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Sunday, April 3, 2011

d e b u t a n t e




Coming to London has made me realize a few things and one is that photography is a passion of mine. I guess I knew that beforehand but coming here has made me think that there is potential in trying to incorporate it into my future plans. We will see... I don't plan on trying to be a full-time photography at any point but maybe as a side gig?

Anyway, on to the matter of this post. Yesterday I shot an event for a Filipino 18 year old birthday party. Now, I thought a birthday would be... a birthday party. But this one was different - at least in comparison to my experiences. Apparently I hadn't enjoyed my birthday the way it was meant to be enjoyed based on last night :) 

It was Kaycee's 18th Birthday yesterday and I had the honor of being able to shoot this event with a friend. I wasn't the main photography but it gave me the chance to see what this event was all about. It is too bad I was stuck with just one lens... my handy 35mm. But at an event, 35mm is REALLY restricting... I think I am going to have to get my 85mm or 135mm soon... and I mean really soon. That, and I really need to learn how to use flash. It has come to that point :p.

When we first got there, I got a chance to shoot some details inside the conference center. Not that much to it but what do you expect? It is not an actual wedding - ie. still more extravagant than any birthday party I have ever been to. 





Now, I did say that this was not an actual wedding... but we had to get some shots as she prepared. Just like at a wedding haha.







During event, the debutant (the birthday girl in this case), gets a celebration that includes several dance performances and other special performances by other guests. As part of the ceremony, 36 of her friends and family (18 girls and 18 boys) will take part in the dances and the other rituals. These traditions were very interesting to see in person though :) For one, Kaycee would receive 18 roses from the 18 boys (yes, boys because they were all 18 or younger) and receive a dance from each of them. After this is over, she would get a testimony from the 18 girls and she would blow out a candle from each one of them. It was a long event (as you can imagine) but they were so enthusiastic about it. I mean, you should have heard some of the testimonies... Tears and all haha. But as much I had a bit of a chuckle about it, the most important thing was that Kaycee had a great time. So with that, Happy Birthday Kaycee! Hope you had a great one!





13 comments:

  1. what a fun event!! I think you really have the concept down to be a wedding photographer! Something in your future plans?! ;)) Beautiful shots!! Thanks for sharing, Kelven!

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  2. Awesome shots! Looks like this type of event gives good practice for shooting a future wedding.

    How do you like the 35mm/1.4? I've been seriously coveting that for a long time and was thinking about getting it. I just rented the 85/1.8 this past weekend and just couldn't really gel with it...

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  3. Thanks Jacqueline!

    The 35mm is my favorite lens... probably because it is one of my only as well hehe. But it is very versatile and a great focal length, especially on a full frame. Not much reach though. What did you not like about the 85mm just out of curiosity?

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  4. Hi Kelven!
    So great to see you like events photography, my dream is to become a wedding photographer one day =) great party, in Venezuela some people throw big parties for their daughters when they turn 15 but I'm not sure if they are as elaborated as this one! ;)

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  5. Thanks for the response! I'm used to shooting wider, nothing above 50mm on FF so I'm not very experienced with telephoto lengths. The 85 felt way too loomed in and hard create nice compositions with. I really dislike having to step back about 10 feet just to get something in the frame. But it is lovely for portraits, I'll give it that. So I think it's a must for a wedding photog.

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  6. bravo! great shots! i think you definitely have the potential to venture into wedding photography! i too think i have not celebrated my birthdays the way they should be =)

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  7. how fun...what a rockin 18th...and you did good kelven.

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  8. Kelven how talented are you?! My husband is a wedding photographer (it is our side business and I help with photo processing, admin, etc.) and you have the eye for detail like a wedding photographer I say! What an extravagent birthday and a wonderful opportunity for you to take these gorgeous photos. Congrats!

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  9. i think these look great! i mean it seriously looks like you've done a lot of these in the past.

    good stuff :)

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  10. Looks like you covered this [very, very Filipino] event while staying true to yourself man! Definitely has a wide-open-shooting, dreamy wedding photography flavor. You really going to learn up on flash? What's next, shooting zooms!? ;)

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  11. Thanks everyone :)

    Natasha - Thank you, comments mean a lot coming from you. A combo with you in it must mean that the wedding photos come out fantastic each time.

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  12. wow, i love the lighting in the portraits,
    how lovely to be in london and attending birthday parties :3

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  13. wonderful. absolutely! it's nice to know you were able to experience how we filipinos celebrate our birthdays XD

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