Ella A Photoshoot
Anna G Photoshoot
Birkat Hamazon
No wedding is complete without a festive feast, this much is agreed upon all over the world. These feasts most often contain congratulations, toasts, and speeches. Traditional Jewish weddings however, have a little something special added to their feasts. This addition is called the Birkat Hamazon.
The Birkat Hamazon, or the blessings after the meal, is the traditional way to end a Jewish wedding feast. Benchers, which are small prayer booklets, are handed out to all the attending guests. After reciting the prayers, everyone participates in repeating the seven wedding blessings. Finally, the blessing over the wine is recited as two glasses of wine are poured together into a third. This symbolizes the creation of a strong bond and a new life together. Not only does this tradition connect all the friends and family in attendance, it also spreads messages of unity and new beginnings.
By Julia Dankov
Broken Coins
Nowadays, the use of engagement rings is customary all over the world. They have been around for several centuries and are still seen everywhere to this day. In ancient times however, this was not the case.
Many hundreds of years ago, broken coins added just as much value to an engagement as wedding rings do today. A man would break a coin in half, keep one half for himself, and offer the second half to the woman he intended to marry. If she accepted, she would wear her half around her neck for all to see. This represented a man’s wish to combine two halves, himself and his partner, into one whole. Not only does it symbolize the creation of a firm bond, it also conveys strong feelings of love and hope. Although not too commonly, this tradition is still seen today.
By Julia Dankov
Peruvian Ribbon Cake
No wedding is complete without a wedding cake, this is accepted and agreed upon all over the world. In Peru this is especially true, considering the fact that the wedding cake is part of an extremely old and celebrated Peruvian wedding tradition. This wedding tradition has been around for centuries, and continues to be practiced all over Peru to this day.
Peruvian wedding cakes often have a little something special added to them. A wedding charm, most likely a ring, with ribbons attached to it is placed between the layers of the cake. Before the cake is cut, each single woman attending the wedding celebration grabs onto and pulls a string. The one woman who pulls the ribbon with the ring on the end is then considered next in line to marry, almost like the tossing of the bridal bouquet tradition. Not only is it a unique alternative, it also represents the passing down of the luck of the bride and groom.
By Julia Dankov
Muslim Brides
On her wedding day, a bride is celebrated and treated rather regally. We have all heard “it’s her special day” and other such phrases, seeing as though they represent a wholly worldwide belief. Muslim weddings are especially rich in such a belief, and have been so for centuries.
Since the earliest of Muslim weddings, brides have been treated with respect and adoration on their wedding days. Nowadays, they are treated no differently, and even part take in a certain celebration held just for them. After the wedding ceremony, the bride changes into a specially made, elaborate gown adorned with gold, jewels, pearls, and other such decorations. It is in this gown that she is then held aloft and paraded around like royalty while friends and family watch, dance, and celebrate. After up to two hours of this, she is returned to the ground and placed into the groom’s arms, an indication of the end of the celebration. It unifies all the attending guests in a rather fun and sweet celebration, and says quite the lot about how Muslim brides are treated and thought of.
By Julia Dankov
Japanese Sake Ceremony
The Japanese culture is filled with countless traditions and customs. Many of these are several centuries old, including the sake wedding ceremony, or the “san-san-kudo” ceremony. This tradition dates back to the early sixteenth century, a time when sharing sake created a bond as formal and strong as a handshake did in Victorian times. Because of the immense importance of creating such a bond, this tradition continues to be practiced all over Japan to this day.
The phrase “san-san-kudo” generally translates to “three, three, deliver nine”. This refers to the amount of cups used and sips taken during the ceremony. It starts with both the groom and bride taking three sips of sake from three different sake cups. It finishes with them offering the sake to their families; first the groom’s father, then his mother, then the bride’s father, then her mother. The ceremony is not only beautiful to witness, it is also highly symbolic, seeing as though it represents the creation of a new family bond and demonstrates respect for parents. It is clear why it has stuck around for so long, and will not be forgotten for quite a while.
By Julia Dankov
Mitzvah Tanz
No wedding is complete without dancing, this is a universal truth. Not only does it bring people together, it also establishes a general sense of happiness and celebration. Jewish weddings for example, put quite the lot of emphasis on dancing. They even have a tradition called the “mitzvah tanz”, which can almost be considered an obligatory wedding activity.
The Hebrew and Yiddish phrase “mitzvah tanz” generally translates to “necessary dance”, meaning that it is not only thought of as customary, but as rather mandatory. It usually occurs right after the feast, when all the attending guests rise and dance for the bride and groom’s entertainment. Costumes, masks, and props are often incorporated into these dances. This tradition symbolizes the general public’s desire to honor their king and queen, which at a Jewish wedding is the groom and bride. It relates to respect, renown, and overall celebration. Because of this, it is an almost obligatory wedding activity for Jewish weddings all over the world.
