Published in Asiana Wedding International Magazine

Sonal Shah, the wedding planner for the wedding I shot in Central Park, NYC, was recently featured in Asiana Wedding International Magazine, and I was happy to discover on Sonal’s blog that a couple of my company’s photographs were used in the article.

The two largest images on the right-facing page were from this wedding and shot by my second shooter on this wedding, Jane Zarzynski, who I was so happy to have join me on the trip.  One of these images was also used in Crain’s New York Business publication when Sonal was featured there recently as well.

Faiza + Kamran : An Indian Wedding in NYC’s Central Park

A Muslim Indian/Pakistani wedding that was destined to be too big if held in their hometown in Georgia was beautifully located in the Boathouse Restaurant in New York City’s Central Park, the site of Faiza and Kamran’s first date (…their first date after growing up as close friends all those years…).  A wonderful love story for a strong, beautiful couple and a wedding that I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of.   Thank you, Faiza and Kamran, for allowing me to be a part of your special day and weekend.

I’d also like to thank Sonal Shah, for introducing them to me and taking care of the couple and families with your amazing event planning skills and professional team; Jane Zarzynski, for your wonderful support second shooting and exploring The City with me, and to Johnny and Lane of Life Stream Video, you were a pleasure to work with.

No photos or video are allowed during a Muslim wedding ceremony. The ceremony itself takes place mostly sitting in chairs and is inspiring with its quiet prayers and blessings.  These images below were shot after the ceremony and heading into the reception:

It had been raining all day so we were elated when the clouds dried up just in time after the wedding to grab some outdoor portraits at a place of significance for Faiza and Kamran.

Faiza + Kamran {Mehendi & Garba} in NYC

A sneak peek with more to come from this amazing wedding very soon…

These images are from Faiza and Kamran’s mehendi and garba event at the Vermillion Restaurant the night before their wedding at the Boathouse in New York City’s Central Park.  What a fun and colorful evening of celebration!

baby love : a portrait

It brings me such joy too to be able to follow families through my photography as they grow.  Megan and Ryan Newman got married over three years ago at the lovely Royal Palms in Phoenix.  As you can see in this image from their wedding, they openly show their love and have fun with life.  And they are another family in the baseball world – I hear that Ryan is the youngest minor leagues manager out there.

And their little guy, William, is one happy fellow.  Just five months old for this portrait session and so precious.

Shannon & Derek {in love} an engagement session

Shannon & Derek {in love: engaged!} (click link for full engagement session slideshow)

Happy to be back in the office

I’m not sure who was happier about my girls heading back to school, me or my oldest daughter, Sasha.  Sasha happily went back to work reacquainting herself in her Montessori classroom Friday night when we visited the school’s open house.  When it was time to visit her little sister’s new classroom, Sasha decided to stay and work. When it was time to head home, we were probably the last family to leave, and Sasha wanted to stay the weekend until class started on Monday.  (And, we actually did have a fun, eventful summer!)

I’m happy to be back to work too.   I’ve had a new website waiting in the wings for me to finish as I separate my portrait work from my wedding work, and I have so many new and exciting product developments that have been in the works too.  I can’t wait to share!

I hope to connect with you more soon…

Jena & Brian {in love} an engagement shoot

Sneak peak of more to come from this couple’s fun shoot:

loving this image, and this finish below just grows and grows on me. It’s a new feel for me to work with, and I’m liking it.

Two weddings, 34 portrait sessions, and a couple other shoots later…

I have a lot of blogging to catch up on…  Here’s a start.  Phoenix Bride and Groom magazine asked me to shoot the gorgeous reception setting for Accent with Flowers.  It was a beautiful Indian wedding at the Four Seasons Resort.  As I was shooting, I noticed that the wedding planner was Sonal Shah, a New York City event planner that I’ve been in contact with recently and that ends up in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area more than a few times each year for these gorgeous affairs.  Here’s the shot that was chosen by Sonal to be printed 2′x3′ for a bridal show this weekend:

A Baby Shower and a Newborn Nap

Earlier this week I attended a baby shower for Kimberly Jarman, a talented fellow wedding photographer and new friend of mine that is super sweet.  My hands were full so I didn’t have a chance to take any pictures, but Melissa Jill, another talented fellow wedding photographer, was one of the hostesses of the party and took (and blogged!) the below shot of my little one sleeping on my lap (which she is doing right now as I write this! What a life to be a sleepy newborn again…). 

“The Wedding Book” Author, Mindy Weiss, to speak at Changing Hands Bookstore

Announcing her new book, “The Wedding Book: the big book for your big day“, celebrity wedding planner, Mindy Weiss, will be visiting Tempe’s Changing Hands bookstore this Wednesday, April 23rd, at 7 PM.   

Her credentials include planning weddings for Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum, Avril Lavigne, and Gwen Stefani.

A bonus for those attending is a sample of two local wedding vendors: Robert’s Catering and Kokopelli Winery - cake and wine for everyone!