proximity to the Big Lagoon (think: kayaking to the Big Lagoon before the tourists arrive). 

Pangulasian if you want both a sunrise and sunset, and…

Apulit for a Rio-ish cliff vista, milky way shots and for black-tip reef sharks just below your water cottage. (Amazing actually. They're harmless. Definitely not like watching an episode of #damnnatureyouscary on BET.)

Watch out for redsheep's Guide to Getting Married in El Nido. Coming soon. "Soon", meaning, when I have the extra time to actually do it. *chuckles*

Wedding photos Kevin and Anna's beach elopement ceremony in El Nido. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Lagen and Big Lagoon Beach in Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, April 2016. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 800M++ May 2020.

Wedding photos Jamie & Natasha's beach elopement ceremony in El Nido Resorts, Palawan, Philippines. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island and Cadlao Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, April 2019. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.

When your then boyfriend makes a song for you and eight years later, you use it for your wedding video. #relatable

On a serious note, this song, "The Island" by John Hardwick - the groom himself! - is simply beautiful and we're so honored to use it for our very first elopement film.

January 29, 2017. 7:20 AM. As I was waiting for the boat to take us to the island, I read an email from Angela that was sent the day before. The words “EXTREME rain tomorrow during our entire ceremony” leaped from the screen of my beloved P9. And all the weather apps in Androidom and iOSphere concurred: the chance of extreme rain was indeed high and very likely, borderline “a definite certainity”, right at the corner of “you’re damn right” avenue. But strangely, being a control freak and all, I felt this sense of calm that was totally the opposite of what was evoked by the dark, foreboding clouds that were already upon us. I mean, I’ve seen the good Lord calm waves, clear up skies, and grant us a Milky Way shot in what should have been an extremely cloudy, let alone starless night. [This one.] Hardcore Grace FTW. And even if it did rain, I was glad to know that John, Angela and I were all on the same page: we will shoot outdoors no matter what, and no amount of rain will drive us inside a conference room or a clubhouse. (You can still see the threat of extreme rain in most of the photos.)

Fun Fact: The photos in this portfolio blog entry are 95% organic. As always, I just tell my clients where to stand; the what’s, when’s, and how’s are kept as candid and organic as possible. 

Not-so-Fun Opinion: Like steak sauce or gravy to a 28-day Dry Aged Bone-in Rib Eye are intrusive instructions and contrived poses to what are otherwise genuinely spontaneous moments together. 

Wedding photos and highlights video of John and Angela's stormy beach elopement ceremony in El Nido. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Pangulasian and Lagen Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, January 2017. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 800M++ May 2020. 

"...just to clarify: you don't want me to shoot you guys while you're getting ready? What about the rings and your gown?"

"Nah. It's just a dress anyway. Just shoot us candidly as we go hiking before the ceremony. It's one of the things that we really enjoy doing!"

...and so, we hiked all the way up to Pangulasian Island's view deck an hour or so before the ceremony - 40 minutes in total including a 5-minute 'cameras and smartphones down, I want to take this all in' moment - trading the usual pre-wedding 'getting ready' stuff (including the first look!) for something that's more worthwhile and meaningful for Chris and Icelle.

Wedding photos Chris and Icelle's beach elopement ceremony on a rainy day in El Nido. Candid and chill elopement wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Pangulasian and Cove 2 in Lagen Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, January 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 800M++ June 2020.

A Cariocan couple. Speaking fluent Mandarin. (And Portuguese, obviously.) Eloped on an island resort in the Philippines. All these, wrapped in 30 seconds of an Icelandic post-rock tune.

//

The Perks of an Elopement Entry No. 24a & 24b.

a. The level of stress is basically nil, and it goes without saying what the level of chill is.

b. The level of intimacy, of course. But then again, there's the obvious drawback of not having your loved ones around. (And Henrique took care of that with a surprise video that he made.)

Wedding photos and teaser video of Henrique and Evelynel's beach elopement ceremony in Apulit Island. Organic and chill elopement wedding photography @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Apulit Island in Taytay, Palawan, Philippines, February 2016. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, June 2020.

Dylan and Ivy. Just Dylan and Ivy.

Our first elopement remastered with our 2020 color grade. El Nido, Palawan. Way back 2015, before we happily embraced the authentic/organic/photojournalistic/adventure, ummm, errr - “movement”. And so, it comes with this inevitable disclaimer: we don’t make (ie, command or instruct) our couples look at the camera anymore (except during formal portraits and headshots).

Wedding photos and highlights video of Dylan and Ivy's sunny beach elopement ceremony in El Nido. Light and airy elopement wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of El Nido Resorts Pangulasian and Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, April 2015. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, June 2020.

Yes. That’s it. *pause for effect*
Breathe in.
Take it all in.
Because fifteen minutes from now, it will all change:

from calm to chaos;
from the chirping of birds - the creaking of cicadas, to the whirring of motorboats;
from the three of us sharing pleasantries, to that rowdy group tour’s quasi obscenities.

Fourteen minutes and forty seconds to go, before this tranquil silence fades away.

What just might be the best reason to stay in Miniloc - that two-hour window of the Big Lagoon’s pristine beauty - would have to wait another day.

fin.

I got a little poetic there. And this Big Lagoon thing is just one set in Peter and Alexis’ adventure engagement session in El Nido, Palawan. Sharing with you guys our 2-day itinerary.

