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A New Year’s Eve Celebration, Happy Twenty Dozen!

AK — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:43:16 +0000

A few weeks ago, my good friend asked me to email her my resolutions for 2012. EMAIL?! I thought. I was reluctant because I’ve always doubted the power of resolutions, and this time they would be archived and she will surely hold me accountable. And to be honest, I’ve never been much of a New Year resolution maker. I’ve always thought that I don’t need the first of the year to set goals, and most New Year’s resolutions are usually forgotten in just a few weeks, anyways. But having entered my final year as a twenty-something, I figured a few new years resolutions could be good for me. So I sent them to her. Number one on my list of course, is to continue to grow my photography business!

There is a superstition that says “the way you bring in your new year is the way your year will go,” and if there is any truth to it, then I’m already off to a great start with my top goal for 2012. This New Years Eve I rang in the New Year photographing Jenna and Thomas’ 40s-themed New Year’s Eve celebration! Have you ever sat back and just watched what happens to people during the countdown? It’s quite amazing. And until this night, I didn’t understand it. The New Year is our opportunity to collect $200 and pass GO. It’s not starting over but its starting again with new chance and new hope. We’ve made it through the past year’s challenges, and somehow still have breath to rejoice in the triumphs.

I’m grateful for this new year, and for the new chance I have to get my resolutions and goals right once again, and for my friend who archived those resolutions.

Have a happy new year and make it a good one! (Just in case the Mayans are right.) Below are photos from the NYE party!

Event Planner: Sweet Pea Events
Flowers: DiFiori
Band: Serenata String

Sarah + Vivek, a Grand Central proposal

AK — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:54:16 +0000

Vivek sent Sarah on a scavenger hunt with dares she had to complete along the way, like yelling “In-N-Out is better” at Shake Shack. Sarah is a west coast native, like myself, so it’s only natural for her to believe so. Eventually, he led her to Grand Central where he was waiting to propose in front of 500,000 daily commuters and tourists. Okay fine, only a portion of those commuters happened to be there at the particularly moment, but it’s possible they could have all been there. Afterwards, we spent some time taking shots around Grand Central. There really is so much beauty in the uniqueness of the architecture at the terminal.

Vivek’s one of a kind proposal was so thoughtful. Not only did he make sure the event was photographed, but he also had a videographer on hand. Sim Butalia and I had a lot of fun running around town and dodging Sarah. And I can’t wait for the next proposal!

~AK

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Nicole + Damien, the Wedding of Champions in Queens, NY

AK — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:35:20 +0000

In the spirit of updates, I am posting my images from one of the most inspirational couples from Brooklyn. Nicole & Damien were contestants on the Biggest Loser: Couples. Through their dedication to lead healthier lives and good old fashioned hard work they lost a combined weight of over 250lbs.Â Nicole showed off her sexy, slender figure in a mermaid silhouette wedding dress. I worked with Parris Whittingham on this wedding.

Mermaid silhouette- Just exercising my new wedding vocabulary. Since I began my business, I have immersed myself in all things weddings. What began as “research” turned into one of my guilty pleasures: Say Yes to the Dress. My mini confession today is that to my roommate’s horror, I figured out how to dvr it to watch multiple episodes consecutively.

~AK

Visit my WEBSITE ::: Follow me @msAKnowles ::: CONTACT me

Jenny + Andrew, a Central Park Engagement

AK — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:06:07 +0000

I am sure someone out there is ready to report me to the general counsel of the world wide web for neglecting my blog for so long.Â My excuse is that I have been working on getting a new website and blog up for so long that I neglected to post. But on the positive side I am learning to make executive decisions!

This is just the beginning of a whole batch of new posts. To start with all my updates, I am introducing Jenny & Andrew’s engagement session at Central Park. Jenny’s green sweater is gorgeous against the backdrop of the the park. Many couples ask me about what to wear for their engagement session. Well, it’s up to you whether you would like to be dressy or casual, but either way make sure you dress like yourself. I really think Jenny & Andrew got it right. Oh and that’s Saddie, their Collie.

