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.

The truth from Dan Harris

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

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

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...