Day One: On an indigenous outrigger boat or a bangka.
Picturesque, but going from one place to another takes 40 minutes.

3:00PM Lagen Island Sandbar
4:30PM Pinagbuyutan Island. There are no more tourists by this time, but you only have a 30-minute window for shooting because the island is east-facing.
5:30PM Bacuit Bay sunset cruise
7:30PM Starry night shoot at Miniloc Island Resort

Day Two: On a kayak. And a speedboat.
Everything is just 10 minutes away.

7:00AM Kayak from Miniloc Island Resort to the Big Lagoon. There in 10 minutes. Figuratively a stone’s throw away. Literally five stone’s throws away if you have a decathlete’s right arm.

9:00AM The tourists slowly trickle in. Time to go back to Miniloc.
4:00PM Cadlao Island
5:00PM Ipil Beach until evening

It’s quite funny that in one of her emails, Alexis was worried that they wouldn’t have enough free time to enjoy El Nido because we were shooting for two days. The thing is, redsheep shoots are free time to actually enjoy El Nido. *smiley with a wink*

Peter & Alexis' private island hopping tour and adventure engagement session x El Nido Resorts. Pre wedding and engagement photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Pinagbuyutan Island, Big Lagoon in Miniloc Island, Miniloc Island Resort, Ipil Beach 2 and Paradise Beach in Cadlao Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. April 2018. Color remastered August 2021.

Serendipitous. [ser-uh n-dip-i-tuh s] adj.
4. Sitting beside a total stranger on a plane, who happens to be going to the same summer music festival that you're going to. And as it turns out, that someone also likes the same music - and tons of other stuff - that you also like. To add to that, both of you have been living in the same city (London), and were born in the same country (Latvia). Janis & Zane's story. Total strangers. Sitting beside each other. On a plane. Going to the same summer music festival. Oh, did I say that already? #truestorybro

Janis & Zane's (LHR > MNL/ENI) chill and utterly candid day-before-the-wedding beach engagement session in Nacpan Beach and Twin Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Pre wedding travel couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema September 2016. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, July 2020.

Eric & Sabrina's private island hopping tour and adventure engagement session x El Nido Resorts. Pre wedding and couple photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Cadlao Island, Lagen Island Sandbar and Ipil Beach 2 in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. December 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, July 2020.

That was a rush. So much in 48 hours, I can still remember it one year after:

I took the early morning flight back to Manila from El Nido, the day after an unforgettable April Fool’s day wedding there. (Well, the wedding was real and very much heartfelt. Nothing about it was a joke.) I only had a few hours at home for a shower nap — I mean, power nap — and to charge my lenses, clean my batteries - ha! see what I mean! - and double-check my already pre-packed gear before my late evening flight to Tokyo. 

Enter, April 3: our shoot starts 2 hours before sunrise. I’ve always wanted an “empty street night city shoot” for quite some time now, and because of schedule constraints, by hook or by crook, I had to start shooting just a few hours after our plane landed. By 2:30AM, we were on our way to downtown Tokyo. After what was a lame excuse for a good night’s sleep  - a blasphemous abomination of your usual 8 to 10 - I found myself shooting Che & Dezzy in the empty alleyways of Shinjuku, then, straight to Meguro River for sakura sans tourists shots, followed by a quick mid-morning break (I was too excited to sleep!) then off to Shibuya then Roppongi for the late night part of the shoot. The Vimeo video player is set to repeat indefinitely. The first frame of this short film is the same as the last - beginning from the end - blurring the line between early morning and utter evening darkness. Is it 4:00AM? 11:30PM? Shortly before sunrise or way after sunset? That’s how I felt that day. Welcome to urban oblivion. 

Che & Dezzy’s engagement session slash save the date film has been out for months now, but it took me a while to come up with this - the Director’s Cut. I really want to take it slow, sure and steady whenever I do pet projects. (i.e., Director’s Cut versions of films that you see here). Passion projects are more of "when I want to/how I want to", and not even a hint of "have to", even if it takes a full year. It also took me some time to come up with the right musical score. I wanted to stay away from the convenient trap of an uberurban Tokyo feel, analog synths, appregiators, drum machines and all. This musical score, an almost blatant Birdman rip-off entitled “Avian XX or The Underrated Trait of Stupidity” (OK, OK, music inspired by…), is actually the 5th version, the one that I’m finally happy with.
 

Che and Dezzy's street-style travel couple engagement session in Tokyo: prenup photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of the sidestreets of Kabukichō (歌舞伎町) in Shinjuku, Shibuya and Meguro River in Tokyo, Japan. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160, June 2020. Original score (c) 2018 redsheepphotocinemusic. #福岡 #結婚式 #前撮り #東京写真部 #結婚式準備 #ポートレイト #ウェディングフォトグラファー #ウェディングフォト #結婚式写真 #結婚式カメラマン #持ち込みカメラマン #外人風ヘアメイク #ロケーションフォト #ビーチウェディング

Jay and Meg's casual and chill engagement session in Vienna, Austria: destination pre-wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Innere Stadt, Kleines Cafe + Zollamtssteg bridge from the movie “Before Sunrise” and Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. October 2013. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M+, July 2020.