Dino Lara
9186 Balagtas St.,
Guadalupe, Makati City,
Metro Manila Tel # 883-4408
Email Address: info@dinolara.com
Rating: A++++++++++

Before:

We had a really hard time looking for the perfect photographer. There are just so many good photographers out there that we were overwhelmed when we went to our first bridal fair in SM Megamall. Honestly, part of what shocked us is how expensive the photos/videos packages are. The first group that caught our eye charged 100K for their package!

Again, I searched the archive of w@w for more information on possible photographers. When I came across Dino’s work, I showed it to Clarence. We were really impressed with his work. We especially loved his album. It’s very neat and not cluttered at all.

We were decided on getting him but waited until January 2006 to book him. Actually, I was into panic mode that time because I realized that popular suppliers get booked a year in advance. In my panic, I called up Dino right away and asked him where I could deposit our initial payment. Dino told me to meet with him first before making any payments. Besides, he told me that our wedding date is not as hectic anymore. A few days before our appointment, I checked his website again to download the map to his place. I was so surprised when I saw that he had increased his rates! I felt that we couldn’t afford his new rates so I consulted Clarence about it. He said that we’ll need to scout for another photographer whose package will meet our budget.

So, I started emailing several photographers. But, I wouldn’t cancel our appointment with Dino. I felt that it was not proper to do so. On the day that we were supposed to meet, I told Clarence that we shouldn’t be bringing any money for the downpayment because we weren’t booking him anyway. Clarence said, “Withdraw na tayo. For sure, ibo-book mo si Dino. Mahilig ka sa magandang output e.” True enough, we booked Dino right away!

Dino is very soft-spoken. He’s really humble to considering that he’s one of the most sought after wedding photographers. He’s very candid with his remarks too. He was patient in explaining the different techniques of photography. He should us several samples of his work and we were truly impressed.

On our way to the meeting, Dino called us up several times on the phone for fear that we might get lost going to his place. Actually, I knew the place well because I have a friend who lives in the area. I just didn’t know the name of the street. It turned out that they were neighbors!

Before we left, Dino told us to just text him if we have anymore questions or if we needed information on certain suppliers.

We scheduled our prenup with Dino quite early upon the advice of our coordinators, The 3rd Party.

I must say that the prenup pictorial is one of my most awaited activities during the whole preparation phase aside from my fittings with Frederick.

We got to his studio quite early. He was still setting up and he was quite apologetic about it. When we started with the prenup, he showed me my best angle. (Honestly, nakalimutan ko na which is my best angle. Hehe…)

We enjoyed the prenup pictorial very much! We felt like models. It took us only a few minutes before we felt comfortable in front of the camera. When he showed us the pictures, we were so happy! Prenup pictorials pa lang, sulit na!

Below are two of my favorite pictures.

During:

Dino and his team came in early that day. It’s probably because they had an early wedding that day and the reception of the other couple was at the Manila Peninsula where we were staying. When they came, all the wedding paraphernalias have already been arranged by Alfred of The 3rd Party for the photoshoot.

After shooting the accessories, he started taking some shots of me and those inside the room. Actually, I hardly felt his presence. I only grew aware of him when we were having our pictorial after the make up was done since he was giving instructions. He’ll try to make you smile with his jokes. He brought with him 3 back up photographers. They were all trying to make me comfortable while the pictorial was going on. After a while, they asked me to change into my gown. Then, we had some more pictorials.

Since we were done early, we had time to relax and rest inside my room. Then, around 3:15pm, we left the room and had our pictorial at the 2nd floor of Manila Peninsula.

All throughout the wedding ceremony and reception, we hardly felt that Dino was there. He worked silently. Most of my friends actually thought that King, one of his back up photographers was Dino. But even if we hardly noticed him, he and his team came up with fantastic pictures.

Below are top 10 of our favorite pictures:

If I had to choose one picture to summarize our wedding day, it would have to be this picture.

When I saw this photograph during the slideshow, I said to myself, “Sana ako rin.” Clarence and his nieces and nephews looked so cute in this picture. Unfortunately, I don’t have a similar picture simply because, I only have 2 nephews and they were not in the mood to have their pictures taken that time.

I love this candid picture.

The signature veil shot.

The two moms having a light moment before the church ceremony.

I don’t think I told Dino or anyone of our suppliers that my papa was dead. Like any other daughter, I was a papa’s girl. So imagine my surprise when I saw this picture! Yup, my papa was there during the wedding, looking over us like he always did.
Side note: I wanted to have a butterfly release inside the church as I walk down the aisle. However, when I called up NSDG, they told me that they do not allow it. But apparently, the couple before us had a butterfly release, that’s why there were lots of butterflies inside the church when the ceremony started. My sister-in-law even thought that that was one of our gimmicks that day.

Honestly, we never noticed this picture until we saw it in our final album.

We almost missed our sunset pictorial at the Coconut Palace. Blame it on our bridal car driver. Anyway, with a good team of photographers behind you, it’s still possible to make the most out of a 5 minute shoot.

After:
We got the raw pictures and loose prints a week or less than 2 weeks after the wedding. We also got the album in less than 6 months. I think that it’s a good thing that Dino and his team chooses the pictures for the album and just asks the couple to approve the layout. This way, it saves the couple valuable time.

Anyway, I’ve read a lot of comments about Dino being good in using Photoshop. Honestly, we can attest that the raw pictures are really good in themselves. In the first place, if there was never a good picture to start with, wala din mapho-photoshop.

Overall, I can say that we’re glad that we got Dino’s team. They not only captured beautiful pictures but wonderful memories as well.