Talk about busy people and (lucky) last-minute booking… One spring day in March I am getting a call from a young lady who was among the guests of Maya and Stan’s notable wedding in Jamaica and has become my fan since then. So, she proceeds with a curious story about her brother Boris who is getting married in about three weeks. As I understood, as a business owner, he hasn’t quite had time to arrange for a professional photographer, or rather, consider the merits of having some guy hanging around in a way, on a day for them to enjoy. Fortunately, I was available and his sister persuaded him, alluring with a perspective of stress-free selection process, confidently referring to just one candidate - ahem - Zorz Studios. So, in an emergency meeting with the siblings in their workplace two weeks before the wedding, we went through few formalities and the basics. As expected, I was booked on the spot and just hoped for meeting the bride before the wedding. Granted with such an opportunity, I had a pleasure of hosting the couple in our Manhattan studio a week before the wedding.

The rest just happened. With much improvisation, a few bumps, and a ton of fun, my team with curious and charismatic Olga and invaluable assistant JP, jumped through the day. Knowing that there was just no time allotted for our regular “photo adventure”, we were shooting everything that moved around us, especially if having similarities with our bride and groom. I spent much time photographing Oksana in a chic home studio of her makeup artist Gigi while her maid of honor and mom were getting ready. Later, I found myself in the sands shooting Boris and those of the groomsmen who were not fashionably late, he-he…

Regardless, we came out with a predictably cool coverage, sweetened (or spiced up?) by a bombastic Cirque du Soleil type cabaret-show presented by the famous Russian venue, Rasputin Restaurant. That’s what I call wedding guest entertainment… Remarkably, one of the show dancers is my legendary client and dear friend, Tanya, who became part of the studio’s logo. That night I was also formally introduced to another dancer Dasha, who jumped the ship and participated in Zorz Studio’s second boudoir marathon just a few days later.

My special thanks go to Boris’ sister Masha and her husband Dimitry, who handled many aspects of the wedding preparation, demonstrating the value of friendship and family bonds. Another special thanks goes to JP, who briefly covered me during the reception show. And Olga, you are practically always the Queen.

The images below are quick edits from my main camera only, second camera photos will be added soon.

The auction will be preceded by a fashion show of international couture designers, performances of pop artists, violinists, a pianist, opera-pop fusion singer, aerialists and acrobats, salsa and flamenco dancers, and a belly dancer Aisha.

The black attire Valentine’s Ball will conclude the date with luxury, fashion, and entertainment. Red carpet, cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, and more fashion and dancing will culminate this spectacular event. Guests will enjoy the elegant atmosphere, cash bar and delightful displays of fine art, fashions, jewelry and more.

A number of celebrities and VIPs are expected at the weekend’s fashion event. Fashion shows will feature designers from Turkey, India, Dubai, Korea, Kuwait, Argentina, Romania and the USA. You are cordially invited to come, have fun and help a great charity event! Tickets can be purchased here.

Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can have. It’s much sexier than any body part.
- Aimee Mullins

Be his sexy Valentine! Just in time for upcoming Valentine’s Day, I am pleased to announce Zorz Studios’ first boudoir marathon - a full day of fun, luxury, excitement, sexiness, music, champagne, and art! This is an experience every woman should have! In the spirit of magazine quality cover stories, on Sunday, 01/24/10, a creative team of professionals will realize your dream of being the sexiest your lover has possibly ever seen! We are taking you to a boutique Manhattan hotel, taking care of your makeup and hair, setting up the studio lights, then styling and tastefully photographing you in the finest way produced by Zorz Studios! Check out the promo slideshow below.

As a very special gift to you, we are excited to offer this amazing experience at one seductive price! Regularly starting at $1,000, we are offering all of the following for just $395!

• private one-hour Victoria-Secret-esque photo session in a boutique Manhattan hotel
• two of the best Zorz Studios photographers, including yours truly
• champagne and refreshments
• sexy props and ambient music
• glamourous makeup by a professional makeup artist
• fabulous hair by a professional hair dresser
• unlimited wardrobe changes
• private password-protected online gallery
• Little Couture Boudoir Book with 20 sexiest photographs, all retouched
• all proof images on a CD
• incredible confidence boost
• pride and desire on his face when he gets the best Valentine’s Day gift he has ever dreamed of… smoking hot, high fashion, enticing photographs of you!

Feel free to bring your sensuous and mysterious accessories like corsets, lingerie, fish nets, masquerade masks, feather boas, high heels, silk robes, etc.

For this unique event, we will limit our offer to 5 time slots. We only require a $100 deposit to reserve one of them, subject to availability. Call or email us before someone else gets sexier this Valentine’s Day!

01/19/10 UPDATE: I am excited to inform that all five slots have been booked within 24 hours! You go, girls! Due by popular demand, we are pleased to extend the hours and offer 3 more evening slots, starting at 7 PM. If you are up to a little night-out party, join us! I can also arrange for a 2 PM spot if you are really interested.

01/20/10 UPDATE: The event is now completely booked up. Those who missed this opportunity, as well as all future inquires will be placed on a waiting list should one of the booked participants cancel. Thank you!

02/02/10 UPDATE: The session was a blast! I have gone through all the images and cannot express enough how impressed I am with the results… This clearly sets the ground for a continued success of the project. The clients are about to receive their proofs and I look forward to sharing their feedback!

