My new favorite purse!

My new red trim midsized Dior Bag!

Ok girls lets talk purses! A good friend of mine Mj Wilson, owner of Tampa Photo and Luxe Purses, sold me what seems to be my new favorite purse. It’s was designed by Christian Dior. Now, I don’t know about you but I think the Dior Saddle & Gaucho Bag is one of the best, most original designs of all times. The Gaucho is making a comeback and it’s been about seven years since its peak…I think it’s about time it comes back! It is a midsized, super original, western-like everyday purse. It is also very practical since it has a zip top, a front flap, and lots of pockets. Here’s a pic that Alex took of me as we were leaving a local Starbucks on to our destination wedding with my new Dior. I wanna know, whats your favorite purse?

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Lets talk about my wedding day. Many of my clients always ask me, “so,who photographed your wedding?” On my wedding day, I had the perfect man, the perfect day and the perfect photographer! We were privileged to have Jerry Ghiones, who is considered one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world, photograph our precious day! Jerry Ghionis is considered a Diamond Photographer, who selected one of my most gorgeous wedding photographs for The Best of the Best Images of the 2009 Diamond Photographers of the Year publication in (PPofA)Profesional Photographers of America Magazine! He has also created the Ice Society, which is a series of organized teaching workshops, portfolio reviews and marketing techniques for aspiring and amateur photographers. I have had the opportunity of attending one of Jerry’s workshops and let me tell you, it is worth every cent. My husband and I left with a load of business & marketing tools, lighting techniques and a chance to have a one on one session with Jerry to talk about our business.

Jerry, you are definitely an inspiration to all. As a bride, I want to thank you for my wonderful wedding album and for preserving all my wedding memories. As a photographer, I applaud you for the hard work that you do and for giving back the photography industry your knowledge, time, efforts, and inspiring me to be the Best at what I do.

One of my favorite wedding photographs!

Paris, New York, Fiji, were absolutely wonderful but we want more! In early February we flew out to Las Vegas for an exciting desert shoot planned by my beloved husband, Alex. Being photographers we sometimes find the perfect opportunity to challenge a new environment and let our needs and passions take hold. Our recent friends, Terry and Gretchen provided us with The Bullet, an amazing Airstream, that believe it or not kept us warm! One of our favorite videographers and makeup artist also took part in this production, as well as several models. After finding the most perfect location, Red Rock Canyon, we arrived at our scenic spot. If the beautiful simplicity didn’t take your breath away then it’s indescribable feeling of peacefulness and solitude would! All in all at the end of the day Las Vegas’ mesmerizing sunset captured our eyes and stole our hearts as we watched it slowly sink behind the mountains.

Enjoy this spectacular video produced by DVP Studios.

This is an amazing gown designed by Elizabeth Calderon. Pearl necklace & earrings designed by Gretchen Cox. I love this picture!

Thanks to the entire crew that made it happen.

There is a reason why we came to the city that never sleeps,  despite the absolutely gorgeous photographs from Red Rock Canyon, there was an entirely wild side of Vegas that had to be obtained. With nothing but our curiosity guiding us for the next location, Old Vegas brought us from El Cortez Hotel & Casino to the famous Fremont Street!

To the city that never sleeps; we did not sleep either! Where to next.

Hazel Photographers wants to give you the opportunity to participate in their next photo shoot production. Help me pick my next location and you can part take in being our next couple, travel to a distant land and have an unforgettable experience.

Special Thanks:

Leo Espinosa – Dream Video Productions Quessia Salazar – Some Kind of Gorgeous Terry and Gretchen – The Amazing Bullet!

Gretchen Cox – Cox Creations Elizabeth Calderon – Casa De Calderon Lupita Valdes – Acqua Boutique Yanitza – Leggenda Bridal

Blake Woolwine – Intern – The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

All of our models

When your wedding is over, the images captured by your photographer are one of the few things you will keep forever. Without question, the most impressive way to share your memories is a wedding album. A true “flush mount” wedding album will lay flat with no seam providing you with a spread that can be more than 24 inches wide and 12 inches tall. Printed on the finest photographic paper, each beautiful custom designed spread will literally “jump” off the page to tell another chapter of your wedding story! Incredible covers ranging from leather to metal to acrylic complete your custom album. Albums are an investment for those who want to take advantage of this unique way to share and preserve the memories of their wedding day. In my experience most brides look back on their albums as one of the best investments they have ever made.

1. Capture great images – a great album begins with great images. Photographers who specialize in albums compose and shoot many images specifically with your album in mind.

2. Creative post processing – besides basic retouching, various advanced and creative techniques should be applied to your album images.

3. Professional design – your photographer will use professional layout designers to design each page to feature your images in uniquely beautiful and creative ways.

