Ever After on Firestarter: Chips and Fozzy

I’ve written about what happened at Firestarter already. Now I’m going to share about our shoot on the second day. The lovely dress that everyone’s been raving about was designed by Veluz. Fozzy and I were in her shop for the first fitting. I was already smitten with the dress Fozzy was trying on, but Veluz decided it wouldn’t do. So she started from scratch again. Fozzy and I could not stop giggling and gushing at the shop. There’s just something about Veluz and her dresses that does that to girls. The overall look was romantic, elegant, and feisty. And this is why I love Veluz’s work. Other than her gorgeous designs and the impeccable fit and workmanship, she reads people well and somehow designs dresses that match brides’ personalities perfectly.

Our dream shoot would not have been complete without a beautiful bouquet by Dylan Gozum of Vatel Manila, hair and makeup by Chichi Sotomil (which Fozzy didn’t want to wash off when she got home, haha), and stunning Sugarfree Shoes courtesy of Lifestyle by Feliz. Jeff and I are so grateful for their support, and are proud to call them friends.

An interesting bit to this story though is how we came to shoot Chips Dayrit and Fozzy Castro-Dayrit for Firestarter. Jeff and I started planning this workshop hoping to shoot a real couple, and my first choice was Chips and Fozzy. You see, Fozzy inquired with us for their 2009 wedding, but we couldn’t take on their wedding because of a schedule conflict. I was always a bit sad about that. We got to keep in touch anyway and grew to become friends. Our kids were born days apart, and their daughter Hero was our son’s first playdate.

When I asked them first if they would consider modeling for the shoot, they couldn’t fit it in their schedule either. Chips is an ultrarunner and is in training for a 100-mile run. Jeff and I then spent days looking for the right models, but none of them ever felt right. So I pitched it again to Fozzy a week later. I think my excitement was contagious this time; I somehow managed to get her onboard. And because Chips loooves Fozzy, he worked his training schedule around the shoot. Fozzy and I spent about a week all giddy and gushing over the dress on text and Twitter, and every day ’till the workshop, I knew I did the right thing. Jeff and I need a real couple to do what we do. I love a bride who gets giddy and excited over wedding things, because why not. Weddings are exciting. Weddings are fun. If you’re not happy and in love on your wedding day, you’re doing it wrong.

This wasn’t exactly a real wedding, but it came pretty close for me. Jeff, the participants, and I all had a great time shooting them. And I do believe Fozzy, and maybe even Chips (haha), had fun, too. They’re absolute naturals in front of the camera. They’re obviously madly in love with each other, and yes, I could not stop being giddy seeing them together. I like how he holds her, and how he makes her giggle like a schoolgirl. And I love how she’s soft and yielding with him, but still completely her own person.

So, Chips and Fozzy, this kind of makes you one of our couples now and I get to write you a little note. Hee. Thank you for spending your Sunday morning with us. We all had a field day shooting you two, and I still get giddy seeing your photos, even though I’ve seen them about a hundred billion times since the shoot. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful experience. You were the icing on the cake. Love always.


Comments

11 responses to “Ever After on Firestarter: Chips and Fozzy”

  1. this is lovely, lisa! i’ve had some work done by fozzy too and it’s so nice to see a blogpost with her in it!
    we will be prepping at the pen before the wedding. would we be able to take photos like this too?!?!? i love the black and white pictures! i also love that room with the round window. would we have access to the room too?
    :) :) :) just getting a little too excited here!

  2. Hi, Melissa! Thank you!!! Access to areas will all depend with your arrangement with The Peninsula. That room with the round window is Salon de Ning. It’s lovely! I’ll email you more about permits. I can feel your excitement. Haha. Love it! :)

  3. just stunning and beautiful! great work as always, jeff & lisa! =)

  4. Gorgeous pictures! Beautiful gown! I’ll always be your most ardent fan talaga. Miss you both!

  5. @Rose – Thanks so much! And thank you for being friends with Laurice! Haha. She knew of us because of you. :)

    @Trish – Thank you! Naks. We miss you guys!!

  6. nina egualada

    this is so stunning :D im not married but i get excited about weddings i go giddy and all that :D yay! i must have been sooo in love :D you picked the right couple :D congrats for a wonderful shoot :D

  7. this is why Paulo and I didn’t think twice in booking you guys for our wedding next year, I can’t wait to sit down and have coffee with you guys :)

  8. I just stumbled upon your site today. Wow! several hours later and I’m still here. Lovely and stunning photos. I’m a fan now! Kudos to you and your husband, Jeff.

    bookmarked! :)

  9. @Nina – Thank you!

    @Des – Thanks, Des! Jeff and I are looking forward to meeting you guys!! :)

    @Delbert – Thank you so much!

  10. I loved every single image for this series. Congratulations to the beautiful couple! You have a new fan in NYC! :)

  11. Stunning couple…Have a wonderful life. Ec 4:12….Brilliant pics!!!

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