http://www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com/ Jeff Kolodny Photography Blog en-us http://www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com/index.cfm?postID=263 http://www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com/index.cfm?postID=263 Sun, 06 May 2012 12:55:00 GMT
Grove Isle Hotel & Spa is the best place to get married in Florida because your wedding day is a memorable day of your life. Grove Isle is a beautiful island that is perfect for any wedding because the resort provides couples with a great atmosphere in order to celebrate their wedding with their close family and friends. The island overlooks Biscayne Bay, so whenever you wake up for your special day, you will be able to see a spectacular view from your hotel window. So if you have planned an outdoor or indoor wedding, you will definitely have a wonderful experience. Grove Isle also has various wedding packages and catering options to choose from to ensure that your special day is one of the best memories you and your partner will have.

Planning your wedding properly and systematically is very important and at the same time can be a difficult task. However, Grove Isle will definitely assist you make the best plans for your big day. Once you have the decorations, food, invitations, spa appointments, wedding dress and accessories all organized, you will need to find the best South Florida wedding photographer to take your wedding pictures. With the right South Florida wedding photographer, you will be able to have the best Grove Isle wedding photos for your album so that you can look back on them in the future and remember the wonderful day you two had together with the people you love.

Grove Isle is very beautiful and with everything in place, your South Florida wedding photographer will be able to take some great pictures for your wedding album. If you plan to have an outdoor wedding, the photographer will be able to capture some of the breathtaking sights such as the Bay from the shore lines and from the hotel window and coconut trees all lined up near the hotel and on the beach. Not only does the hotel give you the chance to enjoy your wedding outdoors, you will also get the chance to have a party in one of many sophisticated ballrooms the island provides. Your Miami photographer will be able to capture the atmosphere and ambiance of the wedding ceremony before you and your partner enter the ballroom after the reception and beautiful wedding vows. The photos posted here depict just how amazing your pictures can be from a wedding at Grove Isle Resort & Spa – especially if you hire the right South Florida wedding photographer.

Another important element to your Grove Isle Hotel & Spa wedding is to hire a wedding planner that is very familiar with the venue. Karen Maerovitz of Crème de la Crème – a Marketing and Event Firm, works at Grove Isle frequently and coordinated the weddings that are shown with this article. As a South Florida wedding photographer who works with many wedding planners, we would recommend calling Karen if you are planning a wedding at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa or any other venue in the area.

With the right South Florida wedding photographer to capture your beautiful wedding and the best Grove Isle Hotel & Spa wedding package, you will have the best memories to remember together for a lifetime.

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I remember clearly the day in 1998 when the original Diplomat Hotel was imploded – it was quite a scene. Remembering what the original building was like beforehand just created anxiousness waiting to see what unbelievable structure would be built to replace this historic South Florida landmark hotel.

The new result was more than amazing. The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa is an ultra modern sleek oceanfront property with every amenity a guest would want. For Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa weddings, there are two incredibly high-end choice locations to choose from – the hotel or the country club. For this article, we will focus on weddings at the Diplomat Hotel location. The recent wedding of Coty and Ron is a perfect example of just how incredible a South Florida wedding can be at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Perfectly coordinated by Joni Scalzo of Your Special Day by Joni, this wedding captures the essence of a location truly magnificent to its area – a one of a kind spot for a South Florida weddings for sure. Joni tirelessly worked with this busy bride and groom to insure that every detail of their wedding was perfect and that they had no worries leading up to or on the wedding day. As a side note, Ron is the captain of an incredible yacht and Coty works with him – that is how they met. They travel the world in style all while working – they have amazingly interesting careers and being out of town so much meant that Joni was a key factor in managing all of the elements of their fabulous South Florida wedding.

Both the inside and the outside surrounding grounds of the hotel provide unlimited opportunities that as a South Florida wedding photographer, I can never pass up! I love the modern architecture, the incredible pool area, the ocean view and the truly unique feel the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa provides. Coty and Ron were great to work with and we enjoyed every moment we had to shoot around this modern, yet historic property. Although the Diplomat has been completely rebuilt and is in essence, a pretty new structure, I cannot help but think back to its rich history as I photograph South Florida weddings there. The place remains an extremely high-end venue for discerning brides and grooms who desire an unusually sleek and luxurious South Florida wedding. There is no question – a Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa wedding is a one of a kind opportunity that many brides and grooms see right away when they visit this location. Busy creating weddings for local couples as well as couples planning destination weddings, Joni Scalzo of Your Special Day by Joni is someone brides and grooms should consider speaking to when planning their weddings – at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa or elsewhere.

