Shot in the sunny beaches of Palawan, Ara Mina and Dave Almarinez’s prenuptial photos are finally out and we’re in love with them!

The sun was out, the sea breeze was cool, and the sky was painted a glorious shade of blue. It was a perfect weekend at the Sunlight Eco Tourism resort in Culion Palawan. And this was the backdrop for one of our most stunning photoshoots yet.

Actress Ara Mina and Undersecretary Dave Almarinez decided to have a beach-themed prenuptial shoot in this tropical paradise. And for that, we needed to pull out the big guns! We brought with us a powerhouse team—Gideon Hermosa for the set design and floral bouquet, Cath Sobrevega as our stylist, and Hernan Soriano for make-up.

Niceprint Photo was in charge of capturing the photos and videos, which included both underwater and drone shots.
Since I have been friends with Ara Mina for the last 7 years, I decided to go with them for the shoot. And let me tell you—it was such an enjoyable trip! It totally didn’t feel like work, especially since I surrounded by people who have become some of my good friends throughout the years.

But most importantly, we all had fun and had great photos to show for after!

Summer Sun and Fun

We had a total of 4 layouts for the shoot. The first one was a sunset shoot by the sea, where Ara wore a white lace gown. This dress was designed by Joe San Antonio and it was a stunner! With it came the highlight: a dinner for two, set up perfectly by Gideon Hermosa. Candles all around, fairy lights, and pretty pastel flowers completed the scene.

The second layout featured the couple in a casual resort wear ensemble, set in the couple’s villa. The rooms in Sunlight Resort, after all, had floors that were made of see-through glass, and we wanted to use that for our advantage. It gave us a perfect view of the sea—a breathtaking sight that we captured while on stilts. In this setup, we even let Mandy—the cute daughter of Ara Mina—join in on the fun.

Stunning Underwater Shoots

But what is a beach shoot without taking advantage of picturesque views and pearlescent seas? We took the fun to the beach, where the next layouts were shot partly underwater and on the yacht. In it, the couple donned bathing suits for the prettiest sunset shoot that stretched on to the evening.

I have to say, I was really proud of how these photos came out. Ara Mina really carried herself with ease and capturing her graceful movements on camera was something that I truly enjoyed.

As for the last layout, we took inspiration from the photos taken in the Maldives. While Ara Mina donned a beautiful white gown by Mich Virray, we captured the moment over stilts.

Using our drone, we were also able to momentarily freeze in time a snapshot of the grand view—a stunning sight of blue waters and interconnecting villas, flanked by lush green mountains on the side. It was amazing!

From Real to Reel

All throughout, you can see the love that the couple had for each other—from the loving glances captured on camera to the lingering touches and the featherlight kisses. Actions really speak louder than words and I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the couple’s intimate experience in this shoot.

Overall, the island prenuptial shoot is such a good prelude to their beautiful wedding. According to Ara Mina, it will be set in the mountains sometime this year. And this is definitely another great event to look forward to.

Best wishes Dave and Ara Mina!

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