To be honest, I entered this project half-hearted.

Knowing I’d be taking photos of couples being extra cheesy and (to some extent) direct them with probably even the most cliché couple poses, I wasn’t all too excited about the concept. My sister Mabby can attest that I have quite a low tolerance for couples strutting around with bouquets as Valentine’s Day draws near. I literally have to control myself from the eye-rolling.

It’s not even about being bitter… totally. But I’ve always believed that if you were to give flowers, the more unexpected the timing, the better. And if you were to celebrate love, it should be everyday. Easier said than done, right?

Love is in the most unexpected places: it’s in that disagreement you absolutely cannot come to terms with, it’s half way around the world, it’s in the middle of the night when you don’t want put down the phone, it’s in the accidental hand-holding, it’s in the spontaneous road and food trips, it’s in you, and it’s in that person you’re thinking about right now. They’re all as intense, beautiful, unforgettable and the memory can either heal like a miracle or hurt like hell.

Isn’t that how the world works? We’re supposed to be feeling the downs to appreciate the ups.

But enough about my ranting, at least for now. Here are some shots from my TE AMO FLORISTERIA shoot that proves that love, in its true, rawest form, is beautiful and is everywhere.

Alexa and Amanda

“Alexa’s teacher asked her about her happiest moment and she said, “when my sister was born”. Then Alexa said to [my husband], “then I remembered my sister and I felt like I was gonna cry so I hid my face on the table. I just love her so much.”

After class, she was in a hurry to go home and didn’t stop by the store to eat merienda because she missed her sister so much.” – Anica Mayo, mom of Alexa and Amanda

My favorite sister-related Buzzfeed article to date: 18 Photos That Won’t Make Sense To Sisterless Families.

Maxine and Joshua

“You can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful, specific details.” – Celine in Before Sunset (2004)

Ida and Miguel

“I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now, and live in it forever.”
–Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins

Cha and Russ

“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.” – Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

Melody and Chelsea

“Last time I was at a shoot with [Chelsea], I was the one holding the reflector,” – Melody

They could really pass off as sisters. Professional model Chelsea Robato and her cousin Melody have the same beautiful, bubbly personality and a unique love that runs in the blood and shines on and off cam. #cousingoals

Jessa, Chin-chin, and Cha

Winnie and Melissa

Valerie and Henry

“He’s my Instagram husband,” shares Valerie when the girls and I noticed that he was taking behind the scenes photos while I was shooting her. It’s not even in knowing your angles that makes the chemistry of this couple the ultimate #relationshipgoal. That was a bonus. It was in the way he looks at her, without cue or direction. Natural, raw and absolutely in love. *kilig*

“Sacrosanct, (adj.) – The nape of your neck. Even the sound of the word nape sounds holy to me.” – The Lover’s Dictionary, David Levithan

As for myself, without disclosing much details, this piece by Lang Leav paints the perfect picture:

“I think you were always meant to know me a little better than anyone else. And our lives were fated to converge like some cosmic dance. I know there is a terrible distance between us. But our bodies are made of celestial light, and we are hurtling through space and time, towards the most beautiful collision.” – Twin Flames by Lang Leav

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If you loved these shots, follow @teamofloristeria on Instagram, I’ll have more shots out there soon. Check out the hashtag #AlwaysTeAmo, too! ❤

(Low-key promotes photography services, too: #DVMNLSTUDIO by Cat)