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.
100+ vibrant beach wedding photos and a handheld cinematic wedding video from Greg & Caroline’s destination wedding in Club Paradise Palawan. Destination wedding photography & videography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot and filmed on location: Dimakya Island, Coron, Palawan, Philippines, February 2022.
100 cinematic & documentary destination wedding photos from Ralph & Eunji’s intimate garden ceremony in Amorita Resort. Destination wedding photography & videography x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot & filmed on location: Amorita Resort and Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, March 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.
36 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, January 2023.
50 moody travel couple adventure photos from Johnny & Sylwia’s honeymoon in Palawan. Travel & lifestyle photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Featuring location photos of Lagen Sandbar, Snake Island, Dibuluan Island Beach Club, Pinagbuyutan Island, Small Lagoon, Bacuit Bay and Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Special thanks to Lagen Island Resort / El Nido Resorts, as always! Color remastered, June 2021.
A destination engagement session in Boracay: Eric & Sabrina’s beach couple portraits in pre-pandemic + post-shutdown Boracay (late 2018). Photography x adventure engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: White Beach Station 1, Puka Beach and Crimson Resort & Spa, Boracay, Philippines. Sony A7III. December 2018. Color remastered, June 2021.
Pick the odd one out.
Going... Going... Gone. Pencils up!
The 26th photo.
All of these are generally candid-organic photos from this quick, easy going sunrise photography session in Siargao: just Sebastian & Maria being Sebastian & Maria. The 26th however, although candid like the rest, doesn't depict an authentic moment of them being just being together;
[ 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 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*
Siargao travel couple photos: Sebastian & Maria's quick and easy sunrise session. Photography x engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island, Philippines. Sony A7III + redsheep Chromavibe 160M. March 2019.
A destination engagement session 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.
Philippines engagement session photos: Mael & Anais' El Nido "day before" adventure engagement session. Pre-wedding photography x engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Bukal Beach & Paradise Beach, Cadlao Island & Entalula Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Sony A7III + redsheep Chromavibe 160M. April 2019. Color remastered, June 2021.
An adventure engagement 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. Leica M240. Color remastered August 2021.
25 moody and cinematic island hopping adventure engagement photos in Snake Island, Nacpan Beach, Pinagbuyutan Island and Papaya Beach in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, taken using a Leica M digital rangefinder camera and Voigtlander prime lenses. Color remastered, February 2022.
A destination engagement session in Boracay Island: Josh & Christine’s sunset shoot in intrapandemic White Beach Station 1. Photography x adventure engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: White Beach Station 1 - alleyways and all - and Lambas Point, Boracay Island, Philippines. Sony A7RIV. November 2021.
20 cinematic and moody-toned cloudy weather beach honeymoon portraits, Corong-Corong, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, December 2018, color remastered, February 2022.
25 adventure honeymoon island hopping couple portraits in Cadlao Island, Entalula Beach Club, Hidden Beach and Pinagbuyutan Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, taken using a Sony A7III mirrorless digital camera and Voigtlander prime lenses.
Bryan & Jade's private island hopping tour and adventure prenup in El Nido. Prenup photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Nacpan Beach, Cadlao Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Maremegmeg Beach Bar and Las Cabanas in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Southeast Asia. November 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, July 2020.
A seemingly relentless tropical downpour. Just two hours left before your beach wedding. What will you do? For Janis & Zane, it's as simple as this: #suckitup.
After all, "RAIN" is "R-A-I-N", not "R-U-I-N." Cheesy and preachy as it may sound, what spells the difference between the two is "U".
Photos and highlights video of Janis and Zane's rainy intimate beach wedding ceremony in El Nido Palawan: candid and chill destination wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Stunning Republic Resort in Corong-Corong and Papaya Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, September 2016. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.
Photos and highlights video of Mick and Kalena's intimate beach wedding in El Nido Palawan: candid and chill destination wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Lagen Island Resort, Dibuluan Beach Club, and Entalula Island, El Nido Resorts in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.
Travel couple adventure photos: Ivan & Juliya’s El Nido island hopping Tour D honeymoon adventure session. Travel photography x adventure engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Cadlao Lagoon, Austria Beach, Paradise Beach, Bukal Beach - Cadlao Island, Ipil Beach and Las Cabanas, El Nido, Palawan Philippines. Sony A7III. February 2019. Color remastered August 2021.