As one of photographers and our Facebook fans  wrote, “Unnecessary to say … but I’ll: A-MA-ZING!!! WHAT A COMPOSITION!  We, the ordinary mortals, will have the blessing to see more?” I do hope to get a permission to use a couple of sample fine art photographs from each of the young ladies, so check back in a few weeks. In the meantime, enjoy the very first one… and think, “Would this be his sexiest Valentine?” I  bet. Be the one! Don’t wait for the next year.

As we continue to raise the bar of top quality and untamed creativity, finesse our vision, and revamp our offerings, we build more and more value into our exquisite packages, inevitably reflecting on the prices.

While shooting high undoubtedly serves as the ultimate drive to excel and remain the industry flagship, it has a penitent potential of distancing the studio from a more value-sensitive clientele where many of our appreciative fans, devoted followers, and studio art lovers are. This did not feel right…

We sat and came up with a solution! Meet the newly-designed wedding packages that combine Zorz Studios’ artistry with affordable prices, starting at just $2,900! Two new packages, Welcome and Temptation, will proudly introduce complete photography service by our one and only, talented associate photographer Olga Mironova. One of the packages will even include my own signature post-processing touches and the design of package components. To maintain studio’s trusted and expected brand identity, I will be exercising my personal quality control over these packages’ final products, just as with anything coming out of our studio. Client relationships will continue to be monitored or handled directly by yours truly, ensuring the uncompromising experience of Zorz Studios’ genuine care.

About Olga

Coming from the artistic community in Belarus, Olga encompassed visual arts through the study of philosophy, with her Master’s thesis at the European University concentrated on the philosophy of  photography.

In the meantime, a tremendous success of her handcrafted object design resulted in a series of personal exhibits in Moscow and Europe, establishing a worldwide clientele. Noticed by the leading art magazines, she gained publicity and became a special event and wedding set designer. Being a head designer for the well-known event planning agency opened the doors to many fashionable venues and finest night clubs, where applying the knowledge of materials and special visual effects helped her create a dynamic theatrical atmosphere unique to every event.

Her imagination developed a concept of merging theatrical action, philosophical insights, design skills and visual representation into one through photography. Photography became a perfect medium for reflecting the inner beauty of a person. Most of the weddings and art projects shot in the past 18 months largely shared both of our talents and vision.

The images below just scratch the surface of Olga’s potential. Detailed pricing options will be announced here soon and the packages will be integrated into studio’s booking system. Please check back or feel free to inquire in the meantime!

May the New Year 2010 be a year of materialized dreams. May your wishes, wildest and warmest, deepest and oldest, unbelievable and daring, come true! From all of us at Zorz Studios, we sincerely wish you and your loved ones the best and exciting things in 2010!

This time of the year, the joy of giving is larger than ever! I am super excited about our ending-soon contest that will give three winners free photography service, extended as far as covering the entire wedding day! (And there is still little time left to enter!)

But that is not all… In just a few days, closer to the magic night of New Year’s Eve, we will announce something that will surely warm many of our clients’ hearts. Perhaps, even making someone’s wish come true… Ah, this time of the year!

.

An important day in the year has come. It is time when I take a moment to slow down, look around me, and think of all whom I am thankful for — from family to dear friends, from clients who become caring friends to friends who become trusting clients, from those who influence me to those whom I inspire, from random website visitors to superior powers, from nostalgic rainy days that cleanse my soul to euphoric sunshine when I touch the sky. Think of you.

As I will sit with my family and friends today, I will raise my glass to all of you, to all who appreciate beauty, even if by giving Zorz Studios’ art just a moment of their  life. I am astonished by how much trust and love I am given… and I pledge to return it  both individually and globally, as we work on new charity initiatives in 2010.

On behalf of the entire studio team, I wish you all a warm, kind and caring Thanksgiving Day today. Please accept my earnest gratitude for everything you do and allow me to do. Thank you.

Kind regards,

Ed Hafizov
Certified Professional Photographer
Studio owner

.

Calling for all adventurous minds!

This time has come again! After the smashing success of the free engagement session contest a year ago, I am über excited to announce Zorz Studios’ next contest, TrashEd, in which we give away complimentary trash-the-dress sessions, photo books, and even free wedding coverage to three lucky winners!

.

What?

Trash-the-Dress (TTD) session in my studio’s books is referred to as a high-impact, visually explosive, outrageous, even absurd photography session usually with a bride but sometimes with both B&G, conducted after the wedding with an emphasis on totaling the dress. This is a tribute to your dress, this IS the way to remember it, not just by you, your skeptical teenage daughter, and your pet moths but by all of your envious girlfriends, the online community, and beyond. This is the only opportunity for the creative, intrepid, salient, and adventurous souls to fulfill their daring dreams of being referred to as one-of-a-kind bride.

Granted, Zorz Studios’ bride looks stunning on her wedding day but on that day, she is likely to be found in an all-well expected place — a familiar cityscape, park, or venue — doing pretty much what she is expected to do — posing graciously in a snow-white dress, or softly kissing, or gently looking into her puppy’s… eh, hubby’s eyes. Fire it up! Be the Queen of the Dumsterland, the Dark Spirit of the Neverwoods, the Mesmerizing Siren of the Caribbean, the Fire Angel, the Mad Artist, the Princess of the Nukes… Need I say more?

