Wedding Photography in West Palm Beach & South Florida

Photos from Our New Year's Eve (2009) Tallahassee Trip

2010-01-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

Some pics from our trip. The wife grew up in Tallahassee so we went up there last week just before the New Year. My daughter went with us to visit. The little cutie's name is Meg.

6th Annual Melanoma Foundation Charity Golf Tournament Pictures

2010-01-09T18:18:00.000-08:00

Pictures from the Melanoma Foundation Charity Golf Tournament held at the Mirasol Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens.

Wedding Photography at the Signature Grand in Fort Lauderdale

2010-01-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

Gabriel & Lolana's wedding pictures from the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. It was a truely beautiful event with a truly beautiful couple.

Family Photography at the Beach in West Palm, South Florida

2010-01-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

Castelblanco y Castellanos family photography in West Palm Beach. It was still a little brisk on

January 7th when we went to the beach around 1 PM for this photo shoot but it was a perfect day nontheless. The 2 sisters decided to do this shoot before the sister visiting from Arizona went back. The 2 families dressed beautifully and they loved the photographs.

Photos of Ronnie Brown during The Ronnie Brown Show

2009-12-22T04:23:00.000-08:00

Ronnie is a little hobbled but he still shows up to do his radio show in person. Ronnie is a great guy and still stays after the show to sign autographs for each and every fan.

Engagement Photo Shoot Surprise, Again!

2009-12-18T21:51:00.000-08:00

I was shooting Rene & Elcie's Engagement Photo Shoot a few Sundays back when I spotted this family building a sandcastle.

Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Photography in Boca West Palm Beach - Boca Raton - Delray Beach

2009-12-18T21:41:00.000-08:00

Some pictures from Kyra's Bat Mitzvah this past November 2009.

Mexican Wedding Photography in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, South Florida

2009-12-18T21:40:00.000-08:00

Sponsors of an Engaged Couple
In Mexico, a traditional couple getting married are sponsored, financially, by their Godparents, to act as padrinos, sponsors of the wedding. They are mentors to the bride and groom throughout their engagement, and even after they are married. Needless to say, the bride and groom honor them with a place in the wedding program. The padrinos may present the couple with a rosary and a Bible during their wedding ceremony.

Mexican Wedding Ceremony Traditions
During the marriage vows, a white ribbon or rosary, called a "lasso", is symbolically wrapped around the necks of the couple, which represents their joining.
It is customary for a Mexican groom to give his wife a wedding present of thirteen gold coins, which are then blessed by the priest during the marriage ceremony. This gesture represents the groom's commitment to support his new wife.

Mexican weddings tend to be large with many attendants. The attendants are called madrinas and padrinos and they have special roles in the wedding.

The flower girl and ring bearer are dressed as miniature versions of the bride and groom. The madrina de ramo carries flowers for the Virgin Mary. The madrina de laso carries a jeweled or beaded rope that is placed around the couple as they say their vows, to symbolize their union.

Picking Out the Perfect Wedding Dress

2009-11-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

The Dress of Your Dreams

It's the day you've been dreaming about since you were a little girl, perhaps you even consider it the most important of your life. Yor wedding day. Family, flowers, food, all of these are wonderful parts of your wedding day. But the most exciting part for any girl (besides marrying your Prince Charming) is picking out the wedding dress of your dreams. But there is so much to consider, and sometimes it seems you'll go completely bonkers before you can ever decide on just one dress! Take a deep breath, drink some tea, and let me guide you through some tips that will hopefully lead you to the perfect wedding dress.

Match the Dress to the Occasion

Now this might sound silly, I mean it's a wedding, right? Well, yes and no. Each wedding sets its own tone and has its own theme. Perhaps you are having sunset wedding right on the surf. Or maybe you are having a good old fashion country hoe-down with ribs and beer. Or perhaps you are having a classic cathedral and sit down dinner wedding. Whichever occasion suits your mood you are going to want a dress that matches both in form and function.

If you are having a beach wedding a slip dress with a knee length hem is simply perfect. For a country wedding the overiding factor is function. Does the dress keep you cool enough? Does it drag on the ground (possibly getting dirty)? How will it look with BBQ sauce on it? These questions are quite legitimate; I know one bride whose tulle dress hem will always be brown, even after cleaning. For a classic church wedding the full skirted dress is a classic. Feel free to play things up a little though, and stick to the features you like most in a dress.

Shop Around

Do yourself a favor and don't buy a dress the first time you go out. Try on several dresses, and then sleep on it. Go back, with another woman (I took my mother), and try on that special one to see if you still feel the same. Most employees at bridal shops work on commission, so they can border on car salesman-ish at times. Visit more than one shop and try on dresses wherever you go. This is a special dress that you will only wear one time, so it's a very big decision that you cannot let anyone pressure you into.

