NOT JUST ANOTHER TYPICAL QUINCE!

The other day I had a second photo shoot with Gabi and her mom and friends. 15 years old who wasn’t just another typical Quince. What Gabi wanted is something different and artistic. I supported her idea for a SUNRISE photo shoot at the beach. We went to Virginia Key and had some unpleasant surprise – we were thrown out from our sunrise photo shoot by not a very friendly security guard. Official time for opening the beach is 9 am so all the kids and I had to finad another place – which we did! Tip of the day – check if the ocean line is not guarded by security if you are looking for a sunrise photos!

Anyway, below are some pictures with my artistic touch. Yesterday I was at the great seminar for photographers (always keep learning!) I picked up some tips and some creative software there. I leave you to judge the magic of photography PLUS magic of Photoshop (and my own creative imagination :) Hope you enjoy the photos of Gabi!

AMAZING wedding

I have a confession to make. My last couple was interviewed by NBC 6 last Friday. I was not able to see the interview (even though I knew my pictures will be shown there). I am taking a little credit only because after the wedding I went on the website www.nbc6.net and sent them a message. Surprisingly next day I received a call from Diana Gonzalez and she told me they want to interview the couple (that was like a miracle to me!)

It was an AMAZING wedding. Very special couple - Erik and Barbara Compton. Erik and Barbara got married just THREE MONTHS after Erik had his SECOND heart transplant. At the wedding couple announces they are expecting a baby – this sounded like a miracle. They both have lots of love for life. I cannot even imagine how it makes Erik feel – be reborn a third time with his second heart and get married and become a father… Barbara met him in January 2008 and she went through the operation with him. Erik’s mother Eli said at the wedding – she experienced birth of her son 3 times – his actual birth and 2 more with every heart transplant he had.

This wedding and their story was such an inspiration that I felt the world needs to hear that. That was the only reason why I went on-line (I don’t know anybody on NBC 6) and filled their contact form. And it worked!

I want to add a few words from Press Release that was sent by Transplant Foundation:

“After surviving the 10-hour surgery, I realized how fortunate I am,” commented Erik following his second transplant procedure. “I know that there are more than 90,000 people waiting for an organ and I was lucky enough to receive the gift of life not once… but twice. I am surrounded by great individuals who care about me,” added Erik. “I have a great and loving woman by my side, who I want to walk along with me upon hitting the golf course again.”

How often do you apprecciate a gift of LIFE?

PS: Enjoy the pictures!












last photo - Erik dances with his doctor who did the operation.

As I promissed...

Here are wedding pictures of Fara and Chris, I photographed their wedding on June 27, 2008. They are very sweet and very special couple. It was no dry eye at the wedding, it was trully special.

I am working on posting more pictures from other weddings I've done recently. Coming soon!!

Recent Weddings

It is almost midnight - still July 18. Lately I had several weddings, all beautiful. Michelle and Juan (married on June 14, 2008), Fara and Chris (June 27, 2008) and Jerry and Johanne (July 12, 2008).

Here is a great lesson for brides and photographers. If your wedding ceremony is outside - be ready for unexpected rain! Helen Fong - the wedding coordinator of Jerry and Johanne's wedding - suggested a very smart solution. She provided to every guest beautiful white umbrellas customized with monograms on a handle. And those umbrellas were used! The rain was sprinkling, I was just happy me and my assistant had couple umbrellas of our own - so cameras were saved.

Choosing the right location is ESSENTIAL for pictures. I was very happy with choice of the church at Michelle and Huan wedding, we had a lot of fun taking really cool pictures at Las Olas with Chris and Fara near by Riverside Hotel, and my favorite Deering Estate is simply perfect choice - Jerry and Johanne wedding.

I wanted to THANK all my recent brides and grooms for choosing me to photograph their wedding. Pictures will be posted when I have a minute to do it...

Michelle & Huan

Here is a slideshow of the wedding of sweet Michelle and Huan, June 14, 2008. I photographed Michelle's sister wedding last year and was happy to be there for Michelle and Huan. Here is a sneak preview - enjoy the show!

Our 9th anniversary selebration at Talula!

I am back from Talula restaurant located on the corner of 23 Street and Collins. Our 9th wedding anniversary was on June 19th but we had a chance to go out just now. So I wanted to share our fine dining experience... I have never heard about Talula till this spring when they hired me to take some pictures. Then I tried their delicious and beautifully presented dishes. When it was time to celebrate our anniversary I suggested to my husband to visit Talula.

What a great place and really great food. Not many places you leave with such feeling. Best of all Talula is participating in Miami Spice program, 3 courses of meal are offered at one low price (only $36): amazing appetizer, main course also amazing and delicious desert. I had great experience of their food tasting; it was also very beautifully presented. Best of all they change Miami Spice menu every 2 weeks, so guests are not bored by all same stuff...

Talula is a very cozy place I liked from the first time I came in. If you really up to upscale fine dining – check this place out.

Sorry - no pictures... I still don't know how to get them out from my phone.

Gabi

OMG! Time flys! I cannot believe it is June speeding up... Today I had fun photographing a beautiful girl. Presenting you Gabi's 15th pictures. I know she's dying to see the pitures :) here are a few... We are goinh to have more fun at the beach on Tuesday with friend's and family get away at Virginia Key! Enjoy the show!

Awards Of Excellence, WPPI, 2008

This year I decided to participate again in WPPI print competition (I had a break from year 2004 when I had won similar awards). Out of 4 pictures 2 received an Award of Excellence. See below photo of me holding my awards which I received last week :)

Another news - wedding of Mari Claudia and Steve (from January) was published by national Latin American magazin In Fashion. I am really excited to see my work in huge publication like that! This magazine distributed in several Latin American countries... (not in the US).

Panama Canal Adventure!

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…

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.

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

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

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

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