Jihan Abdalla Photography

Wedding in My Favorite City of Rio de Janeiro

Jihan — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:39:34 +0000

Rio de Janeiro is my favorite city in the world! I practically live there as I have been working on a photo-documentary style coffee table book over there for over two years now! I will reveal the details soon!

It was so great to photograph the lovely couple, Mariana and Marcio Macedo. It was a simple and stylish wedding, right up their alley!

Indian Wedding Photos Day Two Rockleigh Country Club New Jersey

Jihan — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:34:42 +0000

Sorry about the huge blog entry, but it took me all day to choose which pictures to select and now I have to explain it! Held at the Rockleigh Country Club in New Jersey, this was biggest day of all the Hindi wedding festivities. So many rituals took place that I couldn’t put my cameras down for a second!

I will explain a few starting with the procession of the groom, Tarun. The “baraat” is a custom from North India and Pakistan where the groom, accompanied by his family members travels on a horse to the wedding venue (often the bride’s house). Before Tarun got on the horse there was a special ceremony where his family placed a turban on his head, which symbolizes honor. Then this enormous crowd of friends and family accompanied him, dancing and singing to the ceremony site. As you can see, they really got down and had a good time!

Tarun was then greeted at the altar or “mandap” by several family members. Followed by the bride, Malini who was initially carried to the ceremony in a “dholi”, and then escorted down the aisle by her brother to the mandap. The couples then exchanged flower garlands, or “varmala”. A Sacred fire, “Agni Puja”, is fed by Ghee during the entire event, and symbolizes the illumination of mind, knowledge and happiness. There is a picture of the bride placing her right foot on a stone, “Shilarohana”, symbolizing that she will be a strong support system for her husband during any difficulties. One of the last rituals involved the couple being tied together by sashes and encircling the sacred fire (considered as the witness to the ceremony) several times while they said their vows. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the couple was consistently laughing during the entire ceremony! I have soooo many great candid shots!

Part Three Soon to Come!

Indian Wedding Photos New York Day 1

Jihan — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:05:37 +0000

I am so excited to blog about this wedding, I don’t even know where to begin! In actuality the festivities for this couple started a couple of weeks before this Night. These photos are from the Sangeet, a night filled with family and friends that usually precedes the biggest day of all the wedding festivities.

From my experience, the Sangeet can vary in its traditions. Tarun and Malini’s event, at the Pearl River Hilton, was complete with a cocktail reception, speeches, a fabulous dinner, and plenty of dancing. My favorite part of the evening, however, was the wildly entertaining skits put on by the guests.

It was great to photograph such an animated crowd, that really knows how to have fun! This was only the prelude to the next day’s festivities, which were over 15 hours. So needless to say, much more to come!

Brentwood Country Club Wedding, Los Angeles

Jihan — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:05:41 +0000

Jason and Carolina had their ceremony and reception at The Brentwood Country Club. I never blog so many images but there are too many great photos! It was truly a beautiful wedding and everything was very well done. I also got to start out by photographing Carolina at The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. The decor is very modern and just awesome! You can catch a glimpse in some of the detail shots. One of my favorite parts of weddings is listening to the speeches, because that is when you really find out about the bride and groom’s character. This time I saw the most creative speech ever. Jason is a director and his friend told a story about him using the words from all the movies he has worked on which were also printed on little posters of each one.. I threw those pictures in there to spice up the blog! And how could I leave out the Laker Jersey? Tonight was the NBA finals!

DIY Wedding Published in the Knot Southern California Fall Winter 2010

Jihan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:31:43 +0000

I have been waiting for this to come out because it was such a great DIY wedding! The reception was in the Bride’s Aunt’s Backyard, and she did such a great job with the details! Robert and Andrea are such a lovely couple and we got some unbelievable photographs!! Now if only magazines for once would agree on my selections instead of theirs!! hehe… I actually added a few of my favorites that didnt make it below. Anyway, one of these favorite images of mine was selected to be featured on the cover of another Bridal Magazine coming out in January!! duuuuhhh naaaaahhh!

Manhattan Beach Engagement Session

Jihan — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:38:20 +0000

This engagement session was so fun!! And even better, practically done in my front yard! Gaby and Francisco are getting married later this month. They are such an adorable couple and so much fun together.. I love my job

Pacific Palisades Wedding Featured in Your Wedding Day Magazine

Jihan — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:20:15 +0000

I’m so happy about this issue.. Here are some images from the spread I have in Your wedding Day Spring/Summer 2010 issue. This is my favorite wedding magazine of all time! The couple, Rocky and Dave were such great clients and I loved the venue and all the details. The end of the night munchies were even satisfied by an In and Out Truck that came to the venue. The issue will be out in multiple locations nationwide including Target and Barnes and Noble starting on Thursday, May 27th:)

Portrait Session in Santa Barbara

Jihan — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:31:52 +0000

This was so much fun!! I had the pleasure of photographing these three beautiful kids in Santa Barbara a couple of weeks ago.. They were so sweet and well behaved it was incredible. We had a great time and used a few different locations, the Santa Barbara Bird Refuge as well as the railroad tracks by the Biltmore.

Newport Beach Backyard Wedding

Jihan — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:47:17 +0000

This was such a beautiful backyard wedding! Molly and Dave got married at Galaxy Park in Newport Beach, and the reception was held very close by, at his parents’ house. I was super impressed by the elaborate details! Check out the cake for example, I love all the choice of words the wrote into the frosting. They also had a really cool cigar bar and a photo booth. I am determined to get this wedding into a magazine! The groom is also Persian and it was perfect that it was on the eve of Persian New Year.

Engagement Session at UC Irvine

Jihan — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:56:07 +0000

I always recommend doing an engagement session in a location that means something to the couple. This one was done at UC Irvine where Susmitha and Fred met Several Years ago. The shots of them on the stairs being literally where they first talked! I always appreciate dressing a little nicer than casual, and I loved Susmitha’s choice of a Sari!