Aim High

Don't be afraid to aim high--no matter what your budget. Some brides knew from the start they wanted a designer label, but life just didn't cooperate by making them heiresses. Yet all is not lost if you're willing to shop courageously. At any given moment, a better-heeled bride is selling her once-used St. Pucchi or Ulla-Maija on eBay. She paid thousands upon thousands, but you, smart shopper, will pay half that or less. To take this road, you must shop earlier than other brides so you'll have a choice of gowns. Always pay with a credit card so you'll have recourse if the dress doesn't arrive in acceptable condition, and again, shop early so you can buy another if necessary. Shop courageously, but not recklessly.

Shop Online

Shop online, but never send a check. Bridal gown businesses sometimes have a way of disappearing overnight. No matter what the proprietor tells you, never make a purchase as large as a wedding gown without the chargeback protection of a credit card. If they say they can't take plastic, move on.

Don't Buy Too Early

Don't buy too early unless you must. Bridal gowns can take four to ten months to come from the manufacturer, but there's no reason to buy over a year ahead of time, unless your chosen style is going to be discontinued. Give yourself some time to sit on your decision. Once you pick a gown, you'll see a hundred others nearly like it. You'll become a walking encyclopedia on that style of gown. All the better if you still have room to choose.

Don't Hold Out Forever

Don't hold out forever for the dress. Some brides never find the dress. What they do find is a few dresses they look beautiful in. If you're this bride, try starting your planning from the theme instead of the dress. You'll probably eventually get sick to death of dress shopping. When that happens, "good enough" really will be good enough. Concentrate on other aspects of the wedding that mean a lot to you, like the venue, the food, or the inevitable adoration of your soon-to-be husband.

Michelle M. Arty

(I got married in 2008)

My Kids!

2009-11-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

My son, Byron turned 18 on Oct. 23rd. My daughter, Bianca will be 17 on Dec. 22. They were born 14 months apart. The puppy has really grown up!

Engagement Photo Shoot Surprise!

2009-10-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

I was at the beach finishing up an Engagement Photo Shoot for Jackie & Lamar when I spotted this bathing beauty. I was told that this was the baby's first trip to the beach. Do you think she was enjoying herself? You be the judge.

Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Photography in West Palm Beach - Boca Raton - Delray Beach

2009-10-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

Who is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah? Bar Mitzvah means "Son" of the Commandment. Bat Mitzvah means "Daughter" of the Commandment. Jewish tradition teaches that a Jew becomes responsible for observing the Commandments upon his or her 13th birthday, with or without a ceremony -- and thus becoming a "Bar or Bat Mitzvah."

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony has long been a powerful and popular life cycle ritual in the Jewish community surviving from generation to generation. The child demonstrates his/her Hebrew ability to lead the blessings and the service on his/her own. Most importantly, the child is called upon to read aloud from the Ancient Sefer Torah for the first time. The Torah is a long scroll made from the skin of a kosher animal. It contains the entire text of the Five Books of Moses. Every Torah takes an entire year to be hand-written by a specially trained scribe. The scribe writes a Torah in the original Hebrew but without vowels or punctuation. It is rolled up around two wooden rollers which are attached to either end of the scroll.

Parents are also called up to the Torah. Relatives of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah are usually honored with roles during the service. The entire community offers prayers of thanks and expressions of joy and pride.

How do you congratulate the Bar/Bat Mitzvah? You can say "mazel tov" or "congratulations."

Cantor Jan Lieberman

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training

www.janlieberman.com

561-742-7583

Printing on Site, Print on Demand (Better than a Photo Booth)

2009-10-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Why rent a photo booth and get pictures you and your guests will throw away when you can have customized and framed pictures printed right there at your event instead. Something they'll treasure for many years to come. Our printing on site is much better than renting a photo booth.

Even if you have your own event photographer we can come for an hour or two during the wedding reception, birthday party, Quince, reunion or Bar/Bat Mitzvah and take some posed or candid shots and print them during the event. We will not get in the way of your event photographer and you will get a disk of all the pictures we take. Some of the pictures can be black/white, sepia or other special effects.

This will make your special event something they will never forget. Your guests can have 5x7 customized and framed prints right there at the event.

On-site printing is great for corporate events, banquets, proms, school dances, trade shows, or just about any other occasion. We can even customize them to include your company logo for maximum company identification and product branding.

Tips for Setting up a Bridal Registry, Wedding Registry

2009-10-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Please tell Valerie that John Arty at Family Productions Photography referred her services.

