Cover The legendary photographer Raymund Isaac

We say goodbye to photography master Raymund Isaac whose daring style and eye for beauty captured our hearts

The pandemic has not only brought about a pause in our lives; it has taken away some of the nearest and dearest to us. One of them is a leading photographer in the country and a good friend, Raymund Isaac.

I met Raymund back in the Eighties when I was working as an editorial assistant for K magazine. Our offices were in the same building in Makati, and I would hang out in his studio, Portfolio. We got on very well, along with his late brother JR. We would always see each other in whatever was the latest hangout then. He always had a zest for life, a hunger to know what’s next and a wicked sense of humour.

Tatler Asia
Above Vicky Zubiri, February 2007

He first collaborated with Tatler back in 2003 with our cover story on Nikki Prieto Teodoro. This was followed by some of the most magical images and unforgettable Tatler covers, which included Rosanne Prieto, Bea Valdes, Vicky Zubiri, Loren Legarda and Margie Moran Floirendo. He was a master of lighting and loved glam photography to the max. He also had a gift of putting his subjects at ease and establishing a good rapport with everyone like no other.

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Photo 1 of 3
Photo 2 of 3 Rosanne Prieto, June 2005
Photo 3 of 3 Loren Legarda, April 2005

Our fashion and group shots were equally incredible—those were the years when big productions and set designs were the norm. I recall our zodiac-themed shoot with 12 personalities representing an astrological sign; our most eligible list with then rising stars Derek Ramsay, Georgina Wilson, Borgy Manotoc, China Cojuangco and Victor Consunji; and our attempt to recreate The Last Supper, which has become one of my all-time favourite photos in the last two decades. Not to be forgotten was the time we went to Madrid to photograph Isabel Preysler; Raymund truly captured the elegance, beauty and heart of this iconic lady. He also photographed the Tantoco family in our October 2017 issue.

Tatler Asia
Above The Last Supper, March 2006
Tatler Asia
Above The Most Eligible List, March 2005
Tatler Asia
Above Bea Valdes, July 2005
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 4 Lea Salonga, March 2021
Photo 2 of 4 Tim Yap, January 2007
Photo 3 of 4 Margie Moran Floirendo, June 2007
Photo 4 of 4 Bianca Zobel, May 2004

His last photo for our cover was of the celebrated singer and national treasure, Lea Salonga, in March 2021. We also featured some of his notable and favourite works in our gallery section in our May issue this year, titled, Visual Perfection.

Raymund, I can’t believe you are gone. Thank you for the friendship, and for sharing your creativity and the magic that only you can do. You will be forever etched in Tatler history, on the images you captured and in our hearts. You will be missed. Rest in the arms of God.


This story was originally published on Tatler Philippines' October 2021 issue. Download it on Magzter for free.

Credits

Photography  

Raymund Isaac