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ESession | Nigel + Jhaira

5 Online Jobs You Can Try During Lockdown

When the Government announced last week that the Philippines will be placed under Community Quarantine (Lockdown) due to the coronavirus pandemic, my first thought – “How can we earn?

Some might say that it was too early to worry but when you\’re a mom, you always worry about everything. I know that this is the same question others have right now. With the postponement / cancellations of events, our main source of income is on hold as of the moment.

So to help out bread winners and fellow moms like me, I have compiled 5 Online Jobs which you can try to add an extra cash flow. I will also give you top sites where you can apply. And as a bonus, I have also listed different Online Schools who now offers their program for FREE!

Read on.

5 Online Jobs You Can Try This Quarantine / Lockdown Period

  1. Article Writing / Copywriting

When I started my online journey back in 2011, the first job that I got via Freelancer.com was as an Article Writer for hotels. I was earning $1 USD for a 300 word article and to be honest I was miserable! HAHA! But fast forward to today, the offers for starters definitely increased! I even have friends who earns about 1000 USD just to write a page.

Apart from earning extra, this can definitely help you improve your blogging for your page / website as well. A win – win  I must say!

 

2. Online Teaching / Tutoring

If you have great english skills and have a knack and patience in teaching then this might be for you. Through the years, online teaching became one of the fastest growing online niche for Filipinos. As an instructor, you are in charge of teaching your students how to read, write and converse in English. If you know another foreign language, more opportunities (and higher salary) will open up for you!

 

3. Graphic Design

Do you have the eye and hand for design? If yes, then I recommend that you also try your luck as a Graphic Artist / Designer. You can offer services ranging from a quick facebook banner commision to a full branding project depending on your skills.

 

4. Photo Editing

This might be the perfect option for photographers! You can help out other studios or companies with their photo editing requirements. You can encounter small projects such as removing backgrounds on photos. And you can also apply for bigger projects such as 3D rendering or composites.

 

5. Video Editing

Surprisingly, the need for video editor nowadays really surged! You can take projects like editing video vlogs, social media videos, wedding highlights, corporate videos and even 3D animation. 

 

These are just 5 of the hundreds of ONLINE JOBS that you can try and the best part about this is that nowadays, we have a great community of freelance workers who are more than willing to help us in our freelancing journey!

 

FREELANCING / ONLINE JOBS FACEBOOK GROUPS:

 

And if you are interested to learn a new skill or upgrade your current knowledge, I have compiled some Online Universities who are now offering their access during the quarantine period for FREE! So I suggest that you grab it while you still can. You can even avail certification courses and be certified!

 

Hope this helps! Let me know in the comments which online work you are considering to try or if you have any other suggestions!

Resiliency in times of Uncertainty

2020 has been so challenging for the wedding industry. So far it has been a series of trying events for us all which started from the Taal erruption and now the outbreak of this Coronavirus pandemic. 

These are uncertain times indeed as no one knows when we can contain the coronavirus nor how we can create a vaccine for COVID-19. This uncertainty is giving me anxiety to be honest but if there’s one unique trait that I’ve learned as a Wedding Supplier, that is we are always resilient.

It’s so heartwarming to see campaigns and actions here and there encouraging everyone that we will get through this. I’ve viewed posts from top photography / videography equipment brands offering webinars, live uplifting songs from known wedding singers and even upcoming FREE workshops from hosts, make-up artists, coordinators and stylists. I even just ended co-hosting a live webinar consisted of top people from our industry such as Jake Olaso, Benjie Tiongco, Oly Ruiz and Debris Panlapus.

Everyone is doing their part. Everyone is giving value. Everyone is reaching out a hand to help.

This type of camaraderie makes me proud that I am a Philippine Wedding Supplier.

Friend, I know just like me you are scared but always remember that you are not alone, after some time we will be able to stand up again.

