Upscale Photo

Panama Canal Adventure!

2008-04-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

After intense month of weddings I was a bit exhausted. Here came an opportunity to make a 6 day trip on the board of Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), a cruise that was going through Panama Canal. My husband was working at the ship for 4 weeks and I gladly joined him there :). It was a rare opportunity when kids were taken care of, my mom stays with us for a few months…

Cruise is a special kind of travel, of course I had my camera handy. Going through the locks of the canal was an adventure! I was so thrilled to see wild jungles! It made me very happy :) More info about Panama Canal get at http://www.pancanal.com

My small photo reportage is included below… of course I have many more pictures! Enjoy!

PS.: I will be posting resent BEAUTIFUL weddings photos a bit later, stay tuned!

You made me want to get married again…

2008-03-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

This morning I had an appointment with one of my brides - Erica. Her wedding was in April last year. She came to pick up her wedding albums (one book of her own, 2 parent books and 6 mini copies!) The book was amazing!!! Graphistudio does such an amazing job of printing, overall books quality is simply stunning.

After Erica looked through her album she said: “You made me want to get married again!” This was a compliment I have never heard.

Being a wedding photographer has two sides. One side is a huge responsibility. And the other – is feeling satisfaction from your work… I feel happy seeing my clients happy with their wedding pictures…

Wedding Gallery - Bridal Show! March 9, 2008. Kovens Conference Center, NMB.

2008-02-21T03:24:00.000-08:00

I am inviting all the brides and grooms to be and their parents to a bridal show I will be a part of - the WEDDING GALLERY @ KOVENS CONFERENCE CENTER.

MARCH 9, 2008 - SUNDAY - FROM 11AM TO 2PM

Best Miami Wedding Vendors will be showing their talents and services. You can WIN a PRIZE from every vendor!

Kovens Center is a beautiful privat location with bay and golf cource views. I am telling you - views are the most important part in the pictures (with the right photographer!!) See some sample of my latest wedding HERE (it's not Kovens but golf course view) ...

See you there on March 9th!! I guarantee you will enjoy the show!

A note from Mari-Claudia

2008-02-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

I can't resist not sharing the words that my brides sent me after they see their pictures! Mari-Claudia sent me a note yesterday which I wanted to publish. This is what makes me happy after all - I feel I do something important, I create memories in people's lives... Beautiful memories.

Hi Galina,
My Mom has been showing me the pictures you sent her and the ones on the blog and I just wanted to write to you to tell you how FANTASTIC they are-- they really are beautiful. I just adore how natural and spontaneous they are-- you really have a wonderful eye for detail and for capturing moments. I am very excited to see them all!

Thanks again-- your pictures are truly AMAZING!!

Mari-Claudia

Mari-Claudia & Steven, January 26, 2008

2008-01-31T09:37:00.001-08:00

Mari-Claudia and her mom hired me about a year in advance. All I knew - they wanted to have a fun simple wedding with least of formalities. Having natural pictures and spending the least amount of time for posing were their priorities. They also liked my style... Closer to the wedding I found out more about this amazing family. You can take a closer look by reading New York Times Wedding Announcement. I've also learned that I will be working side by side with famous movie director Leon Ichaso - bride's uncle. Mari (bride's mother) modestly mentioned that he will videotape the wedding and won't get on my way. It was my honor :)

I would like to list the vendors who worked their best to create this beautiful wedding.

Bridal dress and mother's of the bride dress by Carolina Herrera. I liked both dresses. Really elegant and comfortable.
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Florist: Flowers Unlimited Corp. by Alberto Fleitas (305) 661-8847. Bridal bouquet was SO beautiful! I have seen many flowers but this one was something different! Simply amazing.
Cake: Todo Dulce (305) 667-6150 - DELICIOUS cake! and beautiful too!!
Make up by Andrea (for Bobby Brown at Sak's Bal Harbour)
Hair: Jennifer Richardson
Limo: Meilan
Reception: The Links at Key Biscayne

It was such a fun and beautiful wedding! I am not finished with this story, keep eye on the blog with more news about it ;)

Dafina & Tertric, January 19, 2008

2008-01-31T09:02:00.000-08:00

Very lovely wedding. I enjoyed working with Dafina and her family.

The truth from Dan Harris

2008-01-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

I was searching the web and came across with a website I wanted to mention about… It is a website of Dan Harris – the wedding photographer from Jacksonville, FL.

By my nature I do not consider other photographers as competition, but rather see them as colleagues (and I have photographers-friends as well)… Dan amazed me not only with his work, but with his “insider secrets” he shares with the brides. As you know I wrote a book: Your Picture Perfect Wedding: A Bride’s Personal Guide to Wedding Photography in the New Millennium. When I was reading Dan’s pages I thought we share the same truth we know. If you really want to know THE TRUTH about wedding photographers go and read it right now at Dan’s website. Or buy my book and read it when you want it and where you want it.

