6. Jeremy Kruis, Quezon City
Instagram: @jeremykruis
A big part of taking good photos is presenting fresh perspectives, and that is what Jeremy Kruis shows us in his Instagram feed. Not only does he go the distance (literally) by exploring lesser-traveled destinations, he also has a visibly creative eye for telling stories as can be seen in his unique portraits and photos.
Originally from the USA, Jeremy is a freelance filmmaker who fell in love with the Philippines that he decided to stay here. He shares, “I’m really enjoying my life here in the Philippines and have no plans of returning to the States. My passion is video making and am very much enjoying the stories and photos we can capture here in the Philippines.”
According to Jeremy, he only got into photography after moving to the Philippines in 2016. And it’s all thanks to the “abundant beautiful landscapes and interesting cultures” in the country.
His tip for learning photographers: “A tip to taking good photos is lots and lots of practice. Take photos everyday. Another is timing. Sometimes you have to wait for the right emotion on someones face before snapping that golden photo.”
5. AJ Buenavista, Bulacan
Instagram: @dashbuenavista
AJ shares he was always fascinated about landscape photos, ever since he was young. So after graduating and landing his first job, he got himself a Canon camera with his very first salary. He told us the story of how he got into travel photography: “I had a lot of curiosities on learning the technicalities of taking photos and this passion made me explore new places,” AJ shared. “I invited my friends to go on a road trip where I could shoot them. The road trips became a habit, and soon enough, I enjoyed shooting my travels, from portraits to landscapes. It enhanced how I see my environment, with my bare eyes always on the lookout for some great scenes to capture.”
“I have lived with the idea that travel photography is not only about discovering beautiful destinations, but it can also be an instrument to meet new faces, experience other cultures, and hear their stories. Both travel and photography act as natural complements. One perfectly, and accordingly, complements the other.”
His tip for learning photographers: “This one is a bit cliché from a photographer but it really works for me. All my favorite shots and personal bests were taken during golden hour—that particular period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the natural light is softer than when it is higher in the sky. Make sure to keep your camera ready for the golden hour.”
You can also check out AJ’s business profile, @theweekendproj, where he posts projects from outdoor brands to food photography.
4. Stephen Green-Price, London
Instagram: @stephengreenprice
Even though he moved to the UK when he was 10, Stephen Green-Price shares that he still always travels to the Philippines when he gets the chance, calling it his “favorite place in the world”.
He only recently got into photography—2018, to be exact—when he bought his first drone. He took it around with him during a trip to the Philippines with friends, and the rest, as they say, is history. A quick peek into Stephen’s Instagram account and what will welcome you are vibrant greens and blues of incredible landscape and aerial photos from around the Philippines (and the world).
Stephen admits there is still a lot to learn, though. “Ever since then and starting up Instagram, I’ve been trying to gain more experience,” he said. “There’s still a huge amount to learn and I’ve far from perfected my craft, but one day I hope to take up photography and social media as a full time role!”
His tip for learning photographers: “Force [yourself to] wake up before sunrise for those really stunning shots. There are loads of apps that tell you golden hour times—those are my go-to weapons before I get to a new destination to shoot. Remember to pack your bag the night before!”
Stephen is currently working on a brand new project, which he describes as “a travel blog for all kinds of travel writers and enthusiasts around the world.” It’s called Your Adventure Blog, and will be live in 2020.
3. Ivan Torres, Manila
Instagram: @iavnt
Ivan Torres describes himself as a man of movement. In this craving for exploration, he found photography, which eventually became his constant companion. He talked about this love for photography: “This field allowed me to meet people and bring me to places that give unique perspective and experiences each time. The sights, problems, lessons, stories, adventures, and misadventures are ever changing. Nothing was ever the same. The thrill of discovering something new and unfamiliar fuels my explorations, and those are what I take with me on every photograph and film I create.”
This relationship, he explained, started in 2015 at a time when he faced the ultimate dilemma that many of us know: stability or passion? For Ivan, the latter was of a far greater deal. So he bought his first camera. He tells us, “I couldn’t stop, and the rest was beautiful history.”
Now, Ivan is a professional photographer and filmmaker who works with people, brands, and companies who always want to capture extraordinary stories and adventures through the lens of a camera.
His tip for learning photographers:Â “To take truthful and genuine images, first be an observer before you even bring out your camera. Immerse yourself in your subject. If it’s a place, spend time to look around and observe the natural process of which things unfold. If it’s people, converse with them, eat with them, and learn their ways. If your goal is to bring home experiences and reflect the emotions of those moments, the good visuals will follow. If you can make your audience truly connect and feel, then that to me is a well-captured story in an image. ”
You can also find Ivan Torres over at his website www.
2. Alexis Lim, Manila
Instagram: @sinosijuan
Alexis Lim is a street and travel photographer from Manila. He is one of the co-founders of Sino Pinas, one of the biggest Filipino travel communities on Instagram. If you love travel and follow a bunch of travel accounts, you’re probably already familiar with the page. Alexis does freelance photography as well, and is the social media manager at Yabang Pinoy, an NGO that advocates for local brands.
Alexis shared that when he first got into the craft, back in 2009, his passion was for street photography. It wasn’t until a memorable trip that he fell in love with travel photography. “It was during a November 2014 trip in Baler when I realized how a beautiful thing exploring is,” he recounts. He also shared that what he loves most about travel photography is how it allows him to learn the stories of other people, discover places, and appreciate different cultures. “Thanks to photography, I was able to freeze all these moments.”
His tip for learning photographers: “This is probably an overused statement but my biggest tip is to just keep on shooting. Just keep capturing. You can start from simple objects in your home to streets near you. Then once you find your niche, start channeling your energy and passion towards it.”
See more of Alexis Lim’s work at www.litratonijuan.com and @litratonijuan. Also check out his projects at @SinoPinas and @YabangPinoy on Instagram.
1. Lyka Gonzalez, Makati
Instagram: @lykagonzalez
Lyka’s portrait (left) taken by Stephanie Dandan (@stephaniesatori)
Lyka Gonzalez’ bio on Instagram says, “Telling stories that move us”—and for this 26-year-old documentary filmmaker and photographer, it is through the power of her images that the important stories are told. Her work often takes her around the globe, and as a humanitarian, her projects are mainly advocacy-oriented.
The subject of Lyka’s photos are not of breathtaking landscapes and the awe-inspiring sights we see in travel; her photos are of the intimate, fragile moments in between—friendly strangers manning their shop in Kathmandu. Pilgrims in the middle of their solemn ritual. Sleepy travelers enduring a long commute.
Lyka tells us of how her photography came to life. “Covering stories for various organizations would require travel, and photography is simply integral to the process. There are times when I would be on mission (for an organization) or an assignment (for a publication), and my team and I would stop by sideroads or side streets before arriving at our destinations,” she explained. “Those spontaneous layovers and unplanned detours are usually where the magic happens.”
Her tip for learning photographers: “Be present. Watch the world. Closely. Intimately. Fully. Be open to the people around you and the circumstances you find yourselves in. If something calls to be shared, capture it. If it is just meant to be experienced, let it. Just observe…and listen. Nothing should ever be forced. Travel and photography are lifestyles that require only your full attention. And with the attention you offer to the world, the world might present to you in different ways.”
You can see more of Lyka’s work over at her website, www.lykagonzalez.com
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Who’s your favorite Filipino travel photographer on Instagram? Send us your recommendation. And follow our travel page on Instagram too, When In Manila Travel & Adventures (@wimadventures)
