NEWS FLASH: award-winning wedding photography

We are so pleased to say that David Murray Weddings has been recognized by the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers for their Fall 2009 wedding photography contest. The ISPWP is a small, exclusive directory of wedding photographers whose slogan is: "Quite simply, the best wedding photographers in the world" .

So how lovely to receive a first place award for an image from Ben and Meredith's wedding at Montaluce Winery in Georgia. The category is "All About Light" (a personal favorite for David whose mantra is "photography means writing with light").



This image of the bride walking along the Montaluce Winery lake path toward the ceremony was in the top 20 for the category "Venues and Locations":



We love this image of Clara's father practicing lifting her veil before the walk down the aisle. Couture wedding gown designer Angel Sanchez was there in the foreground personally making the final touches. This image won Third Place for "Movement and Motion":



For a wedding photography studio who is devoted to documenting family legacy, there is no sweeter category to win an award in than "Family Love" for this image of Courtney and her father as the bride prepares for her wedding:



This image of Liz looking at her groom, Jake, was recognized in the category "Emotional Impact":



Thank you to our wonderful clients and to the International Society of Wedding Photographers!

Inspired: White Tie Elegant Wedding

ROLODEX:
couple: Courtney & Charles
destination: Philadelphia
groom preparation: Ritz Carlton Philadelphia
venue: Aronimink Golf Club
veil: family heirloom
David Murray Weddings photographer: David Murray

Credits: David Murray Weddings (11)

Maine Destination Wedding: Gita + Aron

The wonderful feature on this Maine destination wedding continues to roll out throughout today on Style Me Pretty

Credits: David Murray Weddings (9)

We were honored to work with an amazing group of wedding professionals who donated so much of their time and worked with such a spirit of collaboration.

ROLODEX:

venue: The Retreat at French's Point
real weddings maine project directors: Jessika Brooks & Amber Small
event design and flowers: Flora Fauna Designs
event coordination and design: Amber Small Sweetest Thing Weddings

tent: Sperry Tents
linens: Over The Top
band: Bob Charest Band

gourmet catering: The Silver Tureen
cake: Let Them Eat Cake

bridal gown: Pronovias from Madeleine's Daughter
couture jacket: Sandi McKeen Couture
henna artist: Remarkable Blackbird
hair and makeup: The L-Factor

video: Media Northeast

Maine wedding photographers: David Murray Weddings , Michelle Turner, Stacey Kane, Audra Photography

This is a love story about a couple who fell in love: who made an acclaimed documentary film; who poured their heart; soul and wallets into the making of the film; and the Maine and New England luxury wedding professionals who donated their services to create the wedding of Gita and Aron's dreams. Working together under the banner of Real Weddings Maine, designers, florists, caterers, wedding photographers, couture dress makers and dozens of wedding professionals donated their services to create a beautiful three day destination wedding in Maine.

The complete three day event is featured on Style Me Pretty here.

Featured on Style Me Pretty

David Murray Weddings along with Real Weddings Maine a team of photographers and other luxury Maine wedding professionals is featured today on Style Me Pretty, the ultra-chic wedding style blog.

From Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty: "...these super talented vendors held nothing back...from incredible design to photography that is ridiculously gorgeous, every element of the wedding weekend was thoughtfully produced and lovingly designed."

View the entire Style Me Pretty feature here. Thank you Style Me Pretty!

This Maine destination wedding was a collaborative effort to give the wedding of their dreams to Gita and Aron, the filmmakers behind the hit documentary film The Way We Get By, which is airing nationwide tonight on the acclaimed PBS show POV.



The Way We Get By is a deeply moving film about three unsung heroes--senior citizens who greet American troops returning from foreign conflicts. The troop greeters meet every plane that lands at Maine's Bangor International Airport--the first stop for American troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

How fitting that on Veterans Day 2009 their film airs, and our coverage of their lovely wedding with a Poppy (the symbol of Veterans) theme is featured on Style Me Pretty.

