Behind every photograph, there is a person quietly capturing the moment. The ones behind the camera, the lens, the shutter — they see what others often miss. In every edition of DAILY TRIBUNE, they are the visual storytellers, sorting through the chaos of life and turning it into something that speaks to the heart. In their snaps, the noise becomes clarity, the mess becomes meaning, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

For these photographers, it’s not just about taking a picture — it’s about freezing a moment, preserving its soul and sharing it with the world. They empower us to see the truth and beauty even in the smallest details through their lens. They encourage us to look beyond what meets the eye, and uncover meaning in the everyday.

Five remarkable photographers from the DAILY TRIBUNE embody this spirit. To them, photojournalism is a sacred act — an opportunity to connect, communicate and chronicle the truth through imagery that speaks to humanity and become part of history.

As the world grows more visual, their work becomes increasingly vital.

Every snapshot, every frame — they’re emotions, moments and untold stories captured in a split second. A single photo can hit harder than a thousand words.

The DAILY TRIBUNE’s photographers, the legends behind the lens, are here to flex their artistry. They’re sharing their top five favorite lifestyle shots and dropping some wisdom on what photojournalism means in today’s fast-scrolling, content-hungry world. Their perspectives? As iconic as their shots.

Here’s a glimpse into their world, where they are in focus — the very soul behind the shutter.

John Carlo Magallon

John Carlo Magallon, a journalism graduate from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, always dreamed of being a filmmaker, but after realizing that real-life, non-fiction stories were even more powerful, he shifted his focus to photojournalism.

During college, he served as the chief photographer for The Communicator, where he won awards like second runner-up for Best Photography at The Manila Times’ 2020 contest and third place in the Ditto Sarmiento Journalism Cup’s photojournalism contest. After volunteering for an alternative media network, he began his work at the DAILY TRIBUNE.

For John Carlo, “Photojournalism is the art of capturing decisive moments as life unfolds before your eyes.” He believes that visuals should be more than just pretty pictures — they need to be informative.

His favorite shots include moments like Manila beauty queens at the Metro Manila Film Festival Parade of Stars, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. greeting his supporters at the Pamaskong Handog Mula sa Pangulo event, Nadine Lustre, Vilma Santos and Aga Muhlach at the Uninvited film at the MMFF, young Catholic devotees dancing at the 43rd Intramuros Grand Marian Procession, and New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh cleaning up in Anilao, Batangas.

Aram Jan Lascano

Aram Jan Lascano, a multimedia journalist with nearly a decade of experience, describes photojournalism as “the ability to encapsulate a moment in time that we can never get back” and “a language that transcends the viewers to a story via a compressed photo with multiple layers that tells the entire story.”

His career started as a music journalist, gaining local and international opportunities. Passionate about responsible journalism, he’s affiliated with the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines and the Filipino Freelance Journalists’ Guild, and teaches photojournalism to students and underprivileged individuals.

Aram’s favorite shots capture the essence of everyday life and human resilience. One of his memorable shots shows a woman thrifting branded underwear at Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila, while another captures a carnival worker balancing at a theme park in Marikina. He’s also photographed police forces securing a barricade in Recto Avenue and elementary school contestants in Las Piñas, full of cheer and creativity. Another standout moment he captured was Marian Rivera walking to the stage to receive the title “Actress of the Year.”

Yummie Dingding

Yummie Dingding, chief photographer for the DAILY TRIBUNE, sees photojournalism as more than an art — it’s a vital way of preserving history.

Specializing in national politics and the Philippine presidency, Yummie uses her camera to capture moments that “go beyond aesthetics, serving as a powerful medium to expose injustices, celebrate triumphs and preserve history.”

Her career began in music photography and expanded to news, entertainment and a stint as Director of Photography for the Presidential Communications Office. In 2017, she earned a Konrad Adenauer Stiftung fellowship and a Diploma in Visual Journalism from Ateneo de Manila University. Her Covid-19 vaccination coverage earned an Honorable Mention at the 2021 International Photography Awards. She is now president of the Presidential Photojournalists Association and a member of the Photojournalists Center of the Philippines since 2014.

Among her favorite works are shots of Miss Earth 2024 winner Jessica Lane, QC’s Catwalk to Sustainability, YESUNG’s Manila concert, Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino at Surigao del Sur’s 64th Araw, and Mercator models with prominent figures like First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with DAILY TRIBUNE executives and the Salcedo Auctions’ power couple, The Lermas.

Analy Labor

For Analy Labor, photojournalism is about “capturing newsworthy events to create images that tell a story, through the use of photographs rather than words.”

When asked to describe herself, she humbly replied, “I’m simple, friendly and always smiling.” Just like her photographs, her personality doesn’t need explanation — her images speak volumes, capturing emotions and moments that go beyond what words can convey.

Through her lens, Analy shows that a single shot can capture a story more powerful than words. Among her favorite captures are the Malabon Zoo snake welcoming the Year of the Snake, children playing and girls dancing, farmers at work, toys in motion and fishermen silhouetted against a stunning sunset.

Jose Sanchez Mendoza

A marine engineer graduate from the Philippine Merchant Marine School, Joey Mendoza never expected to become a photojournalist. Due to life’s unexpected twists, he followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued photography, honing his skills through training in the Philippines, which led him to become a skilled photojournalist today.

Currently, Mendoza covers sports, capturing iconic moments in events like the PBA, NCAA, UAAP and various sports like volleyball, tennis, boxing, golf, etc. He earned multiple awards in sports photography, but for him, photojournalism goes beyond art.

“It’s not just art; you must think carefully about your subject before you shoot,” he emphasized.

Mendoza’s favorite shots showcase his diverse sports photography skills. One standout image is from the University of the Philippines’ game three finals in men’s basketball, featuring Kevin Quiambao. He also captured a powerful moment between Quentin Millora Brown of UP and Manu Anabo of Adamson University during UAAP Season 87. Another memorable shot was of the intense battle between Jerusalem and Castillo in the WBC World Minimumweight fight. Additionally, Jose captured Eliza Andriel Yulo’s performance on the balance beam during the 4th day of the Palarong Pambansa 2024, and Micaela Jasmin Mojdeh of Region IVA Calabarzon winning gold in the 13-18 girls’ 100m LC meter butterfly event.