I’m honored to have my work featured, and for the kind words written about my doucmentary style.

Nelson, Nevada is a hidden gem of a location in the desert outside Las Vegas. The whole atmosphere of the area feels like a movie set. Actually, it has been a movie set before. The place was used in the movie “3000 Miles to Graceland” with Kevin Costner, and recently Beyonce posed there for a fashion shoot.

The combination of the amazing location, and the couple’s beautiful connection inspired me so much. When I am in a perfect shoot like that, it’s like a blissful combination of factors. I felt an adrenaline rush in my body as I snapped shots, and felt like I was floating on air. This kind of shoot isn’t about where you go, but pulling inspiration from the beautiful connection the couple has, and the loving energy between them.

It was interesting to find out that the place was a famous mine that produced several million dollars worth of gold, silver, copper and lead until 1945 when some of it was destroyed by a flash flood.

Now, what remains of the ghost town is a beautiful relic of its sordid past. As soon as we arrived we were greeted by abundant wildlife. A fox and a rabbit crossed our path and immediately I had the surreal feeling that we were on a movie set. It was so much different than a New York City scene like I am used to shooting. It was actually a very refreshing change of scenery.

The caretaker of the property showed us a picture of a 9 foot long rattlesnake that had just been found there! He warned us to be careful digging around because there are about 50 snakes living in the area. I told Yossi to sit down on a chair next to a boulder, when suddenly a small yellow snake jumped out and scared us all! Yossi freaked out momentarily, but soon decided that we should continue the shoot. I really have to thank them both for being so brave even after that! I’m sure it was a great experience for them.

I loved the juxtapositions of locations, the charm of the East River being paired with the urban vitality of LIC. I also really enjoyed the fact that Alissa and Scott were super excited for the shoot and dabbled in some styling with me beforehand. I just hope Scott can be forgiving that I convinced Alissa to buy some very expensive shoes from the Shoe Box in Murray Hill

The Promenade shots worked really well. Scott has that hip and and cool demeanor and Alissa is graced with that lovely daintiness that can transform a NYC skyline into a feeling of being in San Francisco.

5 Pointz is a living collage of graffiti art covering a converted warehouse full of artist studios in Long Island City. When you get there it feels likes you are diving into an overwhelming cacophony of colors. However, a couple does not get lost amidst the graffiti, but rather the graffiti provides the perfect visual backdrop of explosive eye candy that mirrors the energy and excitement of a fresh and deep relationship.

Below are a sneak peak of their engagement photos as well as the story, in Alissa’s words, of how their love came to be:

Scott and I have known each other for about 16 years but it wasn’t until we were about 16 that we started to become close friends. We definitely were flirty with each other but nothing ever came of it because as most teenagers are you have to be SURE someone likes you before admitting you like them. When we began looking at colleges Scott and I actually looked together. We took a trip to Massachusetts together with his parents and decided we were both going to go to college together. Unfortunately for me I did not get in to the school that we both chose. Scott went away to college and I ultimately stayed local and went to school in Manhattan. Through that time apart we lost touch.

In 2006 we were both living in Manhattan and happened to bump into each other at a bar. After not being in touch for almost 5 years we were both excited to see one another. I was running off to another party that night so we exchanged numbers. We met up a couple nights later to have dinner and catch up. Scott had a very different idea of what “catching up” meant and thought it was a date. I let him pay for dinner on the one condition that the next time we went out it was my treat. I think we both knew that this wasn’t a one time thing.

After that evening we continuously saw each other and spoke almost everyday. The connection between us was still there and it became obvious that we missed being apart of each other lives. Our rekindled friendship quickly became a relationship.

In July of 2009 we moved to Brooklyn together and we made a home together along with Mango our pug that is very much apart of our family. 6 months later on January 10th 2010 I woke up to a little black box next to me on the bed. I thought I was still dreaming but he surprised me with a proposal. I was ecstatic. Later that evening we went to our favorite restaurant in Brooklyn and he surprised me with both of our parents being at the restaurant. It was a very special day from beginning to end.

Our relationship began as a friendship and we always were comfortable with one another straight from the start. We knew that the night we re-met was the right time for us. Scott and I always had a special place in our heart for one another and we are so excited to be spending the rest of our lives together! We can not wait for October 23rd 2010…I might SKIP down the aisle!

Kristen is a woman of impeccable taste, and one of the great joys of shooting her wedding was the communication I enjoyed with her throughout the process. Kristen actually owns her own event planning business, Small Party NYC, so it was clear she was already intimately familiar with many top quality vendors and I knew, as a result, that there would be beautiful things to photograph and a design-inspired atmosphere.

