FOR three successive years, I have been conducting my basic photography workshop with the Ateneo Marketing Club (AMARC) under its moderator Donna Abrina. The club is composed of marketing students from second to fourth year. This year, my recent workshop with the club reached a hundred enthusiastic participants.
Held inside Ateneo de Davao University campus, my lecture was about promoting a product through creative photography and its basic compositions. Visual communication is an essential part of advertising and the most effective way of delivering messages to the public through images. This is how photography creates an impact in the minds of consumers.
Once again my students were quick learners as they formed teams and collaborated on several product shoots using their digital cameras and mobile phones. The teams were given a chance to present their photos and explain their creative process. They submitted their entries without editing or retouching.
Thanks to our favorite sponsors, their products were used as subjects and later on after judging, we announced the best photo entries and gave prizes to the winning teams. Just like last year, everyone was given discount coupons by Dhan Store and one of my favorite Davao-made organic soaps Pino Tropika from MySkin Origins. The awarding also ended with a Fujifilm instax print for each group.
Big thanks to my invited guests who are social media influencers : Tammy “Tammy Kikoy” Francisco, Jean “Pal Raine” Cawad, Christian “CJ” Salas, my sister Karen Alcantara, and Jocelyn Nefiel who brought special cupcakes from Cake Galerie. Ms. Donna also treated us to a delicious healthy lunch and merienda from Wynward Garden Bistro.
This year my generous sponsors who gave wonderful prizes were Dhans Gadget Store, Fujifilm Philippines and Instax, MySkin Origins, Gana Dry Goods, Angels and Crystals with Artzy Quartzy, Wakaba Garlic Chili Oil, May Sparkling Juice, SkyCable, Bioskin, AromacologySensi and Cake Gallerie. Special thanks to MX3 products which continuously keep my energy in high gear talking and bouncing in whole day activities such as this.
(Jojie Alcantara is a long time columnist, photographer, traveler and workshop speaker proudly writing for SunStar Davao for more than two decades. Email at jojiealcantara@gmail.com or visit kodakerdabawenya.com.)