You may be asking, what will this guy attempt to do? (It’s ok, not everyone knows me.) Place me in a puddle?  Or throw me on a sooted fireplace wall? Well, it is an option for an ordinary TTD session but not for me! My studio pushes the limits. Consider last year’s free engagement contest. The winners were not keen on walking on an alley holding their hands… They wanted something more, and we delivered way more! Check some of their images below, along with other elaborate e-sessions that we did last year… body painting, cinematic storybook, underwater, fashionably risque, Renaissance, Gothic, and many more.

I want to see those dresses stuck in bushes of wild roses, sunk in a desert (Burning Man… ring-ring), greased in manholes, painted over, set on fire, torn into pieces (and here’s your chance to get a free boudoir session with a high-fashion twist, too!)… I dare you to surprise me.

The contest’s hot prizes are:

• 3rd place - complimentary TTD session
• 2nd place - complimentary TTD session and 20-page haute book of session’s images
• 1st place - complimentary TTD session and free wedding photography service

Notes: Third-party fees associated with TTD session are optional but are likely to occur, being solely clients’ responsibility. Examples are permits, rentals, and transportation. Free photography service on the wedding day covers time of the primary shooter, a $4,000 value. Additional post-wedding services and products are optional. The TTD session must be shot within one year after the results are announced, or within six months after the wedding, whichever date is later.

Who?
Invited are all engaged and married couples! Yes, married, too! I know some of my past brides were that type of soul. I can understand the reservations of soon-to-get-married and of freshly baked but you, the married for a while, may have started to wonder if there is light at the end of your dress’ closet.  The married ones will not get a wedding coverage as a prize but hey, the most exciting part is still theirs to experience! And if you are not engaged nor married, think of your friends and kick them over here! As a destination wedding photographer, I welcome people not only in the NYC metro area, but from across and beyond the country as long as they pick the bill for travel and accommodation.  Entrants must be willing to appear in my blog with their stories. To claim the 1st place, I must be available on their wedding date. Booked clients eligible for TTD sessions only. And of course, pre-wedding entrants will be given a chance to wear the dress on their big day before we trash it.

How?
Enter by submitting your wild vision of the TTD session, along with a photo of you and few more details. The bolder and the more challenging your vision is to execute (which I LOVE and hope for!), the higher the chance of having it done, for free!

Keep one point in mind — this is not a raffle but a contest. In return for a valuable service and skills, you have to bring an intriguing idea to the table. I can certainly come up with my own for you but then I charge you! If you thought of something new since your submission, feel free to re-enter.

The link to the entry form is posted below. Four judges, including truly yours, will pick the three finalists. They will be announced in Zorz Studios’ blog and all visitors will be able to cast their vote for who they believe is the craziest and coolest. Entrants will be encouraged to invite their families and friends to vote, of course!

When?
Entries accepted through December 31st.
Finalists announced on January 9th.
Voting ends on January 31st.
Results posted on February 3st.

Don’t let anyone miss out! Forward this to all your friends and spread the word! Think of all your crazy neighbors, friends, family members, and of course YOURSELF. We’re going to have a blast with this!

Submission Ended

.

.

.

11/17/2009 UPDATE: And we are up to a great start! Just on its second day of the announcement, the contest page drew attention of hundreds of visitors and — we have the first brave entrant! Kudos to Bessie Lee from New York, NY for jumping on the sinking ship with a fun and sexy idea! Judging by her e-session images that she shared with us, I can tell that this young lady is into making an impression. Edgy, hip, sensual, and fashionable - just the right ingredients for the table! Anyone into contributing and sharing the meal?

12/29/09 UPDATE: Only 3 days left to enter Zorz Studios’ contest and win a wedding photography service by truly yours! I’ve seen some cool entries already and can hardly wait to bring them to light. Yet, I have a feeling I haven’t seen it all… I dare you to step out, Bravehearts and Queens of Swords!

01/05/10 UPDATE: The submission has ended so on to the next step! Judges, please click below to log in using a password sent to you via e-mail. We have until 01/09/10 to select the three finalists who will be later positioned by the popular vote of site visitors.

Judges Login

01/09/10 UPDATE: The finalists have been determined and the voting is now open! Click below to see the finalists and vote hard and dirty!!! I invite and welcome all visitors and friends of the finalists! Help them make one step further and win free wedding photography service! Spread the word and unite!

Vote for Finalists!

01/14/10 UPDATE: In less than one week, the contest has already drawn close to 500 votes among the finalists! The turnout is quickly bypassing the one of last year’s engagement session contest. What an encouragement to the TTD concept! The amazing neck-to-neck competition is heating up…

01/22/10 UPDATE: Who will it be? Just about a week before the voting ends, we have a near tie between 1st and 2nd places! What a tension… (And I am not telling who they are.)

.

.

.

02/03/10 UPDATE: And we have the winners!!! Close to a thousand of of visitors cast their vote for their favorite finalists, and they are…

First place - Bessie
Prize: complimentary TTD session and free wedding photography service.

