BTS: jCp Workshop

Had my first one-on-one workshop teaching photography and was even more glad that we had a model to practice my "student's" newfound skill set. This model happened to be my good friend Lauren whom I've known since high school. Special thanks to JuJu Li (elitestylist.com) who provided terrific hair and makeup!

Above is Lauren changing shoes--the last piece to her outfit in preparation for our shoot.

Here's a pic of Diane taking various shots of Lauren as JuJu makes adjustments for Lauren.

It wouldn't be a shoot if everyone didn't have fun. While Diane took majority of the pictures, that left me making Lauren laugh to get some real nice natural shots.

Location wise, this was set at Pacifica's Rockaway Beach. Diane and I met at Nick's Restaurant (although i was the only one who ate breakfast haha) Despite it being foggy (actually a photographer's preferred shooting conditions) and windy (which made JuJu work harder) we had a good session.

Here's the group pic (left to right): Diane, JuJu, Lauren, and I before we parted ways.

Thanks again to everyone for a great session!

E-Session: Patricio and Melanie (08/22/10) - Teaser

For my friend and director Patricio Ginelsa, he definitely had a vision for his engagement pictures with his fiancé Melanie. It was definitely fun and since I've been on his music video sets more than a couple of times, I've grown to know how a day will unfold working with him: In short, it was fun while putting in hard work in the day.

Now I don't want to spoil it for his wedding day when he'll use this so I'll only show a few of the pics that I liked.

To start it off, I had a mini "studio" session with Pat and Mel. You can't tell from this picture, but both are wearing his custom shirt that reads "indie" which represents Pat's role as an independent filmaker. There's also a nifty story to the vintage video camera he's holding and it was great to learn how it worked back in the day. Oh the advances we've made!

We headed to San Francisco's Embarcadero where we strolled along the pier. If you read the BTS post on this shoot, they wanted to be pictured with their food loves The Coffee Bean and Tuttimelon.

This shot is from the "scene" Pat had in mind to be photographed in. Basically, Pat and Mel spent a lot of time on the road promoting on the Filipino-American movie The Debut. And when they say long time on the road, it really was a long time driving to different cities promoting the film several years ago. And so for this scene, he wanted to recreate the scene of them in their Honda Civic wearing the shirts and tags driving on the road. I loved how both were really into it despite already going to different locations and dress changes--yes we had wardrobe changes like on a film set! haha

For the last location, Pat wanted to go to the location that is very dear to him. This location in Daly City is where he shot his 1st trilogy when he was a teenager and then also revisited it for a scene in his premiere movie Lumpia that was toured across the nation. While Pat and Mel live in LA currently, both are natives of Daly City and I was glad to use my hometown as well as part of their engagement session.

Many thanks to Pat and Mel for having me take their photos and also to Nicole for assisting me the entire day [I had another engagement session prior to this one]. Can't wait to get all the photos edited for you so you can for sure use them for your wedding day!

E-Session: Patricio and Melanie (08/22/10) - Behind the Scenes

All photos by Nicole Velazco

After my session with Louie and Bern, I had a mini break before heading out to my next engagement shoot with Pat and Mel.

You may be wondering why this is the first picture of this BTS series post... well, low and behold that actually is me when I was about 3-4 years old! This engagement session was for my friend Patricio who is also a director for his Kid Heroes Productions. When we were kids [meaning for me, I was the baby of them all], we'd play baseball with all the other kids in the neighborhood. He and his brother made actual baseball cards of most of the kids who played baseball and so when I arrived, he wanted to show me my very own card circa 1990-1991. haha!

Knowing Pat, he previsualized his very own engagement session and so I was there to help accomplish his vision as well as chime in with my very own direction.

I ain't gonna lie: directing an actual director is daunting haha But remembering Pat and Mel as friends made the whole shoot smooth.

Pictured above is Pat's brother Darriel while Pat gets a really old video camera prepped for the shoot. In the back, Mel is getting ready with make up.

I have Pat and Mel review the pics we shot in their director's chairs before we proceed to the next location.

Before we took our pics at Embarcadero, they wanted to be pictured with their favs Coffee Bean and Tuttimelon frozen yogurt. They were nice enough to grab Nicole and I some too to beat the weather!

Just noticed in the above picture that we all seem to be pointing with some concerned looks haha I believe this is where I'm talking to them and letting them know where we'll head soon afterward.

Where we were pointing at is where we are now.. at one of the piers with the Bay Bridge in the background.

One of the last locations was at Hillside Park in Daly City. This certain location Pat has used couple of times in his featured videos like his 1st trilogy Kid Heroes and Lumpia.


Again showing them a preview of the shots I took to ensure everything's A-ok!

Per tradition, I take a group photo with everyone involved in the shoot: here's a pic with Dar.

And then my assistant and I...
..and as always, the Funny Face pic!

Thanks again Pat and Mel! Can't wait to show you both the final pics and of course be present at your wedding! =)

E-Session: Louie and Bern (08/22/10) feat. MotionScope Studies

All photos taken by Nicole Velazco

Pictured left to right: Nicole (Assistant), Francis (Video), Ryan (Video), Bern and Louie, myself (Photographer), and cousin of Bern, Ian.

