LA Bride featuring Julia & Sergio’s destination wedding in Prague
Ok, everyone who knows me knows that I am a disaster at SEO and promoting myself. I am first and foremost a photographer who believes in creating beautiful images and not spending time behind the computer trying to game the SEO. So every now and then even I am surprised when someone reaches out to me and asks to republish a wedding or a pre-wedding portrait session.
When LA Bride asked if they could showcase one of my favorite couples: Julia and Sergio I could not resist. They and their families were such a real treat to be around and Julia’s smile can melt your heart. So yes, I was quite stocked. So without adieu, here is a link to a fantastic outfit based in Australia showcasing the best from around the world and their take on Julia & Sergio.
A big shout out to LA Bride featuring not only my work but some fantastic photographers from around the world.
Originally from mainland China and now living in Singapore, the adorable Lei Nan & QT were looking for a more ‘classical’ & ‘posed’ pre-wedding portrait session before their imminent wedding day back in Singapore. Their rules, ‘no kissey’ photos and more importantly – many photos of the lovely bride-to-be as she was the ‘star’ of the session. QT certainly knows how to keep his lady happy and during their portrait session he spent much of his time photographing her and uploading the images to his Facebook account as we were capturing her. It was a very much fun and beautiful day.
We started our day atop the world famous Charles Bridge as it was shrouded in fog of orangish red glow. As the sun crept slowly above the gray/blue sky – we were provided with a dazzling array of pastel colors. It was a cool and yet beautiful start. Afer a few quiet moments of these lovers enjoying the view and the momentary solitude of the bridge, it was time for a few stand out and individually styled portraits of the lovely bride-to-be. Moments later, the bridge was quickly invaded with many tourists and even other couples who were also there for their pre-weddings and so it was time to head off.
The next location was the always delightful Old Town Square where the sun broke about the skyline and provided everyone with a warmth that was surely appreciated. And to get them warmed up a bit more, QT grabbed the lovely Lei Nan and spun her around as the sunlight flared around them. A very wide angle lens beautiful captures these two enjoying the Old World charms of one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
One of the key reasons why QT and Lei Nan chose Prague was due to its wide array of architecture and of course it’s gardens. The Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovska Zahrada) is on many couples must visit lists when coming to Prague as it truly is an architectural gem. One of the best things about this garden is the incredible background it provides for a more elegant portrait session as well as the many locations that are possible here. Lei Nan had seen many photos captured here and she really wanted this style of photography and as you can see it turned beautifully. In fact, the session looks more like a magazine cover shoot than a pre-wedding session.
Their other chosen locations were: St. Nicholas Church, as well as Prague Castle and lastly for their finale: the Charles Bridge where it all began earlier in the day. To say that some of their final images captured at the Charles Bridge is quite beautiful and striking truly is an understatement.
If there was a word to describe these two it must certainly be: wonderful. Instead of writing more, I think I will let the images speak for themselves.
a special thanks to the dream team crew: Kari, Cary, Zu & our kick ass Hair & Makeup artist Eliska
It wasn’t exactly ‘love at first site’ between Haya & Igor. When they first met at work they did not care for each other. Perhaps it was because they were both already romantically in a relationship with others? But fate has a way of interceding and a few months later – after getting to know each other – they both found themselves living as singles again and in need of a new place to call home. As apartments are very expensive in Israel, it seemed like a good idea to combine their incomes and find a suitable place to call home. And a friendship quietly blossomed into a relationship. As Haya recounts, they never really had a ‘real date’.
After their courtship they announced that they were to marry. But where? They had considered Cyprus but Prague with its beautiful architecture, Old Town Square and castle dominating the skyline won their hearts. Originally it was to be only 3 days in Prague for a quick wedding between the two of them, but with their family & friends wishing to join them the decision was made to stay a week so that a proper bachelor/bachelorette party could be arranged. For Haya & Igor having their close family & friends join them in Prague was truly special and one they both truly appreciate.
One of the most lasting impressions I have of these two (besides the fact that everyone had a wonderful time and these two are a real joy to be around was) – Haya’s absolutely beautiful and very elegant wedding dress. The design came about from an idea that Haya had sketched out with her sister, and as her friend and sister could sow, they took it upon themselves to create this very beautiful, elegant and stylish dress. Knowing that this dress was designed and created by them makes it that much more special.
Presented here is a collection of images captured from their very special wedding day here in Prague.
I love this session. I really do. Rose & Alpha are from the great state of New Jersey in the USA who were looking for a mixture of styles on their pre-wedding portrait session in Prague. Not too staged, not too romantic, never boring, just a simple, fun, spontaneous and yes, a mixture of incredible locations for their pre-wedding. They danced, they kissed, they laughed ( a lot) and they shared truly wonderful, unforgettable moments. Everything was perfect (well, except for that bit of rain, and ok, the cold morning air before the sun was supposed to come up, and well ok, the sunrise was a bit of a let down – in fact, it was gray for awhile – too long). Ok, so yeah, the weather was truly a drag, but these two are in love and a little rain is not going to ruin their session and from having a kick ass time.
As you can imagine every photographer in the world is traveling to the Prague and trying to capture this city in its most amazing light and well, sometimes it simply does not happen, but with a bit of flair and a kick ass lighting crew any situation can be made better and every couple will look amazing – even if the weather is not. Our crew came through, the light came through in the evening (sunrise & sunset sessions are the way to go) and Rose & Alpha were floored, happy, ecstatic and they will have a crazy fun slide show that incorporates their wonderful time in this incredible city.
