Assemblage Of – Founder
2024-PRESENT 

An extension of my photography practice, AO follows the concept of an artist's studio, allowing ideas to manifest into physical forms through research, writing, image-making, and collaborations. 

Current projects include a photo studio, “Workroom,” where I welcome individuals from various fields for portrait sessions and experiment with a new lighting technique. As well as collaborating with artists to create objects for a collection, “Living with images,” an inquiry into how we can integrate physical imagery more into our digital-led lives. Lastly, through hosting “Open Studio,” in which I open the Workroom for studio visits, young creatives and peers gather for books and conversation. Community-centered initiatives like this are vital to expand as creative practitioners. 

Colin Dancel Photography – Owner
2017-PRESENT 

A fully operational and sustainable practice I built from the ground up through self-education, creating systems, brand positioning, and an integrous work ethic. 

Creating a system: Creative work only flourishes when the foundation is designed for ease. I have laid the foundation for my practice's growth by ensuring rolling funds are in place, as well as a reinvestment plan for equipment, research, and long-term, more experimental projects such as Assemblage Of. 

Brand positioning and work ethic: I have successfully positioned myself as a brand, not just a service provider, through cohesive visual language and strong client relationships. 

In a world of extremes, loud and excessiveness, my images offer quiet pauses, simplicity, and sometimes even restraint. Access to my images is mainly on my website, which I’ve designed myself, inspired by a quiet gallery. Because of these deliberate decisions, I have been able to work with brands whose values align with mine, such as Louis Poulsen, Din Tai Fung, Le Labo, Aesop, and Cosmos. 

Bombvinos – Creative Lead to Brand Manager, Manila
JUL 2022 TO OCT 2024

As the company's first employee, I worked directly with the founders to refine the brand's presence, both online and offline, and to build the team. The role of F&B is to gather people together, so much of the work I did for the brand focused on appealing to the humanness. 1) Building an all-female team in a male-led company meant we brought in softness to structure, commitment to caring for our clients, and a culture of openness. 2) Introducing the brand to creative spaces shifted perceptions of natural wine in Manila. Engaging with customers personally, from a tired lawyer to an apprehensive middle-aged woman, I’ve had the pleasure to serve them a glass of wine, and to this day, they are patrons of the brand. 

Cosmos – Curator, New York
AUG 2022 TO AUG 2023

I was tapped by the founder to apply for this role because of my work as a photographer and my approach to planning my Instagram Feed. 

As a curator, I gleaned the internet for visuals and context to create Instagram content that resonates with creatives who value intention over algorithm. At that point, it was less about what could trend and more about the form and context of each post. It was about connecting a writer to a visual maker, a platform that celebrates artists, individuality, and creativity. 

Altum – Creative Lead, Manila
FEB 2021 TO MAY 2022

In a project-based role at Altum, we spearheaded creative direction for the Design Center of the Philippines to launch the new material, Bakong, through objects, video, and exhibition. I worked closely with our collaborators—artists, designers, and manufacturers in fashion, interior, and plastic industries to create products that adhere to the Circular Economy principles. 

I learned about the gaps in infrastructure, but I remain hopeful that, through grassroots design, material explorations like this can scale not only for Filipino designers but also for export. 

The Fore – Operations Manager, Manila
OCT 2018 TO SEP 2020

I cold-emailed the founder about this job, and when I sat down with her, she asked me what kind of role I wanted, and she made it for me. 

Ahead of its time, The Fore was a global platform for collaborations with Filipino designers. We collaborated with a biologist-turned-designer, a brand that uses only natural dyes for its clothing, and a jewelry brand whose values go beyond beauty and pay its workers livable wages. As an operations manager, my contribution was largely focused on customer experience. We started online, and these pieces are meant to be experienced in-person, and so I met our clients where they were–homes, cafes, hotel lobbies. I was studying and reading everything I could in Business of Fashion. Customer accounts: documenting their sizes, colors, and style preferences to ensure these are noted for upcoming collections. 

In 2019, we opened a showroom. The approach remained the same, making sure our clients felt safe, heard, and cared for. This kind of client care is something I carry to my photography practice. 

Tropa – Sales Associate to Store Manager, Manila
MAY 2017 TO NOV 2018 

My first job was as an intern, and within a month, I was hired as a Sales Associate. That’s when I quit school. As a new retail store, we had to do everything. Customer service, photography, social media, visual merchandising, and campaign and event planning. Purchase orders, invoicing, and payment to brands. All of it and more. This job expanded me in ways a 20-year-old would never have imagined, and it fueled my passion and curiosity for both the creative and the business sides. 

Photography, layout design, art direction, brand visual direction, client relationship management

The Visual Curriculum by Zoe Yasemin PRESENT
Art Direction Workshop by Creative Voyage 2025

Slim’s Fashion and Arts School, Fashion and Dressmaking 2015-2017
De La Salle College of St. Benilde, Fashion and Merchandising 2014-2015

Photography Creation Grant Winner — Angkor Photo Festival, Cambodia 2022

Paolo Monasterio, Founder of Bombvinos, Former Employer
paolo@bombvinos.com

Esme Palaganas, Founder of A Blank CD, Photography Client
esme@esme.world