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By being properly guided, it would be much easier to find and hire a reliable and good South Florida photographer. You may ask yourself several important questions. Is the South Florida event photographer professionally qualified? Is the style of photography in line with what you are actually looking for? Is the portfolio good? Do you like that South Florida photographer?

It is important that the photographer be professionally qualified especially if you are requiring corporate photography. You may check the training and background of the photographer before hiring. He should have affiliations and memberships in industry and professional bodies. The style should be considered an important factor. Sometimes, a South Florida event or commercial photographer is better covering casual events than doing corporate photography.

The portfolio of the photographer could say so much about the professional. Actual works do not lie. You could instantly tell whether you like the style and attack of the photographer when covering events and capturing images. Face the reality that not all are gifted with the talent and skill to take pictures at the best angles. Different photography techniques and methods should also be exhibited properly. This is also the time when you decide whether you like a more formal approach in photography over a more relaxed style.

As usual, it is best to shortlist as many photographers as you could. In general, interviewing at least three South Florida photographers would be ideal. Make no hasty and impulsive decisions during interviews. Do not decide about hiring unless you are done interviewing all in your shortlist. This way, you could never be wrong about hiring the right South Florida photographer.

Lastly, it is important that you like the overall personality of the photographer you are about to hire. You could not possibly work best with a South Florida photographer who is not approachable and who has the negative attitude towards you and your event. You may be tempted to hire a photographer who is also a close friend or who is a relative. Refrain from doing so especially when it is purely business. You surely do not like to destroy friendships and relationships if things get out of hand.

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Tying the knot in Boca Raton, Florida is most romantic. A beach wedding in Boca Raton Florida is surely a dream of most couples today. Are you one of those? If you are, you should start searching for a professional and reliable Boca Raton Florida wedding photographer. Fortunately, there are many of those that you may end up having a difficult time choosing the best South Florida wedding photographer to hire.
Boca Raton Resort wedding photos could be real treasures that couples could keep for life. Not all are given the rare opportunity and privilege to marry in an exquisite and luxurious beach setting. Also known as "Boca Resort", the venue is not only extremely popular with locals, but Boca Resort weddings also hold quite an appeal to destination wedding couples as well.

Hiring the best wedding photographer would make the occasion more special. Create a shortlist of South Florida wedding photographers and interview each carefully. You could discover a lot about such professionals. Thus, you could make an intelligent and appropriate decision over which professional to hire to take your Boca Resort wedding photos.
Look at the experience level of each wedding photographer. It is important that the professional has specifically photographed Boca Raton Resort weddings. The resort is simply the most elegant venue for weddings and you surely would not want to miss each breathtaking scene with the spectacular background to be captured in photos. Thus, he should know the best angles and the best backgrounds to use in your wedding album.

The wedding photographer should capture every romantic moment in the elegant ballrooms as well as in the picturesque indoor and outdoor venues within the resort. A Boca Raton Resort wedding offers the most chic options for unforgettable ceremonies and receptions. Boca Raton wedding photographers should know how to capture the best images within the famous cathedral room, ballrooms, private beach, cloister garden, yacht club terrace, and the Boca Country Club.
The romantic setting that suits the wedding theme and mood should as well be captured. Likewise, the photographer should coordinate with the floral and décor arrangers, the caterers, and the cake providers so that these smaller details of the occasion would not be left out in your Boca Raton Resort wedding photos.

You should determine if the photographer is observing truth in advertising. It is ideal if the Boca Raton wedding photographer would be the one who would personally take the photographs and not assign his assistants, who might just be practicing/mastering the craft. Beware because many professional photographers do this scheme. They would advertise and market their personal services but on the occasion, they are not the ones covering the event.

Lastly, your chosen South Florida wedding photographer should provide the best offers in terms of costs, services, and packages. Everything should be written on paper. Expect the photographer to present you a contract before finalizing the deal. Read the agreement carefully and do not hesitate to ask questions should you have any. If you hire an experienced Boca Raton Resort wedding photographer, you will have a great opportunity to have amazing wedding photos from a one of a kind South Florida venue.

]]> http://www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com/index.cfm?postID=259 http://www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com/index.cfm?postID=259 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:10:00 GMT Since an Indian wedding is more about celebrating with the entire community it is a very large affair. Between 100 and 10,000 people may be invited, depending on how many people the families know and how many they can afford to host. The Indian wedding extends over several days of events and dinners due to the different customs and traditions involved, and there are several pre and post wedding functions, with different clothes made for each day.
The mehendi is a colorful affair where henna is applied to the bride's hands to strengthen the bond of love. This is primarily a female's only event where there is a lot of singing and dancing. Another event that is focused on music and dancing is the sangeet where both families come together and dance the night away. While there are no specific traditions associated with this event, food and drinks are served and it is usually a large affair as all those close to the families are invited.

