Arpan & Martin | September 2011 | Long Island City, NY

It was a beautiful way for different cultures to collide.  Instead of a wedding dress, Arpan wore a sari, and instead of a suit, Martin wore a kilt. The night before there was a Gaye Holud ceremony and at the wedding there was a bagpiper played in the middle of the reception hall as the guest came in. All weekend long, both cultures were celebrated, respected, and accepted.  Two different families from two different worlds invited the other into their own, and any barriers between cultures were broken down with toasts, hugs, and dancing.

Preview: Arpan & Martin

Irene & Alvin Engaged

They were the first couple to ask me to photograph their wedding in 2012. I always admire people who are responsible enough to plan so far ahead. Irene is from Syracuse and that's where their wedding is going to be, but being that they live and work in NYC, they wanted to have their engagement photos done here. So we went out to Long Island City then to Central Park, two of my favorite places in New York City.

Can't wait for your wedding in April 2012!

Nora and Irving Married | Long Island City, NYC

I came with great expectations for this wedding because it was at the Metropolitan Building, and had such a great time there at Cheryl & Joe's wedding, but didn't expect what was about to happen that day. I mean, Nora & Irving's wedding had it all and then some: a bridesmaid carried a groomsman in her arms, a marine shaked his booty during a dance off like his life depended on it, and Irving and his friend stripped each other on the dance floor (it didn't get too crazy, you'll see).

Nora is a natural poet. During the ceremony when she read her vows, it was more like poetry than a vow.  Irving is a natural host/emcee. When he took the mic at the reception, it became a TV show.

The truth is, I could have shot at this venue all year, but each wedding would have still been unique because what makes the wedding is not the venue but the couple and the people in their lives.  We could have had this wedding on a street corner in Long Island City, and it would have still been amazing.

Cheryl & Joe



When the three of us first met over coffee last year, we talked about how they met and their relationship till then.  One thing that they said has stuck with me till now:

"We knew we were meant to be after we survived through some hard times in our relationship.  It happened 12 months into our relationship and then 6 months later.  During those times, we really didn't think we'd be able to make it, but we did and now we know we want to be together for the rest of our lives."

That stuck with me because they were honest.  Because it's not only the good times that makes you right for each other, but how you handle the bad and worst times.  And also because the relationships sold to us on TV and movies, are completely different from the ones that we experience in our lives.  Being a part of Cheryl & Joe's day, it was refreshing to see that they knew what it meant to be together: to love each other unconditionally.