Coming soon: our rolodex of luxury wedding resources from Gita and Aron's wedding.

Wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel: Abi + Jeff

ROLODEX:
venue: The Boston Harbor Hotel
dress: Romona Keveza from Kleinfelds
flowers: Cedar Grove Gardens
david murray weddings photographers: David and John

Young Women and Breast Cancer

The country is awash in pink--the color of breast cancer awareness. Although we are mindful that women are diagnosed with breast cancer (sadly) 12 months a year, we take this moment to honor October and David's youngest sister Ann--who is five years and counting in her breast cancer battle. Many of you know that we made a documentary film, The Breast Cancer Diaries, featuring Ann, directed by Linda and co-produced by Ann and Linda. David created a companion still photo documentary. The Diaries aired last October on Discovery Health in the United States, and is airing this week on Discovery Latin America. We are thrilled to have a Latin American audience viewing the film. Here is a snippet from one of The Diaries trailers:

The Breast Cancer Diaries Documentary movie trailer from The Diaries Film on Vimeo.

Project Pink presents The Breast Cancer Diaries: For ten years, Ann Murray Paige covered the news, but for the biggest story of her life she turned the camera on herself. When Ann, a former local news reporter and anchor is diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, she sets up a diary camera in her bedroom. Ann's video diaries--raw and true--chronicles a young mother's nine month journey with breast cancer, punctuated with humor, poignancy and romance.

Along the way, Ann--with characteristic wit--challenges everything from "drive-through" mastectomies to the role breasts play in American society.

Director Linda Pattillo, herself an award-winning former network news correspondent (ABC NEWS and CNN) spent 15 years covering wars across the globe. In The Diaries, she covers a far more intimate and personal battle--that of a young woman and mother fighting for her life.

www.projectpinkdiary.com

Atlanta Bridal Bar Gala Opening Soiree

The A-List of the Atlanta wedding world walked the pink carpet into the gala opening soiree of the Atlanta Bridal Bar last night. We are so thrilled to be represented by the Bridal Bar along with some of our favorite Atlanta wedding planners, designers, florists, caterers and others who make weddings spectacular affairs. The Bridal Bar is a very chic salon where a bride can go to relax in luxurious surroundings while getting help planning all aspects of her wedding with displays from some of the top wedding vendors in Atlanta.





Lara Casey and our favorite Southern Weddings Magazine ladies, Whitney and Katharine, among the headliner out-of-town guests in for the gala:



The David Murray Weddings' Love Seat (a modern take on the old photo booth) made an appearance (check out the slideshow below). Our favorite duo in the Love Seat--- Rebecca Hansmann, owner of Bridal Bar Atlanta and Harmony Walton, founder of The Bridal Bar (Los Angeles, San Diego) who flew in from California for the soiree.




In this frame from the Love Seat, Kris Bush (Bachelorette Boutique), Rebecca and Harmony. The very sweet flowers decorating the backdrop behind The Love Seat are the creation of sensational wedding stylish Joy Thigpen.




Chic attire abounded with some absolutely amazing shoes to match (yes, that is David getting in on the footwear show)



To see the highlights of The Love Seat take a look at the slideshow link below. There were so many people at this event and visiting The Love Seat (at least 500 people turned out to help the Bridal Bar celebrate) that the slideshow loads a bit slowly, but it's worth the wait!

To view this slideshow:

1)Click on Link
2) Take a few ZEN moments (can be up to two minutes) while it loads completely. (While you are waiting, take a peek at the enchanting wedding we photographed near St. Michael's Maryland that we just put on the blog--it was designed by the always amazing David Tutera and the Angel Sanchez couture gown is beyond lovely).

