June 30, 2007 was the day I dressed like a wedding cake. Meredith and Kevin’s wedding cake to be exact.

When we realized it, Gwyn and I did a little photo shoot when none of the guests were looking.

Let’s just say I didn’t wear that shirt to a wedding ever again.

(I just found these photos in the archives and they made me giggle.)

Posted in outtakes, personal, wedding No Comments »

You really made that day even more gorgeous than it could have ever been.  I love looking at the photos because you put so much love and character into them.

Thanks again!  Katie

Posted in accolades, wedding No Comments »

I was so excited to see Anita and Haady’s wedding album in the post today! I love the plush brown leather cover and the images they chose.

I will never forget their intimate – yet boisterous – Persian wedding. Their families incorporated many traditional elements such as a beautiful Sofreh Aghd and a carpet-covered area for guests to smoke the ḠALYĀN [قليان, قالیون, غلیون, ghalyan, ghalyaan or ghelyoon] known to non-Persians as a water pipe or hookah!

Many thanks to Ashley of Pizzuti Studios for her album designing skills.

Posted in ethnic wedding, wedding No Comments »

Tara & Navid had an intimate, family only marriage ceremony at the Santa Cruz City Clerk’s office. I was afraid it might all be indoors and institutional, but after they signed the paper and paid the fee, we all went out to a beautiful green area behind the city building that made portraits just perfect!

One of the traditions with a Persian wedding is at the very end of the official pronouncement of marriage, the women throw this white almond/sugar candy called Noghl (Farsi: نقل) and ululate loudly.

I enjoy seeing the looks on their faces as they’re being pelted with the Nogh-l.

After the city hall ceremony, Navid and Tara invited their family to join them for a dinner on the beach in Santa Cruz. They chose Paradise Beach Grille, and we took full advantage of the colorful backdrop on the beach to do some more romantic portraits as the sun was slanting down.

Persian weddings are never, ever boring or predictable. Even with this intimate collection of immediate family, the dancing and singing was contagious. My favorite image – the quiet moment between the newly minted husband and wife has a rare, peaceful quality to it and I love the way it contrasts with the dancing shot below.

Tara and Navid chose this particular day for the ceremony because it was also Navid’s birthday. What a great way to celebrate life loudly — anniversary and wedding on the same day.

I am so excited for Tara and Navid. They complement one another – she brings the calm, reserved, and thoughtful demeanor while he is full of life and vigor and excited dreams. Their passions are different, yet work beautifully together. I admire their togetherness and I am so glad they found one another.

Posted in ethnic wedding, wedding No Comments »

Aren’t these two lovely together? These photos are from their wedding a few years ago, and every time I see these images I fall in love with them all over again. I love the soft, muted colors that go along with their sweet personalities. I think there was a story about that veil. I’ll have to ask Melinda about it….

I think Melinda might have been my first “glasses” bride too. I always like those spunky gals.

Posted in wedding No Comments »

photography: Rachel Hadiashar for Meg Belanger megbelanger.com
music: QWILL www.facebook.com/Qwillmusicpage
venue: Top of the Hub, Prudential Center, Boston, MA www.topofthehub.net

Posted in MA, colleagues, ethnic wedding, wedding 1 Comment »

Popular wedding photographer Laura Ryan Moakley came to the Boston area to photograph this wedding with me. She drove all the way from Long Island, New York! The image of me on the left shows the way I work in a small hotel room (utilizing certain elements and angles to achieve artistry) and the image on the right is the shot I was working toward – showing off the detail of the shoes without including any room clutter. It’s neat how the dresses in the background add a certain flavor to Laura’s image, while I was using the dresses to filter the light to a much subtler effect. It’s so fun to have two photographers collaborating on a wedding commission.

This wedding took place at Harbor of Hope Church, a mill conversion in Lowell Massachusetts, in July. I adore the old brick and converted purpose structures in Lowell.

It’s interesting to me how photos can bring back such specific memories; I remember sweat pouring down everyone’s faces as we did the photos. This was one of the more challenging days for photography, in the middle of the east coast summer, and yet everyone in this bridal party retained their sense of humor and worked hard to get some unforgettable images for Christina and Phil.

Look at that little cutie! Christina’s daughter was also the flower girl. She had fun all day long. I really appreciate the natural styling and dress, she looks gorgeous but not like someone’s trying to make her look older or more fashionable than would be age appropriate. Here’s to fresh, natural beauty!

Posted in wedding 1 Comment »

This month in northern California, the roses are out in full force. I’m feeling inspired every time I glance over at the pots of blooms all over our little house.

It’s more difficult to use garden flowers in wedding arrangements because they’re unpredictable. They’re all different sizes and shades of lovely, and they open up seemingly by whim. Their life rhythms are adjustable based on weather patterns, and an untimely gust of wind might take out an entire crop.

It’s exactly these factors that make garden roses absolutely delightful. Something about the imperfections make them more desirable.

And… oh, the fragrance!

Posted in inspiration, personal, wedding 1 Comment »

I still LOVE this photo of Julia and Andrew. It takes my breath away. And it shows their real personalities, which brings a flood of happy memories back from their wedding day.

Posted in clients, wedding No Comments »

I photographed Anita’s wedding at their private residence in Palos Verdes, CA this past summer. What’s extra-special is that I photographed her sister Suzy’s wedding in the same house a few months prior. Someday I hope to photograph Bijan’s wedding as well, but he probably has a few years since he just started college this year. All three siblings are extremely close, and a delight to know. You should see them gang dance with the rest of their family on the dance floor!

I’m still secretly hoping for a bridal session with both Anita and Suzy sometime this year. They inspire me.

Posted in clients, ethnic wedding, inspiration, wedding 1 Comment »