“Title: Sweet to Eat Concept: The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ We don’t want to just trash the dress- we want to tell a story. Scene 1- FOOD FIGHT Shots: Great action shots and still poses of the bride and groom eating dessert very sexually Vibe: Fun, sweet, sexy and dirty Description: It takes place during the wedding reception- the hour where we decide to hit the perfectly laid out dessert table. The backdrop and dessert table is white for a very clean look but everything on the dessert table is bright, vivid, mountainous, larger than life and colorful. Every inch of the table is completely filled with: 5 tiered wedding cakes Chocolate sauce Whipped cream Gallons of milk Beautiful dessert trays with assorted sweets Colorful ice cream All types of sticky candies Powdered and colored sugar Sweet, colorful liquor bottles (Godiva liquor, champagne bottles, and flavored vodkas) Painted martini glasses FOOD FIGHT!!! Scene 2- THE AFTERMATH Shots: Great for facial expressions and for a sexy editorial Vibe: Hung over, grungy, completely covered in sweets Description: The reception hall is empty and the bride and groom are completely hung over and stuffed from the dessert. Either on the floor, with our clothes ripped off, half on and off- we’re discombobulated with no recollection of what just happened; or in the bathroom stalls with toilet paper all over the place; or in the reception hall’s kitchen, with dirty dishes piled up in a wet, soapy sink. It’s really sexy and dirty! I’m so excited just thinking about it and I know you can make our vision happen!!! “

Second place: Eric and Nancy
Prize: complimentary TTD ession and 20-page album of session’s images.

“Our vision is to trash the dress using graffiti art. A close friend of Nancy’s is a very talented graffiti artist. We would like the session to start off with the artist creating an artistic version of a wedding ceremony. He can “tag” an alter, the church or hall scenery and create a painted version of a bride and groom on a backdrop scene made of canvas or perhaps plywood… something BIG. The scene will be rich with color…flowers, candles, stone and brick, with a fake bride and groom in the foreground. We can take some pictures of the bride and groom (us) pretending to “create” this scene all around them using the spray paint…after all, it is our love that created this day, so we can be shown physically creating the space (guided of course by the graffiti artist). Next, we can introduce the real bride and groom into the picture, replacing the painted figures in the foreground. The graffiti artist can paint us as if we were part of the picture all along. They will both be dressed in their wedding ensembles. We will then have the artist begin painting the actual dress, making the bride part of the graffiti picture, and telling a story with pictures on the dress.. perhaps he can paint a heart to symbolize how we first fell in love, some other interesting and relevant symbols, stories and pictures directly on the dress. At the different stages in the process, we can show the groom (me) painting these pictures on my wife. In the end, we will have a beautifully painted gown that will symbolize the love and art associated with taking a vow to spend our lives together.”

Third place: Shirley
Prize: complimentary TTD session.

“Inspired by “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and the fact that my fiance is a martial artist, I would love to stage a fight scene where I fight off a ninja using ninja stars, swords and daggers (all of which we have access to since my soon-to-be brother in law owns a Tae Kwon Do gym in the Bronx). I envision some hot fighting scenes where my dress gets shredded little by little. We might even be able to do shots of me hanging from my dress which is pinned to the wall with daggers and stars. Not sure I can pull off acrobatics in my dress, but perhaps we can stage some shots of me doing back flips and running up a wall. In the end, when my dress is in shreds, I will unmask the ninja, realize its Willie, and we can close of the story line with some romantic (slash passionate) shots. It might be awesome if we can have the backdrop of an alley way in Chinatown (or something similar) which would have fire escapes and stuff for me to hang from. The black ninja against the white bride would be very Ying & Yang. “

.

.

Congratulations to all the winners!!! Man, what concepts! We are up for another round of supercharged mind-blowing photographic adventures!

I am also happy to say that although Leah, the fourth finalists, did not win, I am offering her a 50% discount on their TTD session.  All other contest entrants are eligible for 30% discount, as our way of showing appreciation for their time and sharing their ideas. Please contact the studio for arrangements.

My special thanks go to the other three photographers who contributed their time to judge earlier in the pre-voting stage: Olga Mironova, Maya Beynishes, and JP Sevillano.

Well, the fun has just started, so bookmark this page and check back in a few months to see how we are doing! Thank you everyone for your support, interest, and participation!

The preparations were not difficult considering our previous experience and existing displays. However, I wanted to show off some of the new lines of products so I worked aggressively on getting them from the suppliers in record time frames. Among them, a Himalayan line of Couture Collection of photo books which featured Mena and Aswin’s wedding — vibrant yet telluric, traditional yet dashing. Hence my choice of book, made out of Lotka paper from the bark of the bush which grows naturally in Nepal at altitude of 6,500 to 9,500 feet, processed as thousands years ago. The other product is an Italian line of boxed albums and books, from huge 16×16 volume to handy gift-sized for the bridal party. The only caveat at this expo was rather cramped booth space given to vendors…

We also offered an enticing show special, good for just one week. I am glad that some wise ladies did not let it pass…

Despite a high ticket price ($50), this bridal show attracts hundreds of brides looking for Crème de la Crop (organizers quote over 2,000 attendees). Although I haven’t seen it but people say the line extends and wraps around the block of the Roosevelt Hotel. At some point, the crowd was let in. We were strategically located next to Eleni’s cupcake display, a natural draw for an exhausted traffic entering the ball room.

