Posts in wedding photography

Happy Holidays and End of year message from Elizabeth

Holiday Wedding Love

I wanted to share some holiday wedding pictures from snowy rural places, because winter is my vibe. I was born in December, and I’m a winter all the way. Give me a winter wedding any day. There’s something so lovely about winter light and the festive atmosphere of holiday weddings. And something kind of wild about going out in the snow and getting your picture taken. Snow changes the atmosphere in a magical way and cold adds a strange level of excitement, like a polar plunge.

The New Year’s Eve wedding has no snow, but make no mistake, it was the coldest. I want to say is was in the low teens. In all of these outdoor pictures, I could not feel my fingers. I had to desaturate the couples’ red faces. The brides had bare arms. But they were all troopers. The last-but-not-least wedding was so magical. It was at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts.

I also wanted to let all of you know how much you mean to me. I know that many of you are going through a lot, and I want you to know I care, and support you all.

Email Elizabeth and Say Hi

I hope this season gives you comfort, family, and lots of love and good food, and that 2026 brings you an abundance of blessings, more than you can imagine. Thank you all for entrusting me to take your pictures and to be in your life. I always love to hear from you.

wedding photography, nyc photographer, nyc wedding photographer, holiday family portraits, headshots, Destination wedding nycElizabeth SolakaDecember 22, 2025Elizabeth Solaka Photographynyc wedding photographer, New York event photographerComment

NYC City Hall Wedding Photographer: Intimate New York Elopement Photography

A New York City Hall Wedding

Documentary-Style Elopement Photography

Many of you know weddings have been my staple work for the past two decades. Wedding trends evolve constantly, but intimate ceremonies remain timeless — especially City Hall weddings in New York City. These celebrations focus on authenticity, connection, and the energy of the city itself.

The architecture around Worth Street alone creates a cinematic New York backdrop — iconic, energetic, and unmistakably urban. For couples planning an NYC elopement, documentary coverage ensures the day feels natural while still capturing timeless portraits.

Why Couples Choose City Hall Weddings in NYC

There are many reasons people choose New York for engagement sessions and small weddings. First, many people at some point in their lives lived in New York, and many couples met here. The backdrop of NYC is so beautiful to begin with but add nostalgia to it and it becomes the obvious choice. For people who live her, it’s the perfect place to invite families and friends. It’s a destination hub and, well, it’s New York.

Also, people want to keep things simple. I personally am a huge fan of giant weddings, but there’s also something wonderful about an intimate New York City Hall Wedding. Whether you stay living in New York or not, what an amazing memory of getting married in such a magnificent city, and then wandering around there for a photoshoot, or heading over to your favorite New York spots. before settling in with family and friends at an amazing restaurant.

Post-Ceremony Portrait Locations in Manhattan

People, especially from out of town, think that the post-ceremony photo session has to be at the most iconic spots, like the Brooklyn Bridge, etc. But New York is so cool, it’s intrinsically iconic, even if you’re on a generic street. Almost everyone recognizes that you are here in NYC. That’s what I love most about my job. The tapestry is endless. Conclusion, pick any NYC location for your photo session. You simply cannot go wrong.

This couple did a re-enactment of the groom’s parents, right on Broadway drinking Coke in a bottle. They also went to Madison Square Park for some memories of their proposal and stunning posed pictures. The light in the park is exquisite, as it bounces off of all of the bright buildings that surround the park. It’s also one of my favorite places to take outdoor professional headshots.

I love the no-fuss, authentic, exuberant energy of City Hall weddings. To be honest, I too eloped (in Provincetown) and know how very special it is to keep it simple. There’s nothing simple in New York though. The buildings are breathtaking, especially 141 Worth Street, the doors and entryway make an over-the-top New York experience. New York never fails to be magnificent, the architecture and energy is just too beautiful to ever let that happen.

reach out

wedding photography, City Hall Wedding NYC, weddingsElizabeth SolakaNovember 28, 2025Elizabeth Solaka Photographynyc wedding photographer, city hall wedding nyc, new york, New York event photographer, New York City hall wedding, city hall wedding NYC, NYC elopement photographer, courthouse wedding NYC, intimate wedding NYC, documentary wedding photographer NYC, Manhattan wedding photography, small wedding NYC, elopement photography New YorkComment

I Was in an Art Show! And Meet Nathaniel! Updates from a New York photographer.

