Category Archives: Press

Documentary style photography and images released to the press

Sugar Flower Cake Shop

Q: What’s better than a cake tasting party? A: A cake tasting party at Amy DeGiulio’s Sugar Flower Cake Shop, now in it’s new trendy location in New York’s Fashion District. Amy’s simple business mantra goes like this: “A custom cake ought to taste every bit as delectable as it looks. It ought to abound with freshness—capturing the ripe promise of luck, life, and love.”

best cake nyc

Last Sunday’s sweets selection included:
Studded carrot, topped with cinnamon chai buttercream
Fresh-from-the-ground pumpkin, slathered with maple mousseline, or buttercream touched with NYC rooftop honey
“Mojito” cupcakes—tingling with uprooted peppermint, and tangy lime
Dark red velvet, sweetened with red beet and poured to the brim with mascarpone cream cheese icing
Rich chocolate cake, filled with sea salted caramel buttercream, topped with deep chocolate cream

party cake NY

As you can see these cakes are simply works of art, delightfully photogenic, and do actually taste as good as they look. “They’re crowned with sugar flowers so real that you can see every poppy crinkle. Every velvet rose petal. Every feathery peony. Every vein of an orchid. Even tiny specks of “pollen”!”

wedding cake ny

These tasting are strictly invite-only weekly affairs. For more information and to schedule your private tasting or sweets consultation visit sugarflowercakeshop.com

More wedding photography samples and wedding cinematography collection from our famous destination weddings, and our local photo studios in New York, Miami and Montreal at http://LuxPhotos.com

Lux Tips: Wedding Photography and Makeup

As a wedding photographer I always have to make sure that my clients trust me. This trust allows me to take some stress off the bride, make her feel comfortable around me and be natural in front of my camera. I however noticed, that once this level is reached, I stop being just a photographer and become a friend, which puts an additional responsibility on me. A lot of the times I find myself bewildered by the things my brides entrust to me and feel completely incompetent to give an opinion. Hair, makeup, dresses, veils are brought in front of me for evaluation. I love you my dear ladies for this precious gift of trust!

To be better prepared for the upcoming weddings and most importantly to be a better friend to my brides, I am starting the series of posts about all the questions I did not have an answer to. The first topic is:


Ask Your Photographer About Makeup


Arbonne makeup

Steadily moving towards my fast-approaching big 30 I never spent time learning about makeup and skincare products. “One should never go to bed with makeup on” is the only rule I knew about healthy skin treatment and the rule I managed to neglect systematically. There was absolutely nobody to put me to shame until I met Arlene Walter, an advocate of healthy living, speaker and skincare consultant working for Arbonne, a Swiss-technology-based line of organic makeup.

Arlene together with Kathleen Donneys (bridal makeup specialist) came to our Miami studio for a photoshoot, which turned out to be quite educational for me. Impressed by everything I learned, I thought it would be great to share some tips with other women, and especially the brides who simply have to look good for their big day.

This is what I learned:

1. Once again, you cannot go to bed with your makeup on, if you want to have healthy skin. This is what any beautician would tell you. If you ask me, there is always a way to go around this. Organic foundations are lighter and contain no fats, toxins or chemicals. The primer we used for the photoshoot protects the skin and the foundation allows your skin to breathe and nourishes it at the same time. Obviously I had to test the product before blogging about it and went to bed with my makeup on. Not only the foundation stayed flawless throughout the night, it made my skin very smooth in the morning after I washed it off. Those of you who saw me at the Soho Beach House last Sunday know this: I intentionally slept with my foundation on the night before!

2. Healthy skin comes from healthy habits. To look good on your wedding day, start preparing in advance. As a photographer I say: be habitually healthy at least for five days before your wedding day, this should do it.

3. “Good” is not always expensive. Brand makeup contains high levels of chemicals to insure longer product shelf-life. Arbonne is Vegan-certified, which means it only contains natural ingredients and it hasn’t been tested on rabbits. (I would actually love to know how does one go about testing lipsticks and blushes on rabbits – they are just too fluffy!)

