Possibility: Photo Collab with LarawanbyAmihan

Halina Jewelry's first collaboration with a photographer! Yahaay! 

I was approached by @LarawanbyAmihan in my Halina Instagram DM and then introduced herself. Her name is Aimee, a photographer from Bulacan and she was on the look out for products that she can shoot, both to use her portfolio, and the end result, will be photos I can use for my promotions. 

I looked at her website and what kind of 'feel' her photos have. See her website here! Instantly, I knew that she will be a perfect fit for Halina! If there is a word that popped in my mind, it was the word 'homey' - there were emotions and soul in her pictures. Lalo na when I saw her shots for pre-nup! Sabi ko sa kanya, parang gusto ko biglang ikasal 😂

(3 types of photo services you can choose from!)

I said "YES!" agad-agad that night and we quickly talk about how this will go. Honestly, I was a nervous how will the photos come out. I have trust in Aimee but I have always taken the photos of Halina, madalas OC pa ako kung anong props ang ilalagay. But with 2 collections, the earrings, and the bracelets, launching on the same day, I needed help. Aimee messaged me at the right time when I was panicking and stressing out!

I chose to let her work with the semi-precious bracelets. The bracelets are a new product for me. I have already learned how to take photos of the earrings, but the bracelets talaga, nag-struggle ako when I tried. 

(My 1st try taking photos of the bracelets, huhu ang pangit! 😭)

Here is a screenshot of my 1st run of taking photos of the bracelet. Hirap na hirap ako hahaha! Nasanay kasi ako sa bird's eye view or from the above, the very straight-forward product shots that I do for the website. Isang oras na akong nagshu-shoot nito, I kept mixing different textures and props for it, still none seem to be working out. I forgot the bracelets and said 'bahala na' so when Aimee came, I told her my dilemma and also my style/peg for the shoot. I gave her the freewill to do what she can.

(The 'Spring' semi-precious bracelet in focus)

Grabe, level up! I really like how the photos turned out and was happy! Sigurado akong I can use them for a long time at eto talaga ang mga ibu-boost ko for ads!  Seeing her photos is a great help for me too. I now have ideas on how to take them, what angles and props I can use to achieve this look.

Aimee's photos was a set of fresh eyes for me. Malaki talagang naitutulong working with other people, being a crafter I'm used to seeing my products, minsan hindi ko na maisip kung paano ko sila ipre-present. But look at the outcome of the shoot! It has the soft and graceful feel. The photos are clear, clean and the colors really popped out!

 (The 'Mermaid' bracelets in crystals and pearls, in focus)

Working with Aimee quickly turned into a friendship than the normal business deal. We talked about how she lost her job during this pandemic and is now rekindling her photography abilities. A bit about our boyfriends, making websites, running ads haha, hindi pa tapos ang collab, chikahan galore na kami! She also sent me this beautiful feedback after reading my last blog entry,

Teary-eyed ako dito and was really touched. That's when I realized that doing collaborations is more than the marketing and advertising aspects. It opened the possibility to meet a new person with a different set of abilities, to brainstorm and share an experience. Doing a collab with Aimee made me realize that it's about lifting each other up. Partnerships are never one sided, and I'm so glad I partnered with her. 🥰

(Aimee wearing the 'Lillian' pair, a little gift from Halina)

To Aimee, I am wishing you all the BEST in your new adventure and I know na this is only the start! You got more challenges ahead and whole lot of WINS! Sometimes talaga life gets us down so we can fly higher. Excited to see more of your photos and collaborations with other artists. And know I and Halina Jewelry will always be cheering on you! (ikaw talaga for my pre-nup 💖)

If you are needing a product shoot or for family events, pre-nup and weddings, I highly recommend her, check her portfolio and rates, click here. 

Shout out to @rapmae for connecting us, blessed to have a customer like you! This collab won't happen without your recommendation, sending love.