RJ MONSOD has a long history of capturing images. At a young age, he knew what he wanted to do.
He remembered how he would borrow his dad's Kodak camera and took pictures of his family and friends.
“What started out as a hobby when I was younger evolved into something deeper,” Monsod recalls.
Monsod's destiny unfolded over the next 15 years as taking pictures became his lifelong passion.
“As crazy as it sounds, I felt destined to be a photographer,” he said.
In 2005, he started his career offering free services to his clients. As taking pictures went popular and became a fad, he immediately saw an opportunity.
“I put up a studio before in Sta. Ana Avenue. My partner moved abroad so that's the time I decided to go freelance,” he said.
Monsod mentioned the importance of discipline in his craft. He quipped he is entirely self-taught and has never enrolled in a professional photography class or workshop.
“I know people who believe that you have to master certain things before you can be creative, but I took a different approach,” he said.
He believed that taking great photographs can be developed through constant practice and perseverance.
“You don't have to enroll in a class. To be great, you just do it every day and make it a part of your life,” he said.
Despite his enthusiasm, others remained doubtful and rejected his works because he lacked formal education.
“The biggest challenge I have to face was the fact that I wasn't formally schooled in photography. Some clients would cancel my appointments back then but I persevered,” Monsod said.
With nothing but his camera, he continued his lifelong passion. Instead of investing in tears, he invested in his skills, taking photos of different people from all walks of life every day.
Since then, he mastered his skills and discovered the beauty of taking intimate portraits.
“What I like about portraits is that your capturing their soul, you create a connection with the subject. When I do weddings, I get the most intimate details from portraits,” Monsod said.
Ryan Muirhead, Jan Scholz, Manny Librodo and Mark Nicdao served as his inspirations.
Monsod has embarked on some beautifully executed photographic projects, many of which appeared in M Magazine and along the billboards of Metro Lifestyle and SM Lanang. He also takes beautiful wedding photos.
As with most photographers today, Monsod said that the one thing he learned through the years aside from hard work and perseverance is patience.
“Great works take time. It's not something that comes after you graduate your photography course,” he said.
Monsod takes life one step at a time, learning everything he could learn along his path in his own pace.
“Be patient. Stop rushing things that need time to grow,” Monsod advised.