Beach elopement wedding photos from Mirek & Kristyna's exchange of vows ceremony in NoaNoa Private Island, Palawan, Philippines. Elopement photography x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Noa Noa Private Island in Taytay, Palawan, Philippines. Pictures taken using my Leica M240 & Sony A7III and color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160M. June 2019.
30 island hopping & honeymoon portraits at Naked Island, Corregidor Island and Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao Island, Philippines, taken using a Leica M digital rangefinder camera and Voigtlander prime lenses. Color remastered, December 2021.
Kona, Hawaii adventure engagement photos. Ryan & Angela's engagement session and adventure session x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Mauna Kea Observatory and Kona lava fields, Hawaii (Big Island), HI, USA. Color remastered, August 2021.
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. And being there at the right time without planning for it? That's a God-orchestrated "qarah" moment.
14 camping by the beach engagement photos 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 August 2021.
Adventure engagement in Cadlao Island, El Nido, Philippines. El Nido Island Tour D travel and lifestyle photos x @redsheepphotocinema. Private island tour of Cadlao Island and Ipil Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. GoPro Hero 5 Black + Sony A7R II. Color remastered, August 2021.
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
GoPro Hero 5 Black + Shoot Dome Port 5.0 + VSCO Film + lots and lots of HSL adjustments. Plus some Sony A7RII shots.
Adventure session with @vanhoangart and @msaiza (No, we're NOT hipsters. All three of us!). Love that Patagonia LoPro Trucker Hat BTW! Tour D, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. March 2018.
A wedding abroad - elopement wedding photos and video of Kashif & 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
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.
What's the best way to kick off a destination wedding weekend in Coron? Tour des îles, bien sûr! Come one, come all, all ye Renaud & Kat's guests from 15 different countries!
Coron island hopping tour photos from Renaud & Kat’s destination wedding weekend in Coron: travel photography x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Banul Beach, Kayangan Lake and Twin Lakes, Coron, Palawan, Philippines. January 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.
This is *epic voice-over pause* best-case scenario, off the charts El Nido weather:
Root. Warm white daylight from dressing up to the ceremony (a tad too harsh for sensitive Irish skin);
Second. That 4:00PM post-ceremony sun that enveloped Shan & Winnie as it made its way through Lagen's jagged cliffs;
Third. A near-perfect sunset, perhaps the 2nd best that I've ever seen in El Nido. The sun was a warm orange sphere as it touched the horizon.
Fourth. That blue hour sky, hypnotic as a dying ember;
Fifth. And. Lastly, a clear night sky, perfect for that "house specialty" starry night shot. Even the tidal conditions were perfect.
Sixth. Seventh. Octave.
Shan & Winnie’s wedding photos of their intimate beach wedding in El Nido, Palawan: candid destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Lagen Island Resort and Cove 2, El Nido Resorts, Palawan, Philippines. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 400M+ and Luminoir 800HC. April 2020.
...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 Two 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.
Adventure engagement in Cadlao Island & Big Lagoon, El Nido. Peter and Alexis' adventure engagement photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. April 2018. Big Lagoon, Lagen Sandbar, Pinagbuyutan Island, Ipil Beach, Miniloc Island (El Nido Resorts) and Cadlao Island, Palawan, Philippines. My first shoot (and last) with the Fuji X-H1. GoPro Hero 5 Black + Shoot Dome Port 5.0 + Leica M240 + Sony A7SII + VSCO Film. Color remastered, August 2021.
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*
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, and yes, minus the cacophony that's akin to something that also happens during midday primetime in the Philippines: noontime variety shows;
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.
...and besides, my skin has already taken a severe beating from Siargao, Singapore (hot AF = hot as a furnace) and El Nido, for weeks on end, in this month alone. Mother of tan lines.
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*
El Nido engagement photos: Max & Kat's El Nido adventure engagement session, on an island hopping private tour (Tour A) with Skipper Charters. Photography x engagement photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Pinagbuyutan Island, Big Lagoon, Skipper Charters' private beach and Matinloc Island, Las Cabanas and Maremegmeg, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, Color remastered August 2021.
An elopement in Amanpulo. Destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. Pamalican Island, Cuyo, Palawan, Philippines, July 2021
Wedding photos and Instagram teaser video of Ronald & Johanna's intimate ceremony in Lagen Island: candid and chill destination wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Lagen Island Resort, El Nido Resorts in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. February 14, 2017. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.
