Krista Photography Blog » Horah

Shoshana & Andy’s Wedding – Newton, MA

Krista Guenin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:23:00 +0000

My first wedding of this year was the wedding of Shoshana & Andy. Not only was it the first, but it was also the biggest wedding of the year, and has been the most arduous to edit! I ended up with THREE second shooters, so there were 4 photographers covering the wedding, and we had over 6,000 images between us when the day was done! My interns and I have gone through the images at least 4 or 5 times, and we’ve finally got it down to a manageable size for sharing with the world. In case you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, that ought to explain it :)

This was my first Orthodox Jewish wedding as the primary photographer, and it was so much fun! The energy and excitement throughout the day was contagious, and the details and traditions were so meaningful and touching. I’m excited to share some of my favorites at last!

Shoshana’s father looking on as her veil is placed. She looked so beautiful :)

Her necklace was gorgeous, and a family heirloom, I believe

The happy bride

I love these next two shots that Ben of Avenna Studios captured while photographing Andy getting ready and during the Tisch.

The Ketubah, hand-made by a member of the family

Shoshana, her mother Teri, and Andy’s mother waiting for the guests to come greet them during the Kabbalat Panim. I love the excitement between Shoshana & Teri!

After the Tisch, the groom is escorted by family and friends, singing and dancing, to where the bride is waiting for him. I love the moment as the bride is blessed by the fathers. In this photo, Shoshana is being blessed by Andy’s father.

And this is the highlight of the Bedeken, the moment when Shoshana & Andy see each other for the first time and Andy lowers the veil over his bride. Vince from Avenna Studios caught this moment beautifully.

It’s such an emotional part of the day!

waiting for the ceremony to begin

Giving her away

As Shoshana reached the chuppah, she circled Andy seven times

Andy placing the ring on her finger. (Another great shot from Ben, who got the prime spot on the bema during the ceremony)

The sanctuary at Congregation Mishkan Tefila is so beautiful!

Shortly after the cermony, we were able to take Shoshana & Andy outside for a few portraits. We were so lucky that the rain held off for us! (in case you’re not from around here, it’s been raining in Boston for like 6 weeks now…)

They’re totally cute together :)

Vince captured this one, which I love

Their rings were totally unique (but the same as each other’s). Andy’s grandfather made them! Such a talented family!!

And this is what it looked like during portraits… I’d normally have more of the other photographers inside capturing the cocktail hour, but Shoshana’s mother really wanted to make sure we got plenty of portraits of the two of them together. Apparently Teri’s photographer forgot to get a single portrait of Shoshana’s parents together on the day of their wedding. Can you imagine?!

We took a few inside the lovely sanctuary as well. The light was just so nice, and the stained glass so interesting and colorful!

Once we were done with portraits, the party really began! One of my favorite things about Orthodox weddings is that they REALLY know how to celebrate! Nobody else dances with so much enthusiasm and energy :) I love this shot Vince caught during the Horah.

Shoshana up in the chair

Gorgeous flowers by Sarah’s Garden

During some parts of the reception, friends and family perform for the Bride & Groom. These ladies were dancing maniacs!

Shoshana’s sisters tap danced for them

Andy singing for his bride

Cynthia captured this embrace after the song was finished. I love the faces of the guests cheering for them :)

Shoshana & Andy, thank you so much for having us as part of your day! We had a fabulous time, as you and your guests clearly did as well. Congratulations to you both! I hope you’re getting settled and enjoying some better weather down there in Atlanta. I look forward to working with you on your album after you’ve had some time to look through all the photos! :)

If you’d like to see more of my favorites, check out the album on my Facebook Page :)

Many thanks to all of the fabulous vendors who worked on this wedding…

Catering & Coordination – Andrew Wiener of Catering by Andrew
Flowers – Sarah Burkstein of Sarah’s Garden
Music – The Nafshenu Orchestra
Venue – Congregation Mishkan Tefilla
2nd Shooting – Cynthia Hauk

And a special thanks to Ben & Vince from Avenna Studios for all your help with the day! It was great working with you guys!

