brian dorsey studios – new york wedding photographer – top 10 in the world – destination weddings

The results of the Wedding Photojournalists Association were just announced yesterday and we were happy to find out that two of our images won awards.

The first, was from Nora and Matt’s wonderful wedding at The Metropolitan Club.  The second was from Tamara and Michael’s Engagement Session in SoHo.

JUDGES COMMENTS: I like the layers in this photograph. It’s nice to have context in an image and to be able to see where and how many people attend the wedding. This photograph accomplishes both as a slow shutter speed records this man studying his paperwork a blur of attendees swirl in the background. Nice framing with the symmetrical lights and perfectly framed entrance that highlights the sharpness of all the detail in and outside the room.

JUDGES COMMENTS: The beauty of this image is how the primary focus on the vendor is not lost among the crowded elements of the scene. It’s partly due to the subject’s own actions. He is deliberate and focused. It’s hard to miss his professionalism. But the image gets the award for supporting actor through artful use of leading lines used in the composition combined with lighting that leads our eyes directly to his scrutiny.

JUDGES COMMENTS: I like the way this portrait includes their dog! Just adds an element about them that gives us a sense of who they are. Their embrace is very sweet and the urban context is interesting and the dog is not sure what to think of it all. Nice framing of the image.

Personally, I like the way the graphic face on the lefthand door seems to be watching the couple.

Not sure if you got a chance to see the latest New York Magazine Weddings Issue… but we were delighted that we were asked to share our images of Ranee and Nir for both a feature wedding and the introduction for their Album Section.

Below, Ranee gets ready in the Presidential Suite of The Plaza Hotel.

And the best part for you 80s disco/funk  junkies – their band was Kool And The Gang.

Cake by Sylvia Weinstock.

we’ve had so many requests for more of vanessa and david’s wonderful wedding that we thought we’d share a few more select images from their fab day at The Plaza ….

Below:  Seth Rogen helps out a fellow groomsmen get dressed and gets some added encouragement.

David and Vanessa see each other for the first time in a secluded area of Central Park.

The celebrity studded groomsmen take a break on Central Parks’ Bow Bridge.

The goofy group had a great time hammin’ it up – brining their LA-based love for the camera to NYC.

But the ceremony was touching and very emotional – quite old school – and a big contrast to the horsing around in the Park.

And below you have the one and only ChuppaCam in action.  I wanted a birds eye shot of the kiss in the context of the beautiful setting that Michelle Rago had created in The Terrace Room at The Plaza – but since I’m really against intruding on the sanctity of the ceremony we came up with a plan to rig up a remote triggered camera that we buried in the canopy of the Chuppa.  The camera was completely covered with leaves so that it was completely invisible to the guests and we triggered it wirelessly.

We have loads of beautiful portraits of David and Vanessa but I wanted to show you this one since I think it really captures the playful spirit of this special couple.  Vanessa with her nose slightly scrunched – David goofing around but through that – you can feel the real love and connection that these two have for each other.  Beyond being able to capture all the beauty and the grandure and the moments and the details, I think the real magic of photography – is capturing the personalities of my couples.

Lots of wonderful images to share from the celebrity filled evening as well coming soon.

We’ve won an award in this quarter’s WPJA Photo Competition for a shot from Vanessa Britting and David Krumholtz’s celebrity packed wedding at The Plaza Hotel.

I’m a fan of the WPJA since the way they run their competition puts every Wedding Photojournalist on even footing.  Every member get’s the same limited number of entries so you can’t buy yourself an advantage like many photographers do in other competitions.  You also don’t name your photos or provide any additional information about the backstory.  If the photo doesn’t say it – it doesn’t factor into the judging.   You also can’t photoshop your image – so there’s none of that crazyness.  Get it right in the camera or go home.  Lastly, it is a true worldwide competition with thousands of photographers competing (it’s amazing how many great pj wedding images come from Eastern Europe!) so even a sixth place is pretty cool.  This is our 5th winner in WPJA contests.

p.s.  Can you spot the 3 videographers?

See more of this wedding in the forthcoming New York Magazine special Weddings issue.

Earlier this year, we were featured in Professional Photographer Magazine’s Wedding Issue in their “Tips from the Experts” article.

That’s our image above – courtesy of Susan and Eric’s wedding at Cipriani 42nd Street.  Michelle Rago was responsible for the event design and Bently Meeker the lighting.

To read the article and our suggestions on how we make an event look like it’s been professionally lit without breaking the bank – check out the Press section of our website.

a few images from rachel and mark’s wonderful day

event design by jerry sibal

nestled over the highline in the meatpacking district is the standard hotel.  check out how event designer david monn recently turned it into a mid-century modern salon for a private birthday party.

with some great views

and our exposure in the far east continues to grow!  we were featured recently in Cosmo’s wedding guide in China, Cosmopolitan Bride.  Check out our 6 page feature of Tara and Nick’s Southampton wedding.  Hats off again to one of our favorite planners and florists – the wonderful Claire Bean.

wanted to share a couple of my favorite portraits from a session that we had recently with jane and fred in central park.

so what kind of birthday party do you throw when your best friends include Beyonce, Jay Z, and Mary J. Blige?

one with white peacocks in a garden on top of rockefeller center!

620 loft and garden

mary j. blige

Jay Z

and you gotta have a little floor show ….

and you get to have mary j. blige sing you a birthday song…

and the beautiful and talented, Mrs. Z (aka Beyonce).

and who was spinning the turntables?  That’s Solange Knowles, Beyonce’s Little Sister.