Alice's Photo Blog

Honorable Mention

Alice Garik — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:48:17 +0000

One of my children portraits has been given an Honorable Mention by the Prix de la Photographie Paris. I have continued to photograph his growing family: a new brother and new goats on the way. Here are some photos.

An Untraditional & Evocative Wedding Dress

Alice Garik — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:51:06 +0000

Recently I photographed a bride in her wedding dress designed by Jenny Packham. I wanted these photographs to be about feeling, to be as evocative and sensual as the dress. Like one of the first women photographers, Julia Margaret Cameron, I intentionally softened the focus to evoke dreaminess. The silk tulle of this dress wafts in the breeze and when the bride turned, her dress spread as if to float her in the air.

The style of this dress is called “Keira” and there was a beautiful play of light on the beads sewn in beautiful patterns on the dress.

Simple Can Be So Elegant

Alice Garik — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:55:53 +0000

Sometimes the spare can be just the beauty we need. Dana Barrow, the florist, who recently did the flowers for a wedding at Castle Hilll demonstrated her superb skill with her arrangements. Such arrangements can only be done by someone with knowledge and appreciation of plants and nature.

Dana has written that these photos of the vases with the candles are her favorites of her work. She goes on to say that she is “a huge fan of black and white too, and it really brought out the elegant architecture of the Castle. I love the way you captured the relaxed atmosphere of the day, the angles you used, and the narrative you created. There is another one of Lisa with her flower girl that is super charming.”

Fun and Joy

Alice Garik — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:49:00 +0000

At Kate and Tom’s wedding the downpour of rain couldn’t dampen their spirits and that of their friends and families. Such joy was expressed throughout the day and night of fun and dance. Their colorful flowers were done by Berthe Cowles. Here are a very few photographs.

New Beginnings

Alice Garik — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:37:33 +0000

There is for me in the process and event of a wedding a profound awakening. Every bride and groom I have encountered feels that they are entering a new life. With this advent comes a sensitivity to the world around them and a welcoming. New experiences beckon. These photos are few but I hope capture the poetry inherent in the steps to marriage.

These are some of this bride’s thoughts when she saw these images: “Wow! That really shook me. I really love the idea of letting go of your freedom ‘metaphorically’ by the realease of the bird. I also like the transmutation of the bride into some sort of bird character in herself.”

Swans That Are Close To Us

Alice Garik — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:33:37 +0000

In Prospect Park live a pair of swans that I have been observing and photographing for a few years. They have raised their young in the park and I have been fortunate to see these cygnets mature. This year they had three cygnets, but all seem to have disappeared and/or died. I write this because I am concerned about the fortune of wild animals living so close to humans. Most people are fascinated by the beauty of these birds and many photograph them with their digital cameras and cell phones. Along with the ducks people feed them, especially in winter. Very few people act abusively toward them. But I realize their vulnerability.

These few photographs are recent, from this summer, showing first the swan with her cygnets. I watched her in a rain storm carry them on her back protecting them under her wings as she swan in the lake. The next are when only one cygnet was left and the last are when there were none. Only the parents remained. I understand that swans mate for life.

On The Way To A Wedding

Alice Garik — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:14:24 +0000

Rain would have seemed to diminish the joy at one of my weddings this August, but not so. It started to pour just as the bride and her party entered the bus hired to take them to the church. The groom ran from a taxi into the church, barely saving his linen suit from being drenched. Still smiles and sparkling eyes prevailed. What was wonderful was that the rain ended just in time to enjoy the reception, which was held at their home on a lake. The beauty of blue skies reflected in the water gave a beautiful ending to their day.

Adding to the beauty of the day was the way that the floral designer Jayson Munn, http://www.jaysonmunn.com, designed the table settings. Simply and elegantly styled.

Wedding Idea

Alice Garik — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:49:21 +0000

I have heard from brides and grooms that the clinking of glasses in order to get them to kiss can be overdone.

One alternative is to have your DJ or band leader announce that in order for the bride and groom to kiss, they must be serenaded by their guests. This is fun and involves all the guests as I have seen table by table stand up and sing.

Ornithology Exhibit

Alice Garik — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:14:09 +0000

I have a passion for photographing birds, particularly swans and hawks. An exhibit in NYC titled “Ornithology”, www.jenbekman.com/shows/ornithology has work of other artists, both photographers and painters.

Here are two recent pieces that I have done in platinum palladium.

New Edition of The New York Guide to a Healthy Birth

Alice Garik — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:27:29 +0000

I wish to recommend The New York Guide to a Healthy Birth. The new edition is out and it is free. It is No.3 of a series and is valid for 2008/09. It is published by Choices in Childbirth, 212.983.4122; info@choicesinchildbirth.org.

My photo of Ellen has been chosen to be published in this edition.