Gina Carter Photography Blog

Celebrate Your Love!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

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Getting married in 2010?
We've got you covered with this awesome wedding package for all 2010 GCP couples!

Celebrate Your Love Promotion $2,200
Includes:
6 hours wedding day photography
2nd photographer
High-resolution digital files
Online gallery

Hurry... promo ends August 31, 2010!
*Valid for all Miami/Fort Lauderdale events taking place before March 31st, 2011.

A Natural Beauty

If you're not much of a makeup person -- and even if you are -- you should consider hiring a makeup artist for your wedding day. A pro can give you picture-perfect makeup that stays put. Here are some tips for seeking out someone to help you look big-day beautiful.

Finding an Artist
  • Ask your friends. Word of mouth can be very useful when it comes to finding true talent. 
  • Check out department stores. Talk to beauty consultants at cosmetics counters and pay attention to how their own makeup looks; let the ones you feel comfortable with give you a make-over.
  • Ask your photographer (that's ME!). Most photographers have worked with makeup artists and can recommend some good ones.
  • Try an agency. If you live near a large city (especially New York or Los Angeles), try contacting an agent for makeup artists and ask if they can suggest a few who specialize in weddings. These professionals may charge more, since a percentage of the fee goes to their agent.

Working with One

  • Collect pictures from magazines to show the makeup artist so he or she can get an idea of the look you're going for. Keep in mind that your wedding is not the time to start experimenting -- stick to a more glamorous version of your everyday self.
  • Schedule trial runs before your prewedding parties or other special events (friends' weddings, class reunions, etc.). Most makeup artists do charge you for these practice sessions -- so find a crowd to wow or schedule it for you E-Pics session!
  • Take a close look at yourself a few hours after a trial makeover to check how the makeup wears on your skin.
  • Finally, ask what will happen if the makeup artist can't be there on the day of the wedding. Will he or she arrange for someone else to do the job or are you on your own?
Introducing...
Now, let me make a recommendation. I've worked with many makeup artist over the years and think highly of many of them. But when it comes to the getting ready hours of your big day you'll be glad to work with Mercy Mendez of Beauty By Mercy. This talented lady not only makes brides and bridesmaids look beautiful but has a relaxed and sweet disposition that you'll really appreciate on the big day.
Mercy has great stylistic range; from sweet and natural to dark and dramatic. Her packages are also very reasonable. See some of her work at www.beautybymercy.com and contact her for more information.

Mercy herself...
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Mercy on the job.
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NYC Sessions

Thanks for all the great sessions everyone! We had a great time and created some beautiful images.

We've decided to highlight one of our favorite sessions. I've photographed this beautiful family for many years... so I was very glad that despite some early rain fall delaying the shoot we were finally able to run around Central Park for our session. The kids were happy and adventurous and we got some wonderful shots. Thanks guys!

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Fun things to do in NYC

While in NYC I had the chance to spend some "quality time" with my sister. So what's more fun than getting a cool new cut and some new ink? Nada... that's what!

First stop - Graceland Brooklyn - cool new hair and tattoo shop in hip Williamsburg.

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My stylist, Josh,  is amazing. We were in a big rush but he cut my huge amount of way too long hair and styled it into a rock-ish layered 'do, almost as we ran out of the door. Love him and love Graceland. Thanks Josh!



Next stop - East Side Ink - the best tattoo studio in NY, of which my sister is co-owner.
My artist was Needles and he did an amazing job. For my first tattoo I chose a peonies. They grow in my sister's New York backyard garden, they are beautiful and will always remind me of her and the wonderful time we had in her new home.

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My inspiration flower and my sister, Yadira, sipping an iced coffee at East Side Ink.

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While there I got to meet some very nice and very interesting people.
Sweety's facial hair was very impressive indeed... very sauve and devil may care.
And I also got to see some old friends, like CJ who I had not seen in almost six years.
Congrats on the baby's b-day CJ and Patty!
   
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Needles' drawing was lovely and I love the result. The photo was taken with a phone so pardon the quality. And, in case you are wondering... it's on my ribs. Thanks everyone!

