Today we’d like to introduce you to Jojo Pangilinan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jojo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always been the guy that would take pictures of the moment. I started taking pictures when I was 13 years old. My go-to were those infamous disposable cameras that you would buy at your local drug store. I never thought much of it and the passion to document life’s little moments started from there. I started getting serious about photography when I started attending car shows back in 2001. I took pictures of everything, cars, models, still life, food, sneakers, etc… I shot my first wedding back in 2004; it was pretty much all random photos of friends and family counting down from 3, 2, 1 and having them smile and look at the camera. Absolutely nothing artistic about it. I remember telling myself back then, “I will never become a wedding photographer, it’s so boring”.
2007, I completely dropped my passion for photography. It was there in the back of my mind but I never thought twice about it. Fast forward to 2009-2010 until I met Linda, who is now my wife of almost ten years. We dated for only six months from when I finally mustered the guts to propose to her. I was in charge of wedding photography. I knew who I wanted before I even met Linda. The photographer’s name was Erik Clausen. Linda and I hired Erik to document our wedding. I still remember the moment we were looking through our wedding images, I remember turning to her and saying “I can do this”. She quickly replied back with “do what?”. My reply was “Wedding Photography… I can do this.”
Erik had completely inspired me to pick up my camera again and start shooting. But to be completely honest, I loved the fact that two people could fall in love, and begin their lives together. It gave me a sense of nostalgia and I wanted to experience what Linda and I shared with people that are following the same journey. From that moment on, I completely immersed myself with all things photography. What gear to buy, the process of telling a proper story, what workshops I needed to attend and meet the people I need to do to excel in this craft. A couple of months later, I second shot my first wedding just to get my feet wet. I was completely hooked and obsessed with all things wedding photography. I didn’t want to be the “hey look at my camera and smile” photographer. I wanted to be that wedding photographer that captured those moments that are overlooked from the chaos of the day. I wanted to be more of an artist. It’s been an amazing nine years of documenting weddings.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
To be honest, choosing to be a wedding photographer is not a smooth road to take.
Especially when you already planned to take over your parents business but then decide that maybe this isn’t meant for me. But I am a firm believer in finding your true self even if it takes unknown risks to accomplish those dreams. I’m just completely blessed to have a wife that completely supports me in everything I do.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a full-time wedding photographer and we specialize in documenting weddings.
An excerpt from my website: “We believe that marriage is not just a day to celebrate—that’s what weddings are for. But that day earmarks the beginning of a whole new chapter. Marriage is a leap of faith, trust, and courage. It takes strength to make this choice, and we admire so many for making it. When people invite us into their lives, we know they are stepping into something beautiful, and that never gets old for us. Weddings remind us that love matters and that we should be seeking it out each day.
We will have fun, play and be awkward. It’s what we do best.”
What separates us from the rest; we focus on how the awkward parts of being in a relationship. It’s our best way to learn and understand those little idiosyncrasies of falling in love and getting to know that person. We know that the wedding is just the of the chapter of your story and leading up to Marriage is what we want to celebrate the most.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the guy always playing jokes/pranks on friends and family. If there was a witty comment to be made, I said it for sure. If I said a stupid corny joke” my friends would reply with “that’s a “jojojoke”. But that’s just my creative side coming out.
I go through phases of being obsessed with trying to master everything in my life.
Pricing:
- Wedding coverage for 8 hours with two photographers begins at 3800
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jojopangilinan.com
- Phone: 4694389508
- Email: info@jojopang.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jojopangilinan_ ||| www.instagram.com/jojopongalong (personal)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jojopangilinan.photo
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