Yervant

Russia 2008 pt2

1st Wedding Biennale

First and foremost, the Russian hospitality!

Now I know how celebrity feel! We were treated like celebrity from the moment we touched down to the moment we farewelled the organizers. They picked us up individually from the airport with flowers for Anie, chauffeured luxury transport to a magnificent hotel where the star treatment just continued on… I mean.. we are just wedding photographers and we get such treatment, I feel completely spoiled and know I can never repay the respects even if I tried, all too generous and extremely warm.

Thank you Laslo, Alexander, André and their entire team for an unforgettable experience.

The event was held at the Performing Arts Centre in Moscow, their equivalent of Carnegie Hall.
Around 280 Pro. Photographers attended the 3 day seminar which included a day on stage with Joe, Bambi and I presenting together and then separately to an audience hooked to professional translation, the following day, some of Moscow’s best photographers presented their works, and these guys better keep right away from WPPI, AIPP etc… they are too good!! I mean it, so ahead from any other body of work that I have seen in all this time.

We then did a rotating Master Class to 3 groups of about 30 photographers, with some of Russia’s top models, I have to say again and again… I really do not like working with models, they have school trained poses which are so unpersonal, I really do not relate to them, I love working with real brides who communicate with my camera, they are gorgeous because they feel gorgeous and they have real emotions, real feelings.

The 3rd day was taken by Press conferences, TV interviews etc… I am not used to this treatment and I could not help being a little too excited… I hope it did not show.

Then more presentations by all followed by a Wedding Party. Live music, gorgeous models, and even more gorgeous Russian girls, this town is a heaven of beautiful girls!
Bam and I did something similar to WPPI’s Champagne Shoot, each in corner with a few models, crowds of photographers around us, live music in the corner and just a huge buzz in the atmosphere, Joe was the ninja that he is, shooting between both stages and entertaining an excited crowd.

A wonderful Violin player appeared to take the floor with her up tempo performance backed by a Bongo player and the party just roared ! I have not danced like that in my life! Joe and bam and Anie and our hot blooded Russian friends partied like never, and I proved to Bambi that I can indeed dance!! LOL !

Anie and I were treated to a special surprise celebration of our 25th anniversary with flowers, gifts and a special dedication by the Violin player. Anie, Joe and Bambi all cried ! I danced!!

Here are some pictures to share….

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