El Nido elopement wedding photos: Elliott & Laura's elopement beach wedding in El Nido, Philippines. Photography x cinematography x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Pangulasian Island Resort, El Nido Resorts & Big Lagoon Beach, Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Sony A7III + redsheep Chromavibe 160M. May 2019.
Philippines elopement photos: Jamie & Natasha's El Nido Resorts beach elopement. Elopement wedding photography 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. April 2019.
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.
El Nido travel & lifestyle photos: Paula D's lifestyle portrait shoot in El Nido, Philippines. Travel photography x travel and lifestyle photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Miniloc Island Resort - El Nido Resorts, Big Lagoon, Pinagbuyutan Island and Paradise Beach, Cadlao Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Sony A7III + redsheep Chromavibe 160M. March 2019.
Post-wedding island hopping and wedding portrait shoot in Siargao, one day after Mace & Leda’s destination wedding in Isla Cabana. Featuring location photos of Naked Island, Daku and Guyam Island. Siargao, Philippines. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160M. March 2019.
Beach wedding photos and edited video from Mace & Leda's intimate destination wedding in Isla Cabana, Siargao, Philippines. Wedding photography & cinematography x destination wedding photographer & videographer @redsheepphotocinema. Color graded using redsheep Chromavibe 160M. March 2019.
Photos from Mace and Leda's adventure engagement photoshoot in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines featuring location photos of Cloud 9, "Baliko" Bent Coconut Tree near Maasin Bridge in Pilar, Magpupungko White Beach, Coconute Tree View Deck, Shaka Cafe, Tuazon Point and our very own secret spot. Pre wedding and engagement photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema October 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, July 2020.
[after taking couple portraits]
Hey guys, we’re done.
Oh that was fast, Thanks for not “posing” us.
(Thinking we probably don’t know even if we tried.) [chuckles]
How good was that sunset? a bunch of clouds up top but the sun peaking through before it sets. The preparations were done in the ancestral home by the cliff overlooking the ceremony area, then a garden reception dinner with all the works. Not our usual intimate wedding but done in true redsheep documentary style.
Benny & Maica’s welcome dinner and wedding in Bataan: wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Montemar Beach Club Resort, Bagac, Bataan, Philippines. January 2020. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe, May 2020.
Birth. School. Crush. Like. Love. Purpose. Marriage.
Owen and Nikka, ladies and gentlemen: from childhood crush and 15 years of togetherness, travel blogging, up until now with their very own wedding photography brand - Baguio City's best at that. So imagine the pressure that I felt when I first saw Nikka's email signature when she inquired. And the pressure was just there, ever persistent, lingering for months until I met them for the first time, when Owen told me, [translated from the vernacular], "Just be yourself and shoot like you always do."
Owen and Nikka, I've said this plenty of times already, but thank you (again!) for trusting me. You guys are seriously one of the nicest and most appreciative couples that I've ever worked with, and, more than that, more than the honor of shooting a fellow wedding photographer's wedding, it's really your warmth and friendship that we'll treasure a day and a half short of forever. (Love you guys too!)
Owen and Nikka’s cliffside wedding in Batanes. Fundacion Pacita and Basco Lighthouse at Naidi Hills in Basco, Batanes, Philippines. Destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. October 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 800M, July 2020.
Photo: @redsheepphotocinema
Flowers & Styling: First of April
Bridal Makeup: Paolo San Juan
Bridal & Entourage Hairstyling: Dianne Joie Alcantara
Entourage Makeup: Loreto Dacoroon & Krizia Guevara
Bride's Dress: Teena Sabrina Tan
Groom's Suit: JE & Co.
Catering: Cafe Du Tukon of Fundacion Pacita
Bridal Tricycle: Chanpan Tours
Wedding Planning & Coordination: Glam and Style Weddings and Events
On-the-Day Coordination: Janice Alasc
Invitation Printing: Sureprints
Souvenirs: Amihan Leather Crafts
Photos and highlights video of Tony and Izabel's intimate renewal of wedding vows ceremony in El Nido Resorts: candid and chill destination wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Lagen Island Resort, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.
Coron island hopping tour photos: Renaud & Kat’s destination wedding weekend in Coron. Travel photography x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Kayangan Lake and Twin Lakes, Coron, Palawan, Philippines. Sony A7III. Voigtlander lenses.
