Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Award-winning photographers Marc and Phoebe Aviles share their passion in capturing life’s beautiful images

IT’S such a cliché to say a picture is worth a thousand words, but that is exactly what they are. However, capturing life’s beautiful moments takes more than a simple click of a camera. Aside from having an "eye," being passionate about what you do is a plus.

For husband and wife team Marc and Phoebe Aviles, passion is no question. Now established photographers with their own studio—This is iT Photography—Marc and Phoebe specialize in wedding and portrait photography. Their talents and skill in capturing wedding moments gave them the opportunity to be featured as Wedding and Photographers International’s (WPPI) photographers of the month in its April 2008 newsletter.

However, the most exciting part is that just last June, Marc received special honors at the 2008 WPPI 8x10 inch First-Half Print Competition, and just recently, he landed first place in the Glamour category of the 2009 WPPI 16x20 Print Competition. Not bad for someone who never really had formal training or education on photography.

Marc was born in San Juan, Manila to a poor family. At nine years old, he was selling pan de sal at 4am in the neighborhood before going to school. After school, he would then sell pan de coco in time for merienda. He also sold newspapers and magazines in the intersection of EDSA and Ortigas Ave., which was dangerous for kid his age. But at his young age, he knew the importance of of having an education. With this in mind, he worked hard so he can complete his schooling.

His first encounter with photography was during high school at the San Juan Municipal High School in San Juan, Manila back home in the Philippines. Back then, in the darkroom, he was fascinated developing images right before his eyes. But coming from a poor family, he couldn’t afford a camera at that time so he soon forgot about photography.

Marc then worked in Singapore as an Information Technology (IT) professional in Singapore. With a better job, he was able to purchase a camera. Everything he learned about photography was self-taught—by searching through the Internet, reading photography magazines, joining forums and groups who were enthusiasts as well. He was hooked, but one day he asked himself about the purpose of his photography.

Not knowing where it will lead to, he joined a competition by Photo-i Magazine, a prestigious photography magazine in Singapore in 2004. It was the first time he joined and it was his first win, bagging the Photographer of the Year.

The rest is history—as Marc continued to win competitions and accolades including 2007 Photographer of the Year from New York’s Popular Photography magazine.

Phoebe on the other hand, has always liked photography during her childhood, perusing volumes of fashion and travel magazines and studying at the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) in Intramuros, Manila. She also worked as an IT consultant in Singapore, where she met Marc.

Phoebe’s photo received a "Best Story Telling" Award from the National Geographic Channel, and it encouraged her to push forth with her photography. Today, Marc and Phoebe run This is iT Photography, doing weddings, portraits, fashion and product shots.

Still, both agree that there are challenges that they have to face. "There are a lot of challenges," they said in an e-mail interview with the Asian Journal. "Like how to reach out to the people to let them know that we are, that we are professional photographers and we’d like to work with them." They also added that they take care of their clients by giving them quality pictures at reasonable prices.

And quality is something that their photos have—with Marc’s passion for anything beautiful and unique, and Phoebe’s edgy angles and juxtapositions.

Their advance to budding photographers? "Practice everyday, and keep the passion burning. Have a mentor that you trust and admire. If you can’t find one, study on your own, and be open to constructive criticism. To be a (good) photographer, you need more than learning the techniques. It is best to have the ‘heart’ for it. The passion passion to make each assignment better than the last."

This is iT Photography is located at 980 El Camino Real, Suite 300, Santa Clara, CA 95050. You can also check out their beautiful photos at www.thisisitphotography.com or e-mail them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

( www.asianjurnal.com )

( Published on May 29, 2009 in SF Magazine p. 2 )