Alfred Acenas, a 21-year-old aspiring photographer in Tumauini, Isabela province in the Philippines, has gone viral after impressing people on Facebook with his unique DIY home photoshoots, where he uses everyday objects as props for fashion-forward shoots.
“I’m greatly inspired by the iconic photographer BJ Pascual,” Acenas told Almost. “I really love all of his work, and it pushes me to take improvised photoshoots.”
He said he first came up with the concept because he wanted to “show everyone there are many ways to create stunning photos using only household items.”
Having started mobile photography in 2018, Acenas said he has been allotting more of his time to this style of photography due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He uses a Huawei Y6p, an iPhone 6 Plus and his cousin’s Samsung phone to take photos, he told Coconuts.
Acenas said he is always thinking of creative but resourceful concepts in his mind because he does not have the means to buy expensive props.
“I want to let everyone know that poverty is not an obstacle for a dream, and to make in an inspiration instead to continue what has been started,” he said. His viral photos included items such as a Christmas tree, a shower curtain, fruits, and a hen and its feathers.
The main models are his nieces, who he said want to be models when they grow up, so he thought it would be a great opportunity for them to be part of his project and they would be able to represent the true beauty of Filipinas, just like he initially wanted.
Ascenas said he never expected his photos to go viral and was incredibly surprised when he woke up one day to a multitude of messages on Facebook praising his work, adding that he cried when he was featured on national television.
“I am so happy to have received many compliments from various people, not only in the Philippines but also abroad,” he said. “I want to use my social fame to inspire other people, and I want to become a good example to everyone who dreams to be a photographer, especially the young people.”