Sensitivity is a prerequisite of tasteful design and planning, and in that regard I was delighted to learn a few months ago that Kristen published under her nom de plume, Zoe Vinyl, a book of rhyming poetic vignettes entitled “ Down the Rabbit Hole“. Poetry is a deep awareness of life’s experiences, whose imaginative expression strikes an emotional chord. It is clear that every wedding, formed on the basis of love and commitment, is a deep emotional experience. Some say, one doesn’t need the perfect dress, the perfect cake, or fine stationary to mark the celebration. Certainly, this may be true. However, when focus is also placed on these small details, the wedding emerges as a piece of art, forever fixed in our minds as that splendid and most perfect day- that aforementioned imaginative expression of the love it represents. And there was none better suited then Kristen, a poet herself, to craft the poem of her wedding day.

Nick and Kristen met back briefly in 2002 and again in 2003, though not exchanging contact info for three months. But with fate intervening, their paths kept crossing, transforming these brief encounters into something meaningful and long-lasting.

Kristen has sent me her own words (again a measure of the time and care she takes), which best capture the story of how they met and their shared vision for the wedding day. That can be read here.

Vendors:

Wedding invitations: Dauphine Press in California
Make up : Eve Pearl
Ring: Marisa Perry
Dress: Midgley and Sottero, the Gracie Gown from their 2010
Collection sold at RK Bridal in NYC.
Suit: Hugo Boss from the Time Warner Building, their flagship NYC store
Officient : Tulis McCall
Flowers: Diana Ruiz of D Events
Cake: Sylvia Weinstock
Music: Salut D’Amour, a string quartet http://www.salutdamour.com/
Restaurant Day of: Park Avenue Summer
Hotel: Waldorf Astoria

Here is a sneak peak of some of the photos:

This last picture was sent to me by Kristen herself, sent in by a passing bystander: Perry Heideman of Milwaukee, WI.

That’s me taking pictures of the ceremony up close. Thanks, Perry!

Also, it’s good to have an engagement session not just to get beautiful pictures as a couple, but also developing a relationship and connection between the couple and the photographer. It’s very crucial for good results. On the day of the wedding, there is usually only an hour or less for the portraits. In the engagement session, the photographer and the couple can take the time to get to know each other before the wedding day. Also, the couple can get a feeling of how the photographer works. This way, on the wedding day, the couple will feel comfortable in front of the camera and the photographer won’t feel like a stranger to them.

I. CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCATION

I always try to think of places that really show the personality and dynamic of the couple. It’s important to have a dialogue with the couple about the location, it shouldn’t be all up to the photographer. Try think of creative and beautiful places that are special: where they met, where he proposed, someplace they like to go together. It’s also important to consider the time of day and the position of the sun. You don’t want to take pictures during lighting conditions that are unfavorable for photography. Early or late day sun comes from an angle and looks much more flattering than overhead, shadowy, bright sunlight.

It’s also good to be aware that certain locations in the city, like museums or other private venues, require a permit or have restrictions about flash photography, tripods or extra lights.

II. THEME

The photographer and couple should talk about the concept a few weeks before. This is also a useful time for the photographer to become better acquainted with the couple. Do they want fun images? Romantic? Passionate? A combination of romantic and edgy? Urban feeling? What are their interests? Such considerations will determine the location & concept, but also help the photographer connect to the couple. Then they can better understand the dynamic of the couple, who they are and what their needs may be.

For example, one theme could be shooting a vintage session using old suitcases or using 1930s outfits next to a railroad. It can be a romantic picnic with a beautiful blanket and a basket with flowers and fruits. It could be an old car, or in a library.

III. CLOTHES, MAKE UP AND HAIR

It is best that couples should always have their hair and makeup professionally done.

A very important part in getting me inspired, and therefore getting good results is in the details, colors and style. It is so important to pick the right clothes and accessories. A cool hat, cool shoes, cool socks, a tie, a special suit or a jacket, vintage clothes or a beautiful hair piece can all make the difference. It’s important to wear clothing that fits well because it makes for better looking pictures.

Here are some great links for hairpieces and accessories:
Lo Boheme
ban.do
twigs and honey
Red Dress Shoppe
ModCloth

It’s good to be daring and and wear things you might never wear on a daily basis. Many couples think that black or white clothes will be the best, but these often lack excitement and vibrance. White reflects too much light and risks overexposure. Correspondingly, black not only looks sombre, but absorbs too much light.

Ultimately, you should pick clothes that match the location. If it’s 5 Pointz or the Meatpacking district where the walls are very colorful then the wardrobe shouldn’t be too busy looking. If the location is very romantic and dreamy, then the clothes should give that feeling. For my shoot in the Las Vegas desert, I talked to the couple and we discussed what they would wear. We came up with a color scheme that matched the desert colors.