Annika’s Bat Mitzvah

Krista Guenin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:56:00 +0000

This past Fall, I had the pleasure of photographing Annika’s Bat Mitzvah at the Museum of Science. It was such a cool location for a party! I got there early and spent some time wandering around the museum, and capturing some of the details planned by the lovely & talented Nathalya Mamane…

Flowers by Sarah’s Garden

Linens by Be Our Guest

Food from the amazing Catering by Andrew

This was basically the coolest spot in the place! Fine dining under the T-Rex – how awesome is that?!

Then the family arrived and we had a little time for some quick portraits around the museum.

The beautiful Bat Mitzvah girl

The whole family

Annika’s parents are such a fun couple! When I first met them cutting it up on the dance floor at Julia’s Bat Mitzvah, I knew they were going to be great to work with!

They kicked off the party with the Horah! Always my favorite part :D

This family loves to dance!

I think Annika had a great time!

Annika, it was so great to meet and work with you and your family. What a great party! Congratulations once again!! :)

Julia’s Bat Mitzvah

Krista Guenin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Wow, it’s been a couple weeks since I posted on the blog!! I hope you all weren’t worried ;) It’s been a busy few weeks with a sinus infection just in time for my parents to visit, and then a lovely bout of vertigo just in time for my birthday. Trust me, it’s been a blast (insert sarcastic tone here). But, I’m feeling better, finally blew out my birthday candles, and am back in business!

So without further ado, I present photographs from Julia’s Bat Mitzvah!

The lovely Bat Mitzvah Girl

And her wonderful siblings

Julia’s Dad, Andrew is one of the best caterers in Boston. I was absolutely honored to photograph this special event for their family!

And what an event it was! The party was huge, everything was so colorful, the decor and the details were so gorgeous, and of course the food was amazing! Special thanks to Nathalya Mamane, flowers by Carol Silverston, and Rentals Unlimited!

The dance floor was definitely my favorite part of the whole day. This was one of the most energetic dance floors I’ve ever photographed. I got knocked over, feet jumped on, and bumped all over the place – it was totally awesome! Music by the Nafshenu Orchestra out of New York.

I LOVE the Horah!!

More dancing…

And what’s a celebration without a few toasts?!

Thank you Andrew and family for having me as part of such an important day for your family – and for such a great time and an awesome party!!

To see more, check out the longest slideshow ever…

Noah’s Bar Mitzvah

Krista Guenin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:40:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I photographed Noah’s Bar Mitzvah in Brookline. This fabulous event was planned by the talented Nathalya Mamane, and took place at Veronique Boston. Noah and his family had recently returned from a trip to China and the whole party had a Chinese theme. It was beautifully done, and the party was so much fun! Here’s a look…

Some of the gorgeous details… Flowers courtesy of Carol Silverston of The Original Touch, Cake by John at Party Favors.

Noah reading Torah

Noah’s grandparents. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a cute little old man!

Noah’s aunt holding his very shy, but very cute little sister

I’m always so entertained by the games at Bar Mitzvahs! The light coming into the ballroom was just about perfect, and mix that with a bunch of girls hoola-hooping, and I was having a blast!

I wasn’t the only one fascinated by the hoola-hoops…

The Hora is one of my FAVORITE Jewish traditions! It makes me want to have a Jewish wedding someday. Though I doubt my Irish-Catholic family would quite know what to do… ;) Noah was loving it!

His Mom was a little scared at first

Dad was getting into it though

As was Noah’s little brother

Even his little sister had fun with it!

More games… Coke & Pepsi, anyone?

Fun on the dance floor

One of the things I love about Bar Mitzvahs is when the adults get in on the fun and let themselves be kids for a little bit

Noah’s birthday cake was AMAZING! One of the coolest cakes I’ve ever seen, for sure! (check out the detail collage at the top to see some more of the front of the cake)

this is what a 13-year-old looks like when he’s making a wish

All in all, I think Noah and his friends had an awesome time!

Congratulations Noah! Thanks so much for having me as part of your day!