Happy reading!

Corey and Rene, engagement pictures

2008-01-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

Today is unusual day (night actually) because I am still posting more pictures!

I met Corey's mom a few months ago, I was recommended her by a friend. But I have not had a chance to meet Corey - the bride - till our scheduled engagement pictures. We were planning to do it just after Christmas but we've rescheduled it for January 3, 2008. Ironically it happened to be THE coldest day in Miami (the rest of the country, please don't laugh!) It was a windy day with 60 F high (16 C). We could not change the date and decided to go for it. Corey chose the same location as the wedding - Coral Gables Riviera Country Club. The place is beautiful. We were brave and sometime we ran inside to get warm... At the end of photo session we were invited by the catering director Yadira for a cup of hot chocolate. That was SO nice!!

Ok, here are some beautiful pictures! Enjoy!!

Andrew's Bar Mitzvah, 12/08/07

2008-01-05T19:55:00.000-08:00

Even though I am a little late with these pictures, I wanted to share with you this event. It was a small private Bar Mitzvah. Service was performed by Rabbi Frank. This is probably the most positive and inspiring rabbi in South Florida. His positive energy is contagious... The ceremony was amazing. I was challenged by a small (tiny) room, but challenge is part of my work. I take it and find a solution. Below are a few pictures...

Wedding of Amy and Kenny, 11/17/07

2008-01-05T19:37:00.001-08:00

Here are pictures from one of my favorite weddings of last year. (Of course I have MORE favorite weddings!) Wedding of Amy and Kenny was on November 17, 2007. The ceremony and reception took place at Miami Beach Resort and SPA, wedding decor and wedding planning by Ocean Flowers. Just now I am back to normal schedule and posting some of my favorites. I can imagine how difficult it is to select pictures, I have this challenge daily... Enjoy these photos with me!

Image below "Dancing with the stars" is totally my favorite!!

I LOVE this one too!

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

2007-12-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

Do you feel Christmas Spirit? I do. It looks like coincidence but it’s not. Last week I went to Cadillac dealership to pick up paint for touch ups for my car and met my accountant lady there. Right after that I went to Dadeland mall and ran into a client I wanted to contact. This early morning I went to the store to do some last minute shopping and someone called my name. When I turned around I was a client of mine whose wedding I did 3 years ago. It looks like everywhere I go I see people I know. It is a little strange but I guess it is Christmas Spirit. There is no accidents in our lives.

But the BIGGEST news, that made my Christmas really happy, is a small publication about me and Mia and our book “Your Picture Perfect Wedding” in a largest and most popular Latin magazine VANDADES (January 2008 issue). A client of mine sent me a note that there is a mentioning about my book in this magazine. I ran out to Publix and bought the magazine. On the top of page 19 (next to photo of Leonardo DiCaprio). WOW!!! This is a national publication read by millions.

That news just made my Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

What's new at Upscale Photo

2007-11-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

Oh…. In South FL it is the busiest time of the year… So many things were happening, I was swamped. Weddings, book fair (I was an exhibitor at Miami International Book Fair), working with albums from past weddings, meeting new brides and clients… Thanks God life is busy!

Great news: Your Picture Perfect Wedding (my book) was featured at Get Married (Lifetime TV) in What’s Hot episode. At the same time I was presenting the book at Miami International Book Fair.

November 17 I photographed spectacular wedding of Amy and Kenny Blanco (Miami Beach Resort and SPA). I did enjoy it and pictures are spectacular…. Will be posting those tomorrow…

www.ontapestry.com is gaining more business; it seems search engines are picking it up. This is one of the services I offer. Every month I feature a new tapestry in Tapestry of the Month section. Some great stories are told there…

Will be back with new pictures posted soon! It makes me so happy to do what I do. Really. I love it.

Wedding Websites.....

2007-07-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

There are SO many resources about wedding planning on the web! Sometime I search and – if I were the bride – feel frustrated. How many pages brides go through to find information they will actually use? I DO know for sure that they are the busiest people in the world (ok may be not in the world but THEY ARE busy!) So I am very picky about choosing the websites where I put my ad…

There are a few websites that I like:

1. www.mywedding.com – absolutely clean, easy to navigate site. Best vendors in town advertise there. I like it because it’s not overwelming or cluttered. Just the vendors and wedding planning tools. AND they did mention my book at their blog! I do have my ad at www.mymiamiwedding.com
2. www.getmarried.com – such an exiting website! I absolutely love the colors and modern design. It is just about everything related to the wedding. But the best part is – it’s on TV! I think bridal forums is such a great place to get referrals or info… those who already went through a whole process now can teach the new brides!

www.mywedding.com BLOG

2007-07-09T12:46:00.001-07:00

Our book Your Picture Perfect Wedding: A Bride's Personal Guide to Wedding Photography in the New Millennium is mentioned at WWW.MYWEDDING.COM blog!!!

