Radiant Love: Photographing the Wedding of Ali and Kiana

How beautiful it is when two lovers finally unite.

Today, we had the distinct honor of photographing the wedding day of Ali and Kiana, a true love story and undoubtedly the most joyous day of their lives – a memorable occasion for these two lovebirds.

Ali and Kiana dedicated two whole years to their journey of togetherness, and their eventual union held a profound and unique significance for them. Their wedding day radiated with a special energy.

Our first photograph features the radiant Kiana, holding a stunning bouquet that mirrors her own beauty. She adorns an Arabic veil that gracefully frames her face and a truly exquisite dress complemented by a watch as a delicate accessory on her wrist. Kiana's attire exuded grace and poise, reflecting her resolute yet endearing countenance. A beautiful smile played on her lips, accentuating her large, expressive eyes that were softly gazing towards Ali. The sunlight streamed through the window behind her, casting a gentle chiaroscuro, creating the perfect ambiance for a breathtaking photograph.

Indeed, after securing a captivating subject and an ideal location, natural sunlight emerges as an invaluable asset for any photographer. I took a few steps back to capture a full-length shot, ensuring that every detail of the scene was included. I also consciously aimed to incorporate the inherent symmetry present in the architectural design of the doors and walls into my composition, striving to mirror this balance within the frame of the photograph. I requested my assistant to meticulously arrange Kiana's veil and the flowing train of her wedding gown on the ground, and ultimately, this meticulous attention to detail culminated in the final, beautiful image.

Our subsequent photograph was taken from a slightly more distant perspective, positioned near a window adorned with curtains. Kiana had gently drawn the curtain aside, allowing her to gaze outdoors. She looked resplendent within this natural frame, and from my vantage point, I subtly incorporated the leaves of a potted elephant ear plant into the foreground of the shot, paying close attention to my composition to ensure that Kiana, as the subject, occupied the rule of thirds within the frame. Her head was gently bowed as she looked down at her bouquet – a pose so captivating that I simply couldn't resist capturing it alongside another photograph, wholeheartedly embracing this moment.

From this point onward, we transition to photographs capturing Ali and Kiana finally together, side-by-side, their love palpable in their interactions. I've carefully selected and edited three of the most compelling images from this part of the session, which we can now admire together. In the first of these, Kiana approaches Ali, whose head is bowed as he gazes at his own boutonniere. Following tradition, Ali does not turn around until his bride reaches him, waiting for her gentle touch on his shoulder as a signal. It is at her prompting that he turns and beholds his beautiful bride, resplendent in her wedding makeup and gown. Naturally, this moment is filled with surprise and an overwhelming sense of joy, especially when this reveal is intentionally orchestrated on the wedding day, ensuring that the couple doesn't see each other beforehand in their wedding attire, allowing us to capture his genuine reaction upon seeing his wife in her bridal splendor for the very first time.

The next photograph, taken in the same location by the window, shows Ali standing near the window while Kiana rests her head tenderly on his shoulder. The natural height difference between Kiana and Ali facilitated this pose effortlessly. Had their heights been more similar or if the bride had been shorter than ideal, it might have presented certain challenges in achieving this particular shot. However, ultimately, the photograph was successfully captured. I then asked them to step slightly away from the door, as it was the perfect moment to capture a portrait – a truly beautiful shot with them looking directly into each other's eyes. Our primary light source was positioned directly behind them, illuminating both of their faces. I stood facing them, directly opposite the light, but thanks to a secondary light source on my side, the photograph wasn't backlit, which was our preference given the slightly busy background.

They truly shared a pure and beautiful love. As a female photographer, I find immense joy in photographing couples, and there is perhaps nothing more rewarding than seeing them return years later with their children, scheduling photography sessions for other significant milestones such as birthdays and their children's first tooth celebrations. Have a wonderful day.