Photographers have a hypnotic way of capturing their subjects—emotions seem to travel beyond the frame. You look at a photo and suddenly feel pulled into the scene, mesmerized by the play of light and shadow. Here, we introduce the young Filipina photographers making their mark in the industry, leaving their unique artistic imprint on the world.
RELATED: These Filipina Cosplayers Need To Be on Your Radar
Sela Gonzales
With a deep reverence for the ephemeral, Sela Gonzales crafts a visual world rooted in life. Her photography is characterized by an observant stillness, while her sustainable jewelry brand, Elemental, is often inspired by nature. In her hands, the boundary between the seen and the felt disappears, leaving behind a body of work that’s as delicate as it is enduring.
Kim Montes
Fashion is experienced. Through the lens of Manila-based photographer Kim Montes, she reveals the intricate details that often escape the casual eye, from delicate textures to glimmering beadwork, capturing the artistry behind every design.
Andrea Beldua
Much like her signature pink hair, Andrea Beldua’s world as a photographer is vivid and unapologetically feminine. She has built a reputation for capturing her muses through a lens of soft romanticism. Beyond the lens, she’s a storyteller who uses her platform to empower other women in the arts.
Kim Angela Santos
Atmospheric. Dynamic. Bold. Kim Angela Santos left her small-town roots to chase her vibrant dreams in Manila, and her work bursts with life. From live events to fashion and portraits, each shot reflects her versatility, mastery of light, and deep love for the craft.
Colin Dancel
Chiaroscuro—the dramatic interplay of light and shadow—defines the visual language of Colin Dancel. Full of depth and undeniably cinematic, her portraits consistently evoke a moody atmosphere that embraces the mystery of the unknown.
Aya Cabauatan
Specializing in film and portrait photography, Aya Cabauatan has a gift for seizing fleeting moments with a single click. Her images are intimate and delicate, yet brimming with emotion and empowerment, filling every corner of the frame.
Camille Robiou Du Pont
To look at Camille Robiou du Pont’s work is to submerge into the waves. A French director and photographer based in Siargao, she captures the female form as an extension of the sun-soaked island: graceful, powerful, and free.
Junessa Rendon
Junessa Rendon isn’t afraid to get up close—literally. A beauty and portrait photographer, she knows how to capture each woman’s most striking angles while conveying the essence of glam. With her masterful command of light, shadow, and color, she creates a visual language that whispers only through breathtaking imagery.
Photos: MEGA ARCHIVES, ANDREA BELDUA, SELA GONZALES, GELOY CONCEPCION, COLIN DANCEL, CAMILLE ROBIOU DU PONT, KIM MONTES, KIM ANGELA SANTOS, AYA CABAUATAN, and JUNESSA RENDON
Text by MOIRA DEL ROSARIO and ANYA OXYN
Frequently Asked Questions
Rising Filipina photographers include Sela Gonzales, known for observant stillness and natural reverence; Colin Dancel, whose cinematic portraits use chiaroscuro; Andrea Beldua, recognized for soft romanticism and feminine visual worlds; Kim Montes, a Manila-based fashion photographer; and Aya Cabauatan, who specializes in intimate film and portrait photography.
The female gaze in photography refers to a perspective that centers women’s interiority, agency, and self-defined identity rather than framing the female subject for an external audience. Filipina photographers like Andrea Beldua, Colin Dancel, and Aya Cabauatan explore this through soft romanticism, cinematic depth, and emotionally intimate portraiture.
Colin Dancel is a Filipina photographer whose visual language is defined by chiaroscuro — the dramatic contrast of light and shadow. Her portrait work is consistently described as cinematic and moody, evoking atmosphere and emotional depth. She is among a generation of Filipina image-makers reshaping visual storytelling in the Philippines.
Camille Robiou Du Pont is a French director and photographer based in Siargao, Philippines. She specializes in capturing the female form in natural, coastal environments — framing her subjects as graceful and powerful extensions of the island landscape. Her work sits at the intersection of portrait photography and environmental storytelling.
Andrea Beldua is a Filipina photographer known for her soft, romantically feminine visual style and her signature pink hair. Beyond her photography practice, she uses her platform to empower other women in the arts, making her a prominent figure in the broader conversation around the Filipina female gaze in contemporary visual culture.
Recommended Video
Latest Posts
Latest Issue
