25th Years of Priesthood (not me, of course)

Last Saturday I had the privilege of photographing the 25th anniversary of Father George Alendadan's career as a Catholic priest at St. Ambrose Church in Berkeley. I was also fortunate that a patient of mine had referred my services, and I got the contract a day before the event.


I left home 50-minutes before the agreed meeting time, and what should have been an 15-minute drive, left me with only 3-minutes to spare. Traffic was horrible on Hwy 80 to Berkeley, and street parking was bad in combination with street construction. Hopeful that I wouldn't have my drivers side view mirror knocked off (I parked near a tight and busy intersection on Gilman and San Pablo Ave.), and already half out of breath from rushing and the adrenalin kicking in, I discovered I had to lug my gear up a flight of steps into the church!


I asked a parishioner to assist me. We he readily did, thank goodness.

I was fortunate enough to enter the church by the alter and I could see this was going to be a full house. I assembled my two Nikons, prayed that I wouldn't have malfunction (even though I tested the gear the night before), and half-ran down the aisle to find Father George whom I have never seen or met before.


I sorta laughed to myself when I met him half way down the church aisle, and we ended up hugging each other in greeting...and I said to him in a confident tone that "I am here, no need to worry, I know what to do!" I just didn't want to stress him out..although deep inside, I was very nervous and I didn't know all the details. I tried not to think that if I screw this up- there are no second chances, such as with this occasion.

It was very important that I capture images of his family and friends who have travelled, I assume, from halfway around the world to participate in this event.



I did not know he would hold a traditional ASEAN/Indian dance within the church confines...

And I did not know that Father George was also sharing this celebration with Father Rigo. Here they are, both at the alter, asking for the blessings of the church and the parishioners.

Then afterwards, I didn't realize how much family would be present. Thank goodness for those church steps after all- it really helped to organize the folk for the BIG family portrait. I had to stand on a folding chair out in the street and holding unto a parishioner so not to fall off- just to get this shot.

The things I, as a photographer, have to go through...oh! by the way, I don't say smile or cheese, I tell them to say monkey- they really get a kick out of that!

* For a slideshow representation of this event, click here-
http://amoreimages.com/FatherGeorge/

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