Macy's Florida
801 N. Congress Avenue
Suite #100
Boynton Beach, Fl 33426
561-738-4351

Valerie J Buononato
Bridal Consultant

10 Tips for Creating a Wedding Registry

He finally popped the question and you, of course, said "Yes!" Now the hard work (and fun) begin. One of the first things is to set up a Bridal Registry or Wedding Registry.

Registries are easy to set up, but not reading the fine print or researching your choices could cost you later on. Hidden fees, poor quality items, strict completion packages and other registry caveats can give you a large financial headache.

Before you say "I do" on the big day, say "I do" to these registry tips:

1. Register with two or three different merchants. It gives your guests more options, especially if one or two of your selected stores aren't familiar or appealing to your guests.

2. Register at physical, as well as online, stores. The last thing you want to do is register with just one web-only retailer and confuse someone who has never shopped online. Pick a combination of merchants that will accommodate the web-savvy and the traditional, in-store shoppers.

3. Read FAQs and check hidden fees before setting up a registry. Read the fine print very carefully, and be aware of what you're signing up for.

4. Remember your general retailers. Unlike some department stores, you can register for fun items such as Rollerblades and things for your pet.

5. Register for items to fit every budget, but don't shy away from big-ticket items such as that nice luggage set. A big trend among wedding guests is to pool money and buy expensive gifts as a group.

6. Check for a completion package. Some retailers will offer a discount of 10 percent or 20 percent on unpurchased registry items. Some will even let you add last-minute gifts before you close the registry, so be sure to ask before you sign up. Also, add things as you go so you can get more items at a discount and keep gifts in everyone's budget.

7. Become a connoisseur of household essentials. Read up on information about thread counts, knife tang and silverware chromium-to-nickel ratios before you make selections or you might end up with items that feel rough, break or rust easily. A rule of thumb: If a product's description involves jargon you don't recognize, conduct a simple web search on the unfamiliar terms. It could save you from buying replacement items sooner than you'd like.

8. Ask that your address remains hidden from guests but on file. Guests don't need to know your mailing address to send you a gift, and that way strangers can't find out where you live.

9. Appoint a reliable person to check on your house while you're away on your honeymoon. You don't want to come home to find that your home was broken into.

10. Consider keeping some of the duplicate gifts. That second set of dishes might come in handy when some start breaking.

Filipina Debut, Filipino Debutante 18th Birthday Celebration

2009-10-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

Outstanding Father & Daughter Dance (Click on link to see a very nice and memorable dance from Jessica's 18th

Birthday Party Debutante Party.)Debutante (or Deb) (French word for “female beginner”) is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who as reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal presentation known as her “debut” or “coming out.” Originally, it meant the young woman was eligible for marriage, and part of the purpose was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within a select upper class circle. This event is traditionally referred to as The Debutante’s Ball.

In the Philippines, a debutante’s ball is very popular and widely celebrated when young Filipina teenager turns 18.
The highlight of a debutante’s ball is known as The Grand Cotillion Dance where the Debutante, with an escort, share a waltz dance with the elegantly-dressed cotillion court composed of her friends of 9 boys and 9 girls. A special cotillion choreographer is normally hired by the debutante’s parent to teach the un-experienced boys and girls to perform a highly-choreographed waltz dance. Practices for the dance can last for 6 months and normally held in the debutante’s residence every weekend.

The other popular dance is The 18 Roses Dance where the Debutante shares a memorable dance with 18 men with each one offering a freshly-cut red beautiful rose. The father of the debutante is typically the first one to dance, often called The Father and Daughter Dance. The Debutante picks the 18 songs to play and the participants normally include relatives, friends, godfathers, neighbors and acquaintances.

Next of the tradition is The 18 Candles Presentation, wherein 18 ladies will light 18 candles to resemble the 18 lights that will serve as guidance to the debutante as she makes her transition to the status of a full grown woman. Sometimes, the 18-lighted candles are the candles that the debutante blows before she cuts the cake. Most often, the mother of the debutante is the last of the 18 candles participants. Each participant also says a word, a congratulatory note or wishes to the debutante.

A new activity that we have seen lately is what others call The 18 Symbolic Treasures, where 18 participants, mostly family friends and relatives, as well as godmothers and godfathers, offer a gift to the debutante. A perfect gift is something that the Debutante can treasure as she moves on to college and started to live as a young woman.
The last of the tradition is A Word From The Debutante, where the Debutante shares her thoughts of probably one of the most memorable times of here life.

Likewise, a debutante’s ball is a way for the parent to showcase to the society their daughter’s talents or specials sills like dancing, singing or playing instruments and other talents she possesses.

