“It’s never too late to be what you might have been,” a quote by English novelist George Elliot is a mantra that Marbee and I have been taking to heart, especially now that we’re in our *ahem* 30s.  And apparently it’s something J Lucas Reyes, a friend and colleague in graphic design recently realized when he bravely gave in to the allure and romance of his first love, photography.

From J’s about page:

This year, he came full circle rediscovering his first passion, only after 10 years – photography. Coming from film, he has now embraced digital, and has refined his skills shooting weddings side by side with one of the Philippines’ best wedding photographers, his colleague and good friend, Nelwin Uy.

Photography by J Lucas Reyes

J just got married himself, having wed his longtime sweetheart Catherine Magsaysay in January of this year (we featured their lovely origami crane-themed invitation in a previous entry). And so I asked him if, being a newlywed, he can offer something unique to the couples he photographs.  His answer:

I love shooting weddings. Despite the frantic pace, it relaxes me, being reminded of my own and the few things that really matter – the bride, the groom, and the love. Funny thing is though, in the short span of time I’ve shot weddings, I think my photography style brings out the brides more. Well after all, like my wife used to say then, it’s the only special day in her life when she wants to be a princess and so I’m all happy to oblige.

Photography by J Lucas Reyes

Looking at J’s photographs, I can tell that he has kept his graphic design sensibilities in the way he angles and crops his shots. He keeps just enough of the image to retain the essence of the moment but leaves out some bits so that something is left to the imagination. And he makes sure to keep things simple:

Thankfully I come from a film background where you have to know photography and its history before you can call yourself a photographer. Despite using almost all-digital tools in exploring design, I do 90% of my work at the time of shooting and use the computer like I’m in a darkroom. I don’t utilize Photoshop layers, textures, plugins and stuff, which are quite the common thing everyone now buys off the street after a dslr. I try to keep things simple, frame steady, and let my mind be free to create pictures.

Photography by J Lucas Reyes

So with J, what you see in real life is what you get. And isn’t that just how we want our big day captured in stills?

See more of  J Lucas Reyes’ beautiful photography on his website. There’s good news too: he now accepts bookings.  Leave a note on his contact form or text/call him via 0919.8363620.

Related posts:

1. Stylish wedding photography by Rico and Gracci Pelaez: Pelaez Photography
2. TotoLabrador.com