Palawan’s homegrown photo-videographer Allen Joshua Rapues, who is popularly known as Allen Shooter, won numerous awards in the March 2020 edition of the Wedding Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP) National Print Photo competition.
He won first place under Bridal party category for his photo of a groom at Hotel Centro, another first place for Bride and groom level and of a couple in the pool side of Aziza Hotel.
Rapues also won second place under Bridal Party and Bride and Groom, and third place for Bridal party and Bridal March categories.
He was cited Accolade of Excellence Award also in Bride and Groom, all in under probationary division.
According to Allen, he submitted five entries per category and that’s the reason 2 or 3 of that won a spot.
The competition is widely participated by photographers all over the country. He already got 40 awards from WPPP in the past three years.
“Yung WPPP parang salaan ng mga best photographers. Training ito sa amin, check natin yung status ng photos, anong quality ka na, anong standard ka na, anong level ka na sa photography style,” Rapues said.
Allen is almost 18 years in the business of photography. He started as a lightman of Plong Photo and Video services until he put up his own studio.
A Mass Communication major in Palawan State University, he says that his style of taking photos always comes with story.
“Actually magagaling yung mga kalaban, nationwide naman kasi yan, iba ibang lugar. Ako kasi hindi naman sobrang ganda ng mga litrato ko, pero alam mo yung nilalaban ko yung story, dun ako mahilig eh, anu ba story ng photo ko, anu yung lighthing kasi mostly dramatic ako magbigay, and mahilig ako kasi nasa journ tayo, nasa broadcasting dati, mga journalistic na shot mas mahilig ako, nagiging pampasipag ko yung pagsali ng competition,” Allen added.
WPPP, according to its page, is an organization of professional photographers that aims to promote and foster the goals and programs of Filipino wedding photographers, founded in 2001. Among its prestigious members are Lito Sy, Raymund Isaac, Xander Angeles, Jason Magbanua and many more.
Other Palaweño who won in WPPP in the past is Jessie Lebante.
Allen shooter is set to conduct his Photography seminar this coming April 15 to 17 in Puerto Princesa with Canon Brand Ambassador Emir Kahn Bautista.
Aside from being a photographer, Allen is now a film maker as his short film about Underground River was adjudged Best Picture last year at the Subaraw Film Festival.