What's the best way to kick off a destination wedding weekend in Coron? Tour des îles, bien sûr! Come one, come all, all ye Renaud & Kat's guests from 15 different countries!
Halfway through the beach wedding ceremony at sunset, followed by the kiss, recessional, and bride & groom portraits during blue hour - all these key events happening - from sundown 'til utter darkness. It wasn't the original plan, but looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. C'mon, sparklers against a pastel blue sky - how could you not? *stoked smiley*
Club Paradise Coron wedding photos: Renaud & Kat’s destination wedding / beach wedding in Club Paradise, Coron, Philippines. Photography x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. January 2019. Club Paradise, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines; Sony A7III.
Influencer lifestyle portraits and fashion shoot in El Nido. Marina Bastarache photos x @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Corong-Corong, Lio, Nacpan Beach and Las Cabanas, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. February 2018. Marina Bastarache for @juneswimwear and @bikinivillage.
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*
Elopement wedding in Pangulasian & Miniloc Island, El Nido Resorts. Livio & Tsunade’s elopement wedding photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. February 2018. Pangulasian Island Resort & Miniloc Island Resort, El Nido Resorts; Big Lagoon Beach and Pinagbuyutan Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Leica M. Sony A7RII. VSCO.
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*
Elopement wedding in Apulit Island El Nido Resorts: Struan & Nedal’s elopement wedding photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Apulit Island Resort, El Nido Resorts, Taytay, Northern Palawan, Philippines. Leica M. Sony A7RII. VSCO. Voigtlander lenses.
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.
Engagement session in El Nido: Eric & Sabrina’s engagement photos in El Nido, Philippines. Photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. December 2018. Lagen Island, Cadlao Island and Ipil Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines; Sony A7III.
Adventure engagement session in Siargao Island: Mace & Leda’s adventure engagement photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Cloud 9, That Fallen Tree, Magpupungko, Shaka Cafe, Tuazon Point and our very own secret spot, Siargao Island, Philippines. Leica M. Sony A7S II. GoPro6 + Dome Port. VSCO. Voigtlander lenses.
"It took us quite some time to get to the decision to elope, but at the end of the day we wanted what felt true to us and didn't want the wedding to become bigger than us." Exactly Chris & Sarah's words.
Wedding photos of Chris and Sarah's cloudy 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, January 2018. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 800M++ June 2020. Makeup by Janka Ced.
Destination wedding in El Nido. Janis & Zane’s intimate beach wedding photos & video x destination wedding photographer & cinematographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot & filmed on location: Stunning Republic Resort & Papaya Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Janis & Zane (LHR > MNL/ENI). Imagery & original music for the Instagram video by redsheep. Leica M + Sony A7S. VSCO. September 2016. Color remastered July 2018.
A seemingly relentless tropical downpour. Just two hours left before your beach wedding. What will you do? For Janis & Zane, it's as simple as this: #suckitup.
After all, "RAIN" is "R-A-I-N", not "R-U-I-N." Cheesy and preachy as it may sound, what spells the difference between the two is "U".
El Nido Resorts Renewal of Vows: Tony & Izabel’s renewal of vows in El Nido, Palawan. Photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. December 2018. Pangulasian Island Resort & Lagen Island Resort, El Nido Resorts; Sony A7III.
Three, or was it four shoots ago, I made it a point to stop using the "K" word - "Kiss" - when I'm shooting. If you're into the authentic-organic thing (if you think about it), "Can you guys kiss?" is the not-so-evil twin of "1-2-3 Smile". Don't get me wrong: directing leads to great-looking photos. But if you also value authenticity and it's not just 'great-looking photos' that you're after, then it's a big deal how real - unquantifiable as it may be - that kiss is. Which makes the last few photos in this post very special.
Thank you, Owen and Nikka, for giving me a glimpse of that very intimate moment. And I learned from Nikki and Diane how you guys normally are (ha!), which made me realize how rare this moment was all the more!
Owen and Nikka’s adventure prenup in Chadpidan Boulder Beach and Naidi Hills in Batanes, Philippines. Engagement and pre wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema. October 2017. Color remastered August 2021.
Elopement wedding in Pangulasian & Miniloc Island, El Nido Resorts. Aaron & Gaby's El Nido, Palawan elopement / intimate beach wedding photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot on location: Pangulasian Island Resort, El Nido Resorts and Big Lagoon Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Leica M. VSCO.
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!