It was especially touching to see our own clients, both those whose weddings are still ahead, and those upgraded to the “happily ever after” status. Aww, they still stopped by to see us… When standing and chatting with us, they were layering a whole new sensation of warmth and hospitality on top of the overall excitement. Amazingly, they share the same sentiment of wanting to have our whole photography experience all over again… Hey, there are quite a few other adventures beyond a wedding, even more challenging and mind-blowing. As you may know, my dear wedding client in Alaska recently had her staggering maternity session in the wilderness. Two more adventures are brewing in the Caribbean for next spring…

In general, I was delighted by the discerning taste of those who stopped by, their demonstration of appreciation of our art and its visual impact and emotional value. And then comes a pleasure of post-expo communication and building a more intimate relationship to meet individual needs and fulfill the dreams…

Of a significant importance was our networking with the industry peers. We enjoyed talking to other wedding photographers, make-up artists, stylists, planners, gown designers, and others. This is of utmost importance to us as I plan a series of art projects involving unique props and resources. I am looking forward to working with Bridal Reflections, Nilah and Company, and a toy designer, among other new contacts.

It was also an enjoyment to see familiar faces of NY Wedding Dance, Joseph Edwards, Chatterberries, The Knot, Affluent Bride, and others.

I personally thank Tracy Chenoff from the Wedding Salon for her dedicated care and support. The complete list of participants can be found here. For more information, download the salon’s NY Fall 2009 Program Guide.

Overall, the experience was certainly encouraging and thrilling. Thank you all who visited us, talked, and laughed with us. I am looking forward to continuing our conversations.

WS Publishing Group is the largest publishing company of wedding planning books in North America that have published over 30 of the best-selling wedding books, carried in 6,000 stores. Now, together with WedSpace.com, it is creating a new title in the line of top-selling wedding books, slated for release in all major bookstores in early 2010. OMG! Wedding Stories: Did That Really Happen? will be based on hilarious and shocking wedding stories and, boy, don’t I have them!

The publisher invited Zorz Studios to contribute and I am starting to draft a few crazy wedding-related adventures which we happened to create and capture… By all means, if you want to help me with your story, pitch in! Send me your own iterpretation up to 300 words and I will quote it. I think you know whom I mean… The deadline is October 25, 2009.

11/08/2009 UPDATE. Here are some behind-the-scene images to keep your hunger fed… And for the dessert, a more conventional yet fashionable portrait of this beautiful young lady.

To show the love and appreciation to her maid of honor, Daria ordered a photo session from me, wanting nothing but a “fantastic experience”. Since Julia was visiting NYC for a week-end only, we had one night-after for the session which I promptly made available for them.

Wrapped in the soothing sounds of music, the guys were enjoying the comfort (even a nap) while picking from the fruit basket, intended as a “thank-you” gift to me from Daria. The basket was just perfect for the environment so I was glad that it found its fate. Daria was helping me with the delicate maternity session, and Julia’s husband joined her later for several shots.

The session was intimately friendly and courteous. It is remarkable to see how a young lady approaches a maternity session wearing pants and a tank top to make herself feel comfortable but led by photographer’s confidence and consideration, later may find herself wearing little to nothing… Julia’s summary of it is as an “ethereal experience” probably tells it all. In fact, she kept thinking about the clouds…

Thank you, girls, for loving each other so much, and trusting your friendship to my art. And I thank their husbands who were around for a support.

Zorz Studios will donate your session fee to PPA Charities to benefit Operation Smile which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. More than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity every year in Operation Smile 26 partner countries, yet tens of thousands remain untreated. Your session fee truly will help change a life, otherwise spent in pain and rejection. Celebrate your family by helping a child, along with thousands of volunteer doctors, nurses, and dentists who donate their time to this incredible organization. I hope to benefit as many children as I can this year through Family Portrait Month sales and my own personal contribution.

Atypical to the industry, I pledge to donate not a portion of the session fee but all proceeds from each photo session above the operational costs to the charity. Your fee for a one-hour long in-studio session will allow to completely cover the costs of performing a surgery on one child. Included in the session fee is a 16×24 paper print.

I also believe that Family Portrait Month is a wonderful way to teach children the value of reaching out to others. Even small children can understand the importance of Operation Smile work, and they are eager to help these needy children.

In-studio family portraits, “relationship” images, and individual portraits of children are eligible. Zorz Studios’ schedule in October can only accommodate for five appointments which must be booked by September 30, 2009. Remember… your family portrait is perfect for holiday cards and that time is just around the corner!

I hope you will join me in helping to make vital work possible.

On the same day following a session for Daria, I shot another bridal session for Vanessa, a fine wedding photographer. Her wedding isn’t until December so I have to keep her bridal gown profile as low as possible for now.

I met this gorgeous young lady at celebrity photographers Mike Colon / Bob Davis’ workshop in NYC in early 2008. I impressed her with my fine art portraiture portfolio and she kindly accepted my offer to do a photo session for her. Some of my fans may recognize her from a sensual boudoir session last year which made her ecstatic. Following my work afterward, she pleasantly surprised me a year later with the news of getting married.

