Gulnara Studio | New York, Puerto Rico Wedding Photography » WorldWide Documentary Wedding Photography

Henry Chan and I taking off to Brandenburg, KY to spend some time with fellow wedding photographers (here). I don’t know where it is, never been there but anything away from computer monitor And I am NOT bringing my laptop! Before that Henry and I shooting a wedding in Indianapolis with a very talented and known photojournalist from Texas Huy Nguyen. That’s exciting!!

While I am away and you need some blog food check out www.loveunscripted.com where photographers I network and vacation with post their favorite photos and slideshows. I also want you to check out www.fwforum.com where you can post any wedding related questions and find a photographer. Unless you want ME to document your wedding Have fun!!

I will be back on November 30.

I am still editing thousands of photos we took but wanted to share some before I take off for a vacation. I had an excellent photographers working with me and I was very excited when George Weir and Tracy Toler expressed their interest to second and third shoot with me. Thank you so much!!

When: November 17, 2007
Where: Birchwood Manor, Whippany, NJ
Wedding Coordinator and Designer: Awesome Samantha Goldberg, Gold Events and Co. www.goldeventsplanning.com

Dresses for two ceremonies- Hindu and Christian

Deepti changed her make up, hair and dress THREE times throughout the day

Brian and his family before the grand entrance

Not just Brian we all dropped our jaws when we saw Deepti

Deepti is a writer at the Associated Press where I used to work.

Samantha did an unbelieveble job on the ball room!

On November 18th, 2007 I photographed the winners of my free wedding photography contest – Dalilah and Omar. You can read their story and about the contest here .

The ceremony took place in their High Schools chapel “St. Francis Cabrini Shrine” in upper Manhattan and they celebrated with their families and friends at “The Riverview”, Hastings on Hudson, NY. I met really wonderful and open hearted people and had so much fun documenting this celebration. After talking to the priest I was sure giving this gift to the right people. Thank you so much Dalilah and Omar!!

It was a wonderful way to finish a very successful wedding season and as my appreciation I would like to announce another contest when I come back from vacation. Stay tuned!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Very tired but happy me with Dalilah and Omar

When: November 17, 2007
Where: Sheraton Stanford, CT

While I was busy shooting Deepti’s and Brian’s wedding my associate photographer Maria documented Randi and Michael’s wedding. Congratulations guys!!

In the evening I went to Mirage Banquet Hall to photograph family gathering with performance from Deepti’s nieces. When I arrived I felt very welcomed by almost two hundred members of Deepti and Brian’s family!! I ate some of the best indian food and enjoyed the music and dances. Because of my mom I am a big fan of the indian culture since I remember myself. Growing up in Russia the indian movies were a big hit every-time it played in theaters. When I was a kid my mom would take me to every one of them and then later at night would dance and sing to me as I was falling asleep. Needless to say I cried as I was watching Deepti’s aunt dancing. She reminded me so much of her, even the face. I miss you mom!

Meet Brian!!

Deepti’s aunt

My mom Rose and 4 years old me

Mom

I came back the next morning to shoot haldi-tilak, a ceremony where the married women in Deepti’s family bless her using turmeric powder (VERY STAINING) and oil. It’s messy, but fun! I never saw this before and felt honored to be a part of it. BTW, I’d like to get some of that power and oil becouse when I came back later that evening for another celebration Deepti’s skin was just glowing. Wow!

When: November 15, 2007
What: Henna ceremony, Glen Ridge, NJ

When Deepti and Brian hired me to cover their three days wedding celebration I didn’t realized that for me it’s going to be the wedding of the year. Wow! I wish I could describe how amazing it was but you will have to see it in photos and use your imagination

It takes about two hours to paint hands and feet with henna and six hours to dry.

Deepti is going to change into 5 outfits in the next two days. Here is her Mom showing off some of the dresses.

It took two to three months to make each of three dresses by hand in India.

The bottom of the reception dress is from Deepti’s grandmother’s wedding dress that was made in 1936. It’s real gold.

Deepti made sure she had an exclusive decision on three things- husband, wedding invitation and I forgot what was the third Wedding dress?

A teaser from the wedding ceremony. One of my favorite photos where Deepti reminds me of Indian Goddess. Stay tuned for day two.

Andrey is a fellow wedding photographer and got married to Irina on October 21st, 2007 in St. Sarkis Apostolic Armenian Church. Congratulations guys!!!

Really nice feedback from Ronnie:

“Gulnara,

From the moment I saw your website I knew I wanted you to photograph our wedding. I wanted all those little details captured. For some reason, I was amazed to see my own dress and shoes look so magical in the pictures! How could those be mine? You managed to capture the expressions and emotions that made up that day for Luke and me. Looking at the pictures is just eery because seeing them makes the wedding come alive. Thank you for helping us remember the fun of that day and showing us the things that we didn’t see!

You rock!

-Ronnie”

Enjoy the slideshow! And don’t forget to leave a comment.
www.gulnarastudio.com/Show/RonnieLuke

Nice feedback from Amy:

“Dearest Gulnara:
You are truly an artist. I looked over the pictures that you took
of our wedding on October 27, 2007 and you blew me away. The pictures
are just gorgeous. I never like the way I look in photographs and I
love these! But more importantly, you captured the happiness in our
hearts and the love that we have for each other. All of the pictures
show joy and laughter. It is just amazing that you captured such a
good feeling in all of your photographs of everyone.

Thank you again. I am so happy you were the chronicler of our wedding.

My very best,
Mrs. Amy Campion

PS The picture of Jennifer Gardner I saw in a magazine when I was on
my honeymoon.”

The permanent link to the slideshow is at www.gulnarastudio.com/Show/AmyKevin

Thank you Amy and Kevin! It was my pleasure!