Dusk at the Chateau Marmont

I photographed Ryan and Kathryn at the ChateauMarmont in West Hollywood earlier this month. They wanted to do a completely different kind of engagement shoot and mulled around a few ideas before settling on the iconic hotel, known as for its illustrious place in Hollywood past and present. I’d done shoots there before, most recently for the singer Anastasia.



I read on the website that in 1939, Columbia Pictures founder Harry Cohn said, “ If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” So when Kathryn initially called me and said she and Ryan wanted to do some boudoir photos, I thought the Chateau would set the scene perfectly.

They arrived in the mid-afternoon loaded with props and outfits. I photographed them from 5 until after 8 p.m. The challenge was that it was getting dark, but I used the most natural light I could.





The opening shot I took was from the stairs. The angle seemed mysterious. Kathryn was draped in a sheet.







I took photos with Kathryn on the bed. I like them because they are clean and simple.




A security guard passed by when Kathryn was posed against the door and said, “I don’t know what you guys are doing, but you should probably go back inside.”






This kitchen shot was a spoof with Ryan serving Kathryn while she reads the sports page.










Frolicking in this blow up pool they brought was pretty kitsch.









At their September wedding, they said they want to exhibit some of the photographs such as this one in a cigar lounge set up especially for the event.




Toasting with Twister





You can be yourself or conjure up anyone you want to be — in the privacy of the Chateau Marmont.


THE END

Shivani and Anthony: An Inter-Cultural affair at The Four Seasons

Three cultures came together last Saturday evening at the The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Shivani, who comes from a blended Jewish-Hindu family married Anthony who is Catholic. It was important for the bride and groom to share their heritage.

Shivani and Anthony gave LA Premier Floral and Event Design full reign to create their personal kingdom.I arrived mid-afternoon to photograph Shivani first in her bridal suite. Capturing details is critical when shooting a wedding. Shivani had an intricate peacock design on her dress that held special significance to her and I wanted to make sure that was included in the photos. The henna design on her hands was done at a celebration a few days earlier and brought an important cultural element to the style of the wedding. I found a mirror in the room aesthetically interesting and felt like it added to the Hindu aspect of wedding. I placed the wedding bands on a piano because of the reflection. I backed the rings up by a uniquely designed lamp because it provided an elegant backdrop.

Shivani and Anthony first saw each other before the wedding in the lobby of the hotel. I wanted to capture the joy they felt at that moment so I took some candid shots as I watched them behind glass, as well as posed together.

The ceremony was held outside in the Wetherly Garden at the Four Seasons. Remy from LA Premier Floral and Event Design said that Shivani's favorite color is yellow and they used lemons with roses create a fresh look. The raised catwalk was custom made with a carpet and a runner designed with white rose petals.

A combination of a Jewish huppah and Hindu mundap was created out of flowers. A traditional Hindu ceremony is usually four hours long, but this was cut down to about twenty minutes, yet the tradition was not lost. A Hindu official and a judge officiated while they conducted the seven steps of a Hindu ceremony. A conch shell was blown to start the ceremony. Anthony stepped on a glass to represent Judaism.

Shivani and Anthony wanted the cocktail area to portray a chic, sophisticated look, so LA Premier draped the walls with shimmery fabric, provided ice sculptures with their names and walls of gold gilded mirrors. The ballroom was magically turned into an enchanted forest, decorated with white and gold place settings, menus and decor, and completed with a full arbor that crossed the room, embellished with hanging crystals and flowers.

Bride in front of the Mundap




This image is the couple seeing each other for the first time.



Bride and Groom moment

Room Shot

Shivani changed in a different dress for the dinner. West Coast Music provided a live band as well as a DJ for after midnight dancing. Bollywood Dancers entertained.