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Lifestyle | Arts
By Ryanne Co
Updated Mar 21, 2024
Cover Photo by Hannah Reyes Morales
These ladies have found purpose behind the camera lens. Today, we’re celebrating their talent by putting them front and centre
Photography has traditionally put artists behind the lenses of their cameras. It is the photos we remember, captured evocative moments in a time capsule. Each has a story to tell. But behind the camera, photographers wait for their perfect moment—when the light passes through and illuminates the photos’ subjects beautifully, when the right amount of shadow softens or hardens, when the elements come together in perfect composition. And unbeknownst to many, it is not only men who have mastered this profession. Women, too, are storytellers. They are the ones who even dared to tell stories many have feared to expose.
Today, we’re recognising talented Filipinas who deserve to be in the spotlight. Here are some of our country’s top photographers, each with a unique eye and style.
Read more:Must-Know Smart PhonePhotographyTips From Portrait and Fashion Photographer Artu Nepomuceno
1. Hannah Reyes Morales
Above Photo: Cru Camara
Hannah Reyes Morales is best known for her stark photography and honest depiction of everyday life. Her impressive portfolio has reached the pages of The Washington Post, The New York Times, National Geographic, and Al Jazeera. Most notably, her works explore universally human themes that include survival, resilience, and the intimate everyday moments we often lose in the blink of an eye. On top of that, she has also shot for Dior during fashion week and, most recently, was tasked to be one of two photographers covering this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Related: From NatGeo To Dior What Can’t Hannah Reyes Morales Do?
2. Regine David
Above Photo: Regine David
Bodies and faces are the main curiosities of Regine David’s camera lens. Many of her photos are honest, intimate, and emotional; her most frequent subjects often do not shy away from throwing a challenging (or poignant) gaze towards the camera. David is also a well-known advocate for queer visibility and usually works with diverse models and subjects to portray the LGBT+ community.
3. Xyza Cruz Bacani
Above Photo: Xyza Cruz Bacani
Though Xyza Cruz Bacani’s dramatic photos may tell you otherwise, the world rarely comes as black and white. Bacani photographs the true-to-life realities that are often kept hidden by society. There is no thirst for glamour in any of her works—instead, each photograph opens up a new story that is true and necessary. Having previously worked as a domestic worker in Hong Kong, Bacani is privy to the intimate moments of hardship and joy that come with the territory, giving her an advantage towards honest storytelling.
Read more:Lessons From Professional Photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani
4. Cru Camara
Above Photo: Cru Camara
Colour comes into play in Cru Camara’s photographs, whether in a close-up portrait or a still-life-inspired snapshot. This distinct playfulness sets Camara’s style apart, making it evident that she isn’t one to shy away from whimsy or experimentation. Neither is Camara one to be intimidated by scenes of vulnerability, including nude forms and dramatic movement.
Read more:‘Photos Are More Than Snapshots’: The Strange Fruit Collective On Photography In The Philippines
5. Eloisa Lopez
Above Photo by Eloisa Lopez
Photojournalist Eloisa Lopez is the woman behind some of Reuters' most essential photos of the Philippines (and around Asia). As a staff member for the international news organisation, Lopez takes it upon herself to document the good, the bad, and the ugly. One of her projects had been to document the notorious war on drugs instituted by the current government administration. She's captured scenes from the infamous Manila gridlock, the devastating Marawi siege, and even the tension-filled Hong Kong protests.
6. Shaira Luna
Above Photo: Shaira Luna
Shaira Luna is no stranger to society. She is perhaps one of the most prominent names in Philippine photography, having captured celebrated moments with celebrities, scions, and other notable names. Her biggest trademark is perhaps the softness of her photos, which are glamorous, sensual, and intimate in their own way.
Read more:Paco Guerrero On His Career and Creative Process - This Photographer and Director Shares All
7. Charisma Lico
Above Photo: Charisma Lico
Strong feminine portraits are a hallmark of Charisma Lico’s work. Warm-toned and telling, she portrays influential and well-known women in creative or intimate set-ups. With a specialisation in fashion and commercial work, Lico truly knows how to make a woman shine.
See also: The Re-Emergence Of Film Photography: Its Impact, Why People Prefer It, And More
8. Carmen del Prado
Above Photo: Carmel del Prado
Carmen del Prado portrays the idylls of nature in her series of photographs taken on land and underwater. Bright and happy, her portraits remain fashionable yet intriguing, furthering the question of what adventure her subjects are likely to take on next.
Read more: Raymund Issac On Dealing With Rejection And His Best Moments As A Photographer
9. Andrea Beldua
Above Photo: Andrea Beldua
Powerful and provocative, Andrea Beldua’s photographs are portraits of striking dynamism. She’s been entrusted with capturing the myriad of emotions these people portray, from a fashion model's confident insouciance to the piercing gaze of defiant luminaries.
10. Wawi Navarroza
Above Photo: Wawi Navarroza
There is very little neatness in Wawi Navarroza’s works. But then why should there be in the eclectic style of this young artist? Herworks are a play of colour and proportion, an exciting though turbulent depiction of art and life that is as intriguing as the best photographs tend to be.
See also: 7 Must-Know Wildlife Photographers To Follow On Instagram
11. Sara Erasmo
Above Photo: Sara Erasmo
See nature through brand new eyes with Sara Erasmo’s works. While seemingly mundane, Erasmo’s subjects become much more vivid under her lens. There is a new appreciation for texture alongside the minuscule details that are so often missed by the naked eye.
12. Stella Kalaw
Above Photo: Stella Kalaw
Stella Kalaw's images are a common ground between art and photography. Her photographs are almost cinematic, a true testament to the statement: life is a movie. Through her work, one sees beauty in everything: in order or disorder and even in an angle of light. She says she “creates photographs based on wonder, curiosity and imagination.”
Read more: Joe Salazar: AFilipinoMaster Of Fashion
13. RJ Fernandez
Above Photo: RJ Fernandez
Based in London, RJ Fernandez knows all about colour yet embraces black and white's power. She’s worked as a printer and retoucher and has learned various lessons through firsthand experiences with photographers, art directors, agencies, and magazines. “Blending the best of analogue techniques with digital technology led to a unique way of creating visual imagery with a particular emphasis on working with colour,” she points out on her website. Her photo series often carry comprehensive colours throughout each photograph—whether in black and white or otherwise.
14. Tammy David
Above Photo: Tammy David
Tammy David has honed her skills in various ways. Now, she has an impressive portfolio of photographs of food, interiors, portraits, and editorials. Her work has been featured in Monocle, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, andNewsweek Japan.
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Topics
photography female
