Michelle and Mark - beverly hills, california

michelle and mark on-line proofing website

when we meet a couple we usually spend time talking with them about how they met and their story for a while before we even begin to talk about photography... to see the thread of our connection. with michelle and mark we were instantly comfortable and felt like we had known them for years. i can’t even begin to tell you how much joey and i wanted to be part of mark and michelle's wedding! many have heard us speak about natasha... aka “tash” she not only introduced us to them... she introduced michelle and mark to each other! they, tash and her cohorts conspired to have them meet at her son’s bar mitzvah... a few years ago! the thread was sown. they had their very first date on mark’s boat where we actually photographed their engagement session. hmm, pretty cool we thought.

m&m seeing each other for the first time. a whole new wow factor in the romance category.


michelle’s dad sasha brought out vodka shots for the guys to celebrate along with pickles and sweet bread to chase down the peppered vodka.


mark’s portrait is taken right outside of michelle’s parent’s sauna. we learned earlier the sauna has a special meaning and hosts a men’s night that you have to be pretty “confident” to be part of…


this classic portrait of michelle and mark has a studio vibe to it… however, we shot this right in the living room. a chapter taken right out of her parents past.


after the editorials at UCLA we really could have gone home… but no way could we miss this incredible celebration.



glad we din't cause that wouldn't been good PLUS we would have cut short a day that was just beginning to go into full swing. you see when you get a call from the groom the day before the wedding to go over a few last minute details and he ends with..."be prepared for a really BIG party!" mark...you weren't kidding. we started our day at 1pm and said our last goodbyes at 1am the next morning.
















love, love, love our couples. we had a blast and can't wait to see them again.
-karen and joey





editorials: ucla
venue: hollywood temple beth-el
iranian american jewish center, director of events: irma smith
entertainment: david & the high spirit
caterer: maxim restaurant
floral design: majestic flowers tony and lana
videographer: peter vaysman studio effects
make up/ stylist: patrice miranda
limousine service: ps limo
favors: chocoveda
katubah signing and ceremony rabbi cantor larry ellis