Stay tuned for the launch of my newly designed website.

~AK

Visit my WEBSITE ::: Follow me @msAKnowles ::: CONTACT me

Meghana & Jacob, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens Wedding with a chuppah and a mandap

AK — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:34:52 +0000

meghana and jacob were married at the brooklyn botanical gardens with an interfaith ceremony that was led by both a rabbi and priest. i was breathless watching these two extraordinary cultures unite.

~AK

Visit my WEBSITE ::: Follow me @msAKnowles ::: CONTACT me

Dina & Josh, a Long Island Wedding

AK — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:59:00 +0000

for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

marriageÂ takes a lot of love. so much love that you are willing toÂ share andÂ compromise and to forgive and understand someone besides yourself. which is the reason i have so much respect for anyone who commits their lives together as a holy bond with the blessings of God. He is our greatest example of love.

next month, my parents celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. 25 years of love. 25 years of togetherness. 25 years of strength.

through my job,Â in the month of june alone, iÂ wasÂ blessed to witnessÂ a jehovah’s witness, an othordox jewish, a few catholic ceremonies, and an interfaith jewish & hindu ceremony. so amazing. below are my faves from dina & josh’s wedding that i shot with jennifer davis.

~AK

Kyra & David, a Central Park Destination Wedding

AK — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:39:56 +0000

this spring and early summer was a very busy time for me. so many changes. so many things to be grateful for. i didn’t get around to blogging nearly as much as i should have. in fact,Â i made not one entry at all in june. when things get busy its hard to sit down and reflect on those happenings. but reflection is just what i need to stay on top of my game.

anyways, here are images from kyra and david’s central park destination wedding. i shot this wedding with jennifer davis. they flew in for a week from scotland to be married in the big apple. new york is home for me. but oh boy, how i can’t wait to travelÂ for a destination wedding.

here’s a list of a few places iÂ just might kill forÂ a chance to shoot a wedding:

italy, spain, prague, moscow, tokyo, thailand, india, alaska, the carribbean, morrocco, egypt, ghana, greece

okay fine, that list is more than a few. and if i sat still long enough, i could definitely come up with more. what can i say, i want to see the world. this is me visualizing that goal.

~ak

Kevin + Lin, a Grand Central Proposal

AK — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:59:41 +0000

kevin contacted me with a diamond ring burning a hole in his pocket about a month before the date he had chosen to propose. he wanted to make the proposal special by capturing it in images. consistent june rain killedÂ his planÂ of shakespeare’s garden at central park just an hour before showtime. i hauled it to the whispering walls at grand central and waited to capture the look on lin’s face. priceless!

~AK

Visit my WEBSITE ::: Follow me @msAKnowles ::: CONTACT me

this is me not worrying

AK — Sat, 09 May 2009 03:37:39 +0000

it’s official! i need a new alarm clock. after only about umpteen years, i’ve become immune to the annoying sound of mine. this seems like it should be inevitable but i was hoping it would last forever. i’ve had the same purple alarm clock since freshman year. if you want to do the math, that was in 2001.

i started this blog tonight to post the photos of olga’s. but i’m worried about something. i am worried about whether someone will follow through the way i know they are capable. where do you draw the line in friendship and business? i don’t want to discuss anymore details here.Â but just as i typed that i remembered my last post. let go and let God. i am putting it in God’s hands. i know He will take care of it.

moving on to olga’s! olga’s on smith just opened this month in carroll gardens. it’s a kosher cafe/restaurant. healthy food that is healthy for your wallet also. they’ve got homemade lemonade with blueberries. yum. russian truffles. yum. and wasabi mashed potatoes to make your heart melt. yum. yum. yum!

i am not the restaurant reviewer type. it is either good or not good in my book. olga’s gets a good.

the place is super cute also. i took these photos this week. if you’re in the neighborhood, check it out. it’s on smith st between 4th and 5th streets.

i’m going out to enjoy the warm spring air this saturday night. wait… as i was finishing this up, it has been confirmed that this will be a blockbuster night. and since i have a good one, i am not as disappointed. (this is me not worrying)

~ak