4. Uncrowded design – you want to make your key images large and not crowd a spread with too many images.

5. You approve the design – no album will go to production until you are completely satisfied with the design.

6. Paper and Cover selection – your photographer should assist you in selecting the type of paper and cover to complete your album.

7. Professional Album Production – your photographer will use a well known and highly regarded album manufacturer.

8. Final inspection and delivery – your photographer will thoroughly inspect your album and formally deliver it to you.

9.Books vs Albums – The difference between an album and a book is that books are press printed (not printed on photographic paper), have flexible pages and typically will not lay flat with a seamless two-page spread. If you are going to invest in a custom design, then the additional investment for an album over a book is modest and you should invest in an album.

Hazel R Photographer’s  highly specializes in album design. We invite you to our studio to comfortably sit, relax, and experience our work as photographers and album designers. We greatly value our client’s creativity and ideas and incorporate them into their album design.

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Engagement Sessions: Couples are now having more fun with their engagement sessions and they’re getting pretty creative too. The best theme for an engagement photo shoot is one that’s personal.

A Place!

Have the pictures taken at a location that means something to you and your fiance. It could be the place you got engaged, where you went on your first date, or just somewhere you both like to spend time together. If you live near a city, make it a city-themed shoot and walk around with your photographer taking pictures at your favorite spots. If your fiance proposed on a beach, give the photo shoot a beach theme. If there happens to be a state fair or a carnival in your area, there’s your theme! Spend part of the day or night there playing games and going on rides with your photographer capturing the moment!

An Era!

If you’re searching for a more vivid theme, think about your shared hobbies or favorite movies — if you both love a period piece, you can theme your engagement photo shoot based on that time. Lots of couples now are getting all dressed up in outfits from various decades, magazine photo shoot-style!

Next week’s tip is fun, simple and creative!

When I arrived to Alina’s home on the day of her wedding, I was greeted by the most precious and lovely little girls I had ever seen! One of the most beautiful qualities that Alina and Reny share, is their love and compassion towards their family.  Alina got ready at her parents beautiful home, and it was sweet and heartwarming listening to her telling me how much she loved her little doggy, who was running around her home from all of the excitement! Alina’s photographs show what an artistic and very fashionable woman she is. Alina and Reny began their life long journey at the enormous, and beautifully sculptured Epiphany Catholic Church on February 27, 2010. What an incredible ceremony! Alina and Reny definitely have a taste for fashion and style! They were chauffeured in a gorgeous 1968 white Bentley! We had so much fun during the taking of the photographs with the bridal parties, I could hardly hold my camera up from laughing so much! Everyone, on 3, jump.. 1,2,3 jump! Every wedding should be this fun! Their elegant reception was at the Mariott  hotel. Their wedding was video recorded by Artistic Film Productions. Towards the end of the reception Alina, Reny and I went outside to shoot a couple of breathtaking skylight photographs! Alina and Reny, it was sooo much fun being a part of your beautiful wedding! I wish your journey together is filled with love and happiness. “Family is Everything”

Ok girls lets talk makeup! What are your best features?  Could it be your eyes, cheekbones or is it your smile? You are already beautiful so have some fun and enhance and bring out your best features. It’s important to hire a professional makeup artist who is talented and reputable because without being fully satisfied with your makeup you won’t be very happy with many of your most beautiful photographs.  One great way to be proactive for your big day is to do a practice makeup trial for your engagement session, which will give you adequate time to make any adjustments before your big day. A camera will often capture only half of a brides makeup, so don’t be afraid to apply more than what you’re used to.

Next week, Hazel’s “Tips of the Week” will share new and creative ideas for your wedding!

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Hazel has always been captivated by the arts as a model, actress, and fashion photographer. She will stop at nothing when it comes to perusing photography in new and exciting ways. Her talent and passion continues to awe photographers around the world. Jerry Ghionis, one of the most influential wedding and portrait photographers of the 21st century photographed Hazel with her beloved husband Alex on a once in a lifetime workshop in Paris. ”It was an honor working and posing for Jerry and he is an inspiration to Alex and I.”  A beautiful photograph of Hazel taken by Jerry Ghionis during his workshop in paris, happens to be featured on the front cover of this past February’s Rangefinder magazine! “ It is truly amazing and surreal!

Hazel Photographers is breaking the seal to a brand new blog.   It is time for you to experience a new style of photography, a leading edge in contemporary-fashion. It’s time to evoke to creativity within and let us capture those amazing moments that happen only once in your lifetime. There are a handful of moments that change our lives profoundly. Wonderful moments that bring us great joy and eternal pride. Hazel wants to capture these important feelings, with perfection, for all time. Picture by Picture she can reflect your style, your spirit and your story. Enjoy some of our new work & don’t forget to stop by our brand new website. Hazel

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