Some shoots just flow, and this one did from the moment we set foot on my parent's farm in Brgy. Kilib near Esperanza Farm. Last April 27, I teamed up with Cat Ramos Photo for a golden hour portrait session with Fran Czesta. With trees surrounding us, soft leaves underfoot, and golden light cutting through the branches, it felt like nature gave us everything we needed.
Fran made the whole process effortless. With her experience in front of the camera, we barely had to guide her through poses. She moved with ease and read the light and mood instinctively. We took this chance to also practice backlit shots using a reflector, bouncing light into her face to soften the shadows while still keeping that dreamy glow behind her.
Most of the shoot was natural light, but we shaped the look slightly with reflectors and minimal flash when needed. It was calm, slow-paced, and everything lined up just right. This wasn’t just a collaboration. It was a relaxed creative afternoon where everything worked in our favor.
Sessions like this remind me why I love shooting in places that feel familiar. It keeps things grounded and lets the real moments shine through.
