Simona and Troy's Wedding Slideshow (New York)

I remember the first time that Simona contacted me last year to photograph her New York wedding. She noted that her name was Simona and that Simone (a previous wedding client) highly recommended me to her. I thought the play on words was cool :-) It's always a pleasure when previous clients love their pictures and spread the word! Thanks Simone and Nassive! :-) When Simona informed me of her wedding ceremony location I was ecstatic and hoping that she would confirm the booking because I had been to a wedding at that church before I became a professional photographer and longed to shoot a wedding there because the stain glass windows there were so beautiful! Confirm she did and we had a great time learning about what type of person she is and what stuck out was that she was spiritual, loved basketball (it is part of their love story), had a great personality, and pictures were very important to her. The thought came to me to suggest that she include her love of basketball in her wedding pictures with the bridal part on a basketball court with pom, poms, and a basketball where they can have fun pictures playing. Simona loved the idea and she got the needed supplies plus some! :-)

The wedding day came and it was PRICELESS!!! :-) There was a very special vintage charm and loving aura that pervaded over the day! I tapped into that mood and kept it going through the way I captured their pictures. Simona was radiant and bubbly, Troy was basking in Simona's presence, their parents were a gem being ever so preciously sweet, and everyone had a great time! I felt like I was on the set of Sister Act and Love and Basketball! :-) The phenomenal music from the choir, musicians, and Simona serenading her husband as she stood at the beginning of the isle, on the podium, and at the reception touched me deeply with the spiritual significance of what was happening and a heavenly atmosphere pervaded the atmosphere! We were unable to find a basketball court close by that was open so had fun improving using a tennis court. Hey, it was green too :-) lol A very special thanks to Simona for being the type of client that makes me excited to do my best to serve my clients. Throughout the day she did delightfully checked in to make sure that I was doing great, made it clear to everyone how happy she was to have me photographing her wedding, and that they should do anything I wanted. It was so funny and sweet! :-) Thanks Simone ;-) Congratulations again to you and Troy and I only wish you the absolute best and a lifetime of overflowing joy in your marriage! Thanks again for choosing Shelly Edwards Photography to capture your big day! :-)

TO VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW, VISIT http://www.vimeo.com/16689403 OR CLICK PLAY ON THE SHOW BELOW:

Simona and Troy's Wedding Montage from Shelly Edwards on Vimeo.

Mary and Didier's London Wedding Sideshow (London, England)

Hi everyone! :-) I recently had the pleasure of photographing Mary and Didier's wedding in London, England. It was such a beautiful wedding and I especially loved the fact that Mary and Didier kept true to the London theme so we are able to feel as though we were in London. It was precious to observe the 12 adorable little flower girls and boys in the wedding party that reminded me a lot of a royal wedding. The 4 poster bed, the red double decker bus to transport the guests, and the ringing of the Church of England's bells after the ceremony added to the authentic charm. During my research on royal weddings in London, I noticed that a lot of ladies wore hats and was happy to see many ladies wearing hats because that hasn't been the custom for other weddings I've captured in other countries. Mary looked like a fabulous princess in her gown and cathedral veil!!! Excellent choice Mary! :-) Didier looked like a handsome prince in his gentleman attire! I am happy that Mary loved and followed through with my suggestion to use balloons as props for the pictures because the children and adults had fun and the resulting pictures are priceless! :-) It was also a delight seeing so many familiar faces from my trip last year to London for Mary's sister, Abena's engagement photo shoot! Mary and Didier are truly loved as family and friends flew in from Paris, other European countries, Ghana, Cameroon, Australia, the Caribbean, and a wealth of other countries to witness this once in a lifetime moment! Thanks again Mary and Didier for choosing Shelly Edwards Photography! I wish you all the happiness in your marriage and great seeing you finally tie the knot! :-)

TO VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW VISIT: www.shellyedwardsdestinations.com/MDW.mp4 OR Click on the Play Button Below

Mary and Didier's Wedding Slideshow (Better Version) from Shelly Edwards on Vimeo.

Abena and Shaka's Anniversary in Ghana, West Africa Pictures and Slideshow

SLIDESHOW AT: www.shellyedwardsdestinations.com/ASGhana

In August I had the honor and delight to capture Abena and Shaka's anniversary pictures in Ghana, West Africa! Abena's original homeland is in Ghana and it was a great opportunity to introduce Shaka personally to her family there. Having photographed their engagement pictures in London and their wedding in Bermuda last year, it was a delight being able to enjoy their company again as a married couple. It was a pleasure having Shaka's mother with us on the trip. One of the things that made this trip particularly special to me was the historical roots of Shaka's family. Shaka's father, the late prominent historian and political activist, Dr. Walter Rodney who authored the highly acclaimed book, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa was assassinated in 1980 because of his quest to uplift the black race. It was great seeing his book at the bookstore at Elimina Slave Castle and a lot of what the tour guide shared was based on his reading of the book. It was great that one's legacy can impact so many people's lives for decades! Special thanks to everyone who made our trip very memorable including Abena's uncle who took the time out to make my wish come through to visit the Ashanti Kingdom, including the Ashanti King's Palace the day after Abena and Shaka left! Special thanks also to Abena's aunt who arranged the transportation for us the previous days! Thanks a lot also to Ekow Fisho and Mary for helping me with the song selections! Another thing that made the trip powerful for me was the fact that I am originally from Jamaica and many Jamaican ancestors came to Jamaica including our national heroine, Nanny of the Maroons. The reality of slavery really hit home to me when I smelt the horrible stench of blood and sweat in one of the cells after all these decades since slavery! May we cherish the freedom and better society after all the sacrifices made for us to be free! Thanks again Abena and Shaka for the pleasure of working with you again! Keep enjoying your marriage! :-)

SLIDESHOW AT: www.shellyedwardsdestinations.com/ASGhana

Ghana and London Sneak Preview: August 2010

Wow, I'm back home in Florida after an AMAZING week photographing clients in Ghana and London! Looking forward to posting a more detailed blog post about the trip when I post the other pictures. Suffice it to say for now, special thanks to my clients Abena and Shaka for allowing me the honor of capturing your anniversary pictures in Abena's original homeland of Ghana and to my clients Mary and Didier for allowing me to capture your wedding celebrations in London!!! :-)

Do enjoy the sneak preview below.

Colette and Tommy's Wedding (Deerfield Beach, Florida)

STEAMY and SWELTERING are words I would use not just to describe the hot, sweaty day we had in Florida on Colette and Tommy's wedding but the chemistry bursting forth from them far exceeded that of the sun!!! I was surprised that they did not stop the reception after Tommy removed her garter and head straight to the honeymoon! :-) Luckily enough, they were able to regain their composure and we were able to have a fun time doing a day of Post Wedding Glamour Session! As usual, it was a pleasure working with Marvin Joseph from www.ifilmworks.com Thanks Marvin for the referral! :-) Colette and Tommy keep the chemistry going and enjoy your marriage to the fullest! Thanks again for choosing Shelly Edwards Photography to capture your big day! :-)