Now think about this… A fine wedding photographer is getting married and reaches out to her peers to photograph her. Who would be more discerning and discriminating? I actually made up a term for her, “bridographer”, which she promised to use in her upcoming book. Vanessa is involving several photographer friends to cover this life event but I received the highest honor of having a privilege to shoot her bridal session which I pushed to complement with a trash-the-dress session after the wedding. Yes, I believe these two are the most exquisite and creative wedding-related shoots as they allow freedom, unseen on a wedding day, and demand a highly-skilled vision that is fashionable, unique, and artistic. Just what we are best at.

Being an alumni of the Monmouth University, Vanessa arranged for a permit to shoot on its truly spectacular premises. I’ve never shot there and I could hardly believe the luxury of the environment in which Olga and I were allowed to place the beauty of our subject… The framing could not have been more perfect for Vanessa. A police officer promptly unlocked the doors of a pavilion, giving the entire building to our inflamed imagination. Instead of expected 1-2 hours, we spent 5 hours shooting until the same officer, rather surprised and a bit irritated, returned… I swiftly demonstrated him some of the results in my camera, noticeably soothing his temper…

It is worth explaining that unlike some of my other processed artwork, where I manipulate with various lighting effects in the digital darkroom, this session was all about the dramatic, fashionable light setup right on the set. What you see here is the exact lighting pattern created by my studio strobes (no continuous light, either). I did not need to burn and dodge this image which I usually do. A few D&B touches can actually enhance it so I will continue working on this image. For those inclined to a technical aspect, I can say that I used a beauty dish, a snoot, and a softbox, balanced with the ambient light on a longer exposure.

There are so many other magnificent photos from this session, to be processed and published later in the year. And comes spring, the second session will tell us all a fairy tale…

—–

Credits:

- Ed Hafizov - photography, lighting, and post-production
- Olga Mironova - photography, styling, and assisting
- Yvonne Moss - makeup

I met Daria on Fotki, where we both were members of a closed group of photographers/digital masters. She’s been a long fan of mine and when she got engaged, knew exactly where to go. It felt so strange not having to “present” myself before the booking… Watching me for years, she would be tough to surprise.

I am shooting her wedding in a week, shot their engagement session already, and now was the bridal session’s turn. Held in the tight quarters of her relatives’ apartment, the session made use of creative lighting to turn an ordinary location into a fashionable corner.

Meet our demanding client, Yelena Kim. A young lady who dreams of modeling, who’s passionate about photography, who managed to squeeze her session into my packed calendar despite almost being talked against having a session this year. She may be holding a unique title of the one who outperformed her photographer on an energetic level… I want to believe that it was only possible due to my condition, sandwiched under high pressure between two large gigs.

Her request was to try several characters, from gentle to dare-devilish. Under our guidance and per the developed themes, she shopped hard and came with the bags of outfits. We picked up the makeup artist and the hairstylist, and headed to a point in Queens. While she was being prepared for the shoot, I scouted the area with Olga, found a cool taxi shop, a nice view of Manhattan, and a wall of graffiti. Sweet-talking my way through the people between us and the desired targets, testing our luck with risque ideas in public under a weak cover of rain, getting honks and whistles from the passing drivers, we worked our way through the four spots there and moved on to our Manhattan studio for quite a change in her outfit. The Central Park from there, dramatic lighting in the dusk by a lake with a cityscape on the horizon, then back to studio. Yelena was later joined by her innocent boyfriend who faced her request to get fully undressed, and then she followed… Getting the appropriate support from us, both made it through.

Around 10 PM, it had to be the end. Few hours later, I passed out in my bed catching what I could before jumping up at 6:30 AM for a wedding. People ask me what drives me. Go figure… I do not drink coffee, I care little about the Red Bull, and don’t even mention any substances to me… I don’t know what it is other than the thrust to reach the goal, desire to outperform myself and while at it, wowing the client…

—–

Credits:

- Ed Hafizov - photography, production, and post-production
- Olga Mironova - photography, styling, and assisting
- Yelena Kim and Alexander - models
- Lindsey - makeup, Rouge Studio
- Tristan Waikong - hair styling

More concept meetings have followed, lots of thought have been put into planning for two months, and finally, the day has come. The Friday morning was spent on the last-minute shopping, and the minivan loaded with a pile of props, clothing, people, a ferret, and a parking ticket, slowly made its way to Staten Island, impatiently awaited by the make-up artist, hair stylist, and a supporting model. The preparations began.

Laramie and Stitch, in the hands of the talented professionals, built up their characters, while the model was getting her body painted. Olga and I were setting up the scenes and light. It wasn’t until 5 PM (!) when we finally started to shoot. Admittedly, we underestimated one step that caused a delay and as a result, cut our session in half… Nonetheless, we were able to work on three scenes and here are some of the results.

I got home past midnight, exhausted, regretting the lost opportunities, yet happy with what we managed to squeeze out. To make it clear - I will not be entirely happy until we make it up, so the project lives on!

—–

Credits:

- Ed Hafizov - photography, production, and post-production
- Olga Mironova - photography, styling, and assisting
- Laramie Wilcox, Stitch Azintime, Tatiana - models
- Jessica Jade Jacob - makeup and FX effects
- Tayla Yafit Israel - hair styling
- Anastasia Durasova - body art
- David Cruz - theatrical lighting and special effects, St. George Theatre
- Doreen Cugno - Executive Director, St. George Theatre

photography   music   lighting   mingling   fun

.

