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

Where: Queens, NY
Reception: Jade Asian Restaurant in Flushing, NY

On August 31st, 2008 I photographed the winners of my free wedding photography contest – Linda and Andy. You can read their story and about the contest here .

They got married at City Hall a few days before, and so we started the day taking some awesome photos in Long Island City at the Queens Waterfront. They were a great couple and it was a fun location! After the photo session we headed over to the Jade Asian Restaurant where we celebrated into the evening.

Me taking photos, by Melissa.

Really talented Stacey Ilyse of Stacey Ilyse Photography generously offered to take one of the Free Wedding Photography Contest applications and chose Meredyth and Crispian. Congratulations guys!!!

Their story:

Hello I heard about your contest and it just made my day. We really cannot afford a photographer for our wedding so I am applying for your wonderful contest. My other half, Crispian, and I met about 5 years ago in Music School, we are currently classical musicians in the NJ/NY area. We are having our wedding ceremony in the Secret Garden in Central Park on May 18th 2008 at 10:30 a.m. I really love this location and I was worried about the cost but it was okay and all the money you pay for the hour you have the space goes to conservating and taking care of the park, which I liked, I do not like to just throw money away. We wanted a small wedding do to cost and because we are really close to our family and friends and wanted to day to be intimate. I really wanted photography for the wedding and thought what we could we give up b/c pitures are really important to me. One reason we are having to keep this low budget is right after the wedding Crispian my FI has to apply for his green card which can be $5-6,000.00.

Thank you so much for your time we would love to be considered for this contest. Our families are so important to us and we are all spread across the country and do not see each other very offen. Because of this we really have no professional photos of everyone. Crispian’s Aunt and Uncle are probably going to come and he has not seen them for 11 years. Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,
Meredyth.

And the winners of my Annual Free Wedding Photography contest are – Linda & Andy!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Their story ( was edited by me to leave out some very personal and private matters)

“Hi Gulnara,

Wow…awesome contest! I learned about your free wedding photography contest through the WeddingBee.com. Where shall I begin? Our story….Andy and I have been dating for 3.5 years and on March 1st, it will be our 6th month of engagement. Match.com introduced us, actually him. Andy’s profile was included in my weekly “mutual matches” email and I liked what I read. Shortly after this, my cousin and I attended a birthday party and I was astonished to see a guest there who looked exactly like the guy in the profile I had received! After numerous surreptitious stares, I realized that my mystery man was indeed Andy. For the majority of the evening, he was preoccupied with his friends, so unfortunately I was unable to introduce myself. Later on that night, I finally mustered the courage to go up to him, but it was too late as he was leaving the bar lounge. The following week, as my cousin and I were about to leave a Singles’ Happy Hour, I was amazed again to see who else but Andy and a few of his friends arriving! Again, coincidentally, we all were in the same place at the same time as had happened the previous week!! It had to be destiny or at the very least, fate! Many times that night our eyes briefly met but Andy would shy away from afar. As he walked by our table, I gently tugged his arm and we began our connection. Our first date was set for that following weekend and we have been happily together (and in love!) since then.

We have always had a love for photography. It is rooted all the way back to when Andy was on his yearbook staff shooting photos in High School. He found so much joy in photos that he went on to taking snapshots of friends and posting them on a school bulletin board he created to be viewed by his peers. Today, we continue that love of photos especially by capturing images of our two furry canine “kids”, Nicky and Coffy. Gulnara, from your website, you have fabulous work and are able to capture a range of emotions from different moments. We are looking for a photographer who can portray New York City’s atmosphere and you can surely do that with an artistic flair. Your images are so freestyle and natural which completely represents the style we are looking for. We would love to feel like we are reliving the magic of the day each time we look at our pictures and we mostly wish to have them to share with our children for many, many years. Our wedding date is August 31, 2008, vows at City Hall and the Chinese banquet reception held in Flushing Queens, NY. Thank you very much for offering the opportunity of possibly having you as our photographer….it would be an honor to have you on our BIG day.

All the Best,

Linda & Andy”

Guys, looking forward to document your wedding!!
For the rest of you-stay tuned for more news!

I am extending the deadline for the free wedding photography contest for ONE more week.

The new deadline is March 8, 2008.

I will announce the winner ONE week after the deadline on March 15, 2008.

I am getting allot of great applications for the Free Wedding Photography contest and unfortunately I am booked for some of the dates. If you are interested to help those couples out PLEASE email me at info@gulnarastudio.com

Thank you!!!!!

Gulnara.

The second annual “free wedding photography” contest is here!

