Khalel Zantillan
Executive Creative Director
KonZepto Productions
When Lenses Speak
By Mikee dela Cruz
PUBLISHED: AUGUST 2009

Khalel Zantillan, as photographed by Vidal L. Condicion. SEE KHALEL ZANTILLAN'S POINTS OF VIEW

“Nothing particular, really.”

So says Khalel Zantillan when asked about his preferred subject/s.
“When I have my camera with me, I shoot (anything) that captures my imagination.”

And this is how this up-and-coming photographer is intending to make a mark – as one who “captures a fraction of someone's life through (a) creative concept (i.e. photography).”

“We capture a fraction of someone's life through (a) creative concept. We bring life to a photograph through creative vision, manipulation of light, and understanding the importance of relationship between subjects.  For that split second, we are aware that THAT moment may never happen again, and we just capture it for all time.  Being a part of someone's life at 1/500th of a second is an amazing feeling,” Zantillan says.

Zantillan’s entry into the artsy field of photography started just a few years back, “with a collaboration with Jed Yumand and Vidal Condicion, (when they were handling) the G4M (for Guys4Men.com, a social networking site for men who have sex with men or MSMs that was swallowed by GayRomeo.com) Last Model Standing Cycle II,” he recalls, adding, nonetheless, that “the interest was always there, using a film based SLR (single lens reflex) cameras in my college days.”

Interestingly, there weren’t specific inspirations to urge him to pick up photography.  “Nothing, really, (inspired me to go into this),” Zantillan says, “except that I really love seeing photographs that invoke something, those that speak (to) you and tell (you) stories.”

It was this love to capture beauty, too, that subsequently pushed Zantillan to co-establish KonZepto Productions, a “unique, creative, and inspirational photography production outfit” that, “privileged to be able to share (a) vision of life through the lens,” exists – thrives, even – in the capturing of snippets of life for keeps.

The original idea to form a concept photography group was hatched specifically on October 29, 2008, when Zantillan was “chatting (with friend Kent Vitor on) how good it (can be) to come up with a production group that will actually cater something new and fresh in terms of photography concept,” Zantillan says.  The idea was further discussed with “my mentors/friends, with whom I worked with for the G4M Last Model Standing II contest.”

KonZepto Productions is now, largely, an MSM-membered production outfit (i.e. it’s more than a photography group, as its members also include fashion designers who dress the models; make-up artists who, well, prepare the same models for the shoots; and digital artists who add the necessary elements to the shots) – one (if not the only one, actually) of such groups to provide MSMs (and by extension, GLBTQIAs) a venue to gather for self- and artistic expression.

Zantillan now serves as executive creative director of KonZepto Productions.
“If I wasn’t in this field, I honestly don’t know (what I’d be doing),” Zantillan says.  “Perhaps, as is usual, keep a regular day job.  But as there is something about the creative aspect of photography that keeps me interested, (I’d still be gravitated towards it).”

What Zantillan considers as a challenge now is the same challenge he considers for KonZepto Productions – to create a name, “how to make your work stand out amid the numerous bodies of work of various photographers (out there).”

But that KonZepto Productions is “turning almost a year now, I believe, is already an achievement.  Hearing participant(s) from the various projects of the group say how happy they are with the output often leaves us with a smile; and a simple tap on the shoulder urges us to carry on,” Zantillan says.

Gender specific, Zantillan believes GLBTQIAs have an edge entering the industry he now belongs to.  “I believe the GLBTQIAs are (among) the most creative,” he says, “since we are natural lovers of beauty, and, even better, we know how to (capture, or, when needed, reproduce that beauty).”

There remain issues on being GLBTQIA, of course.

“There still isn’t a solid group for the GLBTQIAs here in the country. I am praying that there will be one someday. A niche for the community to call home.  A home that can speak for me and in my behalf.  I am often reminded of the words of a gay pastor friend, who once asked: ‘Will it take a catastrophe to unite the community?’” Zantillan says.  “Well, maybe someday…”

He remains inspired, though, of the changes within the community itself, and even among GLBTQIAs.  “(It is inspiring noting) how we are slowly escaping from the parlorista image (NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS – Ed) and how we are showing the society that we are equally talented (as non-GLBTQIAs),” Zantillan says.  With this, “we are getting the respect we deserve – from others, and from ourselves.”

And with this, Zantillan believes that, “like any other, I (know) I can be on the top of the chain, or, if not, at least close to it (as far as my craft is concerned),” he says.
And it all begins with making his lenses talk by capturing beauty in everything.

For information on Khalel Zantillan, call (+63) 9276831309, or visit malecourtesan.multiply.com and konzeptoproduction.multiply.com.