We’ve moved over to a brand new blog: www.binitapatelblog.com!!

A sincere thanks to all of you who have been loyal followers here.  Your continued support leaves me speechless and inspired to bigger, better things. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be migrating some of the old content over to the new blog to make for a more seamless archive of posts. But definitely go ahead and update your Google Reader, RSS notification, etc to the new blog link: www.binitapatelblog.com.  See you on the other side!!

Instigator!  There’s one in every relationship.  You know, the person who likes to poke, push, nudge.  I’m going to go ahead and say that in my marriage, it’s probably ME.  Better to admit it than defend it I say.  But with Sylvia & Wai, it’s hard to tell who plays the part better.  I think it’s what I love about these two.  They don’t seem to take anything too seriously, they manage to keep each other laughing, and they’re definitely having fun along the way.  Thanks Sylvia & Wai for letting me a part of the fun and instigation.  What a way to spend an afternoon.  Happy Friday!

They make the cutest pair… Like 2 peas in a pod.  Deepti & Anand are one of those couples that make you want to dance, live and smile.  They have a zest for life that’s almost infectious!!  The two married at the gorgeous InterContinental Boston, in a traditional South Indian ceremony.  I love these ceremonies – they’re so… well… zestful!

These kicks add some serious style & height.  Love the shoes!!

Bridal Beauty by Anju was on the scene to get Deepti ready from head-to-toe; and Christy Lavallee for makeup.

It takes an army to get an Indian bride ready!  But it’s all well worth it.

This photo melts my heart… Deepti’s father had such a huge smile on his face the entire day!

The first look!  The expression on Anand’s face is priceless.

The outdoor patio by the waterfront.

It was a bright and sunny day as Deepti & Anand made their way in and around the hotel for photos.

I think this is one of my favorites from the whole day.  It pretty much sums up how Deepti and Anand are together… quiet, loving and two peas in a pod!

The ceremony began with traditional South Indian music.

Deepti’s uncles and cousins carried her down the isle.  She’s literally in a pod!

As the ceremony began and everyone buzzed around, I just love how Nicole captured this expression on Deepti’s face.

The garland exchange as they bride and groom welcome one another.

Starting the first of their 4 sacred laps as they begin the journey of husband and wife!

Here we go with the rice throwing!!  They should hand out goggles during this part of the ceremony!

She may be petite, but don’t underestimate her folks!  I think she got him back pretty good.

Walking down the isle as husband and wife!

After a quick outfit change, back outside for more photos.

Such soft, beautiful light for these evening photos.

Charlotte Design did a magnificent job with the evening decor.  Everything from the centerpieces to the cake matched perfectly.

A toast to the newlyweds!

I’ll admit it – I love parent dances, especially the mother-son dance.  Mothers always look so proud of their little boys who are now all so grown up.  The look on Anand’s mother’s face sums it up….

No reception is complete until the bride and groom get tossed up in the air.

Deepti & Anand – you guys looked like you had a blast at your wedding.  Congratulations!!!

A huge thanks goes out to Nicole, David & Corinn for shooting this wedding, while I was out at another event.  Love team work!!

We walked through a wide open field together and plucked dandelions, daisies and wild flowers by their stems.  She wildly chased after the yellow ones, mostly because I think she enjoys saying “lellow”.  But the red ones were fun too!  I felt like a kid again!  It was actually kind of great.  Sometimes we’re just moving so fast, trying to go so far and doing so much… that we forget to stop and pluck some dandelions along the way and have a little fun.  I challenge you to take a breather this week, enjoy the 80-degree weather and remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.  Stop. Relax. And pluck some dandelions!  Happy Thursday.

Maybe it was all the sugar from the creme-stuffed-cannolis that filled the air, because these two were definitely on a high during our engagement session in Boston’s North End.  What I just loved about Monique and Theo was their ability to just jump right in front of the camera and start having fun.  I mean the streets were jam-packed with Bruins fans who were all on their way to the final game of the Stanley Cup of Boston vs Vancouver, most of whom stopped to stare at our antics… but that didn’t deter these two from having a great time.  Maybe it’s because as a native Canadian, Monique was fired up for the big game herself!  Their upcoming Canadian wedding sounds like a dream come true.  Best wishes Monique & Theo… and happy Monday!

I’m one of those weird people that has an affinity for programs like Excel and PowerPoint.  Even in school, I loved making pretty charts and graphs in Excel, and prided myself on perfectly-transitioned PowerPoint presentations.  HELLO DORK!!  But now that I think about it, I guess it all really boils down to a passion for “creating”.  A passion for creating something visually appealing and stimulating.  Hmmm… now it all seems to make sense!  So when I discovered Animoto, you can imagine my glee.  Slideshows that make my heart sing!  Yup, that’s Animoto.  I’ve been using Animoto since the inception of my business, and I love them even more today than I did back then.  I know, it sounds like a little Animoto love-fest, but you’ve got to get in on this action.  The AnimotoPro account is licensed for commercial use, and has a HUGE library of legit music to select from.  I create Animoto slideshows for every single one of my clients!  Clients receive their first custom slideshow with the engagement session images, and also receive a grand-finale slideshow after the wedding.  For me, it’s a great way to bring my fun and stylish photos to life, without having to do a ton of leg-work and construction.  The latest Animoto release also makes it possible to churn out a 720p video in under 15 minutes.  Check out one of the latest samples below.  Happy Thursday!

Sarah & Neil Engagement Slideshow from binita patel on Vimeo.