We can overcome this. We will overcome this.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

How to Get Marriage License – Philippines

How to Get Marriage License Philippines

Getting a Marriage License here in the Philippines can be tricky. Planning a wedding is definitely one of the most exciting phase of any relationship. With all the glitz and glamour involved, sometimes we tend to forget “the legal stuff” such as marriage license – I sure did! LOL!

Since our Anniversary is fast approaching, I decided to share some tips and tricks in securing your Marriage License.

 

SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT MARRIAGE LICENSES!

  • Marrying parties should be between Male and Female age 18 and up.
  • Couples below 25y.o would be required to provide parental consent
  • Both parties should be single and is not related by blood (up to 4th Degree)

So if you’re both single and don’t plan on marrying your blood relative, then read on!

REQUIREMENTS

A. Personal Appearance

B. Marriage License Form – 4 Copies so make sure to stretch out your writing hand)

C. Latest PSA Birth Certificates (Original and Photocopy) – You can visit your neares PSA Office or you can also order online.

Effective February 2, 2018 :

For walk-in clients:

PHP 195 per copy

 

For requests for delivery within the Philippines:


 

For requests for delivery to other countries:


 
D. Certificate of No Marriage – also from PSA, see above rates
 
E. Notarized affidavit of parental consent or advice for applicants below 25 years old. 

Since the legal age to get married in the Philippines is 18 years old, you\’ll be requested to provide a parental consent / advice.

For applicants between 18 and 21 years old, a  notarized parental consent is required (under Art. 14 of the Family Code of the Philippines). The father, mother, or guardian (in the order of mention) can either personally appear with valid ID (original and photocopy) or provide notarized consent.

Meanwhile, for applicants between 21 and 25 years old, notarized parental advice is necessary. The parents or guardian is likewise required to either show up with a valid ID (original and photocopy) or just provide a notarized written account expressing that they’re aware of the couple’s intent to marry as well as any other advice they wish to give.

Forms are usually available at the local civil registrar/city civil registry department where you’ll file the application.

In case the parents refuse to provide notarized parental advice, you may submit a sworn statement telling the reason why they refused, after which the marriage license can only be issued 3 months after you filed the application.

 
F. Valid IDs – preferrably Government IDs like Passport, UMID, Voter’s, etc. It’s also best to prepare photocopies.
 
G. Certificate of Completion for a Pre-wedding Seminar – Check with the Civil Registrar about the schedule and their requirements. Other municipals would require you to attend 2 or more seminars.
 
H. Community tax certificates or CEDULA. You can obtain the CEDULA at the same city/municipal hall where you’ll file the marriage license application.
 

For foreigners:

  • Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry (Affidavit or Affirmation of Marital Status for British applicants) issued by the Consular Office/Embassy of the foreigner’s country.
  • If you’re a US citizen, the Consulate is prohibited by law to make any certification about your eligibility for marriage in the Philippines. They can only provide an Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry which you can obtain by appointment from the US Embassy in Manila or through walk-in application at the US Embassy in Cebu.
  • Photocopy of passport (showing the Date of Arrival and Data).

Other requirements:

  • If annulled, Certificate of Finality of Annulment from the Court (1 original and 2 photocopies) and Certificate of Registration from the Local Civil Registrar (1 original and 2 photocopies). 
  • If widowed, Death Certificate of the deceased spouse.
  • Some city halls may also request for Barangay Clearance.

STEPS IN PROCESSING YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE

TIP! It’s best to visit your Local Civil Registrar (LCR) beforehand so you can know their exact requirements. 

  1. Get a Marriage License application form (Form 90) from the local registry office. Also ask for a list of their requirements.
  2. Complete the form using black ink. The left portion is all about the groom while the other half is for the bride.
  3. Submit all the requirements that we prepared above together with accomplished application form. TIP! Go to the municipal office either in the morning or right after lunch to avoid long queues.
  4. Pay the fees. Some cities charge PhP 280 as processing fee, others PhP 352. Again, verify this with the Treasurer’s office if your chosen city.
  5. Attend your scheduled pre-marriage counseling, family planning, and responsible parenthood seminar. Submit the certificate of attendance and return on their suggested schedule.
  6. It usually takes 10 days (2 weeks) before the marriage license is released. Once issued, you can get married anywhere in the Philippines within 120 days from the date of issue.