Elopement wedding in Pangulasian & Lagen Island, El Nido Resorts: John & Angela’s elopement / intimate beach wedding photos & video x destination wedding photographer & cinematographer @redsheepphotocinema. Shot and filmed on location: Pangulasian Island Resort and Lagen Cove 2, El Nido Resorts, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Leica M. Sony A7RII. VSCO.
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.
Elopement wedding in El Nido Resorts Lagen Island. Matt & Elizabeth’s El Nido Resorts elopement photos by destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Lagen Island Resort, El Nido Resorts, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. 2016. Color remastered, May 2018. Leica M. Sony A7R II & A7S II. Voigtlander primes. VSCO Film.
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!)
Pre-wedding session in El Nido. Qi Xiang and Shirley's pre-wedding photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. August 2018. Lio Tourism Estate, El Nido Town and Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.
August. Right in the middle of monsoon season. What if it rains? What if it’s gloomy and all? What if our island hopping tour gets cancelled? I rest my case: rain or shine, gloomy or sunny, El Nido is still beautiful.
Pangulasian Island elopement wedding photos: Chris & Icelle’s elopement in Pangulasian Island Palawan x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. January 2018. Pangulasian Island Resort and Lagen Cove 2, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Sony A7RII, VSCO, Voigtlander lenses.
"...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.
Destination Wedding in El Nido Resorts Lagen Island. Shan & Winnie's Lagen El Nido Resorts intimate beach wedding photos x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema; Lagen Island Resort and Lagen Cove 2, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.
This is *epic voice-over pause* best-case scenario, off the charts El Nido weather:
One. Warm white daylight from dressing up to the ceremony (a tad too harsh for sensitive Irish skin);
Two. That 4:00PM post-ceremony sun that enveloped Shan & Winnie as it made its way through Lagen's jagged cliffs;
Three. A near-perfect sunset, perhaps the 2nd best that I've ever seen in El Nido. The sun was a warm orange sphere as it touched the horizon.
Four. That blue hour sky, hypnotic as a dying ember;
Five. And. Lastly, a clear night sky, perfect for that "house specialty" starry night shot. Even the tidal conditions were perfect.
Where to shoot an engagement session El Nido?
Pinagbuyutan Island for that quintessential tropical island feel. ('em coconut trees! Hey, look! I'm in the Philippines!) Helicopter Island for a breathtaking view of iconic Cadlao Island, and Big Lagoon for it's Big... errr... Lagoon. Seriously speaking, go there before 9:00AM, before the whirring from motor boats drowns out that calm, ethereal silence with welcome overtones of birds chirping. Big Lagoon's pristine waters are best enjoyed in a kayak. Heck yeah. And since I'm already at it, yipee ki-yay.
I know it's pricier, but go for a custom tour, and schedule it accordingly, against the flow of tourists. It's ideal to start earlier than 9:00AM, way way before boathoards of selfie stick people turn an otherwise empty tropical beach into a photobo--... or photo minefield rather. No offense to those fond of selfie sticks, but having plenty of people around will make your engagement session significantly more challenging.
Shooting during the sunset hour? Nacpan Beach, hands down. It has a west-facing isthmus of sorts that offers a killer view at any time of the day. What more during the golden hour. But if you're not willing to take the 40-minute trip north of El Nido town, just take a sunset cruise in El Nido bay, just a few clicks west of Miniloc and Entalula Island. Or choose El Nido Resort's Lagen or Pangulasian Islands. If you're staying in El Nido town, master the art of the chill (i.e., doing nothing without getting bored) over some tapas at Republica Sunset Bar, or practically anywhere along Corong-corong Beach. You can also take the dirt road past El Nido Garden, the one going to Cadlao Resort, if you want to see Cadlao Island basking in golden sunlight.
Dinner? Trattoria Altrove. Go for the Prosciutto Pizza. 4th best pizza outside Italy IMHO. The place is usually packed, but there's Trattoria Altrove Express one block away. Hipper vibe, same great pizza.
Oh will you look at that. I was just thinking out loud, hammering away on my keyboard, and there you have it. A travel blog entry of sorts!
Kevin & Anna's private island hopping tour and adventure engagement session x El Nido Resorts. Pre wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Lagen Island Resort and sandbar, the Big Lagoon in Miniloc Island, Helicopter Island before it became overcrowded and Pinagbuyutan Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines in Southeast Asia. April 2016. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, July 2020.