BRIDAL BAR ATLANTA GALA OPENING SOIREE | THE LOVE SEAT by david murray weddings


Images from last night from three different photography studios are available through purchase with the proceeds to benefit Project Pink, a chic non-profit dedicated to offering help and hope to young women with breast cancer. Loveseat images can be found on the davidmurrayweddings.com website. Images from the Smile Booth (a creation of the always fun Whit and Jesse of Our Labor of Love) are available on smilebooth.com and the Pink Carpet images by Kiki Morales are on Kiki's website.

Clara+George | St. Michael's Maryland

Couture Dress Design: Angel Sanchez
Event Design: David Tutera



This is just a sneak peek of the wedding of an amazing couple who brought together family and friends for a magical evening in forest and field along side the Chesapeake.

Clara's family home on the Chesapeake was the setting for this beautiful event.

Clara was stunning in a gown designed by Angel Sanchez who was there to make sure all was abosolutely perfect.

David Tutera created a stunning enchanted forest. The design embraced all forms of natural elements and there are so many details to talk about we'll do a separate post later showing some of the absolutely enchanting decor.

























Clara and George it was such a pleasure to document your lovely wedding weekend.

Love Note: Notte Sento film

This beautiful short film was made from 4,500 still photographs. Finally for us, a hybrid of what we
both love best--still photography and documentary film. More about it from the filmmakers on their
ilovecut website.

Atlanta: Meredith and Ben Engaged

We love pre wedding portrait sessions--so great to get to know our clients and to have some fun and make some great portraits too. As Atlanta wedding photographers we love the variety of great places to make great images. After spending some time photographing at the Carter Center, the next part of Meredith and Ben's session was on the border of Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward at the public art installation known as "54 Columns".




54 Columns is the creation of Sol LeWitt, one of America's preeminent minimalist artists who once worked alongside I.M. Pei.






We will be photographing Meredith and Ben's wedding at the Montaluce Vineyard in Dahlonega, Georgia. Their vineyard wedding is going to be gorgeous and fun......just like Meredith and Ben.

NEWS FLASH: Winning Contest Images

David Murray Weddings is proud to have been charter members of the International Wedding Photojournalists Association, a prestigious collection of some of the world's best wedding photojournalists. Entry to this organization is by application-only. For last year we were honored to have David ranked One of the Top Five Wedding Photojournalists in the World by the WPJA. Rankings are based on the WPJA quarterly photo contest.

In the most recent two contests, David placed four images in the top ten. (click on any image to see it larger)

From Lauren and Damon's wedding at the Retreat at French's Point, this image captured just before the ceremony is one of David's favorites. Thank you to the judges who commented: "This image is a delight, taking a step into the past. The photographer was able to capture the beauty of this quiet moment while using dramatic light and the graphic of the windows. All the elements of making good pictures were used here--moment, light and composition."



Another David favorite, this image of the bride on her way to the ceremony:



From Danielle and Dave's New York wedding in the Hampton's, this image of Danielle peaking out into the wedding ceremony and reception site before the ceremony:



From Jessica and Michael's wedding at Arrows Restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine, this image as Jessica and Michael walk down the aisle, just married:

Elizabeth + Terry | The Water's Edge

Venue: The Water's Edge Resort and Spa
Event Planner: Tasha Bracken with SD Events
Florist: Yumiko Fletcher with Hana Floral Design
Photography: David and John | David Murray Weddings



Wedding at Water's Edge Resort in Westbrook, Connecticut: Ellizabeth and Terry were married on a gorgeous winter's day at the beautiful Water's Edge resort overlooking Long Island sound. The always amazing Tasha Bracken of SD Events created a magical atmosphere that included stunning florals by Yumiko Fletcher with Hana Floral Design in Mystic.






We call this image, "Have Fun. Be You." Love it.



Just after Elizabeth and Terry enjoyed a few moments together at water's edge, the fog rolled in off Long Island Sound.





Magical winter ambiance.



To View the slideshow of Liz and Terry's wedding highlights:

Click Here to View Liz and Terry's Highlights Slideshow

To Elizabeth, Terry and your amazing families---we were honored to be chosen to document your wonderful wedding day!