That's a big news !!! www.mywedding.com IS one of my favorite websites. I like it because it is not cluttered like many other websites. What is most valuable thing in your life? It's your T I M E. You may find this website very useful - it's very easy to navigate, very well organized AND they do select best local vendors. Check it out!

BUT I am SOOOO proud that my book was featured at their blog!! As a co-author I know - this is a great book full of useful information for the brides and grooms. Where will you learn about your wedding photography? Our experience is the source and we are happy to share our knowledge with you.

To buy the book directly at Amazon.com just click on the link: Your Picture Perfect Wedding: A Bride's Personal Guide To Wedding Photography In The New Millennium

2007-05-21T09:57:00.001-07:00

Sarah and Matt, May 19, 2007
Fairchild Garden

If you are looking for a garden type of a wedding there is no better place then Fairchild Garden. Sarah and Matt have dreamed about this wedding and it turned beautifully! As lucky as they can be – the rain came for a moment and it was gone for the ceremony and cocktail hour. The groom was waiting for the guests who were arriving by a train all together!I cannot tell you how breathtaking their pictures look! What you see is just a tiny part of photo coverage. One of the best in town caters (A Joy Wallace Catering Production) was perfect - tasty, elegant, creative. It was a perfect wedding. I can’t wait to show Sarah and Matt their pictures!!

Weddings, weddings and more weddings...

2007-05-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Arlene & Mike, May 5, 2007

It was a very happy wedding. Beautiful couple, lot's of fun. I did enjoy being a part of it. It was a pleasant surprise to meet another couple whos wedding I photographed a couple of years ago among the guests. I was working when I've heard - We were just talking about you. You photographed our wedding and these are the most beautiful pictures we've got. What a pleasant surprise!

Tammy & Vito, May 4, 2007
Deering Estate, Miami

Second marrige is very special... Tammy and Vito are very much in love! I always feel blessed to be in this busines - I witness and record true LOVE... Tammy did an amazing job selecting wedding details. By the way if you are looking for great wedding favors here is the world's best chocolates: www.romanicos.com. Check out this website!

Angela & Jeff, April 21, 2007
Islamorada

Beautiful wedding at Pierre's Restaurant, Islamorada. As a preferred vendor I travel there sometimes. Just see the pictures! I don't mention about upscale services and world's best cooking! Tropical wedding at the very best place. Enjoy!

Perfect Wedding! Aubrey and Chris, March 31, 2007

2007-04-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Dear my blog readers,
Thank you for stopping by! I can’t tell you how breathtaking was the wedding I had privilege to photograph last Saturday. Aubrey and Chris wedding: March 31, 2007. I want to give special thanks to mother of the bride – Louise – who found me and chose me for her daughter’s wedding. I was so thrilled to be there – and YES! – pictures look gorgeous! I can’t show them all here, but just post a few to give you a taste of this wonderful wedding. A special word about Thierry’s Catering who was serving at the wedding: If you guys are looking for the best – get your phone and call them now. They are the best. Well, I won’t be long – Enjoy the pictures!!

Latest Weddings

2007-03-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile I had 3 more weddings and no time to post it… No wonder – being a recently published author, a President of Focus on Brides Group, a busy wedding photographer and a wife and mom of 2 kids – takes A LOT of time!
Here it is...

Wedding of Eddy and Susie, March 10, 2007.

I wanted to thank these guys for keeping me as their photographer! Coral Gables Congregational Church was a perfect choice for their ceremony. Every wedding has something – we all know that. So their thing was a limo problem…. It got the groom a bit nervous when he found out that the limo broke and is not brining his bride!! Well after all the wedding took place and a happy couple left the ceremony. They sure have something special to remember!

Wedding of Alice and Wayne, March 4, 2007

Deering Estate wedding. This is one of my favorite places. Amazing flowers arrangement by Yamir Floral Designs, Macy’s Catering, creative table decors with masks – altogether it made a perfect wedding. I enjoyed just being there and seeing all the beauty…

Wedding of Eduardo and Mari, February 23, 2007.

One of my friends-photographers asked me to help him out to photograph some of his brother’s wedding. Photographer Alex Cabrera – a groom’s brother was a best man and could not take pictures during the ceremony… So I did help... Gorgeous bride, stunning wedding at Vizcaya – I was more than happy to capture all this beauty. Below are some photos, enjoy!

