The proverbial "From small beginnings come great things" is true in the case of Edgee Zarsadias' wedding photography in POD Studio Productions. When Edgee was at the impressionable age of 11, his older brother, a photojournalist from one of the universities in Baguio, took Edgee to be his assistant and introduced him to photography. Over the years, Edgee pursued photography as a hobby, and later, his hobby grew into a business.

In 2000, Edgee became involved in computer distribution and service maintenance at PC4Me One-Stop Computer Corp. The company would get a lot of inquiries about digital imaging, which soon resulted in the creation of a digital department. In 2004, the digital department expanded into its own business--and POD Studio Productions was born. At first, POD catered to prints on demand (hence the name, POD). However, when clients started to request for product shots and food shots, Edgee decided it was time to take POD to the next level.

While at a relative's wedding, Edgee was inspired by all the emotions he witnessed at the ceremony. He took photos during the wedding, and when he showed them to the couple later on, they were very impressed with his work. At that point, Edgee knew that the next step to take with POD Studio Productions was to combine his passion for photography with his existing business, leading to POD's venture into wedding photography.

In order to prepare for the new service that POD was to offer, Edgee and his team attended special training sessions. Respected local photographer Jo Avila became Edgee's mentor, and also introduced him to celebrated wedding videographer, Jason Magbanua. From Jason, Edgee and his team learned principles of wedding videography.

Aside from learning from the best local wedding suppliers, the team also trained under top-notch Australian master photographers Ryan and Martin Schembri, as well as America's top photographers like Don and Nancy Emmerich, and Pete and Liliana Wright. Moreover, the team attended the WPPP Photo Congress in 2006, 2007 and 2009, as well as the country's premier digital arts training center, the Philippine Center of Creative Imaging (PCCI).

Edgee and his team improved their craft through these mentorship opportunities, and they constantly find ways to up their game. At present, Edgee is enrolled at the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) and is a proud member of the Wedding Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP) and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI).

Through learning from industry greats, Edgee has developed his own style in photography. His approach when covering a wedding is more photojournalistic than posed; this is because it's the emotions at weddings that inspire Edgee. "There are so many emotions already all you need to do is focus," Edgee says.

While Edgee's style leans towards taking candid shots, that doesn't mean that the team scrimps on preparations prior to the big day. "First off all we make sure we don't overbook so we can focus and get to know each and every couple," Edgee says. "I'm very hands-on when it comes to dealing with the couples, from the moment of inquiry to arranging the engagement shoots--it is during the engagement shoots where the couple and I usually get to know each other... We [also] prepare by reading photography and art books and magazines, browsing the web and checking other photographers and videographers--both locally and abroad," he adds.

POD Studio Productions has grown from a small department to an entirely new business, with much more to look forward to in the future--a concrete example of how great things can come from small beginnings. Edgee shares, "We are very blessed with what we have accomplished already. POD's goal is to be the pioneer in innovative technologies and to provide solutions for the digital needs of our clients."

For more information of POD Studio Productions, click here.