SPEAKERS

John Mateos Ong is probably the Philippines’ most traveled destination photographer. Last year alone, he went around the globe 3 times to shoot clients in different parts of the world. He started his career in Photography in 2003 and as a rookie was voted part of the top 10 wedding suppliers for 3 consecutive years in Weddings at Work (W@W). In the rare occasions John joined photo contests like FPPFís Photoworld, his works won 1st place.

John has taught photography for various companies like Epson, Shell and Accenture, and is popular for his apprenticeship program Imagine Nation Photography, which he owns. John is above all else one of the most vocal Christian professionals who credit who he is including all his accomplishments to the Lord Jesus Christ. ::view website::

Photography was something Jason de Guzman didn’t plan on as a profession. An engineer by education, he discovered photography when he bought a simple point-n- shoot digicam. Under the mentorship of Jo Avila and John Mateos Ong, he has discovered a voice that was always there but needed a medium of expression. His work has been published in magazines like Metro Weddings and Town&Country, and also does commercial photography for clients like fastfood chains and educational institutions. Despite the glamour of commercial work, wedding photography is still closest to his heart. He enjoys helping couples with their wedding and is humbled every time a couple gushes over their photos. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge with other photographers, knowing that God’s blessings are best enjoyed when shared with others ::view website::

In 2007, Carlo Cecilio fell in love with photography so much he gave up his insurance business to become a full-time wedding photographer. Carlo belongs to the first batch of Imagine Nation apprentices and through the guidance of their mentor, John Mateos Ong, was able to greatly develop his photography skills and glamour style in shooting weddings. He is currently a master photographer, a rank given only to those who have reached the highest level of experience and shooting excellence at Imagine Nation. Carlo has also grown to become a versatile photographer from experience in shooting corporate events, food, commercial and editorial photography. His list of clients include Citibank, Adidas, Starbucks Philippines, Town and Country Magazine, Kerygman Magazine, Couples for Christ and Gawad Kalinga. Carlo believes that he has been truly blessed to pursue his love for photography and he offers his work as means to give glory to God. ::view website::

Arlene Briones never meant to fall in love with wedding photography, it just took her by surprise, on her own wedding day. She knows the roller coaster ride of emotions this day evokes when one is the bride, and feels that every detail is meant to be captured in a manner that will not cause couples to panic. Long after the wedding is over, she believes that the best way to relish that magical day is through the photographs made, something she keeps in mind when she shoots wedding. She sees the day just like how the couple sees it and goes beyond their expectations. Now with a daughter, she extends her love for shooting to her and almost any other activity experienced. As God intended an person to do. Arlene practices the craft of photography from the heart, bringing glory to God. ::view website::

Gracielle Hernandez is a graduate of Legal Management from DLSU-Manila, Gracielle has always sought after reasons in life more than the beauty of it. She strived to be more intellectual than creative and took life very seriously.

That was before she was led to photography. At first she decided to take it on as a hobby, then after a month, she was invited to be an Imagine Nation apprentice. Everything seemed like coincidence at first, but as she was learning things about photography and most especially about God, she quickly understood that this was her calling, that this was where God wanted her to be. She then developed a new, more carefree look at life, and started appreciating God’s majestic creations through the lens of the camera.

For Gracielle, what is important in wedding photography is capturing the very essence of a wedding, which are the beautiful emotions that well up during the event, like love and happiness. She is very flexible and can shoot depending on her couples’ needs, wants, moods, and personalities.

Gracielle has wanted to be really successful since she was a kid. While searching for the spiritual and learning more about God, she realized that her view of success was distorted. Success is not measured by how powerful, rich or even famous one is, but is relative to what is important to you. Now, Gracielle is working hard to achieve success as an Imagine Nation Photographer, a family member and a follower of Jesus. ::view website::

Derrick Lim, a graduate of architecture, Derrick has been expressing his artistic side through visualizing and designing buildings and living spaces. He originally got into photography to capture landscapes, but later found the beauty in shooting weddings.

Peering through his lens to capture those moments, Derrick has complete trust in God, and believes that He will always put Derrick in the right place at just the right time to shoot. He considers every click of his camera a tribute to the Maker and the giver of true love.

Whenever he is not shooting weddings, Derrick can be found on the road with the company of the people he loves, trying out new routes and places, or up in the mountains patiently awaiting the sunrise. ::view website::

Noel Salazar, a Communication Arts graduate, was hit with the idea of being a professional photographer after he started playing around with the family’s barely used film SLR camera. He took many paths to pursue this dream. Eventually, his passion for photography led him to joining Imagine Nation last May 2009. Upon joining the studio, he was able to renew his relationship with God and now shoots with renewed passion and fire, with the belief that God has gifted him with this talent and is with him whenever he takes photos. ::view website::