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Remember Jay Arella from the "I See The Light" video? We decided to wear the exact same clothes and shoot another video a week later. Haha, no, not really. We filmed the majority of this video right before Leomi called us up. It was just easier to put up Leomi's video first because the track and the video were finished and just needed touch-ups. This one still needed the piano solo and a cleanup on the strings.

Jay has an amazing crooning voice and I firmly believe he has a niche for doing jazz songs. If you catch me on Facebook or Twitter you'll see how much I rant about loving jazz, so you know I'll never turn Jay down for doing pieces like this. (We did a cover of "All of Me" by Frank Sinatra a year ago). 

This one was definitely fun. There'll be more to come =) Subscribe to Jay!

(Oh, and also see my alternate post on this on Soundstage Media's blog. And see more of Jay in "I See The Light"! Enjoy!)

I had the honor of working with some amazing talent this last weekend. We spontaneously recorded the audio and shot the video in the span of 6 hours (though editing is another story). I didn't play any music but I did direct the video and mix the track together. Come, have a look-see at the post and video on the Soundstage Media website! 

Over the last couple weeks, I've found myself agitated by handful of things that range anywhere from inane to personal. I've seen myself react without clear judgment due to the emotions I'm feeling at that moment, be it stress, hunger, exhaustion, or even territoriality/jealousy. I'll slip up and say something I don't mean, or I'd push people away when ironically I know I need them even more. 

However, I've realized something important: these feelings will pass.

They're only temporary and only reflect the present emotions. In the end, the people we're pushing away matter a lot more. Down the line, this argument and any other argument won't matter. RIght now, we might feel too tired to care or so stressed that we don't want to listen. But we can't let that temporary feeling affect the actions (and consequences) we choose next. 

So breathe. Remember that your loved one, client, family, or friend matters more than what you're feeling, and let the feeling pass. Breathe, and let go. Don't let they said ruin the great day you were just having. Let go. Don't let these feelings cloud your appreciation for the current moment.

I'm working on it. This post is an affirmation of this promise to myself.

I'm not actually in one right now, but I do want to visit the nearby Starbucks to do some work. I asked myself why I couldn't just do the work at home, and came up with these reasons:

1. Warm drinks, warm room. The warm atmosphere and warm drink makes it easy to slow down and focus.
2. People and coffee machines. The chatter of strangers and the whirring of blenders and steamers provide excellent white noise that makes my brain idly work like a kitten on a ball of yarn. 
3. Jazz. I am in love with jazz music. The swinging beat and walking bass relax me like no other music.
4. I'm not at home. Let's face it. My room is a place of rest, and my dining room is a place to eat. The living room is a place to socialize or watch TV. I don't have a room in my house that I can associate with work, so I need to escape.

If you enjoy going to coffee shops too, let me know if you have more reasons than the ones I listed. Got a better place? Let me know! Now if only I can find a place that doesn't tax my wallet...

Okay, I'm almost done with the previews, except I got so excited with today's shoot that I had to post this one. Melvin was fun to work with again. Buuuut, I'll update with more details about this shoot once I'm done editing. Enjoy for now!

(P.S. Christina Luna, I'm serious. I'd love to help out The Luna Co. so I hope we can work together soon!)

Yet another preview for Soundstage Media. We met up with Ernani on June 7, 2011 for this photoshoot and his interview. Find him at his Youtube page: EarnOnKnee!

I've been lucky to have even met this Alternative/Indie/Folk band from San Bernardino. This photoshoot took place June 10, 2011. Here's a preview!

Update: Fixed Jenn's name on the poster. Sorry, Jenn!

The band and I took a break from studying for finals back in May. We had a spontaneous photoshoot there and also filmed a video for Christine's graduating senior friends.

Jay Arella:

Nick Simanjuntak:

Christine Chen:

And of course, the video:

(I filmed and edited it. Yay!) It was a fun day at the park!

This one was an interestingly spontaneous photoshoot. Though they're local to the Bay Area, Melvin and Pmac made a trip down south to perform for UCLA. Melvin asked me to get some shots when they visited. My handy Vivitar 285HV died on the morning of the shoot, so I had to leave it behind as I embarked to Pasadena to meet them. We roamed to the nearest open Starbucks (right next to the Staples Center) and got kicked off the property a number of times. We finally set up near an empty parking lot, but the flash I borrowed from a friend wouldn't trigger either. Luckily Robee had a tripod, so for the rest of the night (finally starting at 2am) we shot with available light. Goes to show that now matter how much is planned, backup plans are important!

All in all, Pmac and Melvin were a pleasure to work with. Give them a follow! Much thanks to Jennifer Francisco, Peter Valdes II, Michelle Sim, and Robee Aquino. I would've had to sit all this out if it wasnt for you guys.

I began my career as the principle photographer of the That's So Pinoy! team on March 18th, 2011. To cement my induction, I followed Michelle Sim to the University Theater at Cal State East Bay, where PASA put together a talent showcase featuring a lot of local artists (including Reynard Silva, AM Kidd, Pmac, JVoqalz, and more) and hosted by the hilarious Aaron Horner of Soulciety and RJ Navalta of Supreme Soul. The proceeds of the admission and raffle tickets went to the Little Manila Foundation. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite shots of the night!