Herschel Gutman Photography Archives - Page 9 of 9 - Smashing the Glass

‘In love’ by Herschel Gutman

Given the task by Karen to submit my best wedding photo was a very daunting one. I am very bad at selecting 250 photos from a single wedding – so selecting one from tens of thousands of photos was a massive challenge. Usually, the more I stare at my images, the less I like them. So many things come into my head, from composition, to the lighting, to the contrast, to the clarity – all the technicalities of a good photo. But there is another factor that for me, overrides everything that one was ever taught during photography school and that is something that you can’t be taught, “how does this photo make you feel”. If it resonates with you, if it makes you laugh, if it makes you smile, if it makes you cry – then its a great photo.

Nikki and Gavriel’s wedding was a truly phenomenal wedding. It took place on a Moshav in Israel and I could not have asked for a more in love and happy couple. They were uber cool and just being around them was an absolute buzz. The photo I selected is one of many of them dancing. When I look at this photo – I find myself staring at it, it makes me smile on the inside and out. . I just love it. I love the way they are holding one another, the way Nikki is looking at Gavriel, the way Gavriel has his eyes closed, just taking in this moment with his wife. There is a backlight which adds to the atmosphere of this photo and the hanging lights in the background give this photo some contrast and depth.

Thanks for the task Karen – you really made me question my style and my photographs – THANK YOU!

I don’t know where to start with this wedding, it has absolutely knocked me for six. When I first clapped eyes on the stunning photographs and video highlights of Tammy and Tom’s wedding, I was captivated by this ridiculously good looking couple, the chuppah set against a picture-perfect Israeli seascape, the high octane, carefree celebrations, the loved-up gazes between bride and groom and of course THAT Inbal Dror wedding dress – and just when I thought it couldn’t get any more breathtaking, I heard the incredible tale about the rabbi who officiated the wedding.

Many years ago as a young boy of eight, Sharon Shalom, the rabbi, was among a group of refugees making the arduous journey from Ethiopia to Sudan, where planes were on standby to help them flee to Israel. They travelled the entire distance to Sudan on foot, lead and protected by the IDF and Mossad agents.

At one point it all became too much for the youngster. Terrified, he was hugged and encouraged to keep going by one of the agents, who just happened to be Tom’s father. This shared experience helped forge a lifetime’s friendship, so much so, that when the young boy had grown and become a rabbi, he was told by Tom’s father that “one day you’ll be the rabbi for my son”. This wedding made that wish come true.

Understandably the tears flowed under the chuppah that day as the family and rabbi Sharon Shalom stood together for such a special and poignant moment in all of their lives. Truly beautiful.

So whilst it’s a very cool, stylish, fun, fun, fun wedding – complete with a flash mob dance – and did I mention the disarmingly attractive bride and groom? It’s a wedding with a huge heart. And given the incredible and humbling back-story of courage and kindness, the brides advice resonates very loudly “The whole point of the day is to be happy – stressing defeats the purpose. Your hubby and the meaning of the day is much more important than the napkins or your dress!”

Hear hear! (Even though her dress is actually perfection!)

The stunning photography is by Herschel Gutman one of our much-loved Smashing Suppliers, who can always be relied upon for beautiful images. The wedding film at the end of the post is by the superb Tal Herman