I was in an Art Show!

I was in an art show! A street fair on East 91st Street, just a few blocks from Museum Mile. I got accepted on the Friday evening before the event — just two days to prepare — and I’d never done a street art show before. I needed plastic sleeves, backings, cardboard corners… fast. I realized the best way to get what I needed in time was to walk the neighborhood frame shops. To my relief, I found kind people willing to sell me supplies at Amazon prices or less — and with smiles and encouragement.

As you can see, I need a larger space, a tent with shelves, a gallery, something, to hold all of my things.

I only had 6 feet across and brought way too many prints. My table and chairs were borrowed from a neighbor, and I brought Halloween candy for visitors. I ended up eating them for breakfast and lunch. I’ve been in a lot of shows over the years, but there was a very long gap. My last show was called Essential and it was a group show in a space in Chelsea. Since then I had a baby, moved three times, had a 9-5 during COVID, and have been ramping up my weddings, portraits, and headshots. I was doing a lot of art reproduction for companies such as Gagosian Gallery, Southeby’s and the Hall Art Collection. My work was published in some books. But now after 14 years, I was able to present my art to the world again.

It was so gratifying to have people really look at my work — not just glance, but stop, flip through, connect. I ended up selling a record number of photographs.

One person lingered over my coastal California series and said, “You’re speaking my language,” before buying a print of two surfers watching the waves at dawn in Half Moon Bay.

Another woman picked up a cityscape and told me she’s an art collector. She insisted I sign it.

I was exuberant. Creating art is at the heart of my existence. When people connect with it and choose to hang it in their homes — it feels like I’m contributing to the world in the way I’m truly meant to.

Another highlight is that I got to know a woman picking out a necklace from a vendor next to me. I’m kind of obsessed with color analysis so it was really fun for me to determine she was a bright winter and really needed to get the green necklace. She turned out to be a Tribeca gallery owner. After she picked out the necklace she took a long look at my collection and took my card.

NYC Headshots

Sometimes you do a headshot and have a special bond with the subject. This young actor - and singer and dancer - had something special. There was an energy, passion, intelligence, and nuance that was shining through. I know that this incredible human will soar.

My FIRST Wedding

I’m so excited to be getting back into weddings. I did one last year and am starting to book them for 2026. One is in the Picnic House in Brooklyn and I’m so excited. The one this week is at City Hall. Classic. There’s not much better than wandering around downtown doing wedding pictures. And then there’s Central Park, which is always so swoon.

REACH out to me

I know most of you personally. Reach out to me and let me know how you’re doing! I miss hearing from you.

Email Elizabeth

nyc wedding photographer, New York artist, wedding photography, central park photographerElizabeth SolakaOctober 8, 2025nyc wedding photographer, destination wedding nyc, new york headshot photographer

End of Year Wrap

This was such a thrill for him to sit in the bull pen with the team.

I always thought 2021 would be a really special year. It has been for me, and I hope it’s been for you. It started out rough with hybrid learning. Then, it slowly got better. Summer came and the first thing we did is visit Emile in Ithaca. We also went to Cape Cod several times to watch the Cape Cod Baseball League. I camped for the first time, and did it alone with my younger son. We were all in good health. Nothing terrible happened. I like to punctuate the passing of time with pictures, so here are some below that were special highlights from this year.

I also want to invite you to order some prints of your own family, or choose from my art gallery. Here you will find reproductions of original photos. You’ll have lovely affordable art for your home or office. These can be gifts for yourself or for someone else. https://elizabethsolakaphotography.zenfolio.com/p175902758

I also made lots of blossom pictures that you can order to beautify your home or gift to someone, https://elizabethsolakaphotography.zenfolio.com/p483928320

Visually, I feel that my pictures for the coming year will be cooler, brighter, cleaner, more vibrant.

I wish this for all of you. A fresh new year, bright and vibrant.