You know that jolting feeling on a Friday afternoon at work, when you realize that weekend is a few hours away? I always look forward to that! It means more quality time with family, and if you’re lucky, more snooze time! That is if your toddler sleeps in too. But apart from more rest and family time, I looove weekends because Leo and I get to capture beautiful, sometimes life-changing, moments of 3D, family, relatives and friends.

It was one of those beautiful Sunday mornings. In the serene Stonecrest clubhouse surrounded by tall healthy trees and Bermuda grass, a huge pool, football field with lush greeneries, we did a maternity shoot with Rheena, who is almost eight months pregnant. Her hubby Tristan was of course, part of the cast. Oh and, not to forget their “gentle giant” three-year-old-pit bull, named Elvis! I initially found him scary but I immediately got smitten because he was actually a gentle, chubby-huggable and behaved dog. “Clingy siya,” Rheena disclosed when Elvis started whimpering when Tristan left to get some more props from the car.

Leo and I were really excited for this day because it was our first maternity shoot! And looking back, I wondered how we were able to put it together because we all have day jobs and were extra busy during this time. There was no opportunity to meet face to face. Coordination, ideation and planning happened through Facebook Messenger. This included checking how Rheena and Tristan are as a couple, to what they like, peg shots, props, suggested outfit, hair and make-up and venue. It was also a good thing that in probing about what they like, they said that they do have a dog. Elvis was heaven-sent! He was very friendly (pwedeng ma-kidnap!) and so interesting in photos!

Elvis, the gentle giant and huggable chubby cuteee

Stonecrest clubhouse was our top of mind suggestion for venue, when Rheena asked. It has beautiful greeneries with a wide football field covered with grass and it's surrounded by huge trees. It also has various indoor and outdoor options, which were all interesting locations with textured backgrounds. It was a good choice because as anticipated, rain came in the afternoon. We got almost all outdoor shots we wanted at that time, but we wished we had a bit of longer time in the football field. Oh and thank you Gerard, our contact in Stonecrest, for being so accommodating and nice!

From the subject's POV...aka POV ko as stand-in mowwwdel

And it’s indeed a small world, because Gerard knew Dann, our awesome hair and make-up artist on that day. I knew Dann when he was still a kid through common church activities, but we just saw each other again after more than 10 years during this shoot! Our moms are also good friends as they’re both members of another church organization. Rheena’s original HMUA backed out at the last minute so she asked our help for any referral. Thank God for Facebook, I still had means to reach Dann, who was fortunately available that Sunday!

When Rheena said they needed help for the props, my interest for arts and crafts was rekindled. It felt like high school again, when I was doing the blurbs. Old-school style! I also brought some of my son’s stuff – teddy bear, old shoes, books, etc. They came very handy!

It was a chill and fun experience!

Retouch and briefing in between takes :)

Hopefully, we get to do this pose again with Elvis, when baby Alonzo is out.

Click below to check out the highlights of the shoot.

- Lira aka Ethel