The Kasalang Batagueño-Ilocana Suppliers Rating (Our Photographer & Videographer)

This would be our contribution to the group. As much as possible, we won’t be using the word OC (since it has been overused here already) and we would detail our rating so it could serve you as a guide. Our verdict is based on how we coordinated with them (from start to finish) and it shouldn’t be a sole basis whether you book this certain supplier or not (different strokes for different folks). Here is how we would be rating our wedding team. 

All pictures here were taken by Ariel Javelosa.

Legend:

5 and Up: Oh Yeah! Swabeng-Swabeh!!! (Book them while still available)

4 - 4.99: Swabeng-Swabeh!!! (Very Good)

3 – 3.99: Swabeh!!! (Quite Ok)

2 – 2.99: Swabeh Lang!!! (Needs Improvement)

0 – 1.99: Hindi Swabeh!!! (Now you know)

Mel of Ariel Javelosa (3rd from Left) and Team with Joey Boquiren (checkered polo)

Our Military Entourage. XD

Main Photo/Video: Ariel Javelosa (Mel’s Team)

Address: 320 Barangka Drive Mandaluyong City

Contact: Ms. Grace Chan/ Ms. Berna Javelosa

Tel Nos: 532-6329, 535-0624, 09219898501

Email: ariel@arieljavelosa.ph

Cost: Php 60,000 including a 10% discount (Original price at Php 67,750).

Inclusions: 11x14 P/V Package

1. 1500++ Unlimited Digital Shots stored in CD as proof (High Resolution – Printable)

2. 42-Page, 11x14 Magnetic Imported Photo Album with 200-250 pictures for design layout creating a storybook.

3. 20x24 Blow-Up Canvass in Special Frame

4. Two mini-albums (parent’s album)

5. Two Photographers

6. Pre-Nuptial Pictorial in Studio/Outdoor

7. Two Videographers using 3CCD Digital Video Camera

8. Two Final DVDs Edited in Non-Linear/Digital Editing

9. Raw Copies in Mini DV

10. 20-Page, 10x8 Guest Book (turned to Pre-Nuptial Album)

11. On-Site Photo Slide Show (Taken at the hotel and church and shown at the reception)

12. LCD Projector (3000 Lumens)

13. 6’x6’ Wide Screen

Verdict: Ratings will be divided as follows

Customer Service: Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

Pre-Nup with Mel: Oh Yeah! Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

Pre-Nup pictures: Swabeh!!!

Guestbook: Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

During the Wedding: Oh Yeah! Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

Raw Photos and Videos: Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

Wedding + Parents Album: Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

Edited Video: Swabeh!!!

Canvass Portrait: Oh Yeah! Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

Photographers/Videographers: Oh Yeah! Swabeng-Swabeh!!!

By Ariel Javelosa

Wedding Kwento: Same with our caterer, we had another photographer/videographer before getting the team of Ariel Javelosa (or AJ). When we paid our down payment for our wedding package to Jo-Anne, she showed us some sample photos. We saw some samples from AJ and asked her if they would cover our wedding. But unfortunately, she assigned a different P/V team to us. We felt sad knowing that predicament and we had no choice that time but to thoroughly check their works. With the inclusions from our previous photographers, we felt that we deserve more. This was supposed to be our photo-video package:

40-Page, 8x10 wedding album with 100 selected photos.

Unlimited shots in CD

16x20 canvass portrait in wooden frame

16x20 sign frame

2 Photographers

1 Videographer

100 pcs. thank you cards

Pre-nup pictorial in studio only

No Parents Album

No Guestbook

No AVP

No Photo Slideshow

No Projector and LCD

By Ariel Javelosa

We checked the website of our P/V and their packages as well as their latest works. They were quite ok (considering that I was able find a good review in w@w by previous couples) however we find them quite simple for us plus their terms of payment were a bit heavy for us (we planned to upgrade our P/V package with them but my wife insisted not to). Also, our package was different with their original package that’s why when we asked Jo-Anne, she mentioned that she had a different arrangement with them. With only that, we felt that we have to look for other P/V suppliers. Even before we decided not to forego with our wedding package, we started to look for others. We attended bridal fair after bridal fair looking for that P/V that would fit our personality. Then after losing our back-up photographer (this would be a different story) that gave us a sign to look for another P/V supplier and not to forego with our wedding package.

By Ariel Javelosa

When we decided not to continue with our package, we started comparing other P/V in terms of costs, inclusions and payment terms. As I browsed through hundreds of brochures (with a limited time frame), we made a short list of our preferred P/V. Believe it or not, our main criteria was in terms of payment since we are on a very very tight budget (we know they would be able to create outstanding photos and videos since they are in the industry for quite sometime now so we safely assume all of them will deliver well on our wedding day). We even tried to look for photographers and videographers separately. For photographers, we considered Daniel Lei Studios and Red Sheep (for their very affordable package). However for videographers, we haven’t found any to match our budget criteria. For P/V combined, we had Nice Print, Reflection Studios, Studio A and Ariel Javelosa as one of our choices. We haven’t selected any not until the bridal fair held at SMX last May 24. 

 By Ariel Javelosa

As we reached SMX, we visited again each booth one more time before we decide to book our ideal P/V supplier. Both Ariel Javelosa and Studio A offered us packages we couldn’t refuse. Even their terms of payment were the same. And before we got home we booked Ariel Javelosa because of the inclusions they gave us. We remembered that every time we visited a bridal fair, we made sure to pass by AJ’s booth to check their recent works. Their display was still the same but we didn’t mind because the output was OK with us. When we spoke with Grace, we asked who covered these weddings and the names Choi, Ben and Mel (actually, before we asked Grace, I was able to gather at least 100 suppliers rating of AJ and who took the pictures) were mentioned. We told Grace that we wanted either Choi, Ben or Mel (1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) to be our main photographer that made Grace wonder how we were able to get their names (Through w@w of course).  

