elizabeth solaka, photographer

emile learned how to use photo booth

happy new year to all

Wishing all of my readers/friends/loved ones all beautiful things in 2009.

-Elizabeth

 

birthday

It's my birthday and I've moved house and studio. Many of my photographs, hundreds, were lost in the move. A swivel chair too but that doesn't matter. Hopefully the photos will turn up at some point.

My paintings are still in the old place, among other things I need to deal with. I was thinking that I wouldn't have the space for paintings here. I'm so glad I didn't destroy them as I'd considered doing. I already miss them.

tree lighting

Today I photographed a 'building lighting' in the North end of Central Park.  I arrived feeling all wound up, stressed and tired. After hot chocolate, pine cone bird ornament making, cookie decorating, a capella R&B carols, hand knitted hats galore, and adorable people everywhere, all my stress dissipated and I was able to finally, truly get into the holiday spirit.

Merry Christmas, Everybody! Pictures to be posted shortly.

a lovely brooklyn wedding

This wedding was particularly lovely because of the foliage, but especially because of the people.

My photo partner Carl Sison was responsible for the bulk of the gorgeous images in this album.

Here are a couple of my favorite Carl originals....

 

pause, take a breath, give thanks

Wishing all of you safe travels and a happy Thanksgiving.

this girl must be 16 by now

One of my favorite wedding photos.

moving

SOLAKA Photography has moved its studio and gallery to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Call for an appointment. (917) 609-5590

introducing.....

Video artist Nancy Stevens. (Click on her name to see her reel. And don't miss her piece on blind dancers.)

I'm so excited that we'll be working together!!!

After looking at dozens upon dozens of run of the mill, standard wedding videos, I finally found her.
What I love most about Nancy's work is:

1. Simplicity of style, no fancy effects that blur the reality of the wedding day.
2. Attention to detail and meticulous editing. So many little clips, edited so that they smoothly fit together, add up to a perfect memory of the day.
3. Most of all, the emotion. Without a doubt the most important aspect of the wedding day. The videographer and photographer must be able to document the emotion.

EXTENDED BIO

Nancy has been bringing her unique storytelling eye to wedding videos for the past six years. She shoots with broadcast-quality equipment (your choice of standard or HD) and edits in her own professional editing studio. 

She is a masterful observer of small details and adept at bringing out distinct
personalities. Her videos are infused with real emotion without being soppy and always keep a sense of humor.  Her super-sensitive equipment means no big camera lights shining in people's eyes.

When Nancy is not shooting events, she makes movies.
Her documentary film, We Also Dance (2008) is currently running on PBS stations across the country. It's a fascinating film about blind and vision-impaired people who dance.  Other films include the independent half-hour documentary, I'm Taking Tango Lessons, (2002) an insider's look at the Argentine Tango subculture in New York City and the ordinary New Yorkers who work by day and at night become tango vampires - addicted to this sexy, impossible dance.  It played on PBS stations in New York City for three years. In 2004 she made an O. Henryesque narrative short film, A Marriage, a selection at festivals on both coasts. She has created films for, among others, Boston Ballet, Anti-Defamation League, The Argentine Tango Society and corporate giants like Seagram's and Hallmark.   Previously, Nancy was a dancer, joining the Martha Graham Company at age seventeen. Later, she became a copywriter and then Senior V.P., Creative Director at the worldwide advertising agency Dancer Fitzgerald Sample. She has won virtually every industry award -- Clio, Andy, Effie.  Nancy has taught writing at New York's prestigious School of Visual Arts. Her stories and essays have appeared several times in The New York Times and in New York Magazine. 

I hope to work often with Nancy, at weddings and for other commercial work. I feel like I should be opening a bottle of champagne or something, but it's only 2 in the afternoon...

some of you may have noticed

... that I'm scheming. 

rave review

This is the best testimonial I've received in a long time.... a family portrait.

"We love the pictures, especially the ones that have captured the true disorganization of our household.  Thank you so much.

Now the hard part, which ones to choose?"

Elizabeth Solaka, Capturer of Household Disorganization.

new wedding

keep it meaningful

Give the most meaningful, lasting, beautiful gift for Christmas or Hannukah.

