Hobbyist Juvy Aben Abion always takes pride in expressing his affection for Bicol, his hometown. He may have gotten a long way as a lensman whose talent is in full tank mode and always on the go. But deep inside him, he makes sure he’s essentially home.
His portfolio contains insightful concepts that run deep into the recesses of the mind. The decisive moments he captures reflect the journeys his eyes are willing to see no matter the distance. He can get anywhere while still mindful to get in touch from time to time.
“Di naman ako nakakalimot sa mga taong nakatulong sakin, that’s the Lasallian value that I learned, looking and going back to those who helped you most,” says the 23-year-old who hails from Naga City.
Juvy’s statement is of course referring to people who have assisted him from his learning stage towards transforming into an expert. There is Niccolo Cosme, his professor in basic and portrait photography at the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas whom he describes as one who has an “eye in art.” It was obvious who he was rooting for during GMA-7’s Celebrity Duets edition that featured Niccolo as one of the participants.
Another is Raymund Isaac, the renowned fashion photographer who enhanced his skills in producing portraits. Moreover, as a personal choice, he is bound to fill his shoot schedule with events and portraiture. “The significance of being behind the lens is that, I get to deal with everyone from all walks of life. In photography, we only share one passion and that is to shoot and create art through our crafts,” Juvy shares.
For guiding him in investing in the craft, he personally had to single out Solomon Ngo and Peter Lagyap, who both helped him invest and push his career in photography. “They never left me hanging,” he comments.
A member of Nikon Club Philippines that’s based in Manila, Juvy keeps an eye over his Bicolano peers. He is the founder of an online photography group in their region called “One Bicol Photographers Club,” with the objective of uniting photography aficionados in that side of town.
It is no wonder that his ‘thank you’ list includes Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen who, according to him, saw his potential. In recognition of his photography skill, the local chief executive organized an exhibit in her office to accommodate his stuff. His photos were displayed on three walls of the Iriga City Public Library.
Juvy discovered an early admiration for capturing images, not knowing it would turn into a hobby that defines himself.
“When I was still a child, I used to love taking photos using my point-and-shoot camera,” recalls the marketing graduate who runs certain businesses as well. “It grew my passion in photography during my college years. Through my digicam and camera phone, I photographed landscape and I appreciated already the beauty of nature created by God. Sunsets really captured my eye.”
That is why he has his collection of sunset shots that somewhat speaks of his innermost thoughts. Sunsets serve as his doorway to serenity.
Juvy’s love affair with photography formally began on a Valentine’s Day. That day in 2008, he bought his first DSLR – a Nikon D40, which he named as “BAJ.” Christening his equipment with a name has signaled the romance that bonded the medium and his passion for something creative.
With his career in photography going strong, Juvy comes out with the Aben Abion Photography Shirts. He has asked personalities to wear his shirts, go somewhere and pose for some shots. The result is innovation and celebrity glamour, with some of the prominent people as subjects like Boy Abunda, Douglas Nierras, and Atty. Raymond Fortun. The challenge is always on how to come up with a new idea of shooting models with similar shirts.
“I’ll continue this series until I run out of concepts, meaning I want to innovate myself every now and then,” he concludes.
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