There is no one rule of what to wear, it really depends on the particular shoot.

IV. HAVING FUN AND FEELING COMFORTABLE IN THE CAMERA

Before the session, I like to have a small talk about how the couple met, how he proposed, giving them compliments about what they decided to wear and how great they look for the engagement shoot, etc. I also tell them about myself (and about my crazy cats ) so I don’t seem like a stranger. This way we get to know each other, and the whole process of taking pictures is more personal. Then, the couple feels more comfortable and the connection with me is more friendly. Before the engagement session, I usually don’t know the couple so well except for the one time that we meet in my studio when they booked me. Or sometimes, I’m booked through phone or email, so sometimes I have never even met the couple in person before. That way I have no idea how they look or anything about their personality. So for me it doesn’t make sense just to grab the camera and start shooting. I really need to get to know a couple before I start pressing the shutter.
Getting a good picture is like a triangle: The couple - the camera - and me. These three elements need to come together to get good results. As a photographer, it’s not just about the technical aspects like composition and light, but creating good chemistry between me and the couple and the couple with each other.

When some couples stand in front of my camera they ask me, “Oh, Shira, what do you want us to do?”

The right thing is not to think about what you should do in front of the camera, but to think about how you feel towards each other. The best pictures are when things are natural and with real expressions. It’s not about the camera, but the dynamic of the couple and their real connection.

When I shoot, I try to feel out the couple and see how they reaction with each other and in front of the camera. Then, I decide how to interact with them. If I give directions, I keep them very short and try to get the couple to act naturally. I really believe that posing makes a person feel uncomfortable and sometimes not themselves, which can make expressions seem unnatural and unflattering. If a couple is goofy or easygoing, it’s important to pick up on that. I try to figure out and understand their connection. If it’s more subtle and private, and how comfortable they are with showing affection. Because some couples are private and sometimes even mention that they are not used to showing affection in public, and some are so comfortable to do anything.

I try to help my couples feel comfortable in front of the camera by trying to make them laugh, or asking them to do crazy things. In Vegas, I asked a couple to climb a crazy big rock. It was hard for them not to fall, and just climbing the rock together seemed to loosen them up. They took off their shoes, and by the time they got to the top they were laughing really hard. Sense of humor is not my strongest side, I need to take a course on how to make my clients laugh. I always use them to make each other laugh. They can whisper something funny into their partner’s ear or say something funny about them.

I once saw a beautiful red bush during an engagement shoot in Central Park, and I came up with the idea to have the couple stand in it. I love when couples just go with it and trust me even if it’s a crazy idea. They stood in the bush and laughed a lot because it’s not something they do every day. They didn’t care that everyone was looking at them because they were having fun.

It’s important for couples to remember that engagement sessions are all about having fun. One of my couples both loved Jamaican music and brought with them a mini-sound system which greatly enlivened the shoot. It was an absolutely brilliant idea and created such a fun-filled energy that every construction platform and scaffold became an instant dance floor. You can see the fun energy in the picture below.

What also makes the couple feel good is the encouragement that I give them. I always mention how great they are doing , how great they look during the shoot, and what a wonderful connection they have with each other. When I show excitement myself, it encourages the couple and makes the results much better.

I find that it’s also crucial to think about how the couple is positioned next to each other. I think when the couple faces each other instead of facing the camera, it’s a better way for them to get real, intimate, emotional expressions. So just the way they stand is super important and crucial for getting them to feel comfortable and act natural with each other in front of my camera. When they just stand in front of the camera, it can result in a flat image with no depth or emotion. But, when they stand facing each other, they are able to have a natural interaction. They can feel each other’s touch, make each other laugh, lean on each other, and be more genuine.

From WeddingWire:
This year’s winners represent the top five percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which consists of over 100,000 local wedding professionals nationwide.

It’s truly and honor to receive this, and I owe so much gratitude to my wonderful brides!

You can check it out in the Fall/Winter 2010 issue of The Knot Magazine!

A few albums are available. One of the companies I use is Cypress:

Cypress Albums offer a new level of sophistication in design and presentation. Individually handcrafted by artisans, they use the finest materials to create their albums. Every album is made from rich, smooth, heavyweight fine art paper and fabric. Cypress albums are simple, unique and elegantly designed to highlight your images.

Actually, when Cypress saw an album I had designed for a client they liked it so much that they are now using it as a sample album at road shows and conferences. It’s such an honor and a compliment to have my work shown as a sample piece.

I also offer Renaissance Albums:
A Contemporary coffee table album designed for showcasing full panoramic prints. Unique and unrivaled in presentation, the award winning SoHo Book uses seamless page craftsmanship to generate its distinctive style.