Meet Mark Kelvin, the viral TikTok photographer for strangers
If you're addicted to TikTok, you've probably already seen those stunning portraits of strangers taken by a Pinoy photographer, especially the one featuring a beautiful plus-size girl in a pink top taken by the beach.
The viral portraits on TikTok were taken by 29-year-old photographer Mark Kelvin.
He recently made a guest appearance on Mars Pa More and talked about his amazing kind of photography.
Mark Kelvin's shoot with Erica in Batangas / Source: Mars Pa More
Mark Kelvin admitted to host Iya Villania that he was inspired by the works of foreign photographers.
“I was inspired by foreign photographers. Kasi originally, hindi ko siya original concept talaga.
“So, noong nag-ba-browse ako ng mga videos on TikTok, 'yon, may nadaanan akong contents from foreign photographers doing stranger shoot.
“So 'yon, naisip ko lang muna what if i-try ko rin dito sa 'Pinas.”
His efforts has truly paid off as his portraits of strangers have now gone viral on TikTok.
“'Yung nag-stand out talaga at naging paborito ko talagang stranger na na-shoot ko is 'yung kay Erica, sa Batangas po.
“Siya po 'yung sobrang naging viral kasi sa TikTok. I've reached 11 million views and then 1.6 million likes for that.”
Viral TikTok photographer Mark Kelvin / Source: Mars Pa More
Mark Kelvin also shared what he looks for in a subject for his photos.
“Anyone can be my subject. Actually, 'yung iniisip ko lang talaga, 'yung tinitingnan ko is 'yung uniqueness, 'yung genuineness ng isang tao na nag-i-i-stand out talga among the rest.
“And of course, 'yung story na gusto kong i-kuwento that time."
He also said he's also helped strangers gain more confidence in posing in front of the camera.
“Actually, kapag lumapit ako sa isang stranger, minsan sasabihin nila na, 'Bakit po ako 'yung napili niyo, e, hindi naman po ako model. Hindi po ako marunong. kuya, kuya. Iba na lang po.
“Ang sinasabi ko po niyan, 'Don't worry 'kaisI will help you out. Pero, as much as possible, gusto ko 'yung makikita sa content ko 'yung ikaw, 'yung natural na ikaw.'”
The viral photographer also revealed what his dream shoot would be like.
“Working with celebrities, with famous models, or with public figures.
“Like for example po. 'yung sa mga modeling agencies, and of course, sa pageants kasi alam naman natin 'yung Pilipinas, home to of beauty pageants.
“Maybe this would open an opportunity for me to work internationally.”
Watch Mark Kelvin's full interview in the Mars Pa More video above.
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For more features like this, tune in to Mars Pa More from Monday to Friday, at 8:45 a.m. on GMA-7.
Viewers abroad can also watch 'Mars Pa More' via GMA's flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.
And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
You might also want to read about viral mobile photographer Alfred Visuals.
Meanwhile, check out these amazing steet photography of Ryan Agoncillo: