An Ode to a dream!

With all the weddings I am fortunate to service, I end up with a lovely list of post wedding friends that had started of as brides-to-be! We stay in touch, discuss their fondest memories of the wedding (and also not so fond ones) and of course always talk about their wedding pictures :) I also meet a lot of lovely ladies from the wedding party who say ;' I wish I knew of you at my wedding, i hated my makeup!'

Very often I hear, 'I wish I had invested in a better Photographer, or kept a more reasonable budget to hire a true artist to capture the moments...' Its heart breaking to see poorly taken images!

So working together with Tauseef (http://www.studiosila.com/photography.html) we came up with a package for those brides and grooms, who wishes to relive the emotions of their most special day through a very special portrait session.  After the consulation we figure out what the greatest desire is for those images, some want a reflection of their wedding day theme- so we create an elaborate set for the shoot, others want to have their makeup done with my Signature Style, then those who want very natural interactive moments and those who want all out glamor.

Here is are some images from a 2 day session we recently conducted. The beautiful bride wanted to get her hair and makeup done from me and get some Mughal inspired portraits done with her groom for a Mehndi, Wedding and Valima Reception look- some 3 years after her actual events :D

Re-living the Grandeur of Hyderabad Deccan!

Jan 1st 2010- Worked on the first wedding of the new year on a lovely Hyderabadi Wedding. Not only was this wedding spectacular in its setting (Renaissance at the Arboretum in Austin), the wedding decor was done by Saffron Affairs and the outstanding mehndi by Anju Garg www.mehnditime.com.

My bride, needless to say, exquisite in real life and a darling in her personality carried on the tradition of Hyderabad by wearing a heavily embroidered Red Kharra Dupatta Outfit. Kundan and Emerald laden jewelry passed down as heirloom pieces coupled with an elaborate up do; boldly elegant makeup created an awe inspiring look reminiscent of the Nawab Culture of the yesteryear.

All makeup& brushes by MAC-

Prep n Prime

Foundation Studio Tech

Mineralize Face Powder

Eyes- Basic Red Pigment, Melon Pigment, Maroon Pigment, amber lights e/s, gorgeous gold e/s, engraved e/l, black track fluid line. Lashes (custom created to match the eye shape)

Lips- Mahogany l/p, Dubonnet l/s

Cheeks- Revenge, Honor

Contouring- Sculpt, Shadester

All Hair Products & irons by TIGI-

Vivacious hairspray, shiny happy people shine mist.

The Christmas Miracle

The Holiday season 2009 brought about the opportunity to work at an exquisite destination, a unique wedding, the biggest challenge of my career and my christmas miracle!

St Kitts was the destination for my week long wedding event- 4 events, 4 looks, beach side wedding events and oh yes... lost luggage!

My bags were lost by the airlines and i was sans clothing, sans products and sans all my tools for 4 days- The airlines had no clue where my bags were, the Island had very limited resources, the products available were all for the natives with rich cinnamon skin, my bride was creamy hued! Needless to say this was the most challenging time of my career and resorting to techniques i would never have reverted to other wise (borrowing makeup) I still made it work :) My bride was a darling and kept her faith in me at every moment- thank you for that my dear! My luggage and all the products finally arrived at the evening of Christmas and after my umpteenth trip to the airport and a mad dash back to the resort i was able to service my bride with my own tools!!!

Here are the 4 looks from the Duaa Ceremony (pre-wedding prayer), Nikah (wedding), Reception and Valimah (post wedding reception from the groom's family)