Once you receive your Marriage License, it\’s now time to get married! Now the question is, will it be a civil or church wedding? Happy planning loves!

Do you have another topic in mind? Just comment below for suggestions!

8 Prenup Pegs for Your Shoot

8 Pegs for your Prenup Shoot

 

Prenup pegs. Whenever I meet with clients, one of the session that they really look forward to (apart from the wedding of course!) is planning their prenup shoot or what we photographers often refer to engagement session.

The prenup shoot is a good way to add some little fun to your couple photos. And if you are not convinced at this point whether or not a prenup shoot is right for you, check out this previous post on why you shouldn’t ditch your esession.

With the “social media era” that we are currently in, some couple feel pressured on choosing the right theme for them.

“Would I want something dramatic?”

“Do we want something fun?”

“Should we do it locally?”

“Or should we plan for it overseas?”

To take these worries off your chest, we have compiled our Top 8 Pegs for Prenup shoots.

 

1. Chill Afternoon Session

Not being biased, but this is definitely our top favorite when it comes to prenup pegs. There\’s something about the simplicity and intimacy of indoor sessions that we just love documenting.

No heavy makeup needed. No luxurious place preferred. No intricate clothing details. No poses. Just love.

 

2. A Trip to the Beach

Who wouldn\’t fall in love deeper at the sight of gushing waves and white sands? This is why beach sessions are our top 2 favorite from this list!

The sea breeze would definitely set the mood for a fun shoot top it off with the kiss of the sun leaving you with a rosy skin and gorgeous tan. If you are the type of couple that enjoys basking in these type of goodness, I suggest that you consider doing a beach session.

 

3. Editorial

For couples who are not too comfortable being too intimate in front of the camera, another go to option that we usually suggest is an editorial styled shoot. 

A fashion inspired shoot is commonly marked by a long gown which adds drama and flair to your stance and poses. It often requires a glam team to take care of your clothes styling, set design, hair and makeup so expect a big group if you plan on doing the editorial style.

 

4. Pajama Party

I love it when couples become experimental when it comes to planning their prenup peg hence I introduce to you the Pajama party.

As easy as it may sound, this type of shoot is actually quite tricky. I usually recommend this set for soon-to-be\’s that are comfortable in showing affection. This would definitely involve a lot of tickling, giggling and pillow fighting.

 

5. Local Destination Shoot

If you both love travelling, a destination shoot is something that you should definitely consider. With 7,107 islands in the Philippines to choose from, you\’ll never run out of choices.

 

6. International Destination Shoot

If you plan to do a little more adventure, you can always consider exploring new places overseas.

Mostly for clients, they try to set their prenup shoot during their planned out of the country vacation. Places like Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali are the top 5 prenup spots here in Asia.

 

7. Cooking Session

When brainstorming for pegs, I would always tell my client to choose the best prenup peg that best describes them and we\’ll make the most out of it. 

If you and your partner loves spending time in the kitchen, why not make it as a part of your prenup peg! You\’ll definitely feel comfortable being in your happy place with that special person you loved the most!

 

8. Romantic Country Inspired Shoot 

If you\’re into something with a \”Rustic feel\” to it then you should consider doing a Romantic Country Inspired shoot.

Those dirty boots and messy hair would definitely add some fun to your engagement leaving you nothing but sweet memories to keep.

How To Choose Your Wedding Photographer

With the dawn of the digital age, websites like Facebook and Instagram have definitely played a major role in our loving relationship with images. Be it still or moving, we are always attracted to the beauty and story behind every picture.

As soon as your significant other finally popped the question, most of the time, the first question would be “Who will be our Photographer / Videographer?” I guess there will always be a sudden gush of excitement once you know that it will be your turn to be in front of that camera doing the things that you’ve always imagined as you scroll through your newsfeed and stalking the wall of your friends who recently got married.