Our new Manhattan studio has been announced but we never celebrated the opening! What a shame… Let’s fix this, now! Let there be a studiowarming party!

THE BUZZ:
FREE admission
FREE gift bags
FREE hors d’oeuvres
FREE wine and champagne bar
FREE $25 gift certificates to all Facebook fans
WIN $200, $100, or $50 Zorz Studios’ gift certificates
WIN lifetime subscription to Zorz Studios Art Collection
WIN tickets to the after-party clubbing with DJ Tiesto
MORE to be announced… check back!

.

.

.

WHEN:
Friday, 09/25/2009, 6 PM - 9 PM - launch party
Friday, 09/25/2009, 10 PM - 4 AM - after-party

WHERE:
1123 Broadway, Suite 1002, New York, NY - launch party
311 West 34th Street, New York, NY - after-party

WHO’S INVITED:
Everyone who received an invite directly from Zorz Studios and loves us. Please note that this is a PRIVATE party, extended to friends, clients, business partners, and Zorz Studios’ mailing list members as of 08/10/09.

.

Come party with us and celebrate the formal launch of Zorz Studios’ Manhattan studio! Meet the studio’s founder (yours truly), our talented team, and our partners from Rouge Makeup Studio! Check out our additional space on Broadway, enjoy the art of Zorz Studios, share your experience or thoughts, savor the complimentary bites and sips, groove to our own mix of European club music, take a bag full of goodies with you, and play to win more gifts! The event will be professionally (and aesthetically) catered so you will be in good hands! Oh… whether you behave or party hard, you might be captured on video, so prepare to show your best and be featured in a cool video clip on our website!

And, if you happen to be a Facebook fan of Zorz Studios, you will be handed a bonus $25 gift certificate. That will fall nicely on top of selected goodie bags that I am personally hand-picking for the guests. Sweet, eh?

Here’s more to the night: after this nice little party, join us for an uplifting celebration of my birthday at Hammerstein Ballroom, trancing to the euphoric tracks of one of my favorite deejays, DJ Tiesto, who opens his 18-month world tour in NYC. Be prepared for it just in case as we will raffle two tickets to this concert right at the launch party! Tickets are also available for purchase at participating agencies.

But here’s where things get a bit hairy… In a consideration of space, the guest list has to be limited to 75 people so… beat them and be among them! Admittance will be put into effect by the approved guest list. If you received an invite, RSVP on Zorz Studios Facebook fan page, or by e-mailing to RSVP@zorzstudios.com. The guest list is now closed, no more RSVPs accepted.

We also offer sponsorship opportunities to promote related businesses.

Check back to see what else we will come up with and to check on the latest updates to the party!

.

.

08/16/09 UPDATE: GUEST LIST CLOSED
After a tremendous response to invitations, we quickly reached the capacity of the room and the guest list. We are temporarily closing it and may re-open it if anything changes. All future RSVPs will be placed on a waiting list. We apologize about this measure, aimed at our guests’ safety and comfort.

.

09/22/09 UPDATE: MEET THE LEGENDS
Meet some of the legends of Zorz Studios! Their images stirred the emotions and were subjects of long discussions and excitement among the studio’s fans and followers. I am so excited to announce that I will have an honor to give them to you! Meet the real people behind these iconic images, including the one and only, who became part of the brand identity, Zorz Studios’ logo.  Unveil their stories behind the scenes and let them share their unique experience!

.

09/22/09 UPDATE: EXOTIC PERFORMANCE

It is with a great delight that I announce the performance of Aisha, an astonishing belly dancer who generously accepted my invitation to the launch party.

An award-winner from Russia, Aisha is a professional dancer, entertainer, and model who has successfully participated in many belly dance and beauty competitions. She received “Miss Charming” award in “Miss Belly Dance of Russia 2007″ contest in Moscow.

Do not miss her enchanting performance!

.

.

.

.

09/22/09 UPDATE: DRESS CODE
The dress code is dressy casual to cocktail attire. No tuxedos on gentlemen are required. And ladies, feel free to impress, as there is a chance of a televised coverage of the party…

.

09/23/09 UPDATE: THE HOSTESS
It is an honor for Zorz Studios that Ana Asensio, Spanish model and actress, will be hosting our launch party. Originally from Madrid, Spain, she will be greeting and assisting our guests as they arrive and leave. I am confident that her courteous and charming personality will distinctly fit and enhance our party.

.

.

11/06/09 UPDATE: VIDEO AND PHOTOS

So, the party is over… <insert audible sigh here> It was a huge success, as hoped and anticipated. Here’s how it happened! Well, just a portion of it. First, here are some photos, courtesy of Irina Smirnova, Sigen Photography.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

And here’s a neat video. Check out my interview and a partial party coverage. Courtesy of DaysRU.tv and Kirill Dorko, “Seen and Heard”

.

.

Their initial package did not include an engagement session but I want to believe that after seeing a few of our recent sessions, reading about them, and getting into the groove, they requested one for themselves.

Per Anastasia, Robert balks at the thought of being photographed… I felt it during our initial consultation, too. Yet, they realized how beneficial it would be to have a “trial” before the wedding day. My goal was to make Robert comfortable while offering Anastasia, who loves being posed, my signature photo shoot experience. After a series of questions, I figured out what would make him relax, and that turned out to be his collectible, in part self-assembled 1969 Porsche  912 (I hear there is another baby waiting for her hour on the wedding day…). As Anastasia puts it, this has been his “first wife”. Well, why not give Porsche the last chance to shine in such a role until the spot is claimed by a human being? If this is what would bring him out to my shooting stage, let there be three of them! Here are a few of quick samples.