The debutante’s ball normally concludes with hours of dancing enjoyed by both the adults and teenagers.

The following is the typical Debutante’s Ball Agenda
INTRODUCTION OF THE COTILLION COURT, THE FAMILY, ESCORT, AND THE DEBUTANTE
TOAST IN HONOR OF THE DEBUTANTE
WELCOME REMARKS BY THE PARENTS
INVOCATION OR PRAYER
DINING TIME
VIDEO PRESENTATION
THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER DANCE
GRAND COTILLION WALTZ DANCE
COTILLION COURT SPECIAL DANCES
18 ROSES DANCE
18 CANDLES PRESENTATION
SINGING OF THE TRADITIONAL BIRTHDAY SONG
BLOWING OF THE CAKE CANDLES
CUTTING OF THE CAKE
18 TREASURES PRESENTATION
A WORD FROM THE DEBUTANTE
DANCING TIME

More Pictures from Key Largo & Key West

2009-10-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

My son and I spent a few days in Key Largo and Key West during the Summer. He wasn't afraid to have the birds eat out of his hand. We had a pretty good time. He turns 18 on the 23rd of Oct. and is my assistant on many shoots. It keeps him out of trouble and keeps money in his pockets. He also has a pretty good eye.

Persian Wedding Photography in West Palm Beach, South Florida

2009-10-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

One of the many pleasures I've had in the past few months is photographing a Persian Wedding. The Persian Aghd, which is the legal ceremony of the Iranian wedding, is a beautiful and joyful event celebrated with lots of music, laughter, food and love. Please visit my website at http://www.jgaphoto.com/ for more pictures and information.

Engagement Photo Session, Engagement Photo Shoot

2009-10-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Most of my wedding photography and video packages include a free Engagement Photo Session, Engagement Photo Shoot. It's a great way for the bride and groom to get acquainted with the photographer.

It's also great because if you do it early enough you can use the pictures for your invitations. You can also use of the pictures for display at the reception or as favors for your guests.

I usually schedule the Engagement Photo Sessions for a Sunday morning (before the sun and people come out) or late afternoon (after the people leave and the sun goes down.)

You can wear anything you want for the shoot, but I usually suggest a white top and blue jeans for both bride and groom. Clothing should be kept neutral and should match the location. So, for the beach clothing should be white, cream, beige, blue or pastels. Park photo shoots are best in tans, blues and greens. You should also wear colors similar to each other.

The bottom line is to get ready to have lots of fun and take some great pictures.

Quince, Quinceanera Photography in West Palm Beach, South Florida

2009-10-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

I love shooting Quince Celebrations. I will often take the Quinceanera to City Place or the beach for pictures and people will mistake her for a bride. Please visit my website at http://www.jgaphoto.com/ for more pictures.

Military Wedding in South Florida, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami

2009-10-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

I am a former Marine who served during peace time. I'd love to do more military weddings and offer a discount to the bride and groom. This is a wedding I shot at the Ocean Manor Hotel & Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I will offer the same discount to our civil servants--police and firefighters.

Please visit my website at http://www.jgaphoto.com/ for more pictures.

Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Photography in West Palm Beach - Boca Raton - Delray Beach

2009-10-18T06:33:00.001-07:00

As noted on my homepage at http://www.jgaphoto.com/, photography is not just my job, it's something that I love to do! One of the great benefits is seeing the different cultures and traditions involved in the celebrations.

I had attended a few Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs prior to starting my photography business but I didn't really know or understand what was going on. Now that I've photographed several Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs I've obtained a great deal of knowledge on what the celebration means.

More Pictures from Seaworld in Orlando

2009-07-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

Shamu the killer whale was a BIG hit!

Pictures from Seaworld in Orlando

2009-07-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

The wife, my daughter Bianca and I went on a quick little getaway this weekend. Here are some of the pictures taken with my trusty little Nikon D80.

The Million Dollar Shot! Photographer in West Palm Beach

2009-05-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

It's always a good idea to have your camera handy. On my way back from a beach photo shoot one Sunday morning I pulled up along side a car and got these great shots. I'm glad the driver didn't mind and we even had a enough time for her to jump out of her car and get my business card so that I can e-mail her the pictures.

Florida Celebrity Photographer

2009-05-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you can get on the other side of the camera. Here I am with Jean Pascal.

I had the opportunity to photograph Jean Pascal last week. I love shooting people who will cooperate with me and let me make them look good in my pictures. Eddie Clark was there too. That's Jean on the right. In case you don't know who Jean Pascal is a super middleweight champion. Eddie Clark is a very funny comedian.