Viney and Blesson’s wedding reminded me of the movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”. They had 500 – 700 guests. It was a family and community event!

With most of the time assigned to family and the CSI community (CSI stands for Church of South India, not the forensic crime drama on TV); we had very little one on one time with Viney and Blesson. We had about only 12 minutes for their private photo session.

With that limitation, we had to rely on capturing the bulk of their photos documentary style. That meant seizing the moment and not let any opportunity go by. In other words, there will be no second chances for better shots, keep your eyes open and keen, fingers on the trigger and don’t stop to wait for the shots to happen.

One thing that was a blessing for us was the rules of the church. They were lenient as long as we were unobtrusive. That allowed us to capture dramatic shots of Viney and Blesson during their wedding ceremony.

Words of advice for the control freak in us photographers… if we are grateful for what life offers us, especially when things seem to be out of our control, it will allow us to see beauty anywhere and everywhere. Be prepared, let go, and embrace what we have at the moment and life’s perfection will appear right in front of our eyes. If we come with a preconceived notion and/or looking for control and not willing to embrace the moment; all life’s beauty may vanish in front of us.

Viney and Blesson’s wedding was a revelation and a challenge to me as a photographer. It was also an affirmation to life…that life is more beautiful when you let go of your ego and preconceptions. Life does not have to be the way you insist it to be; it just is.

Thank you Viney and Blesson for a great experience and a beautiful wedding!

Villa Lombardi’s
877 Main Street
Holbrook, NY 11741
631.471.6609

A wedding photographer’s life is not as glamorous as what some of you may think. It’s often a test of stamina and will to keep on creating great images in the most demanding and stressful situations, but when you are passionate about what you do; you can walk through fire without noticing the burn.

Here are few of my favorite images from Kristina and Joe’s wedding created by using Lensbaby.

Wedding reception at the North Hempstead Country Club, Port Washington, Long Island, NY

After my initial tryout with Lensbaby, I was excited to see what I can create and get on a wedding day when everything happens fast and furious.

I went into my closet and took out the neglected and abandoned Canon 20D and gave it a new lease on life. The Lensbaby was attached to the 20D and around my neck so I had instant access to it whenever I needed it.

Here are some of my favorite images from Dea and David’s wedding.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I had fun shooting them!

Dea and David’s wedding celebration was held at Bridgewaters, situated in the heart of the historic South Street Seaport.

Yes, I have joined the Lensbaby club and became a “sissy photographer.” Before you stone me, let me elaborate. I am not making fun of anyone’s sexual orientation or manliness. When Lensbaby came out from the closet of its creator, Craig Strong, I really thought this cheap plastic toy lens is for the babes and not for a manly man like me.

Well, I admit that even an open minded fellow like me could get pretty dense at times. My mind was finally opened last night, when I could not get my hands on the $1200 Canon 45mm tilt shift lens (it’s been back ordered since I became interested in buying it).  It’s a pro lens that makes a photographer feel like a photographer. And if you are a photographer who spends a lot of time talking about his equipment, you know what I mean.

Anyway, I decided to check on Lensbaby on the web and what I found changed my mind. A fine art photographer, Luca Lacche’s work convinced me to finally get this “sissy toy”. This afternoon I decided to splurge $300 and got myself a Lensbaby Muse with all the different optics.

From the store I walked all the way back to my studio and shot some photos along the way. Here are some photos from my first try with this free spirited toy!

Many of us go through life making mistakes without a second chance to make it right. Chris and Elena first dated for 3½ years and took a 2 year break before a meeting by chance brought them back together. They seized upon this once in a lifetime opportunity to treasure one another and fall in love all over again and in their own words, “It’s much better the second time around”.

It must be fate, but without the appreciation of what life offers us we can not profit from the opportunity. One can see that Chris and Elena genuinely appreciate this gift that brought them back together and they are profiting from this reunion and turning their life into one of love, caring and appreciation. I can truly sense these energies in the presence of Chris and Elena.

Check out my conversation with them at the end of their wedding images.

This is my first audio interview with a couple and I look forward to more exciting and insightful conversations with brides and grooms who have given me the opportunity to be their storyteller.

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Elena & Chris’s Prom and Wedding were held at  Glen Island Harbor Club New Rochelle, New York