Behind every wedding is a beautiful love story. For JR Salonga, the force behind Rule of Thirds by JR Salonga Photography, the story does not revolve only around the newlyweds, but their respective families as well. "I find [the different family stories] interesting because these stories show their natural feelings, actions, [and] reactions." He furthers, "Mixed emotions during the wedding day fascinate me. I want to be the one to capture [those emotions]." Just as interesting as the stories his photographs tell, however, is the story behind how he became a wedding photographer.
While he was in college, JR started accepting jobs handed to him by his mentor. He was tasked to do wedding album layouts. The experience opened JR's eyes, not just to the wedding industry, but to other concepts as well, for which all his future clients can rejoice. "I used to shoot [only] landscapes and portraits at the start, but [wedding photography] is really my kind of photography."
Describing his style, JR says his works are scenic and candid. His ability to play around with strobes or flashes also contributes to his unique visuals. JR also gives his full attention to the task at hand. He says, "I make sure that I am always aware of what's happening around me, and of course, that I have the right gear to [capture] single-second shot opportunities."
JR practices that same meticulousness when he prepares for a shoot. He makes sure that his team is aware of their expected time of arrival, and that he has all his gear. An ever-ready photographer, JR also prepares a back-up plan, just in case uncontrollable variables like bad weather come into play.
More importantly, JR prioritizes the story that the couples want to tell. Particularly for prenuptial shoots, JR says that he allows them to explain what kind of photographs they have in mind, after which he executes their wishes in his own style. "Some couples are so busy trying to think of the setup they want, [but] this [should] not be a problem because I can adapt to what is available on the prenuptial day, [and] I can compose unique images using the available scenery and details."
To constantly up his game, JR keeps challenging himself. His goals go beyond becoming the top wedding photographer. He shares, "My goal is [for] every event to be better than the previous one." With the number of couples who want to share their love stories through their wedding photos, JR's own story as a photographer will surely be a long and beautiful one.
To see sample photos and learn more about Rule of Thirds by JR Salonga Photography, click here.
