Feeling the happiest day of your life! Sara + Kyle

The art of a wedding day is not just in emotion, imagery, or experience, it's about the feelings...the tears in a mothers eyes as their oldest daughter gets ready for the biggest day of her life, the note the bride reads from a gift her groom thoughfully presented to her just before the wedding. These once in a lifetime feelings happen as the bride puts on her dress over powered by love, excitment, and a million other emotions I can't yet relate to are which are now blushing through her eyes as the dress slipped and her shoes are slipped onto her feet.
There is nothing more amazing then a fancy wedding with genunie people who not only fill each table with bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne but also with smiles. The laughter takes center stage as the band sends out a contageious vibe of music...if you wer'en drinking the champaign, you are now! The essance of creating a magical day is in the decor, the architecture of the location you choose to say "I do", the colors on your invitation, the fonts on menue cards, the laughter of the guests being merry while your best friend gives one of their best speaches of their life; as you look over to see the moms smile and tears on her face simultaneously. I must say that this wedding was above and beyone my wildest dreams! I loved every single detail, BIG & small! I love the lasting sip after the taste of Cristal champagne and the smell of Sara's dads Cuban cigars by the fire pit. Looking across the room at the dinner tables filled with family and friends, I think, wow this is the happiest day of this families life! Sara's dad said it best in his speech at the end of the night, "Sara, thank you for allowing me the privilage to walk to you down the isle as I present you to such a great man. This is the happiest day of my life! Cheers. I love you both." As the band played Something by the Beatles, the night could have gone on for days and the party in this family who has so much to celebrate will never end.
Cheers to a wonderful, genuine and classy family that will forever hold a special place in my heart and lifes work.
To see their wedding film click here. Cinematography by Dorian Iribarren at Sea Glass Productions.

Meredith + Evan...Sundy House

As I begin to ponder what to write about Meredith & Evan here on my blog I reminisce their intimate wedding at the Sundy House in Delray Beach. It's a classy Key West style cottage inn and restaurant. Just as you hear the sounds of the leaves dancing in the wind you see what seems like an endless pathways meandering through a green jungle. It was the charm of this tucked away place I was loving! A secret venue planted in a hip, classy yet bohemian town. As I arrived, I was feeling both adventurous in this jungle & a bit romantic! As I fantasized, the light splashes through the trees and I begin to envision how my pictures are going to turn out...it was then time stood still. (Ohhh how I love when that happens!)
So here they are! A few of many I took while documenting Meredith getting ready, their jewish ceremony and lunch reception. I appreciated Meredith and Evans trust in giving me creative freedom to take pictures prior to the ceremony! I loved they way they held onto each other and knew that they were not only going to soon be married but would walk down the isle and begin a new adventure. I too was able to witness the people who were closest to them in their lives while seated in this little place like heaven as they said their vows under the most rustic and fragrant chuppah! Enjoy these images and cheers to a great couple that I admire. I'm looking forward to sharing Dorians video when it is ready in a few weeks. I know it will compliment the photographs and bring more life to all the fleeting moments that danced like the leaves on the trees!

Jocelyn + Eli...Trust is Golden

The power of trust is something we talk about but rarely really let go of. There are two things about photography and life that I feel strongly about; trust & golden light. I feel, to get amazing images from a photographer you need to trust them. In turn you're likely to evoke their creative freedom and your photog will shoot for themselves (as if they were getting married). The golden hour is the prettiest light, just before sunset. Most weddings take the pictures before the ceremony due to time and the importance of capturing the key shots of the bride & groom before the party starts. Jocelyn and Eli set a special scene for their wedding day. As they saw each other for the first time as the sun was about to set on the golf course of Ballen Isles in Palm Beach, I found myself shooting my sixth wedding since my workshop with Ben and Erin and had two new lenses in hand: the L 35mm F/1.4 and the L 50 mm f/1.2. As I watched Jocelyn & Eli dance on the golf course I fell in love with every angle I could find, the light and my new lenses. At one point I had my finger on the camera trigger, just going for that one shot I envisioned of them on the hill....My eyes were lusting over the moments of light and my head was saying, "shoot for yourself!" It was at that point that I shot a few silhouettes and Dorian shot the sun bursting through their kiss....I was in heaven. After all, I was on a golf course and at a wedding with this remarkable couple so in love and entrusting!
I feel most lucky when I am working with amazing couples who totally trust me because they let go...they let me guide them in a sensitive, sweet way which makes them forget or just not be bothered by things like, the bottom of their dress getting a little dusty or their feet hurting or tired, they just live in the moment.. they are alive! As Allison always tells me,"Mags, just let it happen!" Jocelyn trusted that I am going to lead them to a romantic spot that all they have to do is love each other. It's moments like these that make my job not seem like work, my heart feel fulfilled and my investments in equipment the best money I've ever spent.

















What makes a great picture? As I stare at a picture in black and white - I ponder this question. Most photogs will tell you, lighting, emotion, color and composition.
So as I stare at this black and white image; there is no color, the light is fine and compositionally, if I had to retake it I would change my angle at bit. But to be honest, it doesn't matter, cause the moment is gone and I am left looking at this black & white. I come to terms with the fact that in my opinion, a great photo is one that tells a story, one that evokes feeling, emotion....in this instance, in this picture, I'm in love the feeling it gives me. At this weeding, there were a lot of great color images but for some reason, I come back to this one, a black & white and this is why......When I see this image, I see the bride holding the bussle of her dress with her hand while she brushes her curls back from neck as the wind blows her wail. I see the tone of her arms and the highlights of her striking features. She's beautiful. I remember, as she takes a deep breath she sweetly smiles, she's calm. While her groom is staring at the camera conscious of me but there is a shallow depth of field so he's not the main focus, it's about the bride. Selfishly, I love this photo because when I look at it again and again it takes me right back to the moment, the feeling, the lighting of the golden hour of that afternoon. Mostly, it takes me back to their love, so playful like a language of their own as they celebrated each other. It's passion. I remember the feeling and the thoughtfulness they showed each other, oh how rare.
So in the end, if it's up to me, a good picture is one you love looking at, one that brings you back to the moment, the taste, the sensations you had while you were lost in the moment not even knowing it happened....but now you stare at the photo realizing, that was it, that was the moment, fleeting.