Smitten: True Love

LOVE this trailer from the documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnson.
Song: True Love Will Find You In the End by Daniel Johnson

Kimberly + Chris | The Barn at Gibbet Hill

Venue: The Barn at Gibbet Hill
Photographer: David | David Murray Weddings



We were so excited to be chosen as the wedding photographers for Kim and Chris' wedding at The Barn at Gibbet Hill, because it was a lovely reunion---we first met Kim's family when we photographed her sister Amy's wedding in the fall of 2007. The Barn at Gibbet Hill is a an elegantly restored New England barn that sits on a hill overlooking conservation land and it is a lovely venue for a Boston wedding.

Year In Review:2008 Weddings

As we begin the New Year we pause for a moment of reflection and a look back at the 2008 season which saw David Murray Weddings travel around the world from Venice, Italy to Boothbay Harbor, Maine to Nevis, West Indies and points in between.

Click on this link for a slideshow of David's weddings for 2008 (John's slideshow coming soon!):

2008 Weddings | David | Slideshow

Nicole + Ben | Spruce Point Inn

Venue: The Spruce Point Inn
Wedding Planner: Tangorra Wedding Planning
Florist: Deb Corey
Make Up Artist: Joanne McDonough of Joya Beauty
Hair Stylist: Lena of Hair that Moves
Band: Tony Boffa Band
Whoopie Pies: Wicked Whoopies
David Murray Weddings Photographer: David


The busy season for fulfilling many of our clients holiday orders draws to a close and we turn our attention back to posting our wonderful clients' weddings from this season.

We already knew that Nicole and Ben were madly in love after their fun engagement session. They were also just a pleasure to work with and their wedding was a love-filled and warm gathering of family and friends.

As this was a Maine destination wedding, Nicole and Ben planned many special touches with the help of wedding planners extraordinairre Tangorra Wedding Planning. Linnea Tangorra and Megan Whithed with Tangorra carried out Nicole and Ben's vision perfectly. One our favorite touches was the Whoopie Pie and Lemonade Stand outside the church after the ceremony. The reception was at one of our favorite Maine wedding venues, The Spruce Point Inn which is a perfect by-the-water location for a Maine destination wedding. Nicole chose our favorite make up artist JoAnne McDonough of Joya Beauty who does beautiful makeup that looks great in photographs but also very natural. Joya frequently teams with fav hairstylist Lena of Hair that Moves....they are a great duo.

To see all of the lovely touches to this wedding, click here to see Nicole and Ben's wedding slideshow:

Nicole and Ben: A Spruce Point Inn Wedding Slideshow

NEWS FLASH: Linda's Documentary Film on T.V. Tonight

After two years of acclaim on the film festival circuit, our documentary The Breast Cancer Diaries heads to television tonight! This documentary is a labor of love.The subject is Ann Murray Paige--one of David's five sisters. Along with Ann, we will be lifting a glass of champagne tonight to her humor and courage under fire. It was directed by Linda and filmed by Linda and Ann (who set up a diary camera in her home) with some scenes filmed by David as well (including the not to be missed whoopee cushion scene). For more on what this film is all about, see the "official" synopsis below.

The Breast Cancer Diaries airs tonight Thursday October 30th at 8 and 11 pm on the Discovery Health Channel (check your local cable listing--if you get Discovery then you also get Discovery Health).



THE BREAST CANCER DIARIES

For ten years, Ann Murray Paige covered the news—but for the biggest story of her life she turned the camera on herself.

When Murray-Paige, a formal local news reporter and anchor, is diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38, she sets up a diary camera in her bedroom. Ann’s video diaries—raw and true—offer an intimate chronicle of a young mother’s nine month journey with breast cancer, punctuated with humor, poignancy and romance.

Along the way, Ann—with characteristic wit—challenges everything from drive-through mastectomies to how American society all too often defines a woman by her breasts.