On the morning of their wedding, I couldn’t tell who was more nervous… Josephine or Audly.  It was nearly 10 years in the making.  A relationship that started when they were young teenagers, and had now blossomed into the weddings of their dreams… the beginnings of a marriage that they both had wishes for.  A huge thanks to the lovely ladies at Gracie Lou Events for putting together a beautiful day for Josephine and Audly.

I heart Cymbidium Floral.  Josephine’s bouquet was just stunning.  And I’m always embarrassed because I don’t know my flowers… at all.  Seriously, if it’s more than a rose or a tulip, I’m lost… But those dark pink ones in there are gorgeous!!

It’s always so beautiful to see the bride surrounded by her closest girlfriends.  Josephine, that dress fit you like a glove!

It was a bright, hot, sunny day by the water.  Thankfully, there were plenty of umbrellas and fans for the guests.  Again, stop with the cute little details GLE!!

It was blazing sun outside when we took the first set of photos with Josephine and Audly.  But that didn’t stop Josephine from keeping a smile on her face.

A little bubbly to cool you down?  Um, yes please!

You guys make rocks look good!  Seriously.

Don’t underestimate Audly either.  He’s one of the few grooms I know who ISN’T camera shy!

Now time for the party!  Loved the subtle color-pallette for the reception.  And thanks Sue for capturing these details while I was out with J&A.

And this is why you hire a wedding planner ladies… because I would never have thought to mix gold & silver together and make it look good.  But this soo works!!  And how badly do you want to eat that wedding cake?!

The first dance.

The thing I love about Audly is that he’s so quick to smile and laugh.  May you guys smile and laugh together always!

SO here’s the kicker from the day.  Josephine’s best friend didn’t just give any old speech.  She composed her own rap-lyrics to the tune of ‘Ice, Ice Baby’ … all 3 verses!!

Um clearly, they loved it!

Josephine and Audly, congratulations on your big day.  So happy you finally had the wedding of your dreams!  Happy Wednesday!

Hola and happy Friday!!  Is it just me, or has this week been insanely productive?!  I think it’s all the rain and gloominess. It just makes me want to stay inside, and I’ve just been chugging away and making things happen.  And speaking of things happening, I’m in the midst of preparing for something very new and different (well, it’s new and different for me!).  I’ve been invited to speak at next month’s Boston PUG, and honestly my heart is pounding.   I’m extremely honored that Anne Ruthmann of the Boston PUG saw some value in the experience that I’ve had over the past 2 years as wedding photographer.  Like most new photographers, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that I had a passion for photography, and wanted to make it a career that would work for me. Luckily, I had a Finance and Marketing background that I could draw upon to help me in my new venture, a rarity within the creative arts.  I hope to share with others the best-practices that have helped me build a strong, full-time business.  It’s a no-fluff, nuts & bolts conversation where I’ll be talking about REAL STUFF that I’ve learned from my previous life, my MBA, and my experience as a small-business owner.  You can get the full scoop HERE!

And just to tide you over through the weekend, here’s a sneak peek of Josephine & Audly’s wedding.   Can’t wait to share more.  Hope to see you at next month’s PUG and Happy Friday!

Every once in a while, it’s good to pause.  It’s good to pause, take a look around and remember  how lucky you are.  Because no matter how stressed, overwhelmed, busy, crazy you are… you probably have your good health, a home and people who love you.  It’s a bit sappy, but it’s true.

On Monday night, I was fortunate enough to wrap up an engagement session just in time to run over to the Artists for Humanity Epicenter and attend the Boston/NewEngland launch party for Wish Upon A Wedding; “the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances regardless of sexual orientation”.  The room was filled with wedding industry vendors, all gathered to celebrate Joanne and Joe: the  recipients of the very first Boston-based wedding wish.  Joanne is a breast cancer survivor, and currently a stage-4 lung cancer patient.  They have made several attempts to plan a wedding, but with Joanne having been hospitalized nearly 8 times in the past 2 years alone, wedding plans always seemed to take a back seat.   And through all the ups and downs, Joe has been right by Joanne’s side.  The honors couldn’t have been given to a more deserving couple.

Joanna and Joe had just received the news not much before the party itself, and DL Video Productions played the same-day reel of Joanne and Joe’s story and reaction to the news.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.  Seriously… there were packs of tissues being distributed!!  And a huge congratulations to the ladies of Gracie Lou Events for being the lucky team that will be planning Joanne and Joe’s big day!!  I’m sure there are lots more details to come as the event unfolds in the coming months.

If you’re at all interested in being a part of something bigger and better than yourself, I strongly encourage you to sign up to become a wish grantor.  You can also learn more about the Boston/NewEngland chapter here.  And all I have to show from this event is a crummy iPhone photo, but you can definite check out tons more pics from the launch party on the Wish Upon a Wedding Boston & New England Facebook Page.

Pause.  Look Around.  Remember How Lucky You Are.  Happy Thursday!!

I started off this rainy day battling a 2-year old who didn’t want to eat her pancakes.  Well, let me rephrase.  She was willing to eat the pancakes, but only while sitting on the sofa and watching The Disney Channel.  I surrendered!  Some days you just got to give a little to get a little.

Speaking of getting a little…I want to send a heartfelt congratulations to Shivani & Pranav for today’s feature on South Asian Bride Magazine.  You guys deserve it!  You can also see more of this fabulous wedding here and here.  And don’t forget to scroll down to see the complete highlights reel from Shivani & Pranav’s wedding day.

A huge shout out goes to our video team for bringing Shivani & Pranav’s wedding day to life!  Thank you Chris, Adam, Andy & Danielle.  You guys rock my world!  Enjoy and Happy Wednesday.

Shivani & Pranav Highlights Video from binita patel on Vimeo.