Book is PUBLISHED!

2007-02-22T13:25:00.000-08:00

Finally after one year of hard work of writing, editing and designing my book Your Picture Perfect Wedding: A Bride's personal Guide to Wedding Photography in the New Millennium is PUBLISHED and available!
Yesterday was a super happy day because I received my printed copy from the publisher and went on-line to see if the book is already there. Good news was not just I found the book on amazon.com, borders.com, target.com but also that it had a GREAT review!!!
A Wedding Planning Guru from NY read my book and shared their thoughts with others. If this person will ever see my blog - BIG THANKS to you! And once again I am trully grateful to Mia Johnson (my co-author), and my friends who helped me and my family for support! To buy a copy of the book click on the link on the right. Thank you!

Your Picture Perfect Wedding

2007-01-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

January passed so quickly! I can’t believe it is already the 29th.
Last week I received exiting news – my new book I wrote with my co-author Mia Johnson is finally on the way to the brides! Book - Your Picture Perfect Wedding: A Bride's Personal Guide To Wedding Photography In The New Millennium.

Every time I meet a bride I have to educate her and her fiancée about wedding photography. There are so many things they should consider prior making a final decision – who to hire to photograph their wedding. So I decided to write this book as a step by step guide - what to do before and after the wedding. Short 60 pages of valuable information – I tried my best to be honest and share all my knowledge and experience with new brides and grooms. Their wedding photography is the only thing they will have left. That is how they will remember their wedding.

Book will be available in approximately 2 weeks at www.borders.com, www.target.com, www.amazon.com.
Your Picture Perfect Wedding: A Bride’s Personal Guide to Wedding Photography in the New Millenium.
ISBN: 1-4196-2495-4
Authors: Galina Vitols and Mia Johnson.

If you decide to get this book, i will be happy to hear from you. Please share your thoughts, send me an e-mail: galina@upscalephoto.com

Alisa & Paul - December 3, 2006.

2006-12-07T20:02:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful wedding at Islamorada, Pierre’s… Thanks to David Shine – event designer at Pierre’s – he recommended me to Alisa and Paul. They had a sunset wedding by the ocean which followed with a reception at Pierre’s. I love this place for several reasons. First – it has a gorgeous set up, so many great photo opportunities. Second – super nice service and great food at the restaurant. I do not mention about all the unique décor inside and views outside! This place does make a Picture Perfect Wedding. Alisa and Paul, congratulations! And I want to thank you for choosing me as your wedding photographer.

Elsi and Jeff - November 12, 2006.

2006-11-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

The perfect wedding! Carefully planned the date was chosen by family tradition. It was two more wedding anniversaries on this date: Elsie’s parents and grandparents. I was impressed with beautiful ceremony, and enjoyed so much fun and beautiful reception. Everything happened at The Rusty Pelican – beautiful city line view, ocean, sunset. God Bless your family guys!

Beautiful wedding at Pierre’s (Islamorada).

2006-11-15T17:10:00.000-08:00

Angela and Kevin joined their lives on November 4, 2006. They have chosen one of the most gorgeous and unique locations for their ceremony and reception – Pierre’s Restaurant located at Islamorada Key. Property of The Moorings Village, this place is famous as one of the world’s best places to travel to, also this is #1 choice for fashion magazines to take pictures of their models. Moorings Village where the couple stayed before wedding is absolutely stunning. I want to share just a few of my favorites here, thought there are MANY more amazing photographs! Congratulations Angela and Kevin!!

Gertrudis & Eric - October 27, 2006

2006-10-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

Simply LOVELY intimate wedding! Prior the ceremony I and the couple stopped at Vizcaya for a wedding day portraits. This is in my opinion THE BEST plan for the wedding day. Truly stress free wedding. Of course “groom’s first look” when he sees the bride for the first time was planned and successfully accomplished! We took all the beautiful portraits PRIOR the wedding. And then we followed to the ceremony and reception at famous Rusty Pelican. There are so many beautiful photos – it was tough to choose. Here is a sneak preview:

ONLY 5 MIN BEFORE THE WEDDING!!

Krizia - SWEET FIFTEENTH.

2006-10-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a trip to my favorite place – Vizcaya. I photographed a beautiful girl Krizia for her coming 15th birthday party. It is not what I do often, but I was referred to the family by my weeding client – and of course I love doing portraits and event pictures!! It was pretty hot! At the end of the photo shoot Krizia said: it was fun, I thought it’s going to be horrible. Thanks god! When I hear that my client is happy, it is the best compliment. Here is a sneak pick of our Vizcaya adventure!