Family portraits, of course.

This way, you get virtually all of your shopping out of the way, and at the same time, give yourself an invaluable gift that will last a lifetime. Your images will be ready to wrap.

You know me. I work mainly in plains, or parks with lots of trees. I use the best cameras, best film, best labs, best paper. I work in color and find the most beautiful emotion, color and light. I even offer old school black and white gems.  Each image is a work of art.

This season, (before 11/24) I am offering photo portraits at a very special price.

For $525, you get:

a portrait sitting
photo retouching if necessary
the complete cd of all files for web sharing
3 archivally framed 11x14 museum quality images
10- 5x7 prints

This is a $450 savings.

The other benefit to this: I will photograph the kids alone, together, with parents. Bring the grandparents and extended family if you wish.
I don't put a limit on the number of family members or combinations.

Need a new head shot? Online dating portrait? These rates apply. Deadline extends to Dec. 17 for these less time sensitive projects.

Refer a friend? You receive $50 off your portrait package.

There's no season like autumn. Get your shopping out of the way! I'll do the work for you.

SOLAKA PHOTOGRAPHY
http://www.solakaphotography.com
http://www.elizabethsolaka.com
(917) 609-5590

career change

I want to be the new puppy.

new photos!

Thank you Hala, Anthony, Lori, Kim, Isabel, Bruce, Bruce's assistant, Natalie, Walker, and the Jersey Shore.

    

prospect park

Central Park isn't the only place where I photograph outdoor weddings.

Yesterday I had the honor of documenting a gorgeous wedding under a bright yellow tree at the Picnic House in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. The beautiful bride was wearing an off white raw silk dress with a lovely green under layer.

Later in the evening, I overheard the groom joke around on the dance floor. If I had known how fun it would be, I would have gotten married long ago!

I worked with Carl. He covers it all in digital, using alternative lighting techniques which make everything sparkle.

I used my vintage cameras, including the new to me Hasselblad Superwide.

The couple, the family and friends were all a joy to work with. Not one curmudgeon in the bunch.

Photos coming soon.

All this picture taking in a short period coupled with editing on the computer sent me right to the gym today, to run, do yoga and steam. It took about 2 hours to be rid of all the things that were causing me pain. I think I got most of them.

Right now I'm working on a painting project. Details coming soon.

My iPhone has been lost or stolen and I'm trying not to pout about that. There's so much to be happy about.

Six shoots in the last week or so:

1. An opening reception at St. Ann's Warehouse.
2. A headshot of a male actor.
3. A headshot of a female actor.
4. A family portrait.
5. A Halloween event at the Belvedere Castle at Central Park.
6. A fashion shoot at the beach down the Jersey Shore.

weird al

I don't know about you, but I'm suffering election fatigue. Last night I photographed a reception. As the photographer, I hear what the people are saying as they sip their cocktails.

Everyone was talking about politics.

I can't tell you how many emails I get with links to YouTube videos of this candidate or that pundit.

I'm here to provide you with some relief.

My friend J started it, with an email this morning with a link to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw&feature=related

(Embedding disabled.)

This Weird Al video got over 37 million views, and for good reason.
The nerdy among us will relate especially well.

I for one, am a fan of nerds.

When J sent the video, I responded to her:

I love this video. I photographed him for his White and Nerdy Tour and watched the show with his wife and kid. I love Weird Al.

She replied,

I never knew you had such high-class connections! First Tiny Tim, now Weird Al.

The first photo posted below is one I took, evidently, from onstage. As soon as I took the photograph, a stage crew guy screamed at me from the top of his lungs. Get OFF the (bleeping) stage!!! I got off, and thought he was just being a party pooper. I later learned that he was concerned for my safety; as soon as I ran off the stage, dozens of explosions of streamers and confetti and things were set off from right where I was standing.

i retired my old logo

A lot of you think it's better than my new one. A very talented artist, Monica Teran, designed it. But we must move on.

Here's the wedding site with the new logo, designed by myself and prettied up by Betsy Bell. I'm polishing and shining the site just in time for next year's season.