And as we shot, I witnessed this wonderful metamorphism from an obliging groom into a relaxed guy who’s letting it go and enjoying it! As Anastasia wrote later, “Ed, I’m so happy about yesterday… It went amazingly well and smooth. Your super easy going personality is a blessing. You were incredible. I had lots of fun. Thank you! Can’t wait for pics… :-)”

I don’t know what they were telling each other about me but the very next day a messenger comes into my house and hands me a sweeeeeet package, pictured on the left. Don’t I love my job! Thank you, dear Anastasia and Robert. We are on the right track!

Eight questions were presented to the contest entrants and here they are with the much anticipated answers!

1. What was the topic of the first Zorz Studios’ blog entry?
Blog Under Construction, removed after the blog became fully functional.

2. In what blog entry was Ed’s partner mentioned for the first time?
Underwater Photo Session, “Heirdom of Atlantis”. Just a couple of weeks prior to that session, I met a young lady Olga Mironova while shooting a wedding. After seeing my work, she got genuinely interested in working with me as assistant and photographer at the weddings. During one of the discussions and learning about her design background, I decided to involve her into this project as well.

3. As of July 11, 2009, what is the second most commented blog entry?
Iwona and Lukasz’ Wedding.

4. Was there a prank blog entry? (Name it if “Yes”, leave blank if “No”)
Yes, Ed on the Channel 3 News: Running for Presidency 2008.

5. What was the “path” that Ed, as the photographer and entrepreneur, was assessed for as a result of a comprehensive industry-specific test?
Signature Brand Photographer. The test is based on the pDNA system, scoring numerous characteristics such as experience, confidence, risk tolerance, artistic and entrepreneurial ID, etc. More details: Truth About Ed: pDNA Revealed.

6. What is the most exotic kind of paper that is used by one of Zorz Studios’ top-of-the-line photo books?
Himalayan Line is defined by the beautiful imported Nepalese lotka paper cover with flap and string wrap, and torn paper edge. Lotka paper is made from the bark of the bush which grows naturally in the Himalayas at altitude of 6,500 to 9,500 feet. The process of making is natural and thousands years old, possessing no threat to the ecosystem. More details: Announcing Couture Collection of Photo Books.

7. How many blog entries were directly related to celebrities whose information was changed at the request of the parties involved shortly after publishing?
Two: Anya Caliendo’s New Couture Milinery Collection and Mena and Ashwin’s Wedding: Two Days of Indian Delight.

8. As of July 11, 2009, how many long-distance trips (beyond NY/NJ) made it to the blog coverage?
Seven:
Marathon’s Strategic Marketing Plan 2-Day Workshop (Boston, MA)
Wedding in Colorado - Mary Clare and Dan (Avon, CO)
Engagement Session of Erica and Elkin (Miami, FL)
PPA/DWF Conventions (Phoenix, AZ)
Wedding of Erica and Elkin (Palm Beach, FL)
Wedding of Maya and Stan (Negril, Jamaica)
Underwater Maternity Session for Yelena (Santa Cruz, CA)

.

.

.

The drums, please…

It is with great pleasure that I announce the three lucky winners:

• JP Sevillano - 3rd place. He won an exclusive pass to any one of Zorz Studios’ photo shoots and will be part of the production team, witnessing the unseen, experiencing the creation of art, and having fun!
• Yuliya Malysheva - 2nd place. In addition to the pass, she won a lifetime subscription to Zorz Studios Art Collection. She will own and enjoy the best of Zorz Studios in a series of fine printed photo books, produced annually.
• Maya Beynishes - 1st place. In addition to the pass and subscription, Maya won a $200 studio credit to apply it to a future photo session or to order fine art prints from a past session! And isn’t she the winner of another contest…? That is some involvement in the studio’s life!

Congratulations, folks! I will contact you soon. Everyone else, please do not despair. There will be more contests, so keep an eye on us by subscribing or bookmarking!

Happy summer!

Pamela is the founder of BagTrends, a trendy online bag store and social fashion-oriented network. I shot a boudoir session for her, so she could surprise Steve and use the images for his bachelor’s party. After the wedding, we are planning to do an underwater trash-the-dress session as well. A bag full of goodies! For this e-session, we went to The Plaza Hotel and used its Oak Room and the surroundings, sunk in the atmosphere of glamour, ritz, and elegance. After the hotel, we went to the Central Park across the street and finished there dancing to the sounds of jazz.

I returned to my Staten Island studio, took a quick break, and drove to Snug Harbor where I found Nancy in an amazing outfit, coupled with a cute umbrella. We lucked out with a dramatic sky which I made sure to capture combining ambient and artificial light just in the right ratio. Kudos to them for bearing with me while I was nailing the shots. Nancy is all into posing and beauty. Brian gets his award for supporting her! Oh, and Nancy’s mom’s advices came in handy, too. Moms are always helpful, aren’t they? I know now why their package includes not one but four albums, all huge and thick…

Below are some sample shots, four from each session.