Laura & Carlos Silva April 5th 2008

What an elegant affair that was! I am now working on their album and enjoying looking back at these pictures so figured I’d share them. Laura was just so beautiful, and Carlos yes is handsome but more than that I just love his hair – this very cool hair style – so cool in fact that the best man mentioned it in his speech!

One of my favorite shots ever is the one I took of Laura and her father getting ready to come down the aisle. That is a picture that tells the story of that moment if I’ve ever seen one. My photography professor would have been proud:-)

Laura’s mother, Marie, was very involved in the wedding planning, and just such a joy to work with. She wrote me after the Silva on line gallery went up:

“Rinat, the pictures are FABULOUS!!!! Have looked at them, oh I don't know, 5 or 10 times :~)
I have been singing your praises; we were so pleased with your work, attention to details and ease to work with. It was our honor to have you photograph one of the most important days in our lives.”

Crosby Wedding

Like so many weddings here in Orlando Florida Judy & Mark decided to make their wedding into a family getaway. They flew down from New York to get married at the most beautiful Celebration hotel http://www.celebrationhotel.com/

One thing destination weddings couples need to consider is that the weather here in Florida this time of year is a little unpredictable – and most likely it will rain in the afternoon. With that said – so what?

Yes it did rain, but Marissa Wallace, the coordinator from Just Mary http://www.justmarry.com/ innovatively coordinated the Celebration hotel staff to move the ceremony under the balcony – still outdoors, but away from the rain.

What’s hard for me about the destination weddings is not being able to meet and connect with the couple before the wedding. Luckily I am very outgoing and Judy Mark and I were “old friends” before the day was over. After we finished taking pictures with the antique cars parked in front of the hotel Judy turned to Mark and said: “you know who is the funniest person in our wedding?” “Who?” Mark asked “Our photographer” Judy replied. And with that and the awesome shots I know they will have great memories of their wedding day. Just another good day in paradise.

Central Florida Bride magazine Fashion on location

The new issue of CFB magazine is on stands now and in it some images I took for their “Fashion on Location” spread. That silver wedding dress was WAY cool!!! complimetns of Beth from Formally yours in Eustis, Florida http://www.formallyyoursbridal.net/

Makeup was done by Candi Ekstrom http://www.allaboutyourweddingday.com/ and the shoot took place at the Buena vista Palace in Lake Buena Vista, Florida http://buenavistapalace.com/?src=ppc_google_brand_summerescape

These are some images from that shoot that appear in the magazine.

NYC show opening night

What a great night! The NYC Reflections Show opened yesterday at the UCF Women’s Research Center http://womens.research.ucf.edu/Events/2008/7-10_Halon.html

New York style hot dogs and Pizza were served, and to my delight and somewhat astonish countless art appreciators showed up to view my work! The many compliments and attention the art work received filled me with pride and joy – how fun!

Thank you to all my friends who came out to support me on my first art show EVER – and hopefully many more to come.

One of the best surprises of the evening was some of my past and future brides show up – and them exchanging experiences. As one mother of the bride (already married) said to another mother of the bride (to be) “your biggest problem will be what to choose – you’re going to love all the pictures!” what a great compliment, thank you.

Thank you Dr. Leslie Liberman and Fran Ragsdale from the Women’s Research Center for organizing such a nice opening night, with appropriate NYC refreshments and atmosphere. I appreciate it so much!

The NYC reflections show is available to view Monday – Friday 9am-5pm at the UCF Women’s Research Center through August 25th.
And one last bit of good news…one picture from the show already sold...

Thais & Gregg Nicoll June 28, 2008

Against all odds …Thais & Gregg had a family illness strike as they were getting ready to fly down to Florida to get married at the beautiful Celebration hotel (http://www.celebrationhotel.com/) where I have the privilege of being the official intimate wedding photographer.
Rain came down hard on the outdoor ceremony location and forced it all to be moved inside. And despite all Thais kept her good spirits up and was ready to marry the love of her life. So the ceremony did take place indoors, but Tommy’s beautiful flower creations (http://www.greeneryproductions.com/) decorating the elegant room compensated for the change in plans.
After the “I do’s” were said it was “smooth sailing”. The family that flew down to witness this destination wedding vowels enjoyed the cocktail hour on the now dry gazebo, followed by dinner and dancing.
Before I left Thais was so thankful, and as always, nothing bring me more joy than to know I helped make the bride’s special day a wonderful memory. Wishing you all the best Thais and Gregg!

July 9th 2008 - Thais emailed me yesterday:

Thank you, Rinat.I want you to know I absolutely loved ALL the pictures and both Gregg and I think you did an amazing job. I will certainly recommend you to everyone I know.All the best and you should be receiving my order soon!!!Thais

Denise & John Hatridge June 28, 2008

Denise was very composed while getting ready for her wedding ceremony, but when her daughter (and maid of honor) pulled out John’s ring to show off for pictures at my request a big smile lit up Denis’s face: “My prince charming has finally arrived!” she said, laughing happily.

Besides a minor “wardrobe malfunction” that send the bride and maid of honor back to fix the dress after starting to walk down the aisle, and sent John, the groom, to a nervous laugh – everything went great. It was a beautiful day at the Stoneybrook West Golf Club cmyers@golfstoneybrookwest.com and Chastity Myers, the coordinator, took care of all the details making sure all flows smoothly.

Had a little challenge photographing after the ceremony – just the way I like it! Well, couldn’t use the golf course for pictures because the sun was shining bright and was way too “hot” for pictures – with no shaded areas on the course. Had to use the front of the property and use lighting and composition to eliminate cars parked in the background and not much greenery to beatify the scenery - it is, after all, summertime in Florida…

A fun morning wedding, with mimosas and brunch buffet, and a very happy Mr. & Mrs. Prince charming…happy ever after!

July 9th 2008 - just got an email from Denise:

Rinat,

I can't thank you enough for all that you did for John and I. We absolutely love the pictures!! I didn't realize how giddy I was until I saw it in your photographs. You caught so many precious and fun moments. Everyone that has seen them can't say enough about them. It's going to be hard to choose! I'll be talking with you soon.

Denise