Headshots in New York

GCP New York City Sessions. We are shooting in Central Park, and at various other locations around the city, from May 20th to 24th. If you haven’t booked your NYC session in Central Park yet, you’re not too late! We have a limited number of sessions still available.

NYC Session I ($450) includes an hour of photography, an online gallery, a $100 print credit and the High-Resolution Digital Negatives. Prefect for headshots (w/ one outfit).


NYC Session II ($550) includes 2 hours of photography, an online gallery, a $200 print credit and the High-Resolution Digital Negatives. These sessions are prefect for families of four or more, engagement pics/couples and headshots (w/ multiple changes).

Email or call us to book your session.
GCP@GINACARTERPHOTOGRAPHY.COM   or  305-877-3809


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Central Park!

It’s time for one of our favorite shoots of the year... GCP’s Central Park Sessions. This year marks our fourth! We can’t wait to see all of our friends again. We are shooting portraits in Central Park from May 17th to May 25th. If you haven’t booked your NYC session in Central Park yet, you’re not too late! We have a limited number of sessions still available. << MORE >>

Annelise Collette

Just had the pleasure of photographing the very beautiful and talented Annelise Collette. She has a gorgeous sultry voice and a wonderful playful personality. catch her before she heads back to NYC; she is performing at Churchill's this week! 

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Learn more about Annelise at http://www.annelisecollette.com/
I also love this candid video of Annelise singing a new song. HTTP://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1YK4aqvad8&feature=related

The Knot Magazine

Erica and Ben's wedding was stylist and modern... and now it's also published! The Knot Magazine published our coverage of this beautiful wedding as one of  their Real Weddings for the Fall 2009 magazine. We are so pleased... a big thank you goes out to the bride and groom.

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See this Knot Real Wedding online at: www.theknot.com
See our favorite images from Erica and Ben's Wedding.
See Erica and Ben's E-Pics Session.


Carnival Wedding

We had an amazing time at C & G's wedding. Their Brazilian and Portuguese heritage played a central role in the creation of their event. Everything from the music, to the food, to the color palette spoke to their love for each other and their cultures. All the details were perfect; another wonderful creation from the folks at SavvyPlanners.com. I love working with these guys... they are fun and highly organized... everything always goes smoothly and looks amazing. Outstanding Brazilian chefs created the wedding's mouth-watering dishes. A Samba band gave the event an authentic carnival atmophere that speaks to this couple's love of music. To add to the drama, the guests were entertained by carnival dancers. A masterpiece of celebration, love, good food and joyful dancing. Loved it!
 
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C & G's Vendors

Event Planners/Designers/CoordinatorsMarcinho Savant for SavvyPlanners.com - savvyplanners.com

Coordination and Flowers- Roberto Tamayo for Touch of Paradise Events - www.touchofparadiseevents.com

Videography - Dream Video Productions -
www.dvpstudios.com

Cake - We Take the Cake - www.wetakethecake.com

Live Music - "Samba Samba 2000" (produced by Bacchus Group Productions, Ltd.)- www.BacchusGroup.com

Family Session at Riverwalk

As fall approaches it's the perfect time to get the everyone together for family portraits. It's a good idea to get them done now so you have time to create your cards, albums and photo gifts before the holiday frenzy begins.
Here are two different family sessions at Riverwalk Park, near Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale.

J. R. & Z. - these guys are so great. We never have a bad session. They are fun and happy kids that look running around and being silly... so perfect.

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V. & B. - Gotta love them! From the first session we ever had where we captured B's "pirate face" to this most recent session where B proclaimed that he would be "jumping all day", we always have fun together.

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One of the really great perks about this job is that many times friends are clients and clients are friends. So on "special" shoots my kiddies get to come along. And that's exactly what we did for this recent session. My little tag-alongs had a great time. Ophelia wrote in her journal, ran, jumped and danced until snack time. While Stephen wanted to do all the fun things he saw B doing... which makes perfect sense since B. is older and wiser, by an entire year.  

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