Focus Portrait Project 2016

It's the fourth edition of our Focus Portrait Project - where photographers become models for their fellow photographers. We know most of you already know what it is, but in case you still don't, here are the details including some changes for this year's FPP :

Focus Portrait Project serves three purposes:
- Provide each participating Focus member their own portrait taken by a fellow-Focus member
- Give members a prime opportunity to test their creativity, imagination, and portrait-photography skills
- Build “cameraderie” among members


How is this done?

We’re sure all of us are familiar with Christmas exchange gifts (monito-monita). Focus Portrait Project will be done almost the same way. The big difference is, we’re not giving out gifts, but giving each other portraits.

1. Focus members are strongly encouraged to join the Project. Exceptions are those who are based abroad. (Only official Focus members are allowed to join this activity.)

2. Participating members will have their names included in a lot. Two Focus officers will pick one name each from the lot. The two names that they pick will be paired to become partners/buddies in the Project. The officers will keep on picking two names at a time until all of the names have been picked.

3. The pairing WILL NOT be announced publicly. A Focus officer will privately inform the members who they have been paired with.

4. Each pair has a common task : photograph each other using your own concept, style, and taste. In other words : your partner will be your model, and you will be his/her photographer. Then you will also be his/her model, and he/she will also photograph you. Work both ways. THIS YEAR, THOUGH, we will be having a theme : PHOTOGRAPHER'S PORTRAITS. Portray your partner in the photography genre of his preference or where he/she excels.

5. Once you find out who your partner is, we ask that you keep it between the two of you. You then coordinate and talk about how, when, and where you will do the shoot.

6. DO NOT POST the final photos or teasers and behind-the-scenes just yet, to keep the suspense. All the photos will be presented during Focus Bulacan’s Christmas Party.

7. All the photos will be put to a vote, with the top photo's photographer and model to be given special prizes. The Focus Portrait Project will also count toward the point system for our Photographer of the Year competition.

8. Keep in mind that the photos will be included in the members’ profiles. So do your best to present your fellow Focus members in a good light. Funny or unusual presentation of your fellow member is accepted, as long as it does not demean the individual. Create a portrait that your partner will be proud of.

9.  In effect, we have more than four months to do this project (August-December). So schedule with your partner accordingly. Let’s avoid cramming. Four months is a lot of time.

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Focus officers Jer Sandel and Gilbert Fajardo picked the pairs for FPP 2016

The pairs have been notified. Game on! We'll see the photos in December.  :)

If you want to see how previous FPPs turned out :
FPP 2013
FPP 2014
FPP 2015