Photographer Alexander Ii Banaag

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Cebu City, Philippines? :)

—I guess my mentor is the best, Marlon Capuyan. He's always been my barometer.

—Are you photogenic?

—Sometimes yes. Most of the time, no. LOL!

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—It happened when my mentor, Marlon Capuyan, asked me to be his 2nd shooter for a wedding in 2010. After that, I fell in love with wedding photography and have never looked back since.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Gears. Lighting conditions. Location.

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes. I travel a lot.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Fun

—What do you like least about your profession?

—The post-processing stage.

—What will be the future of photography?

—Wedding photography in the Philippines has a very bright future but with newbies coming and offering cheap rates, it feels harder to compete.

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—Wedding photography is different than other photography styles. Mainly because you are capturing moments that last a very long time.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I take it on a positive note. Being criticized means you still have something to improve on.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Yes. People always try something new.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—Quality. In the Philippines or in Cebu to be specific, price should not be the main criteria. It should be what the couple gets for the price they pay.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Mood swings, I guess.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—Hardwork

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—The perfect moment

—Who do you want to shoot?

—The couple

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—No

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—My wife

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I worry about zero booking

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—My Dad. He's the perfect example of hardwork.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—I want to be respected.

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—My wife. She's my 2nd shooter whom I get to sleep with after a hard day of work.

—Is there anything that you wish you hadn't bought among the gadgets that you own? Why?

—The 7artisans fisheye lens. It's a total waste of money.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I watch some other photographer's works.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Marlon Capuyan

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—My family

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—I am contented by how my parents groomed me.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—I should've invested wisely.

—Who are your heroes?

—My Dad

—Who do you have no respect for?

—People who show no respect

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Play PC and mobile games

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—After hearing feedback from clients

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—Yes

—Do you make friends easily?

—Yes

—Where would you like to live?

—Australia

—Is there life after marriage?

—Of course, yes

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Dogs

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Love story

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—shoot a wedding