By Julia Dankov
Welsh Love Spoons
Nowadays, men all over the world buy flowers, chocolates, or jewelry for their partners as tokens of their affection. Although such gifts are considered rather desirable and customary, they lack personality and do not show too much thoughtfulness. The Welsh men of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries seemed to agree.
Back then, when young men did not have much to entertain themselves with, they would often take up a rather unique hobby. After a long day’s work, they would sit down at their crafting stations and spend hours upon hours carving beautiful, intricate wooden spoons to present to their special ladies. If a woman accepted such a spoon when it was offered to her, it was as if she accepted a proposal. Of course, this custom not only served as way for men to propose, it was also a great way to spread particular messages of love, since the spoons would often have symbols carved into them. For instance, a diamond symbolized good fortune or wealth, a chain symbolized wishes to be together forever, a cross symbolized eternal faith, a flower symbolized deep affection, and so on. All in all, the custom of the Welsh love spoons is a custom remembered and loved dearly throughout the world to this day. It embodies everything a couple stands and wishes for, in something as simple as a carved little wooden spoon.
By Julia Dankov
Arras
There are many different kinds of wedding traditions practiced in the Latin-American culture, seeing as though it is greatly diverse and has many various influences. The tradition of the arras, or coins, is one of the oldest traditions of the sort. It is several centuries old, yet is continued to be practiced throughout Spain, Panama, and Mexico today.
The tradition generally occurs during Catholic weddings, right after the ceremony. The groom presents 13 gold coins, called arras, to his bride to represent his ability to support her. Before this, the coins are blessed by the priest and are passed through the hands of the newlyweds several times, ending with the bride. The tradition symbolizes the groom’s desire to look after his bride, and almost sort of affirms his promise to take care of her in their new marriage. It is a sweet and heartwarming tradition, practiced by all those who want to send their messages of love and care.
By Julia Dankov
Ella A Photoshoot
Anna G Photoshoot
Birkat Hamazon
No wedding is complete without a festive feast, this much is agreed upon all over the world. These feasts most often contain congratulations, toasts, and speeches. Traditional Jewish weddings however, have a little something special added to their feasts. This addition is called the Birkat Hamazon.
The Birkat Hamazon, or the blessings after the meal, is the traditional way to end a Jewish wedding feast. Benchers, which are small prayer booklets, are handed out to all the attending guests. After reciting the prayers, everyone participates in repeating the seven wedding blessings. Finally, the blessing over the wine is recited as two glasses of wine are poured together into a third. This symbolizes the creation of a strong bond and a new life together. Not only does this tradition connect all the friends and family in attendance, it also spreads messages of unity and new beginnings.
By Julia Dankov
Broken Coins
Nowadays, the use of engagement rings is customary all over the world. They have been around for several centuries and are still seen everywhere to this day. In ancient times however, this was not the case.
Many hundreds of years ago, broken coins added just as much value to an engagement as wedding rings do today. A man would break a coin in half, keep one half for himself, and offer the second half to the woman he intended to marry. If she accepted, she would wear her half around her neck for all to see. This represented a man’s wish to combine two halves, himself and his partner, into one whole. Not only does it symbolize the creation of a firm bond, it also conveys strong feelings of love and hope. Although not too commonly, this tradition is still seen today.
By Julia Dankov
Peruvian Ribbon Cake
No wedding is complete without a wedding cake, this is accepted and agreed upon all over the world. In Peru this is especially true, considering the fact that the wedding cake is part of an extremely old and celebrated Peruvian wedding tradition. This wedding tradition has been around for centuries, and continues to be practiced all over Peru to this day.
Peruvian wedding cakes often have a little something special added to them. A wedding charm, most likely a ring, with ribbons attached to it is placed between the layers of the cake. Before the cake is cut, each single woman attending the wedding celebration grabs onto and pulls a string. The one woman who pulls the ribbon with the ring on the end is then considered next in line to marry, almost like the tossing of the bridal bouquet tradition. Not only is it a unique alternative, it also represents the passing down of the luck of the bride and groom.
By Julia Dankov
Muslim Brides
On her wedding day, a bride is celebrated and treated rather regally. We have all heard “it’s her special day” and other such phrases, seeing as though they represent a wholly worldwide belief. Muslim weddings are especially rich in such a belief, and have been so for centuries.
