MCOM photoshoot at the White House

The "White House" (not the US President's residence) is an old house located at a small hill overlooking the JP Laurel, Buhangin Junction. It was built during the American period and originally served as the plantation dwelling of Abaca grower Robert Ker.



Shoot at the mansion's veranda




It has since been converted into a fine dining restaurant specializing in French, Japanese and American fusion cuisine. One of the few remaining heritage structures in Davao City it has become a favored spot for photoshoots particularly engagement sessions or pre-nuptials.

Last month I asked permission from chef Cathy Binag who runs the resto if we could have our shoot at the white house. Our photography group Maniniyot Community has been looking forward for another group photoshoot together with our new members.

Things fell into place, Ms. Cathy acceded to our request plus she gamely sponsored snacks consisting of arroz caldo and bibingka, the dishes will soon be offered at her soon-to-open resto named FCF (Filipino Comfort Food).



Fujifilm Philippines led by Mr. Joel Bagas who handles Mindanao accounts supported the event by providing us with Fuji gears to use for the event. He bought in XT-1, XE-2 and XA-2 cameras together with 56 mm, 10-24 mm, 18-55 mm lenses where the group could try out while shooting. Fuji Instax evangelist April San Pedro also joined the shoot.

Joemar using the XT-1, their top of the line camera body (16.3 MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II Sensor)

Designer Xioti Chiu of Famo Xiete Atelier lent us some dresses to be worn by our models Dewanie and Yuko. Our Hair and Make Up Artist was Ron Iyo who did the HMUA for a group photoshoot done late last year.


Yuko Imaizumi 
Dewanie Kim Sala



It was a morning of fun and learning. The photographers aside from learning techniques in portraitures from RJ Monsod were also able to try the Fuji cameras. RJ is a former MCOM member and a passionate client of Fuji. His Streetraits, a series of street portraitures using Fuji X series cameras and lens was the inspiration for the shoot.

Joel, April and Bianca trying out the XA-2

photo from Migs Lisbona
the group

Using Fuji

I am currently using a Fuji XE-1 camera, having sold my Nikon D90 a month ago. The shoot gave me the opportunity to try out the much vaunted 56 mm 1.2 lens. Got to try a few shots, it's a superb lens, sharpness is great, auto-focusing was fast. A perfect lens for portraits.

XE-1 56 mm 1.2


MCOM would like to thank Ms. Cathy Binag of White House Fusion Cuisine and Filipino Comfort Food, Bianca Binag, the chefs and staff of the White House Fusion Cuisine,  the team from Fujifilm Philippines Mr. Joel Bagas and April San Pedro, Xioti Chiu of Famo Xiete Atelier and HMUA Ron Iyo




Comments

Popular Posts