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Ilana & Lorraine
Risa
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Nitza
Posted on September 21, 2009
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When Ilana Landsberg Lewis & Lorraine Sagato told me they were getting married and asked me to help plan their wedding and be their photographer I was overwhelmed with love, joy and happiness for them and sincerely honored that they would want me to document such an important day in their lives. I was deeply touched when they told me they loved my photographic style and the intimate candid images I love to capture and that it was exactly what they wanted for their wedding. Sitting at an informal diner by Lorraine the gourmet, Ilana, Lorraine’s sister Carla and myself, we discussed countryside locations, white billowing table cloths, simplicity, intimacy, good food, great friends & family, artisan Italian breads and good wine….the stuff romanticized Tuscany family reunions are made of.
It was to be a simple wedding, and my photography, my contribution to the “budget wedding” and a labour of love to one of my dearest friends, her partner and children, all who hold an incredible place in the hearts of myself and my children. I am completly overwhelmed by this wedding. Overwhelmed by the hugeness it became. Not only am I overwhelmed by the love, admiration, respect, excitement, awe and lust these two beautiful people have for each other, but also for the deep love, joy, respect, admiration and loyalty their friends and family have for them! The generosity of their love and spirit for family and friendship was returned to them a hundred fold by the attendees of their wedding and especially, without question, the magnificent host, Salah Bachir, who I imagine would rival, if not outdo, Coco Chanel, Anaise Nin, Gertrude Stein, and Gianni Versace. Yep, you guessed it – I ended up having nothing to do with the wedding plans – but there were white table cloths! The wedding was ordained by the couples good friend Eve Ensler, playwright, performer, and activist, and author of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES.
If you know this couple and their families you know words are their lives. The playful brilliance of words, the intellectual and motivational power of words, the melody of words, the sexiness of words. This wedding encompassed them all. The true love that was expressed by friends and family for Ilana and Lorraine was overwhelming and at times I forgot that I was supposed to be taking pictures. I wiped my eyes, tried to focus and resume my task of the day. I sincerely appreciate and thank Kristina of Sugar Tree Photography for joining me for the day. She is such a pleasure to work with and contributed not only with her photographic talent and charming persona but also helped me with the delicate balance of being emotionally involved with the couple and their families and still having to do the professional job of a photographer.
It was a truly magnificent, unique and special day for all involved and I can just imagine that the Landsberg-Lewis-Sagato households around the GTA are all still celebrating and recounting every beautiful detail!!
So here I leave you with a sneak peak into the most beautiful wedding I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing!
