Jiva Jimenez Fashion Photography Workshop

It cannot be stressed enough how photography and makeup artistry compliment each other. Like an obstetrician working hand in hand with a pediatrician when delivering a neonate, poetry in pictures cannot be brought forth in perfection without a skilled photographer capturing the work rendered by the makeup artist on the subject.

I have always wanted to learn digital photography to document my works  but the potential addiction to the the craft is scary, knowing the costs of the gadgets. On second thought, it amazes me how some people can use cheaper alternatives yet come up with excellent shots. Perhaps I can work something out to be good at it without breaking the bank.

When photographer Jiva Jimenez announced that he had an upcoming  photography workshop, I volunteered to do the models' makeup on the premise that he'd allow me to sit in at the seminar. Luckily, he took me in as his student.

I have done fun shoots with Jiva in the past and he is now one of the most sought after wedding  photographers here in Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao. He and his wife Julie Nabong Jimenez own the Lakshmi Photography Studio, named after their adorable daughter.  Lakshmi refers to the Hindu Goddess of wealth and beauty.

Jiva Jimenez comes from a family of photographers in Manila ,whose work in one of the leading newspapers brought him to Mindanao. Julie Nabong-Jimenez, on the other hand, is a nurse who was into photography since her college years. Together, they make a powerful husband and wife team capturing precious images for keeps, while sharing their knowledge to fellow photo enthusiasts.

The Jiva Jimenez Fashion and Creative Lighting Photography Workshop was successfully held last July 24 and 25, 2010 at the Basamanggas Resort in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. It was an event that I was proud to be a part of.  Our models were very professional and easy to get along with. Tina Mende, a football varsity player who catwalks for Pepsi Herrera in the Philippine Fashion Week, is a stunning beauty inside and out. Vence Mae Bacus, a professional ramp model with super fair, flawless skin matched with blonde hair  reminiscent of the Volturi,  and the gorgeous physique of a human Barbie Doll, has power poses and flexibility of the "Incredibles"  superheroes.

Glamour was boosted by stylists and creative directors Zoe Botwin and Pol Nabong, who fabulously assembled top designer Benjie Manuel's collections and coached the models on their poses. Acknowledgments are also in order for Allan Alejandrino of MVP Digital Video for his support to the event.

I couldn't thank Jiva and Julie enough for allowing me to join the seminar.  I'm sure the other participants are happy with their decisions to sign up.  Students got their money's worth because the mentors constantly checked on each one if the lessons were understood, and the outputs tell so. For only Php4000 for the 2-day workshop, we were stuffed not only with amazing tricks on photography and editing, but also on the yummy  food served in between. The ride to the venue was free . Simply put, the experience was priceless.  If you want to learn how to make the most of your camera, be sure to enlist yourself for future wokshops.

patio furniture

The following are professional shots by Jiva Jimenez during the event :

Some behind the scenes shots:

For more photos, please visit the Lakshmi Photography Site.

Lakshmi Photography Studio is located at 2nd Floor, Lina Building, Capistrano-Abellanosa Sts., Cagayan de Oro City. They can be reached at (8822) 727357 or (88) 2316697. For more information on their services and future workshops, visit their website at http://www.lakshmiphotography.com/