Lux presents Arbonne makeup

Overall I find Arbonne makeup to be perfect for the wedding day. It allows you to create a truly natural and pure look that goes so well with the symbolism of the white dress and at the same time leaves your skin smooth and nourished after you take it off.

I am not here today to make you throw your Chanel down the drain, I am simply sharing what I learned from my friend Arlene, who at her fifties has the most amazing smooth and healthy looking skin – the results that could not be attained over one night.

For you I have a wonderful surprise. You get a chance to win Arbonne eye shadow we used on our model during the photoshoot. Just leave a comment saying why you want to win, what else you would like to know about the makeup, or any interesting though that pumped into your mind after reading the post. (Don’t forget to mention which one of the three colors you like: Snow, Petal or Lilac) I will select the most interesting comment and send the prize to the lucky winner.

Lux for Arbonne
More wedding photography samples and wedding cinematography collection from our famous destination weddings, and our local photo studios in New York, Miami and Montreal at http://LuxPhotos.com

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions that brides ask Lux all the time, so we decided to take a minute and put together a quick go-to guide, the frequently asked questions about our wedding photo and video coverage:

Q: Can I get a consultation?

A: Absolutely! A free personal photography consultation is the best way to learn about our unique approach to wedding photography and to view our extensive portfolio. Please call us at (888) 428-2040 or complete an appointment form on our Contact page, and we’ll be in touch within one business day.

Q: How would you describe your style of photography?

A: We use a natural, photo-journalistic shooting style that does not leave anything out. We document your story as it unfolds, capturing all the precious moments: quiet times, stunning details, unique personalities. We don’t run the show, we just shoot it. We don’t call the shots, we just capture them. You won’t ever find us harassing your guests to pose for cliché table shots or standard “say cheese!” photographs. We capture the moments rather than the poses.

Espace wedding detail

We get the classic favorites in a cool way. We even make “formal” family portraits fun. That means no stiff necks or fake smiles to look at in your living room for years to come. We are different. We might have you chasing taxicabs in your formalwear, or splashing puddles in Central Park to get that great shot that gets people talking. No matter what the story is, the results are utterly fresh, smart and fabulous.

Q: What happens after the wedding?

A: By the time you say “jeez Honey, our honeymoon sure went by fast!” your hardcover photo proof book will be waiting for you in your mailbox. Once you’ve chosen your favorite photos and sent in your personalized order form, our team of photo editors and book designers will start creating your albums. Throughout this process you will be in touch with our in-house album designer who will customize each wedding album to your specific needs. These exquisite albums will contain all the important details of your wedding story. You make the stories and we simply record and present them in a meaningful and elegant way. We promise to take care of you every step of the way – from the first moment you meet with us to discuss your wedding to the moment we apply the finial touches on your handcrafted albums.

Iris and Candice

Q: Can you digitally retouch my photos?

A: Sure thing! We want you to be thrilled with every part of your story – that’s why we offer digital retouching as an integral part of our photography services. Our professional photo-editors focus on making sure nothing distracts you from the magic. Whether it’s helping you look your best or creating a style for your photos that’s as unique as you are, we’re always working to create wedding photos you love.

All retouching is done to clone copies of your photographs, so the original files will always remain untouched. Once the retouching work is complete, you can have as many prints as you want, and your digital negatives will include copies of both the original and retouched photos.

Q: Can I have a color photo printed in black and white?

A: Yes – any color photograph can be printed in black and white. Our album designers have a great eye and can help suggest which pictures look better in black and white. Ultimately, you have total control over the printing style of your wedding photos.

Q: How many photographs will I have at the end of the wedding?

A: We normally guarantee a minimum of 500+ images from your wedding day that will be presented to you in their original format on a disk.

Q: Do I get to keep my negatives?

A: Yes! We shoot everything in high-quality, professional digital format. Along with your proofs, all of our packages include a CD of the original high-resolution digital negatives of your photos.

Joe and Candice shoot

Q: Do you do bridal and engagement portraits?

A: Yes. Along with our famous event coverage we offer bridal and engagement portrait sessions, whether casual or in-studio, as well as engagement party and rehearsal dinner coverage. These sessions are included as part of some of our packages, or they can be purchased as separate options.