At the main wedding affair, the groom and his family arrive at the venue with a band and lots of dancing along the way. Sometimes the groom will be riding a horse which has been decorated, but more modern families opt for decorating a car instead. The bride will normally wear a red or pink sari with a lot of heavy embroidery and jewelry to go with it. Her hands and feet will have been painted with henna in the days before.
The actual wedding ceremony takes place in a mandap which is decorated with flowers and red cloth. It can last several hours during which the priest will carry out many different prayers. The most significant ritual are the saat phere where the bride and groom walk around the fire and light, a symbol of God, seven times while the priest recites mantras. The groom then filled sindoor in the center parting on the bride's head and puts a wedding necklace, known as a mangalsutra, around her neck. Both of these signify that she is now a married woman.
After the wedding rituals are completed, the bride is sent with the groom's household. This is called vidaai and can get quite emotional as this signifies that the bride has left her parent's house forever and is now a part of another family.

Many modern Indian families are now choosing to opt for simpler affairs, even some destination Indian weddings, especially those families that have lived away from India for a long time. Destination Indian weddings will have only the close family and friends as guests and only involves those traditions that the family deems important. Some are simple court marriages with lavish dinners or parties after, especially popular when the bride and groom are from different religions.
Regardless of whether the wedding is large or small, lavish or not, it is important to capture the important moments so that they may be looked back upon in later years. For a South Florida Indian Wedding, an experienced South Florida wedding photographer will capture the important moments and expressions of the day and ensure that these memories are immortalized.

Some of the more popular locations for a South Florida Indian wedding include the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, The Eden Roc Hotel, Vizcaya, Boca Raton Resort & Hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Hillcrest Country Club, Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, The Diplomat Hotel, The Breakers and the Four Seasons Palm Beach.

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Marisa and Brian's relationship initially started as a long distance one, as Brian was actually living in Chicago at the time they met. He then moved to Miami about a year and a half later to attend law school - which obviously made dating a lot easier! He proposed to Marisa on her 26th birthday in February, 2011 and the rest is history! They then began to plan their magnificent Four Seasons Palm Beach Wedding!

The ceremony was held poolside facing the beach and was led by Rabbi Dan Levin. A cocktail hour and reception followed. Benny from Daniel Events created all of the fabulous décor for the evening using Marisa's favorite color of purple, artfully transforming the event into a fairytale theme. Crystal Prante from the Four Seasons Palm Beach managed all of the festivities for the wedding for the hotel. Marisa was decked out in an elegant Sottero and Midgley gown complemented by Nina shoes.

As a South Florida wedding photographer, I love photographing weddings at all of the various venues in the Palm Beach area. The Four Seasons Palm Beach is truly one of the most elegant and modern locations around. Its beach locale, coupled with its stunning interior areas make it a dreamy place to photograph a wedding. I was fortunate enough to have plenty of time to take Marisa and Brian around the hotel grounds to capture some amazing and romantic shots.

Thanks so much to both Marisa and Brian for their enthusiasm and especially for having me be a part of their incredible Four Seasons Palm Beach wedding!

]]> http://www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com/index.cfm?postID=256 http://www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com/index.cfm?postID=256 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:39:00 GMT

Just think back about the last time you flipped through a cookbook. What caught your eye first of all? Was it the text and print? Or was it those delicious, mouth-watering photographs of delicious food? Yes, the photographs came first. They're what made you want to look up the recipe and maybe even end up buying the book.

That's what food photography can do for your business as well. It can highlight your catering or restaurant business and add tremendous promotional value. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. A high quality photograph of a delicious food item from your menu will remain in people's minds for a long time to come.

You should also consider hiring a professional food photographer if you sell frozen pre-packaged meals – especially online, since you will need an experienced photographer who can make your food look more appetizing than your competition's products. When looking at the food online is the ONLY opportunity a potential customer has to determine whether or not they want to try your products, those pictures had better make the food look appealing and appetizing. It can make all the difference between a sale or no sale.

Food photography is a special art that involves numerous skilled techniques. Knowing how to use lighting is especially important. The right light ensures that the food photographed will have the best appetite appeal for customers. Often natural lighting is best and makes food look most natural.
There is a lot that goes into preparing food for a photo shoot. That's why a food stylist is so important. A food stylist is someone who can expertly arrange and display food items. It takes someone who's meticulous and has great skill. An experienced food stylist makes all the difference in professional food photography.

Not only is the way the food is arranged on the plate important, but the context that the food is displayed in is also important. It sets the mood and adds atmosphere. You don't want a cluttered, crowded arrangement that's confusing. But a single glass, flower or colored napkin nearby can enhance the display a lot.