The Breast Cancer Diaries is a chronicle of illness met with attitude, symbolized by the “Cancer Sucks” button that Ann pins on her shirt. Throughout it all there is humor: from a hospital flashing scene, to a young son’s attempt to heal his mother with a whoopee cushion.

Director Linda Pattillo, herself an award-winning former network news correspondent (ABC NEWS and CNN), spent 15 years covering wars across the globe. In The Diaries, she covers a far more intimate and personal battle—that of a young woman and mother fighting for her life.


To see David's documentary still photographs of Ann's journey, visit The Diaries website:

www.thebreastcancerdiaries.com

NEWS FLASH: First Place

Well it has come to that time of the year where we gather our best images and send them off to be judged by a contest jury of our peers--to see how we look at the wedding world, to see how we are motivated, to see if we are in the groove.

I have had the honor of being asked to judge a contest of great photographers, known collectively as the ISPWP, or International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers. It is an exclusive group--all with at least 2 years experience and at least 40 weddings as the primary photographer. I feel proud to be part of such a distinguished group.

My favorite category is The Decisive Moment. I was honored to win First Place in the last contest for the image above. I am proud of that, for many reasons, but mostly because it allows me to demonstrate my photojournalism roots.

I love all aspects of my wedding photography--the fashion portraits, the story documentation, and hey, I love eating cake at the end too!. But the golden nuggets for me are the decisive moments. A decisive moment is a moment that tells a whole story while catching an action at its peak. It is an image that can never be repeated. It is unique. It speaks as much of who the author is, as it describes a moment. Someone with a photojournalism mindset is always prepared for these times. Where others might not see the possiblities, someone who shoots weddings with photojournalism in mind will find the possibilities in any part of the day.

The image above happened on a day when the remnants of a hurricane were passing through Massachusetts. I challenged myself to find an image that could convey the challenges of that day. The time came when the bride exited the car for the chapel. The ushers reaction is exactly at the moment when the umbrella collapses . It is a fun moment, accented with the bride’s polka dot rain boots. It is a one of a kind moment.

This is why I love what I do. I love the images that stand alone. I love the images that never be duplicated. This is what I strive for when I shoot.

So I will be anxious to judge my colleagues moments as I pour through the hundreds of photos that will be soon before me. They are moments that set us apart from each other and define who we are, even as together, we strive to give our brides and grooms the beautiful images that tell the story of their very important day.

David

Emily + Matt |St. Ann's and Laudholm Farm Wedding

Ceremony: St. Ann's, Kennebunkport, Maine
Reception: Laudholm Farm at the Wells Estuarine Reserve

Coordinator: Brooke Sheldon of Lilybrooke Events
Florist and Lighting: Kate Martin, Beautiful Days Events
Caterer: Kitchen Chicks Catering

Gown: Melissa Sweet
Transportation: Antique Bentley
David Murray Weddings Photographers: David and Paige

Emily was gorgeous in a Melissa Sweet gown and a touch of fun fashion with fabulous pink shoes in keeping with the pink and green color scheme of the day.


Emily and her father practiced lifting the veil and had a great shared laugh before the ceremony.


An elegant and classy arrival in an antique Bentley at historic St. Ann's by the ocean in Kennebunkport.

Emily and Matt--just married--have a moment alone before they leave St. Anne's to awaiting family and friends.


The Bustle.


Coordinator Brooke Sheldon, Event Designer Kate Martin and Caterer Kitchen Chicks created a chic and casually elegant event at this historic coastal farm.





This kiss image was seconds after Matt gave a melt your heart away toast to his beautiful wife.


Matt and Emily were a perfect match on the dance floor and danced so beautifully together all evening from the first dance to the last. A perfect metaphor for their wonderful and loving relationship. What an honor to be there to document your wedding day.

To view the the slideshow of Emily and Matt's wedding at St. Ann's and Laudholm Farm, click the link below:

Emily and Matt wedding slideshow