I Am Tiramisu

Call time 6am. That's my red shoe. The comfiest red ever. The PSG asked me to take a shot before he tags my camera green as security checked. The enthusiastic blogger in me (politely) asked him if we could move over to the photowall that way I could use that one shot for the wall and my shoes. He was confused what's with my shoes.?.hahahahaha!

My excitement had been building up since morning. It would be my first time to photograph the president of this country. And we had just been informed that I was going to be a part of the "close-in". I really thought I heard 'closing'. That kinda disappointed me. Why closing? Only when she comes out? hehehe.

"Close-in"!!! Time to get acquainted with the Malacanang lingos.
It's when someone, in my case a photographer, is a part of a very very small group (we were only 5, the 2 being Malacanang photographers) allowed to get as CLOSE AS YOU DARE to take a photo of the president of the Philippines before the PSG pulls you away by your blouse, and you actually trying to get free from his grip while sweetly smilling and going back as CLOSE AS YOU DARE until he pulls you back away again. hahahaha!
What a crazy frenzy cool awesomeness it was!!!
Try manuevering in a 2-meter area with delicate displays just to get a good shot.
Try counting the aching bumps on your head after you realized you've just bumped into everyone else's cameras the past 2 hours.
Try running backwards ahead of the President and suddenly running back forward i split second to the President when a fantastic photo op suddenly presents itself in front of you.
Try getting first in line when the PSG suddenly calls "Photographers photographers Madam needs a picture!"
What do you do when you're trapped in between 2 massive lenses hovering over your shoulders?
YOU GET INTO THE FRENZY!!!
You crouch your lowest.
You tiptoe your fullest.
Just to get the money shot.

In my case, Im not fond of taking just any shot. I almost always usually compose. Even in a frenzy such as that. I dont do quickies. I wait for the moment.
Even with the small camera Ive always done that.
I shoot from the heart.
With much passion.
A photo op is not just a photo op for me.
It is a moment in the subject's life that I find most beautiful and want to capture it in print forever for them to cherish.
I want them to be happy when they see their beautiful moments.

(FYI my camera is the simplest. And I use the kit lens which is not much of zoom or speed hero. So you can tell how very close I was to the President.)

**PSG -- Presidential Security Guard