Q: What are your rates?
A: Our photographic coverage starts at $4900 and includes a full day coverage by our lead photographer.

Q: How does booking and payment work?

A: A deposit of half of the coverage fee, paid by check, credit card or cash, is required to hold your event date. The balance of the coverage fee is due one week prior to the day of the event. You can contact us anytime with any questions, requests, or concerns.

Q: Do you offer video coverage?

A: Yes! We are proud to employ a very impressive roaster of professionally trained directors of photography, video editors, and special effects whiz kids. Our video works have won numerous industry awards – we do it professionally – not your average weekend warriors. We offer a full array of event video coverage, ranging from single camera SD-format to multiple-camera High-Definition format to DSLR cameras, with special lights, hidden mikes, digital effects and a few other professional tricks up our sleeves. Our video coverage starts at $3900.

Q: What is included in the Basic Photography package?

A: We are known to be an extremely generous wedding photography studio – our clients get a lot for their buck. Usually, you get what you pay for – as the saying goes. With us, however, you get what you pay for, and more. A lot more. Our Core Coverage includes 8 hours of photographic coverage in as many locations as you like. We deliver original high-resolution digital negatives on a disk. You and your friends and family will also benefit from our secure online gallery, as well as from our custom album design creation by qualified designers.

Manhattan rooftop wedding

Q: Why hire a professional photographer?

A: When you think about the cost of hiring a professional photographer, remember that this cost not only covers the event coverage but also all of the time we will be spending on individual portraits of you, your parents, extended family and yours friends. Your wedding day will be one of the most important days of your life, make sure you choose a team of photographers who can handle all that your special day has to offer! A professional photographer will be timely – arriving at your wedding promptly, and getting the results to you quickly. The right equipment for capturing all the magic plays an important role as well. Having attended many events, an experienced photographer is comfortable around your guests and knows exactly what to do and where to go. And a professional is used to working with individuals, couples, and groups alike – our photographers are people-friendly.

Q: How do we arrange for a consultation with you to view your work in person and to discuss our specific wedding needs, and what is covered during a consultation?

A: We offer a no-obligation, personal consultation for each couple who is considering us for their wedding photography. Please call and we will arrange a meeting at a time and place of your convenience. During the consultation, you will be able to view samples of our work, including several assembled wedding albums showing start-to-end coverage of weddings we have previously photographed, proof book samples, and a sample of our web gallery. We will spend some time discussing your specific wedding plans, after which you should be able to tell whether or not what we at Lux have to offer is what you are indeed looking for. We will go over our price list and packaging options, answering any questions you might have about choosing the right package for your specific needs.

We realize that most couples wish to consult with more than one wedding photographer before making their final decision. We are confident that if you are pleased with our work, our prices, and our personalities, you will give us a strong consideration in your final decision.

Our New York studio is in SoHo on Broadway and Grand. 446 Broadway, 3rd Floor
To schedule you consultation today please call 888 428 2040 or email info@luxphotos.com

PS: the images in this post are from a wonderful multi-traditional wedding of Candice and Joseph that we photographed in the summer of ’10 at Espace in New York. The event was meticulously organized by Iris Rafaeli, the owner of all-inclusive event planning company Maison Lublu. Her company specializes in event and wedding planning, as well as interior design and home staging. We also shot the video that can be seen here: http://luxphotostudios.com/2010/12/candice-joseph-wedding-at-espace/

More wedding photography samples and wedding cinematography collection from our famous destination weddings, and our local photo studios in New York, Miami and Montreal at http://LuxPhotos.com

Brides Choice Award

I guess the congratulations are in order. Lux Photo Studios is proud to announce that we won the Bride’s Choice Awards 2011 (again!) from WeddingWire and Martha Stewart’s Weddings! This means we are in the top 5 percent of Wedding Pros nationwide. I know I know.. it’s not very modest to speak of your own success but, considering how many clients reviews we received through the Wedding Wire and through Martha Stewart Weddings, we figured that we will let our clients speak of their experiences with Lux. To see some more detailed reviews and well-deserved praise see a special page on our website: http://luxphotos.com/praise/

While we are on the subject of wedding awards and all sorts of photography related accolades here is another wedding planning website called MomentVille.com who thinks that we are hot. This is what they awarded us: “Lux Photo Studios is Named to the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List“.

