This LDR couple pulled off their pre-wedding photoshoot while in separate countries
With one of them having only a few days in Manila before their actual wedding day, a long-distance Pinoy couple decided to get creative and push through with their prenup shoot even when they were still in separate countries.
Janno Mago, 25, is in the Philippines while Patricia Villarama, 24, is in Canada. Amid the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and other circumstances, all their preparations had to be done virtually. This included drawing parallels between Marikina and Edmonton as well as finding spots that give off the same vibes and settings.
“It was Janno’s idea to do an LDR prenup shoot due to time constraint, and when we were searching for ideas, I eventually got inspired by seeing combination photos and thought we can do the same by showing two different yet interconnected photos,” Patricia told PhilSTAR L!fe. From there, editor Kyle Espiritu thought of portraying how their daily lives are connected, “even when we’re on the opposite sides of the world.”
The session was no easy feat, recalled Janno. “We really had to use our imagination for it, especially since she wasn’t really with me in the shots. We had to make sure our facial expressions in the photos looked real and genuine,” he said.
“There were a lot to keep in mind: matching each other’s poses, the angle of the shot, the posing, among others. But it was a really fun experience,” added Patricia.
The lovely pair could only turn out grateful for their nearest and dearest who made it possible. “Juna Dela Cruz and Kyle Espiritu played a big role in helping and enriching our photoshoot concept. They also helped with finding shoot locations, captured Janno’s photos, and combined it with mine,” she shared.
“My photos were taken by a talented friend in Canada, Axelito Guerrero, who also helped me match Janno’s photoshoot locations,” Patricia continued. “My brother, Miguel Villarama, also assisted and was Janno’s body double behind the scenes.”
After eight years as boyfriend and girlfriend, they finally tied the knot on Wednesday, July 14 at Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal. How are they keeping their long-distance relationship alive? Patricia pointed out four things: love, trust, compromise, and communication. “Our relationship is deeply rooted in love, and so it’s been easy to trust each other because we are assured of each other’s love,” she declared. “And because of the time difference and distance, it’s really necessary to compromise and meet in the middle for most things, if not all.”
Honest and open communication is just as paramount. “Whenever we face a problem, we talk about it and work it out together,” the bride explained. “And of course, putting God in the center of our relationship played the biggest part.”
Janno, for his part, kept it short but sweet: “LDR is not for everyone, but if you really love your partner, choose them. Every day.”
Photographs by Axelito Guerrero, Juna Dela Cruz, and Kyle Espiritu (editor)