Taos, New Mexico in 2011

This year's annual trip to see Rochelle's grandmother in Taos was probably the most relaxing. I've been there each year for the past three years, and this year we actually didn't do too many outdoor activities. We did, though, bring two patient dogs with us. One, being our 3-year-old black Labrador, Sheva, and a dog for her grandmother, a cream colored six-month old Shepard mix.

With the record wildfire in Los Alamos beginning to spread on the day we arrived, it eventually led to cancellations of many outdoor sights and sounds later in the week. The lack of activities didn't really bother me personally, since I took so many overdue naps, I lost count. That was something I almost never do back home, and it gave me a chance to unwind.

I was always fascinated by these power line crossings on Interstate 287. In the 12 hour trip there, this is the only time they cross the road:

Our good friends Jay and Kayla were road tripping up to Utah, and stayed in New Mexico for a couple of days during their journey. They wanted to stop in Taos to say hello and have us document their vow renewals alongside the West Rim of the Rio Grande Gorge - a beautiful location for two beautiful people, congratulations!:

Here is a collection of seashells, left on an edge, we found on the way back from the trail. A sign of a distant offering:

We visited the Mabel Dodge Luhan House and took our furry friends with us:

Here's a shot of our friend who watched as Sheva played in a nearby water stream:

Later during the week, the fire worsened, and affected my respiratory system a bit when I read outside. Here's a shot of the sun that was peeking between all of it:

You can see the gradations of smoke to non-smoke as you go further back:

And that was pretty much our trip. Even though we didn't travel up, down, and side to side around Taos, it was, as I said previously, the most relaxing:

Thanks again, New Mexico. Until next year.

Rasy Ran Photography

Kiran and Jake's Wedding

A good friend of mine and former colleague, Aisha, introduced me to Kiran and Jake, who held their three-day Pakistani-American wedding around the metroplex. Kiran and Jake held their first day at Roma Palace in Garland, then at the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West for the second day, and closed their wedding weekend with a brunch at the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth. The wedding was colorful and ornate, and executed very well.

I wanted to start the entry with a few details of Roma Palace; and here are some that caught my attention:

While guests were mingling and making their way into the venue, I took some candids:

Jake makes his entrance to the venue from outside:

And then inside:

Kiran's nephew stands at the front of the line with the group that is accompanying her into the building:

Jake waits briefly on the chair pictured in the first image:

Here, you can see a selection of the decor that rests upon the ground and stage:

Kiran makes her entrance, as her entourage of family members follow suit:

And then helped onto the stage with assistance from Jake:

I wanted this image to focus on just the colors and decor, rather than their faces. You can see that the colors of the wedding worked well here:

The two are then dressed, fed, hugged, and conversed with:

Two chairs are placed at the opposite end of the room, as the final ceremony of the night consisted of dance performances put on by friends and family alike:

On the second day at the Omni Hotel, we started off with environmental and detail shots again:

Kiran and Jake were ready shortly after we got there, as we blocked off some time for some portraits and a relaxing period before the wedding:

We can't forget the henna:

Then I moved to taking some bridals which continued to the presidential suite they were staying in:

As guests were packing the front hallways of the ballroom, the fruity drinks and appetizers accompanied their social gatherings:

Both groups make their separate entrances under the archway, and here they are in a diptych:

Their wedding officiant briefed the audience in English about the passages he was going to read in the Quran about the sanctity of marriage, and then read them natively in Arabic, which I thought was pleasant:

The rings were exchanged and dinner went well underway:

Celebrations moved to the cake table, sliced, and served:

Kiran and Jake shared the stage with sisters of the bride and groom who shared details of their memories in their speeches. They were sweet and sentimental:

 

When I saw this image in the editing process, I wanted to include it just for the clothing contrasts, and it was taken during the speeches, too:

Jake is then briefly guided by Kiran's father in signing the marriage certificate:

Did I mention there were a lot of pictures being taken through their wedding?

The third day took us out to the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth. The celebrations here were lighter, since it was a short brunch, but it was nice to way to wind down for everyone partaking in the wedding:

I made this spot a location for most of the formals early on, and had a nice long walkway when I used the telephoto, here:

The two met and greeted with more family and friends that arrived at the hotel:

During the brunch, I wanted to make a few final portraits of Kiran and Jake, so I asked for their time, and we went outside:

Kiran shows some of Jake's family her henna after going back inside:

I wanted to close with a shot of the rings next to the delicious, sweet cake that was served:

Kiran, Jake, and everyone that was involved, thank you all very much for being a part of this and working with me to make the wedding coverage streamlined. I really appreciate you guys for bringing us out there, until next time!

Rasy Ran Photography