A tiny boast and sort of a weird flex here: Josh and Carrie are travel influencers and bloggers - and them getting us to do their wedding in El Nido? Such a big honor.
Wedding photos of Josh and Carrie's intimate beach wedding ceremony in El Nido Palawan: candid and chill destination wedding photography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Pangulasian and Entalula Island El Nido Resorts in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, on March 2019. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, June 2020.
Fashion model lifestyle portraits. Cadlao Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. GoPro HERO 5 + Shoot Dome Port 2 + Sony A7RII.
Eleonora's extended summer this year: from the Philippines' oh so fine beaches this month to Milan Fashion Week in September.
This is what I really like about El Nido: throw awfully bad weather at it and it still looks ethereally beautiful. This, and the vibe, the sandbars and sunset bars, a horizon that's never boring, and the pizza, definitely the pizza. El Nido = LOVE.
Update: It’s been more than a year and more than a dozen shoots after and I haven’t seen El Nido as stormy as this, ominous dark clouds and all. If you’re here because you Googled “el nido wedding”, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but this portfolio entry is not the typical bright and sunny tropical beach wedding that you’re expecting. It has “stormy” written all over the fineprint. Still breathtaking nevertheless.
Wedding photos and highlights video of Piotr and Karolina's stormy intimate beach wedding ceremony in El Nido Palawan: candid and chill destination wedding photography and videography x @redsheepphotocinema featuring location photos of Stunning Republic Resort in Corong-Corong and Papaya Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, March 2017. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, May 2020.
El Nido Resorts: Apulit Island Resort destination wedding photos: Seph & Chris’ destination wedding in Apulit Island, Palawan x destination wedding photographer @redsheepphotocinema. Apulit Island Resort, El Nido Resorts, Taytay, Northern Palawan, Philippines. Leica M. Sony A7RII. VSCO. Voigtlander lenses. Taytay is an hour and a half South of El Nido, but you’ll still get the same world-class treatment that you can expect from any of the other El Nido Resorts.
This - Seph & Chris’ destination wedding - would be my testament on how far I could go in shooting a wedding photojournalistically. Some couples would get us because of the travel factor in our photos: those tiny people-big big sky shots or those ethereal Milky Way and night sky shots; some, for the filmic quality, but Seph and Chris, they were drawn to the photojournalistic and reportage aspect. This set might be a bit too street photography-style, gritty and anti-glam for your usual Wedding Pinterest Board - body ink, alcohol, dark shadows and all. I even left out photos of the gown, shoes, bridal bouquet and the other usual wedding details for good measure. All these, because one - to prove a point, that you can be both photojournalistic and picturesque at the same time, and two - because I frickin’ love to shoot this way.
From Mace and Leda's "day after the wedding" island hopping tour and couple photoshoot in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines featuring location photos of Daku Island, Guyam Island, Naked Island and Isla Cabana Resort in General Luna. Intimate destination wedding and adventure engagement photography in Southeast Asia x @redsheepphotocinema March 2019. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M, July 2020.
Roughly 36 hours prior to this, it was skyscrapers and hawker centers. And, just like that, it was back to boardshorts and flip flops. Ito and Margaux's #adventuresession was our first in months, and it was good to know that we were all on the same page on how things should go: chill, dressed down, just them having a good time and not trying to be.. errr... "artistas". With their wedding just two days away and all those "To Do's" on their mind, the last thing that they wanted was a full-on photoshoot. Think of this as a quick breather. And so, we had a blast: with near-perfect weather and a jaw-droppingly beautiful sunset *points Heavenward*, that kayak trip from the mangroves of Panglao Bay to Virgin Island was definitely something that you'd want to keep from Lacuna Coil, I mean, Inc., Lacuna, Inc. [*coughs* Eternal Sunsh..*]
Photos from Ito and Margaux's open water kayak adventure engagement session with KayakAsia in Bohol, Philippines featuring location photos of Momo Beach, Punta Cruz and Kayak Sunset Tour c/o @kayakasia.ph. October 2017. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavibe 160M and Luminoir 3200HC+, July 2020.
06.25.2016 Yoray Ofek & Beatriz Borja's Shangri-La Mactan, Destination Wedding & Engagement Session. Filmed on location: Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines.
redsheep photocinema x Rainbowfish Photography
Cathy Cantada x George Aliben (Make-up & Hair)
Veluz (Gown)
The Events Studio by Gideon Hermosa