I'll first start off this post with a group picture of those present on this engagement session with my grammar school friend Bernadette and her soon to be hubby Louie. This was taken on School of Motion's glidetrack in which my assistant, Nicole, placed her Canon G10 on top of while we post in back of Coit Tower in San Francisco.

Here's Ryan and I waiting for Bern and Louie to arrive as we also make some final adjustments to our equipment.

During this shoot, we definitely hit two birds with one stone as in between locations, Ryan would interview the couple and answer a few questions about who they are and how they meet for example. Professional audio and video were taken so you can imagine how this scene looked like in such a public [and beautiful] spot.

While it may look like this as I'm photographing them...

It looked like this from afar haha

Francis and I battling it out to get "the shot."

Next spot was taken at a place where they actually met: Jefferson High School in Daly City. Glad that the gates were open despite it being a Sunday.


We took a few shots around the school and was glad that they chose a spot that had special meaning to them both.

While I showed them how they can possibly pose, I joked about the poster that hung right next to me haha

This was one of the last shots I took before calling it wrap. Francis [pictured at left] was taking some BTS video that he and Ryan will incorporate in the couple's love story video.

For old times sake, Bern and I took a photo and reminisced real quick on our years at Thomas R. Pollicita where I got to know Bern from 7th and 8th grade. Good times!

Thanks Bern and Louie! I'm so happy to take your photos and even more thrilled to be covering your big wedding day! =)

Stay tuned for some images.

Photoshoot: "John and Jane" (07/24/10) Edits

A collaboration with stylists MyBFCloset.com and Jane Park, stylist of MotionScope Studies for an androgynous photoshoot.

Big thanks to everyone involved for a practically 10 hour photoshoot!

Full Credits:
Talent: Jane Park
Photography: JJ Casas
Make Up: Karen Wan
Stylists: Jessica Phan & Agnes of Fernandez of My BF's Closet
Stylist Assistant: Tristan Orlino
1st Assistant: John Enriquez
2nd Assistant: Rina Pera
BTS Photographer: Nicole Velazco

For BTS photos, check em out here!
For BTS video, check it out here!

Check out the final photos below. It is the quick story of "John and Jane" who meet and greet, have a great time, to only find themselves in a troubled relationship. Hope you enjoy it and all our hard work put into this long shoot!


"The Meeting"

"The Picnic"

"The Morning After"

"The Night Out"

"The Argument"

BTS Video: "John and Jane" Photoshoot (07/24/10)

A collaboration with stylists MyBFCloset.com and Jane Park, stylist of MotionScope Studies for an androgynous photoshoot.

Big thanks to everyone involved for a practically 10 hour photoshoot!

Full Credits:
Talent: Jane Park
Photography: JJ Casas
Make Up: Karen Wan
Stylists: Jessica Phan & Agnes of Fernandez of My BF's Closet
Stylist Assistant: Tristan Orlino
1st Assistant: John Enriquez
2nd Assistant: Rina Pera
BTS Photographer/Videographer: Nicole Velazco

Video produced by JJ Casas
Song: "Be Still" by Big Boi feat. Janelle Monae

Photoshoot: "The Sound Lab" feat. IQ [07/17/2010] EDITS

For San Jose-based rapper IQ, I developed a concept involving his childhood dream of becoming a scientist and his rapper name IQ. Together along with MotionScope Studies members, I was able to bring this concept into reality.

Here's some links leading up to the final edits shown below:
Concept: The Sound Lab for IQ [06/17/10]
BTS Photos [07/21/10]
BTS Video [07/29/10]

Full Credits:
Talent: IQ (sickasounds.com)
Manager: Row
Photographer: JJ Casas
1st Assistant: John Enriquez
2nd Assistant: Diane Ayson
Stylist: Jane Park
BTS Photographer: Nicole Velazco
BTS Videographer: Vinette Guiterrez

Now without further adeau, here's some of the final edits that rapper IQ and manager Row approved. Be on the lookout to see these images on the web soon!








Thanks for coming by and hope you enjoyed the series!

Photoshoot: "On A Journey" [Sutro Baths, San Francisco, 06/26/10] EDITS

Long overdue, but I finally completed the edits for the shoot "On A Journey." If you haven't scene the BTS [behind the scenes] post, check it out here! Also, here's the BTS video!

Full Credits--be sure to click the links to see their talented work!:

Photography by JJ Casas
Assisted by John Enriquez (MSS)
BTS Photography/Producer: Nicole Velazco (MSS)
2nd Assistant: Jane Park (MSS)
Model: Veronica Girma
Model: Paris Warr
Clothing Designer: Cara Antoinette Ramos
Clothing Designer: Jocelyn Santos
Jewelry Designer: Cecille "Ses" Basila (Queen Swaggerly)
Stylist: Brian Advincula
Stylist: Angelica Garde
MUA: Bianca Guido
MUA: Michelle Vega

Model Veronica Girma



Model Veronica Warr



I will say I love Veronica's hair and this may be my favorite photo from the set.









Many thanks again to everyone involved and who worked the long hours at the very cold San Francisco late afternoon to evening!

Can't wait to work with you all again in the near future =)

Be sure to visit my Facebook page and "like it"!