More wedding photography samples and wedding cinematography collection from our famous destination weddings, and our local photo studios in New York, Miami and Montreal at http://LuxPhotos.com

Bridal Fitness in New York

We are happy to announce the start of collaboration of Lux Photo Studios with Melissa “Missy” Groeger, an athlete, a personal trainer, and an expert in all things fitness related. Missy has been helping New York brides to feel and look better for their big day and beyond. Missy is sought after not only for her expertise in fitness, but for her realistic approach to the business of getting in shape, and the personal relationships she develops with clients.

NY Fitness Coach

From an expert advice on nutrition, to creating custom exercise programs, Missy will make great use of boxing, plyometrics, yoga, weights and bands to get you in shape in no time. See her website missygroeger.com and make your appointment today.

On a personal note, Missy has been getting Lux team in shape as well – you think it’s easy to schlep around the world with all our photo and video gear?

More wedding photography samples and wedding cinematography collection from our famous destination weddings, and our local photo studios in New York, Miami and Montreal at http://LuxPhotos.com

Cupcakes

Loads of deliciousness from the Wedding Salon bridal trade show that took place on November 15th at Manhattan Center in New York. Tons of talented vendors, hundreds of hopeful brides, great musical performance, and most importantly… cupcakes!

Wedding Salon Cupcakes

Another one of our favorites were the Venetian Masks from Villa Foscarini Cornaro, which is by the way a great destination wedding venue or a honeymoon spot.

The show was a success, as usual, and our thanks go to Tatiana Byron-Marx and her fab 4PM team, who masterminded and produced another great spectacle. To see other upcoming wedding events from the 4PM crew follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/WeddingSalon and if you’re planning your wedding make sure to consult Tat’s Tips, a sea of wedding and event planning-related information and advices.

More wedding photography samples and wedding cinematography collection from our famous destination weddings, and our local photo studios in New York, Miami and Montreal at http://LuxPhotos.com

Why hire a Pro Photographer?

Lux Professional Photographers

At your wedding you would expect a professional chef to cook your meal, a trained musician to entertain you, and a competent baker to create you your wedding cake. Photographers too must be professional, and have years of experience in shooting events, Bat-Mitzvahs, quinces, confirmations, anniversaries, corporate parties, and most importantly weddings. The reason for this is because photographing weddings is hard, and takes years to perfect. From choosing the rights angles to following the natural flow of the event, from staying out of the way to getting the “must” shots done, from dealing with stressed out clients to dealing with malfunctioning equipment, and much more. It is a tough job, but we truly love it. There is nothing else we would rather do.

A professional photographer must have if not hundreds then at least dozens of weddings that he or she shot as a lead photographer, a handful of references, and a personality and the vision that agrees with you. In addition to that a true pro will have all the right photo and video equipment with just-in-case backups, and procedures in place that will properly record, transmit and safeguard your photographs. It pays to go with an accomplished photographer and know that you are in the hands of a professional.

As long as we all agree that having a skilled photographer or/and videographer at your wedding is as important of a decision as picking the perfect wedding dress or selecting the right menu, let us talk about money. You are paying not only for the hours that the photographer spends shooting the wedding, but mostly for many many hours the photographer spends editing the pictures after the event. “Cheap” and “budget” wedding photographers will not spend the amount of hours needed to make the photographs look their best. Good photographers will – their reputation is at stake with every single wedding. We have to defend our medium-to-high prices.

Let us help you determine the right amount of coverage hours, most optimal combination of photographers, videographers, travels involved and many other factors that will help you plan your budget and save you some headache. Talk to us today about your event.

More wedding photography samples and wedding cinematography collection from our famous destination weddings, and our local photo studios in New York, Miami and Montreal at http://LuxPhotos.com