Food photography requires knowing how to think and work quickly because food can soon lose its delicious appearance. It tends to melt, wilt, collapse or lose color. But experienced food photographers know how to work around this and will already have their photo in mind, the lighting set up and their camera focused. Sometimes they'll use a stand-in or prop to get their focus and lighting just right. Then when the food dish comes in, everything is already prepared for a perfect photo shoot.
A perfect photo shoot is what you're after in food photography. And that's our goal, too - perfect food photos that will enhance and bring out the best in your restaurant or catering menus.
Food photography is an advanced photographic skill and when you avail of our food photography services, you are assured of the very best. We have specialized in professional photography for weddings and private parties throughout South Florida for many years. If you are looking for an experienced food photographer for your catering business, restaurant, or pre-packaged food business please feel free to call us.


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Lauren and Brett's recent wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach was an absolute pleasure to photograph. The couple chose this venue, as they both love the beach! Brett love to surf and swim and Lauren enjoys soaking up the sun. The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach's location was perfect – right on a pristine stretch of beach – not to mention its super classy interior and magnificent grounds.

This was a destination wedding for most guests – even the ones from Florida – so the couple wanted a venue that was accommodating and hassle free. They wanted their guests to be relaxed and feel like they were on vacation. The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach did not disappoint. In addition, Lauren and Brett hosted all of their wedding festivities there to make it really easy for everyone to attend. To assist, the couple hired Jamie Lipman of The Absolute Event who did a terrific job of managing everything on the wedding day.

Lauren was radiant in a Romona Keveza gown and Jimmy Choo shoes.

Benny of Daniel Events created the magnificent décor for Lauren and Brett's wedding. They were looking for décor that was classy, traditional yet modernized with current trends such as LED lighting, crystals, white dance floor and couch seating. Benny hit home by creating their vision of a "WOW" factor, creating a space that was magical and warm and ultra classy. This was a traditional Jewish wedding, and Benny's beautiful chuppah really set the stage!

Her amazing after party dress was by Theia.

For Lauren and Brett, who met 4 years ago and as she says "It was love at first sight!", this was a dream wedding come true. Every aspect was perfect and you can see their happiness beaming through in these photos. My team and I were very honored to be part of this incredible event and hope that you all get a great feel for Lauren and Brett's Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach wedding by browsing through these photos. I photograph many beautiful weddings at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, many of them traditional Jewish weddings such as Lauren and Brett's. We can't post them all, but we hope that you get a good sense of our coverage and the magnificence of the venue from this glimpse of Lauren and Brett's amazing Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach wedding.

Check out this cool video created by the Jeff Kolodny Photography & Video crew!




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Aileen and Brian live in Wisconsin, so what better location to have their winter destination wedding but at the incomparable Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami. As they are from out of state, the couple sought the assistance and expertise of Joni Scalzo of Your Special Day by Joni to help them coordinate and manage all aspects of their special day.

A Vizcaya wedding is truly magical. There is simply no other place like it anywhere. Its distinctly European feel is quite unique - this plus its amazing gardens is what draws couples to plan a Vizcaya wedding. The venue alone is so beautiful that there are literally endless places to photograph a bride and groom. We had a great time checking out some more popular spots as well as exploring some more unusual locations throughout Vizcaya. There is definitely no shortage of shooting locations at a Vizcaya wedding!

Here are just a few samples of the photos we took that day. I was thrilled to be a part of Aileen and Brian's incredible Vizcaya wedding and would like to thank them as well as Joni for making it all possible.

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Our very own Albert recently photographed Chelsea and Brian at the Delray Beach Marriott. Couples just love Albert – his terrific personality along with the great photos he produces are a winning combination. Albert loves photographing South Florida weddings at the varied locations this area offers. Delray Beach Marriott weddings are especially fun to shoot. The venue offers a resort like atmosphere and its central location in Delray Beach makes it a favorite with out of town wedding guests. As a South Florida wedding photographer, Albert knows how to get the job done and has a great time in the process. Whether he's photographing wedding details, bridal shots or family portraits – Albert takes it all in stride while putting his couples at ease, as he creates the images that will last a lifetime.

As a South Florida wedding photographer, Albert always looks forward to meeting new couples and shooting weddings all over the area. Whether it's The Breakers, The Biltmore, The Ritz-Carlton, Pelican Beach Resort, Morikami, The Palms Hotel & Spa, The Riverside Hotel or any one of the great venues where South Florida weddings are held, Albert arrives enthusiastic and ready for the challenge and excitement of each individual wedding.

We are thrilled to have Albert as part of our team - thanks, Albert for another job well done! We would also like to thank and congratulate Chelsea and Brian on their marriage and for having Albert capture images of their special day.

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