Choosing a photo and video team is not an easy task I know. Because choosing your suppliers is like selecting a partner that you are confident will never fail you and that is why every detail is crucial. And as soon as you decide to book that Wedding Photographer and Videographer, you are not just giving them your time and money but most importantly you are entrusting them with documenting one of the greatest days of your lives.

As soon as you open your Facebook, you might feel overwhelmed with the thousands of photographers and videographers to choose from. And to somehow help you with your decision, I have compiled 5 things that you should consider in choosing your wedding photographer and videographer.

1. Style

I tried to google “wedding photographer Philippines” and got about 13.5 Million results! Imagine going through those leads one by one, you’ll be spending a lifetime before you can find your perfect photographer. So instead of searching for a general type of photographer why not choose them by style?

Every studio has their own style to offer which they’ve mastered for years. This is what separates them from every other studio so it’s best to start from here.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STYLES:

  • Traditional / Classic Wedding Photography
  • Fine Art / Light and Bright
  • Artistic / Dark and Moody
  • Photojournalistic / Documentary
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion / Editorial

WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY STYLES:

  • Cinematic
  • Storytelling
  • Journalistic
  • Artistic
  • Fashion / Editorial

I’ll dive into this further on my next blog so don’t forget to sign up! 😉

2. Quality of Work

As soon as you’ve determined what style you want, it’s time to do a little more digging and check the studio’s quality of work. You can visit their websites or pages for samples or even drop by during Bridal fairs to get a glimpse of the wedding albums that they offer.

This way you can see if they have executed their style well and if the quality of pictures and videos meets your standard. You can also ask if they have already been to one of the places/ churches that you’re eyeing to see better samples of how they documented the wedding in that place.

3. Attention to Details

Another great thing to review is the studio’s attention to small details. Check out their detail shots of the rings, the gown, suit, flowers, table set up etc. if they are styled and well presented – as my brides would call “pinterest-ready.”

You’ve allocated your time, money and effort in preparing and choosing your wedding details so it’s just about right that they also get their own spotlight during your wedding day. This is also perfect for DIY couples, make sure that the PV team that you will choose can do your crafts some justice.

 

4. Budget

You might be wondering why I placed this important detail second to the last and I will tell you why.

The moment you set your budget is the moment that you are closing your doors to options. So before you have a firm discussion of how much your budget for Photo and Video services is, it’s best to know the price of your “ideal photo and video team.”

Unfortunately, some people still undervalue the role that we play at weddings. They forget to allocate enough in order to secure a trustworthy team which then later leads to regrets. This is the reason why doing steps one to three is essential so you can learn more about what you really like and know more about the industry prices in order to prepare the right budget that wouldn’t break your bank.

5. Recommendations / Feedbacks

I asked my husband what he can add to my list and this one made me giggle – feedbacks. His analogy is whenever we shop in Lazada / Shopee the first thing that we always check is feedbacks.

Is it a good product? Is the quality nice? Is it worth the price? Etc.

Almost all of those questions are answered in the feedback/recommendations section. These are all raw and unbiased comments from previous clients who gave us a peak of what we can expect working with these suppliers. You can check their recommendations / feedbacks on their websites or facebook pages.

Another great place to see client comments are inside groups like Weddings@Work (W@W) and other Wedding Supplier Forums. Here you can join a community of soon-to-be’s who might share the same worries as yours. They will help you feel empowered as you go through your whole wedding preparations.

I know, choosing your Wedding Photographer / Videographer can be nerve-racking but don’t put too much pressure on it! Imagine, with billions and billions of people in the world, still you were able to find your soulmate – decisions like these should be easy-peasy!

Whenever my clients approach me feeling torn about supplier what I always tell them is to view pictures and watch Same – Day – Edits with a fresh eye and just be in the moment. By the time they feel like they are watching themselves in that screen, picturing their own take on their own engagement or wedding pictures that is the time that they’ll know they found the one.

“You’ll know when you know.”

Congratulations once again on your engagement and may you find the perfect photographer/videographer for your wedding!