Gilbert Fajardo : Exceptional & Eligible

He's one of the nicest guys you'd meet in Bulacan's wedding industry. Hardworking and easy to work with, not to mention his looks that cause his friends to tease him as "Alden Richards ng Focus". Going full-blast in events photography after previously working as a support network engineer, he has steadily expanded his repertoire and connections with a successful recipe of consistent output and good relations with clients and suppliers alike. Now let's find out his photography story. Gilbert Fajardo is the featured Focus photographer of the month.

Q : What is it about weddings or events that made you pursue it as a profession?
G : Noong natuto ako sa photography nagkahilig talaga ako sa macro and portraits, and then parang naisip ko paano ko mababawi 'yung investment ko. Hanggang napasama ako sa iba't ibang team and na-realize ko na pwedeng pagkakitaan talaga ang events. One more thing na nagustuhan ko, nag-e-enjoy ako sa ginagawa ko.


Q : Being a professional photographer now, how is it, compared to your previous work?
G : Ang bigat ng salitang "pro", haha.  Ang nakikita ko lang na advantage ng employee is may steady income ka monthly. Unlike sa photography you can't predict your income. Pwedeng ngayong month is konti lang 'yung projects, tapos the following month mas madami. In the aspect of enjoyment, mas masaya ako ngayon sa trabaho ko, 'yung pakiramdam na kumikita ka habang nag-e-enjoy ka sa ginagawa mo.

Q : Tell us, how did you switch to photography?
G : Nag-start talaga ako sa corporate world. One day nakahawak ako ng DSLR camera at parang sobra akong nagandahan sa output ng pictures. Matagal ko na din kasi balak bumili ng point-and-shoot camera pero sabi ko sa sarili ko, mag-iipon na lang ako para makabili ng DSLR. Noong naka-ipon ako, bumili agad ako. Kung ano lang makita ko na subject sa backyard namin pinag-practice-an ko. Little by little suma-sideline na rin ako sa mga kiddie party, nag-start na rin akong tumanggap ng mga maliliit na birthday coverage. Till the time na sumali ako sa photography club. Dumami mga kaibgan ko na photographers sa events, nakasama ako sa iba't ibang team na nakatulong nang malaki sa akin para ma-develop yung skills ko. Kahit tumatanggap na ako ng sarili kong bookings, hindi pa rin ako nagre-resign sa work ko. Sabi ko, mag-iipon at mag-i-invest muna ako ng gamit, kapag medyo stable na ako, saka ako magre-resign. Dumating yung araw na parang madami na din akong schedule at sa tingin ko it's time para mag-fulltime na. Sa grace ng Lord, hanggang ngayon nakaka-survive ako sa tulong Niya at sa tulong ng mga kaibigan ko na nagtitiwala sa kakayahan ko.

Q : You’ve witnessed a lot of love stories with your camera and lens… what have these stories taught you about life and love?
G : Na masarap pala ang magmahal at ang mahalin.  Hahahaha.

Q : What’s your most memorable event coverage?
G : Ang pinaka-hindi ko makakalimutan na wedding shoot ko 'yung galing ng preps tapos papuntang simbahan, ibang simbahan pala 'yung napuntahan namin. Halos lumipad 'yung sasakyan namin, buti na lang late 'yung officiating priest kaya hindi kami na-late. Hahaha. Kaya lesson learned. Every detail sa event ay mahalaga, lalo na ang time and place.

Q : If there’s a wedding or prenup shot you’re most proud of, what is it?
G : Every prenup and wedding na na-shoot ko is a different experience. Masaya talaga makita silang nag-e-enjoy sa bawat isa kahit na pagod na pagod na sa mga poses and pegs. For me, ang magiging wedding shot na pinaka-proud ako, 'yung dream ko, and that is to shoot my own bride's portrait during our wedding day.

Q : For the record, you're single and has yet to tie the knot. We’re sure you have plans to. If it’s your wedding, who would you like to be the official photographer?
G : May prospect na ako sa ngayon pero hindi ko muna i-a-announce. Hahaha.

Q : Wala namang samaan ng loob kahit sabihin mo. Okay, clue?
G : Sikat sila sa Bulacan. Nakatrabaho ko na rin sila. Haha.

Q : What’s your favorite gear combo when shooting events?
G : Sa events, mas gamit ko madalas Canon 6D and Sigma 35mm Art.

Q : What’s the most challenging aspect of being an events photographer?
G : Unang-una sa lahat dapat marunong ka mag-budget ng time, importante ang time management. Dahil kapag hindi nasunod ang timeline, madaming mami-miss na moment. Being an events photographer, kailangan mo ma-document from the start hanggang sa last part ng event. It is your way to tell the story through your photos.

Q : Five to ten years from now…. what would you like to accomplish?
G : To have my own physical office and studio. I think of having some events-related business din. Clown, magician, kidding aside. Hahaha.

Q : Aside from shooting events, what genre would you like to try or master?
G : Parang gusto ko i-try mag-landscape kapag nag-travel na ako sa ibat ibang lugar.

Q : Do you have a dream project?
G : Yes, to work with Metrophoto and Oly Ruiz. Isa siya sa mga idol ko!

Q : To those who are starting out in the events industry, what advice can you tell them?
G: Start to have a good portfolio. Mag-collect na kayo ng mga pictures na magagamit n'yo to represent your name. Tingin tayo ng mga magagaling na photogrphers, then kuha tayo ng ideas from them. Time will come, magkakaroon at ma-e-establish natin 'yung sarili nating style and identity. In client's side naman, dapat i-maintain natin 'yung magandang reputation ng name natin especially sa mga kasamahan natin sa industriya. Maliit lang ang mundo kaya 'wag natin pasikipin lalo. Tayo-tayo lang din kasi ang magtutulungang mga magkakaibigan.

Q : While for those interested in photography, what can they do to get good at it?
G : Lahat naman tayo nag-start sa empty knowledge. Walang nag-start na magaling na agad. Basta continuous lang tayo mag-shoot and practice. Malaking tulong din na may group tayo or team, madami tayong matutunan sa kanila.

Q : What's your message to Focus followers and fellow-members?
G : Sa mga kasamahan ko po sa Focus Bulacan, maraming salamat po sa pagsuporta ninyo sa group natin. Patuloy tayong mag-suportahan at magmahalan. Lumaki pa sana ang ating grupo at dumami pa ang mga photo enthusiast na makasama natin. Sa lahat po ng followers ng Focus Bulacan, sana po ay nakapagbigay kami ng inspirasyon sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng aming grupo at ng aming mga larawan. Mabuhay po kayong lahat! To God be all the glory!

Gilbert's Picks : Some of his favorite projects (click thumbnails to view photos in full)

A lot of questions down the road that we'll wait for the answers to. Will he get to work with Oly Ruiz? When is he going to put up his own studio? Is he really serious about magicians and clowns? When will he find the love of his life? And whose portrait is he going to shoot at his own wedding? We can't tell exactly what the future holds, but one thing's for sure : Gilbert is going to keep on persevering, working hard, and being the nice guy who doesn't finish last.

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