Here is a small collection of the many, many images captured, lovingly enhanced, colored, retouched. Images that will be shared and cherished with family & friends. Thanks to the fantastic, fun and very cool Rose & Alpha for allowing us to share this beautiful, fun & fantastic pre-wedding session.
Portrait Locations: Vrtba, Letna, riverside / Charles Bridge Hair & Makeup: Eliska Matejkova Lighting crew: Kari & Zu
A vrtba zahrada / garden wedding in Prague with Kaivel Ann & Stan (USA)
Kaivel Ann & Stan are two very lovely people who found love in the skies. As both of them work for an airline they have traveled extensively around the world. Even though they know many exotic & wonderful places, they chose Prague for their destination wedding as they both love this city of 100 spires with its cobblestone streets, incredible architecture and captivating history.
When Kaivel Ann contacted me about her wedding day, I was truly taken in by her warmth and her utter joy that she expressed in her original email to me. I was so taken in by her writing that when I met them I already felt I knew them both. These two are both very visibly smitten with each other so having their wedding day captured exactly as they envisioned was quite important to them.
Their choice of wedding venue, the stunning Vrtba Garden and as they timed their wedding at the right time of year, the garden provided them with a luxuriant array of colors to add to the already unforgettable atmosphere. Reds, greens and yellows provided the main color scheme of their garden wedding and the mixture of Baroque architectural elements as well as the layout of the garden itself created a fairy tale atmosphere that is and always has been picture perfect.
To make it that much more special they brought their close friends and family members with them to share in the joy. There were quite a few tears shed as these two said their ‘I do’s’ and a very heart felt embrace during that wonderful moment under the Baroque paintings above them. What I especially enjoy was capturing the pure love that these two shared on that wonderful day and how much fun we had in showing them the sights. Though the rain did come, it did not put a dampener on these two and if anything added to the fun we all had.
Presented here is the very simple, yet elegant layout that we did of their beautiful wedding book, one that they are no doubt sharing with their family & friends.
To Kaivel Ann & Stan, thank you both for choosing me to capture this incredible time in your lives together. It was a true pleasure getting to know you and capturing these wonderful moments of that day in Prague.
Wedding Planning: Royal Weddings
Wedding Planning: Royal Weddings Wedding Location: Vrtbovska Zahrada / Vrtba Garden Portrait Locations: Vrtba, Letna, riverside / Charles Bridge
Eriko and Kentaro, a stylish couple from Japan, sought an unforgettable pre-wedding session as part of their European vacation and wedding in Prague. Inspired by a wedding photo from Lake Eibsee, they traveled to Germany despite the boats being removed for the season. Surrounded by the stunning Bavarian landscape, Eriko wore a designer floral dress, and Kentaro looked dapper in his suit. As they strolled through the woods, they were serenaded by an Alpine horn player, creating a magical moment captured in timeless photos at Lake Eibsee.
J&J traveled over from Miami, Florida to have their dream elopement wedding at Prague’s historic and stunning Vrtba Garden. It is without a doubt one of those architectural gems that lends itself to wonderful wedding photography and in fact it is one of my favorite wedding & portrait locations in Prague.
As J&J explained, their first and foremost goal when coming here was finding the right photographer as they envisioned having a day of wedding portraits after their short ceremony. After all it is not every day a young couple are able to travel to Prague and have a very intimate portrait session captured in this incredible city. They told me that they really wanted a mixture of styles: magazine styled portraiture (to ensure everything is picture perfect so the lighting & hair & makeup team was brought out), natural reportage styled images captured of the two during their day (not too many staged images) and of course a killer / stylish & romantic night time portrait session that would be the envy of their family & friends back home. Additionally, the bride-to-be had a surprise for her beau: a fireworks show that was to take place near the Charles Bridge.
Our bride also wanted to have a ‘first look’ captured of the two of them at their hotel, the Boscolo Prague Luxury Hotel – a former bank building where no expense was spared on its architectural and interior details.
On the day of, I was able to capture the lovely bride to be for a few minutes before heading downstairs where J was waiting patiently at the bar. Though we created some very stylish portraits there, I felt that the best ‘man cave in Prague’ aka the Cigar Bar with its red leather couches, dark wooden and an interior would be perfect for our very stylish groom. We were not disappointed- it is without a very manly place for portraits.
A few minutes later, the lovely and beaming bride made her grand entry under the painted ceiling and J was quite clearly smitten with his lovely bride-to-be and before we knew it – we were off to the Vrtbovska Zahrada for their destination wedding.
Though it did rain during their portrait session, we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow and a stunning evening complete with a beautiful fireworks display for our newlyweds. In short, it was a very pleasant, fun filled day with two wonderful people who held their dream wedding & portrait session here in Prague. As a photographer it is sessions like this that make this ‘job’ all the worthwhile.
As a photographer I always feel that it is best to let the images speak for themselves as after all they should tell the story and not my personal reflections. The following collection of images is a small sampling of their favorites from their wedding day here in Prague.
To J&J thank you both once again for selecting my team and on behalf of all of us we wish you both much love, happiness and success in your new lives together.
Wedding Planning: Royal Weddings Hair & Makeup at the Boscolo: Portrait session Hair & Makeup: Eliska Matejkova
Wedding Location: Vrtbovska Zahrada / Vrtba Garden Wedding Dinner: Villa Richter Portrait Locations: Vrtba, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge
