Ektoras
Almost unique in having a marble Iconostasis, the wall of icons separating the nave from the sanctuary, the church of Agios Omologites was the stunning location for Ektoras’ baptism. Located in my ‘hood', I could have walked here from my home, if it wasn’t for the 30kg of equipment I ferry around to each event!
Working in such a small island as Cyprus one expects to bump into the odd friend or client at a weekend event; today was a veritable reunion of past wedding and baptism clients, friends and acquaintances. Such an enjoyable, sociable day was spent in typically pleasant spring sunshine, it almost didn’t feel like work at all! Thank you for allowing me into your celebration, it was an absolute pleasure!
Panayiota
One of the smallest churches I have had the pleasure of working in is Agios Georgios in the Athalassa National Park outside Nicosia. With such a tight space and a videographer to duck and avoid it is a church that really tests one’s creative composition skills, not to mention one’s knee and back flexibility!
Natural light plays a big part in this location and the resulting images are always a stunning combination of contrast and colour. Our evening location, Patio Wine Bar in Nicosia, rounded off a beautiful celebration for Panayiota. Enjoy the images, a more vibrant and colourful celebration I have not photographed all year!
Constantinos
Travelling out of Nicosia to new venues is always a refreshing change to the city churches that we all know so well. Panayia Odigitrias in Pera Orinis was our venue, a picturesque country church built from local stone and superbly decorated with fine Orthodox frescoes. Like many, this is a dark church, allowing my signature style of deep contrasty images to shine. I love working in churches like this!
Michaelia
I've travelled to this beautiful church on two previous occasions, each time for the very same family. On this occasion we were at Apostolos Thoma to celebrate the baptism of my previous subjects cousin, Michaelia.
Such a beautiful little church set in gorgeous countryside setting, Apostolos Thoma almost feels like home. With it being summer the doors and windows are wide open, creating pools of natural light, perfect for portraits and vignettes of close family and friends. It's always a pleasure seeing you folks; thanks for keeping me in the family!
Evridiki & Polis
The base for this beautiful wedding was the Four Seasonís hotel in Limassol. Opulent in its decor and renowned for its hospitality, I had been in particular anticipation of this day ever since Evridiki and Polis did me the pleasure of choosing me to record it.
September is the perfect month in which to marry in Cyprus. Blue skies and warm (rather than blistering!) evenings. Evridiki & Polis celebrated with family and friends in their suites before breezing off to Agios Profitis Iliou church close by to celebrate their nuptials. Later, guests were treated to cocktails by the pool as Jazz pervaded the cool autumn air around a beautifully decorated pool at the Four seasons. Having whisked our couple off for some atmospheric portraits we returned to an opulent celebration in the hotels ballroom. I'm told the party went on until 5am, here are some of our favourite memories of that day. Thanks Evridiki and Polis, I hope you are enjoying your new life in Singapore!
Nicole & Alexandros
Set in the gorgeous environs of Ayii Anargyri health resort and spa in the Pafos region of the island, Nicole and Alexandros' wedding was a much-anticipated event. Nicole had been a bridesmaid at a previous wedding I had shot for Vivian and Akis, mentioned earlier in this blog series. I was naturally honoured to have been chosen based on previous work and excited to be reuniting once again with old friends and new.
Guests had flown in from all corners of the globe, many of them experiencing for the first time the legendary hospitality of both the Greek and Italian cultures. It was a legendary party in a sublime Mediterranean setting. Thank you both for choosing me to be your photographer!
Tina & Antonis
I have had the honour of photographing a combined wedding and baptism on only one occasion before Tina and Antonis' beautiful celebration. Two years previously when Tina first visited the studio, the 'double' hadn't been her goal but nature takes its course and one postponed wedding and two years later we found ourselves in the gigantic Agia Sophia church doing just that!
So with not two but three focuses of attention we had a marvelous day and the family gatherings took on a whole new atmosphere. The cocktail and party, set in the grounds of the parents of the Bride's country home was nothing short of spectacular. Groom in the swimming pool? On a hot Cyprus evening I had wished it was me! Congratulations to all three of you, it was an honour and a pleasure!
Loucas & Nora
Keeping it in the family is always a great privilege and having photographed Loucas' sister's wedding the previous year it was marvelous to be reunited once again with old friends and make acquaintances with new. Loucas and Nora flew in from South Africa for their big day along with friends and family from all corners of the globe.
Our happy couple married in Agios Georgios in Latsia and celebrated in much style in the fabulous Hilton Park Hotel in Nicosia. In true South African and Cypriot style the party really kicked off superbly with a live band followed by, of course, the pre-requisite Greek dancing and raucous dance floor action! Here are a few of my favourite images. Thanks guys, it was a pleasure being your photographer!
George & Marileni
George and Marileni were married in the historic Agios Ioannis church in Nicosia. It's a church I love and know well having been married there myself and having had my two children baptised there also. Their and my priest, Father Dimitris, is a beaming, devout and overly welcome figure who cheers my soul whenever we meet to do business!
Our couple's wedding was a quiet personal and stylish winter affair. Out with the raucous traditional musical celebrations and in with the intimate close family time. Perfect for taking portraits and an enjoyable change to the typical wedding scenario normally braved on a hot Cypriot weekend. Here are a few of my favourite stories from that lovely day.
