New York City Wedding Photographer | Vintage Modern Southern California Wedding Photography » Maggie Harkov is an international modern wedding & lifestyle photographer based in New York City.

Well, my caffeine addicted friends, I know it’s just been KILLING you to wait for the announcement of the big winner so I’ll keep you waiting no longer.

The winner of $50 worth of indulgence at the ever fabulous Starbucks is…

Well, wait, I think I’m gonna have to tell you the answer first.  The lovely southern belle, Aimee, had a skim latte and her husband-to-be, Jonathan had…WATER.  What?!?  Yep, no joke.  I’m afraid Jonathan doesn’t share our addiction to warm, or iced get-you-going-in-the-morning fabulous goodness.  It’s okay, Jonathan, we’ll let you slide, just this once!

In light of this, I’ll be honoring the two people who were closest and splitting the gift card between - Ms. Rebecca of Dragonfly Photography who guessed a nonfat latte and Ms. Olga Perez Flora who guessed an iced green tea – which is cold and based in water so I’m gonna give it to her.  :)

Ladies, please send your mailing addresses to: maggie@maggieharkov.com to recieve your cards!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to guess!  I enjoyed reading all of your great guesses!

And, lastly, I leave you with one more picture of the lovely couple!

Happy Tuesday, friends! :)

Their eyes met as soon as she walked in the door.  She smiled, ordered a drink and found her way to an empty table just beside him.  There she sat, perched in her chair, pouring over a book on fashion, as she sipped the warm beverage from her paper cup.  He, stood tall in his chair (not a challenge for a man who is 6′7”) pretending to look engrossed in his GMAT prep book when, instead, he pondered an opening line.  “Your book looks more interesting than mine” were the words that changed it all.

This was no ordinary day at Starbucks.

Aimee, a beautiful Southern belle from Alabama, and one of the founding designers of the vintage and fabulous clothing line Sara Claire & Esther, and Jonathan, a brilliant young man and Partner Development Manager at the Associated Press from Johnstown, New York are getting married in October and I had the honor of shooting their engagement session. 

I’ve been friends with Aimee since she met Jonathan and I have to say, I never seen someone so in love.  Well, that was until I saw Jonathan look right back at her.  They are SUCH a sweet pair and it’s impossible not to laugh and smile right along with them.  You’ll see!  It’s contagious!  They’re head over heels, fall on your face, ridiculously in love.  Hate them?  You can’t!  They’re too nice and too adorable!  I feel so lucky to have captured this special time in their lives and even more lucky to call them my friends.

In honor of Aimee & Jonathan, I have a little challenge for all you coffee addicts out there who are just about ready for their next fix.  In the comment section, leave your usual fabulous comments and then take a stab at their beverages of choice on the day they met.  The lucky winner to guess first receives a $50 gift card to the place that brought these two love birds together.  All guesses must be in by Monday, July 27th at 9:00 AM EST.  Happy Coffee time, kids!   

Dear Mom & Dad,

Don’t read this.

I have to admit, I don’t have the best sense of direction.  Alright.  So NOT getting lost is a serious accomplishment for me, but I assure you, this didn’t happen in California.  It’s the signs.  Or lack thereof.  I blame them entirely.  There just aren’t any here – or not any clear ones.  No offense to the Northeast, but I’m not accustomed to turning right at the fat tree trunk because you can’t see the small sign hidden between the lush green tree branches and old telephone lines.  I’m not used to one way streets or no street lights at all.

Luckily, Ira the iPhone is my car companion and accompanies me on every excursion, so I rely heavily upon him for his mad navigation skills.  While on my way to a wedding on Saturday, it was not out of the ordinary that I had to utilize Ira’s awesome GPS-like functionalities to get me to my destination after the paper directions proved to be not quite as detailed as this directionally challenged girl might need.  Now, while Ira does have a map and written directions, it’s not a real GPS – it only has a general sense where you are and doesn’t talk to you, so oftentimes I get more lost.  And, yes, as much as I try to pull over and read directions it’s not always practical and I can only remember so many steps ahead so I drove while multi-tasking.  Shhh.  I told you not to read this Mom & Dad.  I know.  A big no-no to all and especially to a girl taught on her first driving lesson that the car is “a lethal weapon.”

After a talk with Mr. Hallmark, we’ve decided.  A GPS is on the horizon for the Hallmark family (AKA the directionally challenged Mrs. H.)  And, because I believe in signs, New York gave me one.  After taking Sophie out first thing in the morning yesterday, I picked up the paper and saw this on the front page:

Yikes.  Perhaps I got my sign after all.

Happy Monday, Internet.  PUT THOSE CELL PHONES DOWN!

Sometimes the simplest things are the best things in life…

Mr. Hallmark and I had a lovely weekend.  It was simple and calm and it was enjoyed together.  And, sometimes, just the simplicity of slowing down and witnessing the ordinary becomes something truly extraordinary.

Like seeing Oreo (Sophie’s new Aunt) be totally content chewing on her favorite bone.

Or observing the way dogs love…

Or having the ability to see these adorable faces…

Or having wonderful people and creatures on this earth to make us laugh…(Mr. Hallmark took this of me & our Sophie while on a picnic at the park on a beautiful summer day)

Or looking at the sun kiss the face of my beautiful little girl.  Ok, I know, I’ve officially turned into THAT dog owner.

 Or the wonderful feeling of snuggling up to someone you love…

Or watching a sunset of unimaginable color from our apartment window.

These are some of the simplest, yet greatest of things. 

Happy Monday, folks!  May it be a lovely week for all of you!

Liz, Paul, and Christopher are anxiously awaiting a very special delivery from a large, long-legged bird.  And, in just a few short weeks, the precious little bundle will enter his way into the world, changing their lives forever.

I’ve known Paul for a few years now, so when he asked me to take some portraits of his family, I was super excited.  Paul is one of the most proud fathers I’ve ever met.  He simply lights up when talking about his son, Christopher, and I was thrilled to witness his joy firsthand, and have the opportunity to capture his family in their element.

His wife, Liz, is simply glowing and though I heard she was a little nervous about taking some baby bump pictures, I never would have known it!  She was a complete natural in front of the camera and is so down to earth and at peace that I immediately felt at ease in her presence.  Is she a beauty or what?!

The adorable Christopher, who recently turned 2, is striking.  Talk about a cutie!  Wow.  His deep blue eyes are absolutely amazing and he is a total crack up.  He carries his bunny everywhere with him and adores his mommy and daddy to pieces.  He’s going to be such a great big brother.  Baby Gallegra is going to be one lucky kid!

Thanks so much for letting me capture this special time in your lives, Gallegras.  I can’t wait to meet the new addition!!

Here are a few of my favorites from our session…

I LOVE how he sniffs the “roses”…

Isn’t this the coolest freckle ever?  I love the heart on the bun in the oven…so fitting for the love the baby is about to be welcomed into.

Hide and seek…

Love this family photo…such a real moment with a two year old…

Bunny gives the baby a kiss…

Done with pictures and ready for bed…