THE FEELING OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Doing away with cookie-cutter posed images, Mot sets his sights on emotion and not forced motion as his wedding photography philosophy.
Heartfelt. It’s the description that best suits Mot Rasay’s work, and the best one that characterizes his journey as a photographer. What started as a hobby, eventually developed into a passion and a business. “I actually never thought I’d land on photography as a career. I was first working at a call center for five years and eight months. The truth is, my liking for photography started as a hobby; wala talaga akong experience or background about photography—everything is selftaught,” Mot recalls.
They say the testament of talent is when someone points it out without the need to flaunt it. Thankfully, for Mot, the very day somebody recognized his skills, was the same day that kickstarted his career in photography. “What triggered me to do wedding photography was because I was asked by an officemate, ‘Mot, pwede ba ikaw
mag- cover ng wedding namin?’ I was hesitant, because I wasn’t really trained professionally. But we pushed through, and the photos actually turned out great,” he said.
Call it dumb luck or maybe even fate, but his first paid gig became his favorite subject. “I enjoy weddings because it’s about people and relationships. The vulnerability that the event brings makes every pain worthwhile. And the fact that couples hire me to document their special day, to become a witness on their very special day—it’s a privilege,” he shares. Now, Mot has an impressive portfolio of wedding photos, each sharing a unique love story.
If there’s one thing that’s significant about Mot’s work, it’s the fact that he can make each client’s photos unique to their journey. Although he has a signature style of capturing raw, gentle, authentic moments, he has a penchant for deeply understanding and producing photos that exude character. “One strength I have developed the most is client relationship—their experience,
and the approach to wedding photography. It’s essential that I meet with the couple and really get to know who they are and what their story is. The million-dollar question is: ‘How did you guys meet?’ And naturally their story—emotions, values, and personality as a couple— unfold. My style is I keep it relaxed. Nothing forced. Nothing pose-y. I just let things unfold. And the most important thing for me is the clients should always feel comfortable,” Mot points out.
It’s quite evident when you scroll through his website, or flip through the pages of his work, that his shoots with different clients are seamless. Yet, none of them are identical. He gives kid-like joy to an engagement shoot he did in Pagsanjan, captures intimate giggles in another shoot in Bonifacio Global City, and he even finds a way to incorporate the beauty of nature during a shoot at Wawa Dam.
Still, seven years into his career, Mot admits that it wasn’t always a walk in the park. Much like any artist, it took him a while to develop his own style, to understand how he works best, so he can capture a lifetime of love in just a few snaps. “Before, my priority was being more technical and professional with my shoots. I used to search for photography inspirations online and say, ‘Ah okay, ganito pala dapat.’
But now that I’m mature enough, my priority is the experience of the couple. I’m more on showcasing emotions, genuine connection, honesty, and vulnerability,” he reveals.
So if one were to book a shoot with Mot, posed photographs may be out of the picture. Mot hears the story and translates it into photos. He sees emotion and captures it in its peak, even stealing striking shots mid-action.
“I just let them do their thing. Most of the time I let them move, if I see something beautiful, for example: when they’re laughing, that’s the time I shoot. I observe them most of the time, what triggers emotions.”
Mot is so tuned into events and moments that he sees himself being immersed in more intimate weddings in the future: “Big weddings are great and amazing. But for 2019, I’ll be focusing my energy on intimate weddings because I noticed that it’s the kind of wedding where I am able to really give my best, and I am able to showcase my couples’ stories better,” he said.
Every photographer has their own discipline, their own process of work, and their own strategy in capturing photos. Some believe that time is the biggest player, others feel like thorough preparation is a non-negotiable. Although all of these are certainly commendable, it’s safe to say that while others give importance to what photos will look like, Mot values what photos will feel like.