J Lucas Reyes – Fine Art Weddings + Lifestyle Photography » Based in Manila, Philippines

My bro Brian and his wife Rowena







My photojourn sister Candice and my designer bro John

And of course, me and my lovely wife Catherine.

What better way to spend Christmas than with family? Me, my wife, and my siblings got together this recent holidays and trooped back to our lola’s house at our hometown, Malabon. We grew up playing and kite-flying at the Rufina Patis compound (which the Lucas family runs), just a stone’s throw away from our ancestral home. Since our wives haven’t seen the abandoned-looking, salt-laden, patis-brewing factory, we had the pleasure of revisiting and touring them in our old rusty playground – that instantly served as a backdrop for an on-the-spot photoshoot.

From our families to yours, Happy Holidays everyone!

My first attempt to shoot a prenup, and it couldn’t have been more challenging.

Funny thing that I woke up one Wednesday with a couple of missed calls and an SMS from Nelwin asking me to cover a prenup after lunch. Talk about short notice, hehe. Just so happens that it was actually Cecille pala, my bud Brian’s sister that I was supposed to shoot with her beau Edgar. (We’ll be covering their wedding this January 2010).

Besides the first time jitters to shoot a prenup, I was worried being in the middle of a system shift at that time. I didn’t have any option but to shoot with both Nikon and Canon gear – which obviously didn’t quite work the same way.

Thankfully, despite a seemingly slow start, we got through with a handful of summer-y images in early December. Thanks Cecille and Edgar for the fun ride.

Shot for Nelwin Uy Photography
On location at La Mesa Ecopark

There are weddings inspired by glamour and grandeur and then there are weddings simply inspired by just purely, faith and love. Ruth and Ramil are one of those couples that have kept the faith and chose early on the road less travelled – to be married civilly then dream of having a more festive church wedding after. They’ve been blessed with fulfilling that dream just before Christmas this year, and it’s been our honor to capture the splendor of their very simple wedding along the lakeside of Binangonan, Rizal.

Their wedding came as a heartwarming Christmas surprise to me, one that I will always remember. Even with no ritzy hotel, designer gown, glittering details, elaborate flowers, and luscious food to shoot – a wedding, no matter how simple it is, is always beautiful.

Backup Photography: Paulo Magsaysay
Additonal Photos: Monsai Magsaysay & John Lucas Reyes