Nerissa Ocfemia-Angeles

Neri was a few weeks away from her due date when she contacted me. She was experiencing high blood pressure through out her pregnancy that they opted to deliver through C-section for Neri's safety. To be honest, I was a bit nervous driving to their apartment in Quezon City, because I didn't know what to expect. I was half thinking that it might be a very serious shoot considering Neri's condition. I had a picture of a fragile pregnant lady on a bed, cranky and just want to have the shoot over and done with.

Boy was I wrong!!!!

Neri and her husband Ronald has got to be one of the wackiest couples I've ever met. Both architects, they painted their room, a warm and tantalizing shade of red. These two has the energy of a hurricane! They were so game, with Neri picking on Ronald, since he too wanted to be part of the "Maternity Shoot. It was hilarious!I could see the love these two had for each other. This is one of the reasons I do this. It makes my heart melt.

Ronald's mother is such a great cook and they made me stay for lunch. Her tinola is just to die for! I wonder if Neri would kick me out if I pass by one of these days and coerce them that I stay for dinner. Haha. Tough luck!

Irene Braga

Irene has gotta be the most gregarious pregnant woman I've met so far. A few days before her 9th month of pregnancy, she was as bubbly as a teenager having her pictorial. " Carla! Pag mukha akong mataba dyan lagot ka saken! Sasabunutan kita sa ano. . . " She was insanely funny and willing to try anything.

I always approach the topic of posing nude with much discretion, but with Irene it was like contemplating in nano seconds. The funniest thing was, her daughter, Geline, was as game as her, taking off her clothes and telling her mom that she was ready. "Mommy, bakit di ka pa hubad?" I had to laugh when Geline became impatient with her very pregnant mother. These two just loved to be photographed!

Irene was expecting another daughter and delivered through C-section, since she has a problem with her pelvic bone. We talked for hours about pregnancy, children, food, you name it! And now, I am the godmother of a very fair baby girl. Now isn't that just cute!

Desiree Oh

Desiree was six months pregnant when I started "pesking" her about getting her maternity shot taken. She's a good friend. She told me that she was shy about the whole idea and that she did not feel pretty at all being pregnant. Well, from my standpoint she was one beautiful pregnant lady! She was blooming because at last she got a girl. She was praying for a girl, having a son as a firstborn.

We kept on postponing and postponing. Desi was saving up all of her guts to pose in front of the camera. When she finally agreed (she was then eight and half months pregnant), I grabbed all of my equipment, drove all the way to Q.C. and took her photo. We had such a great time, that Miguel, her son, kept on bugging his mom - since all the attention was now on her and wanted to get some limelight too. So we then took a mother and son photo. It was a great shoot full of laughter, unexpected moments and more bonding between friends.

I had a great laugh when I first showed Desi her photos. She couldn't believe her eyes! Before she saw the photos, she begged me not to show it to our other friends, now she had them printed out - mind you, in Large prints! (wink!)