I am offering free photography to a couple on their wedding day. You must be someone who appreciates photography but CAN NOT afford to hire a professional. Not because you bought a Jimmy Choo shoes or Vera Wang dress and have exceeded your budget but simply CAN NOT afford my prices ( CELEBRATION STUDIOS victims are encouraged to apply!).

To qualify you must have a set date and a location within 60 miles of zip code 10034.

All interested send your story and tell me also why is it important for you to have me photograph your wedding plus a recent photo of the two of you to info@gulnarastudio.com with the subject line ” Contest”.

The DEADLINE is February 29th, 2008.

I will select a couple and treat them with my basic package (shooting, website, slideshow, DVD and proof album- regularly $4000).

There is no cost and no obligation whatsoever attached to this offer. I will have to decline any applications with weddings on dates that I am already booked.

I will announce the finalist, their stories and photos on this blog on April 7th.

Please nominate yourself, nominate someone you know and forward this post to all couples that might be good candidates for this contest.

I cannot wait to read your story!!!

Last year contest winners- Dalilah and Omar:

Check out the Slideshow of the free wedding photography contest winners Dalilah and Omar.

Enjoy!!

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

I just couldn’t wait ’till 15th of April and wanted to let you all know that the winners of the free wedding photography contest are Dalilah and Omar!!!!!! They are getting married on November 18th this year and I am super excited!!! I am so happy to give this gift to the guys and the little girl, knowing that they will cherish the photographs from their happiest day for many years to come. And the wedding is going to be not long before my birthday and that would be the best gift I can give to myself as well. I am so grateful!!!

Here is the letter they sent me ( with the permission to publish on my blog)

“I read about your contest on “the knot” message board and thought that I would give this a shot. Omar and I have known each other for nearly 10 years, been together for 4 ½ years and engaged for 2 ½. We met when I moved to the Bronx from Manhattan and we were neighbors (lived in the same building). The first few years of knowing each other we just said hi and bye pretty much and then we finally saw each other in a different light and decided to give ourselves a chance, which was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

After 2 years of dating we found out we were pregnant which was AMAZING, we were thrilled to become parents and even more thrilled to be with each other there were just a few minor glitches:

1.I was 20 years old and he was 23.

2.My family wasn’t so happy.

3.We weren’t married.

We got through it all and when I was 4 months pregnant Omar proposed on my birthday and I of course said yes. We now a gorgeous 2 year old little girl and we’re finally planning our wedding. The date is 11.18.07, the ceremony will take place in my High Schools chapel “St. Francis Cabrini Shrine” in upper Manhattan and the reception will be held at “The Riverview” Hastings on Hudson, NY.

After having our daughter Omar and I realized how much we love photos and how important they are to us, we have not been able to stop snapping pictures of her since she came home from the hospital. After viewing your website we would love it if you could photograph our wedding, you are a photographer that will capture all of our most candid and precious moments not just the same old traditional poses. However after researching wedding photography prices for what we’re looking for it doesn’t seem possible with all the other expenses of our already budget wedding. I cannot tell you how glad we are to have a chance to make our special day complete and how much we appreciate this oppurtunity.

Sincerely,

Dalilah & Omar.”

I wanted to remind that the free wedding photography contest approaching its deadline March 15th, 2007. Here is the previous post:

Back in November really talented wedding photographer Jessica Claire from California posted a free wedding photography contest on her blog. I was reading it and thinking what a wonderful way to give back. When she chose three finalists I was about to email her and offer to shoot any of the other two but… she decided to photograph all the three finalists. God bless her!
Anyway, I was so deeply touched by Jessica’s gesture that I have decided to follow her idea and offer the same present to a couple in my community. My business is really growing fast, I get allot of bookings and it would be my way to THANK ALL OF YOU for your great support.

I am offering free photography to a couple on their wedding day. You must be someone who appreciates photography but CAN NOT afford to hire a professional. Not because you bought a Jimmy Choo shoes or Vera Wang dress and have exceeded your budget but simply CAN NOT afford my prices.

To apply you must live within 60 miles of zip code 10034- New York City and have a set date and location. All interested send your story and tell me also why is it important for you to have me photograph your wedding plus a recent photo of two of you to contest@bloomweddings.com
The DEADLINE is March 15th, 2007.

I will select a couple and treat them with my basic package (shooting, website, slideshow and proof album) plus the Asuka Book.
There is no cost and no obligation whatsoever attached to this offer. I will have to decline any applications with weddings on dates that I am already booked.
I will announce the finalist, their stories and photos on this blog on April 15th.

Please nominate yourself, nominate someone you know and forward this post to all couples that might be good candidates for this contest.

I cannot wait to read your story!!!

Gulnara.