 By Ariel Javelosa

As opposed to some w@wies saying that it took sometime (certain number of days) for either AJ or Grace to send the contract to the couple via email, they were able to send the contract to us the next day. Then they gave us a hardcopy of the contract during our pre-nup which I think this was their SOP. They also respond to emails quickly though they weren’t able to send us a link of shots taken by Choi, Ben or Mel at UST and RM which for us, it’s ok. Also whoever said they are the classic type of photographers, you were dead wrong. Probably the classic pictures they see during bridal fairs would be the classic ones but its up to the couple and their photographer how they want the pictures to appear. “Siguro sa dalas ng pagbisita naming sa booth nila tuwing bridal fair, nakilala na kami ng buong staff nila and even Mr Ariel Javelosa himself”. 

 By Ariel Javelosa

During our pre-nup, it was Mel (Since Choi, our first choice was out of town that time) who took our photos in the studio as well as outside. Mel was very lively when taking photos as well as guiding us on how to pose properly (since both me and my wife were quite stiff when we were asked to pose). Good thing my wife jived-well with him that time and we were able to establish a very pleasant rapport with him at the studio. When it was time to take photos outside, we used their company’s vehicle to reach the destination instead of taking a cab (we just shouldered the gasoline). When we reached Intramuros (our third destination option since ecopark was closed for a week due to clean-up after typhoon Ondoy and UP since they were requiring us with permits before taking any pictures), Mel spotted a certain location he hasn’t shot before taking splendid pictures. Then we went to baywalk take some magnificent sunset photos there. Our prenup session ended a bit late since we had dinner at SM Mall of Asia.

By Ariel Javelosa

We were able to get our pre-nup pictures (in CD) 3-4 days later (we didn’t mind the time frame since both of us were busy) and out of 905 pictures that we have, only less than 100 were good, some were ok, and some were blurry. During our pre-nup, I would hear Mel’s camera shutter clicks rapidly in succession. Most of the shots were the same with different white balance settings and different camera openings to determine the best combinations. I won’t say majority of wedding photographers do this but you would at least have an idea why most brochures from photographers say they can gave you more than 1000+ pictures. 

 By Ariel Javelosa

Two months before our wedding day, I was able to gather wedding lay-outs from their website taken at our church. I studied them carefully and I noticed that they have the same layout with the same approach. 

By Ariel Javelosa

By Ariel Javelosa

On the day of the wedding, they arrived as scheduled (9:30am or earlier I think because they were at my wife’s hotel room) and began working (or should I say, playing with their camera). I forgot the names of the other crew since I wasn’t able to ask for their names due to the high levels of excitement that day. They were able to capture the event itself and the emotions that occurred during the day.

 By Ariel Javelosa

By Ariel Javelosa

By Ariel Javelosa

A few days after the wedding, the CDs were already available but we didn’t get them not until after the honeymoon (around 9 days to be exact). I didn’t expect that the pictures were too many (around 3000++) and we were given a CD of the photo slideshow they made during the reception. It really gave us a hard time on which pictures to choose for our wedding album.

By Ariel Javelosa

Realization: If we only had enough budget, we could have include their on-site video in their package (We tried to haggle a 10% discount with the onsite video freebie but Grace could only offer a guest book to that freebie).

By Ariel Javelosa

We always encounter this “Classic versus Contemporary” thing when comparing photographers with one another in w@w. But it’s actually up to the chemistry of the couple and their photographer on how they would be able to create a masterpiece. I would say ours was “The Classic Type” but he was able to adjust to our preference (which is applicable to all photographers as long as there is constant communication).

If you would have enough time, try to look for their previous album lay-outs. Gather as many (if time permits) as you can and compare their lay-outs. It would really help you determine if you need to give your opinion and let them try a different layout or you may try your own layout (probably, I’ll do my own version if time and budget permits) or look for another photographer.

Also make sure to check their packages, inclusions and terms of payment. A Php 60K package with this payment term (25%-Downpayment, 25%-During Pre-nup, 25% After claiming of wedding cds and 25%-After claiming the final product) would be different with this payment term (25%-Downpayment, 50%-After pre-nup, 25%-After the Wedding Day) and other payment terms. With that, you would be able to see who among them to choose due to budget constraints.

If Studio A included the Projector and LCD as a freebie in their package, we could have gotten them instead (The package they offered us was the same as AJ minus the Projector and LCD and replaced them with AVP).

Recommended for: Couples who are on a budget and doesn’t want to book a team of photographers and videographers separately.

Other Suppliers Considered (Given the same amount of time for preparations):

For Photo/Video: Nice Print, Studio A, Vignette, Imagineer Digital, Daniel Lei Studios

For Photo: Jayson and Joanne Arquiza, Red Sheep, Parkershot,

For Video: Buddy Gancenia, Chug Cadiogan, Dan Pamintuan, Jezreel Cruz, or Phoeben Tecson or AG Garza or MG Digital

If we started our preparations last Dec 2007, we could have gotten:

For Photo/Video: Exige Weddings or Smart Shot

For Photo: Either Paul Vincent or Fol Rana or Dino Lara or Nelwin Uy

For Video: Either Threelogy or Bob Nicolas or Mayad