Couples are compatible when they share similar interests. Such a team-up more often creates a more beautiful image of two people in love.

Husband and wife tandem Jon and Kris Carlos gave a shot at marriage and hoped they could produce a heatwarming picture of togetherness. The shot was effective as their immersion in photography helped them develop into a partnership blessed with four kids and hundreds of good photographs!

“Photography helps our relationship become stronger. Ito ang oras naming mag-bonding and I can’t imagine our lives without photography,” expressed Jon who is the president for the FPPF-affiliated iMahe Photo Club.

Both he and Kris took basic and advanced photography workshops at the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation in September 2007. That certainly made them better as camera people. And as far as their union is concerned, it was another confirmation that their meeting through a mutual friend in high school was a romantic destiny.

Irving Penn’s definition of a nice shot is perfect for the couple and this has become their guide to coming out with fine images. Penn’s principle suggests that a good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it, or in a word, effective.

Viewers are bound for such great experience while staring at photos taken by the couple. As to determining who between them took the photos is easy since both, inasmuch as they are similar in many ways, have differences that make them find each other’s identity as separate individuals.

“We have different approaches in our compositions,” Jon noted. “I am more of a wide-angle shooter and Kris likes tight compositions. Kids as subjects attract us the most, dahil siguro parents din kami.”

Kris, who recently bagged the first and second places for Photoworld Cup’s “Still Life Minimalism” theme, added with a sense of bewilderment, “Eventhough we share the same interests, we also have difference on ideas, concepts, and how we execute or present images. Funny thing is, we even try to shoot away from each other during photo sessions but still end up with the same output.”

While Jon is into portraiture and still life, the Isabela-born Kris is more in touch with nature and landcsape. She used to sketch and oil-paint but had to drop her pens and brushes when she got married. So it comes as no surprise that her images look like paintings. Her shot titled “Raindrops” earned recognition as Photo of the Year for Neutral Ground Network.

The fact Jon and Kris are perennial finalists and high-placers at several Photoworld Cup contests, this only means that they’re on the same page when it comes to photographic excellence.

“We cherish every single recognition we get. For us, even qualifiying as finalist for the Photoworld Cup’s photo contest is already an accomplishment. Having to compete with 400 plus entries against hundreds of very good photographers of the federation, and qualifiying as finalist is already a blessing,” Jon stated. “When it comes to clients, kapag na appreciate ng kliyente ang trabaho namin, matatawag na naming malaking accomplishment yun,” he added.

With clients commissioning them for projects, it’s natural that they deal with diverse subjects to shoot. However, since family is on top of everything, they’re simply so proud having their kids pose as subjects most of the time. That’s one way of sharing time with their angels Kirk (16), Shanice (15), Kyle (11), and their 10-year-old youngest.

After the quality time with kids, work comes and they’re still together. They’re often stand side by side during some weddings and events – mostly out of town shoots. Early this year, they did a project for Crystal Catx, a manufacturer of optical crystals.

Like any other couples, they do argue over matters. But the Carlos couple have spent more time in good mood. Kris’s piece of advice to couples with same calling: “Love your craft, share your ideas and your work with each other. Keep an open mind and learn to listen to your partner’s opinion.”