Since the earliest of Muslim weddings, brides have been treated with respect and adoration on their wedding days. Nowadays, they are treated no differently, and even part take in a certain celebration held just for them. After the wedding ceremony, the bride changes into a specially made, elaborate gown adorned with gold, jewels, pearls, and other such decorations. It is in this gown that she is then held aloft and paraded around like royalty while friends and family watch, dance, and celebrate. After up to two hours of this, she is returned to the ground and placed into the groom’s arms, an indication of the end of the celebration. It unifies all the attending guests in a rather fun and sweet celebration, and says quite the lot about how Muslim brides are treated and thought of.
By Julia Dankov
Japanese Sake Ceremony
The Japanese culture is filled with countless traditions and customs. Many of these are several centuries old, including the sake wedding ceremony, or the “san-san-kudo” ceremony. This tradition dates back to the early sixteenth century, a time when sharing sake created a bond as formal and strong as a handshake did in Victorian times. Because of the immense importance of creating such a bond, this tradition continues to be practiced all over Japan to this day.
The phrase “san-san-kudo” generally translates to “three, three, deliver nine”. This refers to the amount of cups used and sips taken during the ceremony. It starts with both the groom and bride taking three sips of sake from three different sake cups. It finishes with them offering the sake to their families; first the groom’s father, then his mother, then the bride’s father, then her mother. The ceremony is not only beautiful to witness, it is also highly symbolic, seeing as though it represents the creation of a new family bond and demonstrates respect for parents. It is clear why it has stuck around for so long, and will not be forgotten for quite a while.
By Julia Dankov
Mitzvah Tanz
No wedding is complete without dancing, this is a universal truth. Not only does it bring people together, it also establishes a general sense of happiness and celebration. Jewish weddings for example, put quite the lot of emphasis on dancing. They even have a tradition called the “mitzvah tanz”, which can almost be considered an obligatory wedding activity.
The Hebrew and Yiddish phrase “mitzvah tanz” generally translates to “necessary dance”, meaning that it is not only thought of as customary, but as rather mandatory. It usually occurs right after the feast, when all the attending guests rise and dance for the bride and groom’s entertainment. Costumes, masks, and props are often incorporated into these dances. This tradition symbolizes the general public’s desire to honor their king and queen, which at a Jewish wedding is the groom and bride. It relates to respect, renown, and overall celebration. Because of this, it is an almost obligatory wedding activity for Jewish weddings all over the world.
By Julia Dankov
Welsh Love Spoons
Nowadays, men all over the world buy flowers, chocolates, or jewelry for their partners as tokens of their affection. Although such gifts are considered rather desirable and customary, they lack personality and do not show too much thoughtfulness. The Welsh men of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries seemed to agree.
Back then, when young men did not have much to entertain themselves with, they would often take up a rather unique hobby. After a long day’s work, they would sit down at their crafting stations and spend hours upon hours carving beautiful, intricate wooden spoons to present to their special ladies. If a woman accepted such a spoon when it was offered to her, it was as if she accepted a proposal. Of course, this custom not only served as way for men to propose, it was also a great way to spread particular messages of love, since the spoons would often have symbols carved into them. For instance, a diamond symbolized good fortune or wealth, a chain symbolized wishes to be together forever, a cross symbolized eternal faith, a flower symbolized deep affection, and so on. All in all, the custom of the Welsh love spoons is a custom remembered and loved dearly throughout the world to this day. It embodies everything a couple stands and wishes for, in something as simple as a carved little wooden spoon.
By Julia Dankov
Arras
There are many different kinds of wedding traditions practiced in the Latin-American culture, seeing as though it is greatly diverse and has many various influences. The tradition of the arras, or coins, is one of the oldest traditions of the sort. It is several centuries old, yet is continued to be practiced throughout Spain, Panama, and Mexico today.
The tradition generally occurs during Catholic weddings, right after the ceremony. The groom presents 13 gold coins, called arras, to his bride to represent his ability to support her. Before this, the coins are blessed by the priest and are passed through the hands of the newlyweds several times, ending with the bride. The tradition symbolizes the groom’s desire to look after his bride, and almost sort of affirms his promise to take care of her in their new marriage. It is a sweet and heartwarming tradition, practiced by all those who want to send their messages of love and care.
By Julia Dankov
FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY
Commissioned by designers and retailers alike for a proper display of garments and fabrics, both in studio and on location at stores and other such establishments. Collaborations with make-up artists and stylists are welcomed. Model portfolios shoots are also offered.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Commissioned by businesses looking to efficiently capture their interior and exterior architecture, working environment, staff, and other working activity. Photography for brochures, catalogs, annual reports, and other types of promotional materials and advertisement. Collaborations with designers, art-directors and stylists are welcomed.
PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
Products and table top photography for companies and stores aiming to display and advertise their products. Art-direction as well as set building can be provided on demand. Both in studio or on client’s location. Collaborations with designers, art-directors and stylists are welcomed.
PEOPLE and PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
